How Many Devices is Too Many? And Can One Device Ever Be Enough?

[Crystal Eitle]

Hi all! I just got home from a weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is it ever good to be back. I missed you guys (and gals)!<br /><br />This is the first airplane trip I've taken since I got my Pocket PC, and what a difference it makes. I'm a believer in traveling light, and having a Pocket PC allows me to travel lighter than I ever have before, since it replaces books, magazines, a journal, CD player and CDs, and games.<br /><br />However, I'm not traveling as light as I could. While my Pocket PC can do it all (except make phone calls and take pictures - but there are Pocket PCs out there that can do these things), I find that specialized gadgets can do certain jobs even better. So in my purse, I have a total of four gadgets: cell phone, <a href="http://exilim.casio.com/">camera</a>, Otis audio player (which I got free with my <a href="www.audible.com">Audible</a> subscription), and my trusty iPaq 1910. I also spent quite a bit of time playing with a <a href="http://www.gameboyadvance.com/sp/home.jsp">Gameboy Advance SP</a> that my boyfriend bought for the trip. And then of course there are the extras that go along with the devices: chargers, headphones, cases, etc. (Not to mention the CF card sleeve and Stowaway keyboard my boyfriend brought along with his iPaq 3875, plus his digital camera and cell phone. Between the two of us, we had a <i>lot</i> of gadgets).<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/eitle-20030728-toys.JPG" /> <br /><br />Is it desirable to have one device that can do everything? Or is it better to have specialized devices for each job? I suspect it's a matter of personal preference. One concern for me is battery life; I literally have had nightmares about my Pocket PC running out of juice and leaving me with nothing to do. Specialized gadgets tend to have longer battery life; my cell phone can go for a week on one charge, my camera can go for a surprisingly long time (plus I carry a spare battery), the Audible Otis gets 10 hours of life from one set of batteries, and the Gameboy Advance can be played for up to 15 hours (according to its specs).<br /><br />Also, with specialization comes speed, and hardware optimizations. It's fun to play games on my iPaq, but I wonder whether gameplay on a Pocket PC will ever come close to gameplay on a device that is specially made for gaming; the GBA just blew my iPaq away in that department. The buttons on most Pocket PCs are not ideal for playing games. And the speed of a specialized device can be astonishing - transferring audiobooks to the Otis is about 5 times faster (in my rough estimate) than transferring audiobooks to my Pocket PC. For me, the advantages of specialization are worth it. (Or maybe I'm just trying to justify my gadget addiction! 8) ) I'm curious how Pocket PC Thoughts readers stand on this issue. Is your goal to have one device that can do it all, or do you like to carry around two or more specific devices to meet your specific needs?

[urologyhealth]

I had a Casio E-200 and a cellphone and of course all the chargers.

I now have Siemens SX56 pocketpc phone and It is ONE DEVICE - for games,audible downloads,MS Reader or Peanut Press ebooks, and all the software I had on my Casio. I have a "lil" sync USB charger cable that hooks to my computer and a car adaptor it fits into and rarely have a battery life issue. I carry an AC adaptor as well. Obviously, I am waiting for a newer device with more RAM than the 32MB it comes with and an SDIO slow for wi-fi and WINDOWS CE MOBILE 2003. I'm sure this will happen. I do feel the cameras with the phones are gadgets (gimmicks) to sell phones, and for real picture quality have a decent 3.5 megapixel digital camera that is excellent and runs on 4AA batteries. I have a belt clip from SEIDIO that works just like my other cellphones before.

I'm sure there are multiple other opinions, but this works for me-instead of carrying all the items you had in your picture.

[Crystal Eitle]

Okay, the people who responded "zero" have piqued my interest. I just put that option in there as the traditional "joke" option.

Do you leave your Pocket PCs at home? How do you get by without any toys?

[rlobrecht]

I voted 2. On a daily basis, I only carry my pocket PC and my cell phone. Travelling would be different, and it would depend on why I'm travelling. Business travel would add my laptop, and digital camera. Personal travel would add digital and film cameras.

[tcrossey]

I love gadgets and would love an all in one device to simplify traveling. My only fear is that one item can malfunction and then I have nothing or I have to send it in because one item stopped working correctly and again I have nothing. Even if I got the magic all in one device I would probably be to paranoid to not carry some kind of backup. After all we all know how super reliable computers of any kind are. They only break when you really need them.

[Kevin Remhof]

Do you leave your Pocket PCs at home? How do you get by without any toys?

Every time that I take my iPaq with me, I get frustrated with the battery life. So, most of the time I leave it at home.

We went to my in-laws cottage in Michigan a few weeks ago. Our cell phone does not work there so we left it in the car. I did take my iPaq so that I could do some stargzing. But, I had to lug the charging cable with me so that it wouldn't die on me.

Besides, if I'm taking the weekend "off", I'd rather just back a book and a magazine. I don't really need gadgets. I miss them, but it's nice to get away for a while.

[gorkon280]

I have my iPaq (h5555), my Yaesu VX-7R(ham radio + general coverage reciever.....even picks up TV audio), my Nomad Zen (20GB), my Digitravler GPS, my Garmin eMap GPS (in case the iPaq is outta juice and I gotta go somewhere), my Kodak DX4900 digicam, my walkman, my work nextel, my personal cellphone all the cables.....I need a new backpack! :rofl:

When I go on a trip it gets worse.....you add to these, the chargers for all of them, a spare set of triple a's and a spare set of double a's, cables for all of that stuff, a modem, a network card (need to purchase yet), and possibly a laptop (if I have one for work). I am Inspector gadget in the flesh! Would I leave home without any of this? Yeah, for an hour or two, but when I am gone for more than 4 hours, all of this goes with me. Also, I would like to add to my trip list a DV Cam, a 10 m radio (once I get my tuner, antenna and a 7 AH battery I am GOING to do this) and anything else I can think of.....various memory cards and CD's. I like to be prepared for any geek emergency. Thank GOD the 5555 has WiFi anf BT built in....I really need a BT phone (and a BT Dongle too!).

[Bruno Figueiredo]

Well, I'm always with my Calvin Klein bag with a Toshiba e570 with a 256MB CF, Nokia 6610 Cell Phone, a pair or earbuds and the handsfree cell phone set. Inside it's also my sunglasses and 10pc cd case (integrated with the bag - i love that bag) and my keys.

Since my cellphone has a buil in radio and my CF is full of MP3, i'm always with music.

I still travel with a magazine, most of the time (no PPC version yet).

I find that a separate cellphone is more convenient than a XDA, as for battery life and smeared screen...

Still, i travel mostly on public transportation and I don't like to flip out my PPC there (there are a lot of dangerous people on the subway). So, my gorgeous (http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,,734,00.html) cell phone, with a cool color screen and Java Games (I have Bomb Jack on it - amazing) is my playing toy there (less evident).

[The Half-Ling]

:mrgreen:
I answered one because i thought thats how many i thought i wanted lol, i have +5

iPAQ 5555
GBA SP
T68i se
Canon Pshot S50
...and more...

[rmasinag]

I have two... my 2210 and and a 2 yr old tiny Aiwa radio. It'll be 3 when i get a t68i phone.I still dont believe integrating phone into PPC esp when I'm disappointed how the H2210 compares against my old, reliable H3135. It becomes 3 when I bring my Oly C5050, b/c phone/ppc cams are gimmicks when you see a real nice 5mp shot with a great camera w/o going pro! :)

Actually what doubles my daily haul is xtra batt for 2210 and camera, and the Wifi card, and various cards for the ppc and digicam when I take it with me. :mrgreen:

[axe]

I carry two: my iPaq and my cell phone, and answered as such...

However I would LOVE to see the new WinMobile2003 Phone Edition machines to be released so I can scale that back to one. I've been told Rogers is releasing a PPCPE machine soon, but in an inquiry I made to them, I received nothing but the automated acknowledgement...
I keep checking the website too to no avail. Three different Palm/Cell phones, but no PPC... :cry:

I have a dream... :)
AXE

[CTSLICK]

2 small e-devices
Axim
T68

But its the accessories I always fret about. If I don't remember all of the following I am going to be upset.

Axim sync/charge cable
BT CF Card.
Targus IR Keyboard
Extra 128 SD Card
Extra Axim Battery
T68 charger

Wheee!

[Wes Salmon]

I recently went to Vegas for my honeymoon and I had three and a half devices on me:

Bluetooth iPaq
T68i
Minolta DimageX
Jabra Bluetooth Headset

I'd say I could have done without the headset as I didn't use it once.

I didn't take a bag with me and kept the camera and ipaq in my pockets while the T68i lived on my belt. I couldn't do this at home when I have to carry around my keys because that would scratch up whatever is in the pocket with them. :(

[ntractv]

Geez, I carry way to much:

1. HP iPAQ 5555 (A week old)
2. Compaq 3835 (the "just in case" standby
3. RCA portable DVD player with a few DVD's
4. Nikon Coolpix 885
5. Magellan SporTrak Map GPS device.
6. Motorola T720c Cell Phone
7. StarTac Cell Phone (Work)
8. SkyTel Pager (Work)

And every now and then a Gateway Laptop.

[Pat Logsdon]

I voted one, but it's a qualified one, since I'm including all of my Axim-specific accessories with that one. :mrgreen: I just bought Podzilla (http://www.roadwired.com/store/Product.cfm?Productid=75) to carry it all, but I don't think that's excessive for what I normally take with me: Axim X5 Advanced
Vaja Universal Pouch (Large)
Veo Photo Traveller (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A0076078)
Haicomm 303MMF CF GPS (http://www.semsons.com/haicmulgpsre.html)
Extra battery
Socket LP WLAN (for normal WiFi connections)
Linksys WCF12 WLAN (for sniffing)
That's pretty much it - I gave up the cell phone 2 years ago and don't regret it a bit, and when I go geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/), I just toss in my Aquapac (http://www.aquapac.net/) and Swissflame knife (https://www.toolshop.de/e/shop/knives_detail.jsp?productID=3320), and I'm good to go! 8)

[onepieceman]

I noticed battery life was mentioned as a reason to have multiple devices, but for me this is one of the main reasons to carry just one. At least if you have just one device, you generally won't forget to charge it, and you can even afford to carry a charger around with you in most cases. If you have five devices, which all use non-interchangeable batteries with different plugs and charging requirements, how do you cope? Sure as eggs is eggs, you'll forget to charge at least one of them most of the time. Or do people have cunning strategies to get around this one?

[ux4484]

Daily: Axim, 4in1 stylus, and Moto v60i.

On vacation: Visor, cell phone, GMRS/FRS radio (if required), and conventional 35mm camera (cause it's lighter, more durable, and (needless to say) cheaper to replace if it gets damaged).

[Ed Hansberry]

I am still a dual device person - Pocket PC and a bluetooth enabled cell phone, so right now, iPAQ 2215 and Nokia 3650. When ThinkOutside gets the driver issue fixed, the Stowaway goes back into the bag.

[qmrq]

I only have my Pocket PC... it's all I need. :)

Cell phones, ick! No single device is better at killing productivity.

[GoldKey]

Much easier to shoot a picture of everthing than list it out.

http://www.nettally.com/gohlke/temp/gear.jpg

This is pretty much what I carry daily (wife makes fun of my man bag). Not pictured is the Semsons CF/PC adapter an hopefully soon a PCMCIA hard drive.

I have some extra items for longer trips.

[xendula]

I carry 5 (Ipaq, Fuji Finepix, laptop with DVD drive, triband cellular phone, minidisc player) , because I mostly fly between Germany and the US - alone - so I am constantly scared to be too bored - or forced to read when I'd rather listen to music or watch a movie or do work on the laptop for a change.
I could do with 4 if I left my minidisc player behind, but then what do I do if the other devices run out of power or break or something?!?
Most of my devices run on AAs, so I carry a lot of rechargeables and a charger, and of course all the power plugs so I can charge up between flights, and a bunch of SM- SD- cards, minidiscs, CDs, DVDs.
It's no fun to go through security with my backpack, they always take me aside to search me because I guess all this stuff just looks too suspicious :?

And I also take a bunch of computer magazines with me when I come to the States, because over here (US) you just can't find much in that respect. I always wondered why :?:

[PocketExpert]

Na, I don't really think so :-)

[wastl]

Lucky for you Crystal that you didn’t had a bluetooth headseat WITH power charger too!

Be honest I had enough with this entire gadget carrying around and WORTH of it is if you forget ONE Power supplies and the whole lot might be useless after a while!

So we here in Aussieland got 3G Telephone system since April/July, only the 3rd or 4th in the world normally with new technology we might get it after Swaziland had it for 2 years when we get it at all and with it we get some nice Mobile Phones like in Sept the Motorola A920 AND I CAN'T WAIT. Cuts down 80% on other toys and has even GPS included...rest of the world eat your heard out!!! 0X 0X :mrgreen:

Videotalk
Digital picture & video camera
Video downloads
Bluetooth
Touch screen for easy email
MP3 player
AGPS
USB connectivity
Modem to access the Internet via a laptop
8MB internal memory with memory card expansion
Open operating system

Here is a link with some more details and a pic!

http://www.three.com.au/index.cfm?section=Explore&pid=450&pageid=481&sid=854

[Brad Adrian]

...I didn't take a bag with me and kept the camera and ipaq in my pockets while the T68i lived on my belt. I couldn't do this at home when I have to carry around my keys because that would scratch up whatever is in the pocket with them. :(
psst. eVest.

[xoiph]

I'm surprised that Crystal and Goldkey carry a Gameboy as well as a PPC. I always thought the Pocket PC alone would be enough for gaming. I have Age Of Empires, gnuboy CE, Interstellar Flames, PocketNES, Turjah and X-Ranger installed on my paqie and I never have a problem with boredom 8)

[Crystal Eitle]

I'm surprised that Crystal and Goldkey carry a Gameboy as well as a PPC. I always thought the Pocket PC alone would be enough for gaming. I have Age Of Empires, gnuboy CE, Interstellar Flames, PocketNES, Turjah and X-Ranger installed on my paqie and I never have a problem with boredom 8)
Well, the Gameboy isn't mine... it belongs to a loved one. But like I said, it blows my Pocket PC away in terms of gameplay. We've been playing Wario Ware on it, which is a total blast.

[PR.]

HP ipaq 5450
T68i

Thats if I'm away for a couple of days, any longer and the laptop comes along for the ride as well

[yawanag]

I said two only because I like having a backup should I have to send my main device (T-Mobile) in.

With the high meg cards out and having it loaded with all the apps that make my life run smoothly, I don't see the need for more than one. I say that, but everytime I see the new models coming out, my heart sinks and I wish I was filthy rich so I could have a ton or at least trade up.

[Bruno Figueiredo]

I know this thread was started by a woman, but still...

Aren't we men becoming too "sissy" by carrying all that stuff with us?

Women carry all sorts of beauty stuff with them: brushes, lipstick, mirrors, make-up, mascara, tissues, the heck...

Well, men are starting to do the same thing.

5 years back, men would go around with their wallet in the back pocket, keys in front. Pronto.

Now we all have pouches (me too, i'm affraid), jackets, and we carry all sort of gadgets with us, just like women carry beauty related items.

Does a man with a bag look like a "sissy"? Are we loosing our "macho"?

Please don't start to flame, me. I'm as "macho man" as the next guy, but men always have these kind of issues women don't understand...

[fletch]

At least with one device its only one charger.

I agree with your critiques (baterry life, game buttons not as good etc), but rather than resign to the fact that you will always have to carry multiple devices, we should be pressing manufacturers to improve pocket pcs.

Ever since I saw the first 3600 I thought the pocketpc's destiny should ultimately be exactly all the devices in your pic.... Its taken ages, but we are finally getting close with the JVC and the MIO's.

I think the 'big prize' is the battery life, once we get that sorted it will be *zen*

f

[Jeff Rutledge]

Well I have three devices right now.

If it's business:
iPAQ 3870
T68 phone
Blackberry 957

If it's a personal trip, replace the Blackberry with my Canon Powershot S50 digital camera.

I'm still hoping that the day is not too far off when I can get down to one device for business travel.

I'm holding off for a PPCPE with WM2003. That will take care of the phone/PDA issue. Then if RIM delivers its Blackberry software for PPC like it's supposed to, my belt would lighten right up.

As far as the camera goes, I don't see myself using an integrated camera for serious pictures. They're fine for fun and informal pics, but when I want to take family pictures, scenery, etc. (basically, pics I want to have developed), then I want a good dedicated camera.

I think we're really close. I think the one-device for me is coming very, very soon. For me, it's a WM2003 Phone Edition with at least one wireless integrated (likely Bluetooth so I can use my headset). Then an SDIO slot for the other wireless requirement. I'd give or take a camera; doesn't really matter to me. Throw in the Blackberry software so I can get my "always-on, always-connected" mail from work and I'm all set.

From what I hear, the next XDA should do it. We'll see though...(I'm a little hesitant to get my hopes up as I've been disappointed before). :cry:

[Anthony Caruana]

For me it's the PPC and my cell phone. I use the PPC for reading ebooks, listening to music, playing games, reading work docs and obviously the PIM stuff.

Is the PPC the best for all these functions? Probably not. I still prefer paper books but ebooks are easier. I think my discman does better soundbut the PPC is easier. I can read and annotate docs easier if I print them out but my PPC makes them easier to carry around and harder to lose.

The PPC is not perfect but it is a really decent compromise.

[GoldKey]

I'm surprised that Crystal and Goldkey carry a Gameboy as well as a PPC. I always thought the Pocket PC alone would be enough for gaming. I have Age Of Empires, gnuboy CE, Interstellar Flames, PocketNES, Turjah and X-Ranger installed on my paqie and I never have a problem with boredom 8)

I agree with Crystal. Being a pure gaming device, the gameboy kicks the PDA's butt in gameplay. Granted with an emulator, I can get a lot more games for free (only games I already own the cart of, of course :wink: ), but the feel is not the same as a dedicated machine.

[GoldKey]

Does a man with a bag look like a "sissy"? Are we loosing our "macho"?


I could beat someone to death with my man bag. :D Right now I use a Sling bag I got at the Gap, but I am looking to order this from ebags

http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/60m/images.ebags.com/images/products/15028_axlrg.jpg

I don't think it looks any more "sissy" than carrying a backpack. But I have found the sling far more comfortable and functional.

[blusparkles]

If I'm just going somewhere for the day, I'll take the following:
- 30GB iPod
- Qtek 7070 (aka Tanager) with clip-on camera
- iPAQ 3970
- Zire 71
- BoxWave miniSync cable with car charger
- Targus 16MB USB key
(and possibly the Elekson fabric keyboard for the phone, though have never used it in a public place to date!)
and that's before all of the usual cosmetics and "womanly" things 8)

One of these days I'm dreaming of just taking the Smartphone but it'll take a little time for me to get to that stage, hehe.

On a trip, I'll add the Toshiba Portege 2010 notebook computer, Iomega Predator CD Burner, Canon Ixus digital camera and various chargers and sync cables.

[maximus]

I'm curious how Pocket PC Thoughts readers stand on this issue. Is your goal to have one device that can do it all, or do you like to carry around two or more specific devices to meet your specific needs?

Daily : Three, axim+GPRS, minolta dimage Xi (This little baby never leave my pocket), and motorola T720 (I was assigned a SIM card the day I joined this company, they say that I have to be 'reachable' all time. hence I put it in my older T720 ... while the SIM card in the axim is my personal number) ...

Travelling : Also three, axim+GPRS, a sigma SD9 for taking pictures and a minolta F300 for backups. I work as a freelance photographer for a newspaper .. hence backup camera is mandatory.

edited:
Accessories ... accessories ... charger for axim, charger for AA batteries, and lots of SD & CF cards. I usually carry 3x256 SDs loaded with oggs. 1x128 SD loaded with games (age of empire, argentum, arkaball, odyssey, puzzle of pipes, etc.), an empty 256 SD inside the F300, an empty 1GB CF inside the SD9. And of course, a LOT of rechargable niMH AA batteries for both the F300 and SD9.

edited:
Daily : a simple aiwa clip-on earphone
Travelling : a sennheiser noise-cancelling headphone to remove those annoying jet hums ...

[maximus]

Much easier to shoot a picture of everthing than list it out.

http://www.nettally.com/gohlke/temp/gear.jpg

This is pretty much what I carry daily (wife makes fun of my man bag). Not pictured is the Semsons CF/PC adapter an hopefully soon a PCMCIA hard drive.

I have some extra items for longer trips.

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there. What is the device on the lower right corner ? That looks familiar, but I cant remember what that is.

[Janak Parekh]

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there.
If you're looking for competition, PPCT member Kaber wins (http://mysite.verizon.net/res02afy/ipaq_crap.jpg). :lol:

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

I could beat someone to death with my man bag. :D Right now I use a Sling bag I got at the Gap, but I am looking to order this from ebags
Ooooh, that looks fantastic. A little big for what I carry, but I am now going to have to check out eBags. I'm currently looking to ditch my laptop bag (annoyingly heavy and bulky), and am more in the market for a smallish "accessory bag". Girls have it so much easier for things like this -- they've got a million options. ;)

--janak

[GoldKey]

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there. What is the device on the lower right corner ? That looks familiar, but I cant remember what that is.

That is just the electronic stuff. And I missed a few things at that. I also carry the boring things (wallet, brush, various meds, building keycards, car keys, flashlight (soon to be replaced with PPC microlight), Oakleys, emergency necktie, mints, hand sanitizer (a bit compulsize about germs in public places)). The device in the lower corner is a Garmin Etrex GPS.

[maximus]

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there.
If you're looking for competition, PPCT member Kaber wins (http://mysite.verizon.net/res02afy/ipaq_crap.jpg). :lol:

--janak

I always wonder why he needs to carry those two PC speakers :D I find a sennheiser headphone to be much better than the regular PC speakers ... and much more private.

[GoldKey]

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there.
If you're looking for competition, PPCT member Kaber wins (http://mysite.verizon.net/res02afy/ipaq_crap.jpg). :lol:

--janak

My full travel kit could give him a run for the money. A project for another day.

[GoldKey]

Ooooh, that looks fantastic. A little big for what I carry, but I am now going to have to check out eBags. I'm currently looking to ditch my laptop bag (annoyingly heavy and bulky), and am more in the market for a smallish "accessory bag". Girls have it so much easier for things like this -- they've got a million options. ;)

--janak

Except, just like in the Seinfeld episode, I find my wife keeps asking me to put her stuff in there too!

I pulled the trigger and ordered the bag. I hope this is the last one, I have a tendancy to keep buying bags and then finding something better. I could probably write a great review of gear bags for this site.

I am hoping this is big enough for my laptop in its padded sleeve also. It just does not quite make it in my current bag, but I don't carry it that often anyway. That transmetta tablet PC for $800 that was posted a few weeks ago will fit great though whenever it comes out.

[ctmagnus]

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there.
If you're looking for competition, PPCT member Kaber wins (http://mysite.verizon.net/res02afy/ipaq_crap.jpg). :lol:

--janak

0X

I was thinking that exact thing when I read Maximus's post.

[Crystal Eitle]

Much easier to shoot a picture of everthing than list it out.

This is pretty much what I carry daily (wife makes fun of my man bag). Not pictured is the Semsons CF/PC adapter an hopefully soon a PCMCIA hard drive.

I have some extra items for longer trips.

Whoa, you are carrying a LOT of stuffs there. What is the device on the lower right corner ? That looks familiar, but I cant remember what that is.
And what is that white thing between the Axim and the Gameboy? Is that a camera?

[Certified Optimist]

Daily:
Nokia 6100
Hp568 (thumbkeyboard, WiFi Card, 256MB Cf card, extended battery, Pocketop keyboard)
Sony MD

Travelling:
Ixus V2 (+spare battery)
Nikon F80 (if I am going some place new, e.g. holiday)

Why - battery... For example, the MD player lasts for 70 hours (without the extended battery)... So, I can then use my 568 to play games and read e-books (+for work of course). Why two cameras...? Ixus for party shots + "I've been there before, but... meeting an old friend" and the F80 for "...this is where grandpa went 200 years ago in 2003..."

[GoldKey]

And what is that white thing between the Axim and the Gameboy? Is that a camera?

Logitech camera. OK pictures, but very portable for when I don't have the regular camera.

[Perry Reed]

I'm one of the ones who is out of control. For everyday use, I carry:

Jornada 568 pda
Sanyo 4900 cell phone
Archos Jukebox 6000 mp3 player
Nikon CoolPix 4300 camera
Mattel handheld games (Football, Baseball, Football II)
Targus Stowaway keyboard
32MB USB dongle (on my key chain)

And various CF cards for storage, networking, etc.

For longer trips, I add:

Gameboy color (haven't yet upgraded to the new Advance toy)
HP Pavillion ze4315 laptop
Sony wraparound headphones

And more CF cards, PC Cards, cables, and power adapters.

I also carry a Swiss Army knife and Zippo lighter, although I'm considering getting a Leatherman.

I have several different bags that I use, depending on where I'm going, including a leather satchel, a roll-along computer bag, and a backpack that has speakers built into it.

[maximus]

and a backpack that has speakers built into it.

I saw a backpack like that the other day, on sale at a department store. I dont remember the bag's brand, but it is equipped with 2x 3" klipsch speakers. Pretty cool. But I cannot think of the proper occasion to wear it. On what occasion did you use the backpack ?

[GoldKey]

I added my PPCT Microlight to my gearbag today. Thanks Jason, it is way cool! Going to lay out my whole travel kit when my new pack gets here from ebags. So we will see if I can give Kaber a run for his money.

[Jeff Rutledge]

I'm in the opposite boat unfortunately. I could cover my living room floor with all the crap I've purchased over the last couple years. Of all this, very few have made it on my packing list.

Lessons learned I guess...

[Perry Reed]

and a backpack that has speakers built into it.

I saw a backpack like that the other day, on sale at a department store. I dont remember the bag's brand, but it is equipped with 2x 3" klipsch speakers. Pretty cool. But I cannot think of the proper occasion to wear it. On what occasion did you use the backpack ?

Cycling. Wearing headphones is too dangerous in traffic.

[Brad Adrian]

I don't think it looks any more "sissy" than carrying a backpack. But I have found the sling far more comfortable and functional.
PSST!!!! PSST!!! eVEST!!!

[ctmagnus]

PSST!!!! PSST!!! eVEST!!!

I concur, unless you lug one of these (http://www.nomadworld.com/products/Jukebox3/) around on a daily basis. After owning one for a while, I am soooo in favor of the iPods.

[droppedd]

yeah - i finally saw one of the new ipods today - they're frikkin miniscule. Deceptively heavy, but Altoids-tin sized. And i've seen the old ipods - this is significantly thinner.

Eh - I have all the jukebox I need since around campus i'll be able to use my iPaq through wifi with NetUse to access my 120 GB hard drive off the network :) . and when i leave campus? the music on my 256 mb SD and 1 GB CF should last me a lot longer than my batteries will :D

[maximus]

evest is cool too. The biggest drawback of the evest is the requirement to have a high level of discipline to search every single pocket on it, before throwing it into a washing machine ....

[Bruno Figueiredo]

All we need now is a ***wallet that says bad moth*r f*cker... (http://www.mess.be/badmother****erwallet/)***

***Note: This link contains offensive language
Edited by Moderator SJC 7/30/03 13:32 EDT

[maximus]

$10 has been deducted from your account.

You have been sentenced for a non-compliance to this law (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=144737#144737)

[Bruno Figueiredo]

C'mon... :roll:

It isn't like I linked a porn site... We were talking about what we got in our bags and I, like a Tarantino and Pulp Fiction fan, found that wallet on the net, and thought to share it with you.

Sorry if I offended you... :(

[maximus]

Only a joke my man :D ... dont take things too seriously :beer:

[ECOslin]

I'd like to keep it simple, but, I've learned that old saw, 'keeping your eggs in one basket' will come around and kick you in the rear.

I can see myself with one of the new multi-everything PDA's, I see myself losing it.

Edward

[ChristopherTD]

Three for me - after decades of lugging "portable" computers, I am now down to iPaq 5450, "old" 10GB iPod and Sony T68i. The iPaq is the only device in danger of running out of battery charge in a normal day, and I have a spare battery so no need to lug chargers about.

I guess if the 5450 was a phone as well that would be convenient as I hardly ever use the phone except for GPRS.

I like to keep iPod and iPaq separate until a merged device emerges that exceeds the capabilities, battery life, capacity and convenience of each (that would be a neat device).

[ctmagnus]

I like to keep iPod and iPaq separate until a merged device emerges that exceeds the capabilities, battery life, capacity and convenience of each (that would be a neat device).

I concur. But there's still the issue of bitrate on devices like iPaqs, so the ideal device is unfortunately still a ways down the road.

Edit: WM2003 (at least the iPaq 5550) is capable of handling very high bitrate audio files.

[GoldKey]

Got the bag in the mail today. A little smaller than I would have thought from the review saying how BIG it was. But the size is great. A really nice touch, which you can barely see in the picture, is that the inside is bright orange. Makes finding stuff inside alot easier.


http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/60m/images.ebags.com/images/products/15028_axlrg.jpg

[Jeff Rutledge]

Got the bag in the mail today. A little smaller than I would have thought from the review saying how BIG it was. But the size is great. A really nice touch, which you can barely see in the picture, is that the inside is bright orange. Makes finding stuff inside alot easier.


http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/60m/images.ebags.com/images/products/15028_axlrg.jpg

This looks kind of interesting. I've never used a sling before. Any comments?

Also, any more pics of this (like someone wearing one)? How about a link?

TIA.

[GoldKey]

JR,

Personally, I find a sling easier on the back and easier to take on and off than a backpack. This particular model is from ebags.

http://www.ebags.com/eBags/Slingshot_Cross_Body_Sling/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=15028&bb_id=c8687&ProductList_21_Link=Details&sub_site_id=21

[ctmagnus]

I should probably get a new pack one of these days. I've been using an old MEC Weeping Wall for ~ 10 years and it's not very electronics-friendly. It's one of their biggest (volume-wise) offerings and but it only has four pockets! The last trip I went on I resorted to using it's predecessor, a MEC deluxe bookbag because it handles all my stuff (and it's accompanying cables/chargers/batteries) so much better.