Taking Electronics with you? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

RootBrewskies · 04-24-2006, 11:46 AM

so i was wondering what people think about taking electronics with them backpacking. i'm not a person who has to have gadgets with me all the time, but when u get used to snapping photos with a digital camera you dont want to give it up, its nice to have 5000 songs with you everywhere, and if you have a video camera it can give u some lasting memories.

i was just wondering what people think about taking stuff with them backpacking. im contemplating taking stuff with me. to pack my ipod, camera, and videocamera would only add a few pounds to my bag and would allow me alot of options for saving some memories and listening to some good music.

the problem is though, i would hate to have like 1000 dollars worth of electronics with me at all times and in all the hostels im in. i also typically like to be experiencing things and right in the middle of them rather than on the outside taking pictures of them. however, thinking back on it, i would kill to have some video of some of my trips to spain, eastern europe, central america, etc.

some of the stuff is so amazing and you want to remember it forever, and i will remember some of it, but no matter how hard u try some stuff always fades from your memory.

so what do u guys think about carrying a butt load (or at least a butt load worth of $$$) in electronics around with you while backpacking.

**benna2** · 04-24-2006, 11:49 AM

I would say definately YES to a digital camera and definately YES to music of some sort....could be a cheap MP3 Player that you buy specifically for your trip. That way you have the music on you and if (IF!!) something does happen to it, it is not a terrible tragedy if you are only losing a hundred bucks or so.

As for the video camera, I would pass on that myself...You can take short clips of video on your digital camera (just have lots of memory cards with you). But as far as actually bringing a separate video camera...I don't think it is worth the risk of losing/breaking/getting it stolen.

**omisan** · 04-24-2006, 12:07 PM

Yeah, what Benna said...

I couldn't possibly travel without my digital camera and my iPod. And my mobile phone, too. (God bless GSM!) However, as much as I'd love good DV/HD footage of my trips, I can't possibly justify the size/weight of a video camera on top of stuff I already have. The benefit:size ratio just doesn't seem favorable, considering video cams eat up more space, battery life and - ugh - tape. Then again, I have a film camera and many rolls of film to deal with, so I guess that's about on par, so I shouldn't be one to talk!

**PlayPal** · 04-24-2006, 01:31 PM

A good digicam and a good mp3 player should do you fine. I agree with Omison about the gsm phone too. Bring a cheap, durable one and you can join the instant message fanaticism of europe. It really is nice for meeting up with people and what not. If I were you I would bring your download cable for you digicam, as it is a good idea to back up your pics onto cd's even if the card isn't full yet. You never know what might happen. You can even send the cd home if you don't want to carry it. Also, have at least one extra battery for your camera. It's worth it.

Oh yeah, you can also get a AA external battery pack for your ipod in case you don't want to take the time to charge it, or your not in a safe place to leave it out while it charges. Well, if it's an ipod you're taking anyway.

**raysen** · 04-24-2006, 02:22 PM

when me and my boyfriend go we are talking a small video camcorder which is very light and quite compact, and a 6gb mp3 player and probably buy a half decent camera, nothing to flash or professional but a nice one not too expensive but ones that look ebtte rthan disposable one

Between the two of us on our first trip i dont think this will hinder our packing weight or space wise so i hope not to be prooved wrong hehe

**bluepea** · 04-24-2006, 04:04 PM

I wouldn't go anywhere without my camera. MP3 player is definitely not excessive either!

**Joker** · 04-24-2006, 05:26 PM

You have to remember whether you wanna pack heavy or light and most importantly, do you wanna flash really nice gear around?

I contemplated buying a DV-cam in San Jose, CR. It was hella cheaper than back home, but the last thing I wanted was a ton of electronic gear hanging off me when I'm given to quick hops out.

I did have a decent digicam that did some short movies, and the several of the biggest (1GB) SD cards I could find. That kept me going, and most importantly- if I got mugged, I was only out $200 for the cam. I couldn't justify bringing a $1000 DV-cam or digital SLR rig with me.

As for la musica, la musica, I did bring my ever-so-unreliable iPod, who's batteries crapped out somewhere in the air between Miami and San Jose. It was a paperweight for the rest of the trip. Hindsight being 20/20, I doubt I'd bring it again, based on what WWMike said 'bout music- it keeps you from hearing the local conversations and potentially picking up info. I kinda agree with that, but YMMV.

I'd advise a backup battery/appropriate country adapters for anything electronic you bring along.

**Somnambulation** · 04-24-2006, 07:34 PM

I know taking a video camera seems excessive, but I travelled for a few dyas with a guy who had one and I kind of envied him. It didnt seem to be too much of a hassle and he was able to catch some awesome things on camera, in ways a picture just couldnt convey. He had a really small Sony Handicam that didnt too obstrusive - it fit easily into a daypack, which you usually have with you all day anyway. At least I did. Im not sure its worth going out and buying one, but if you have I would bring it along.

**bellelass** · 04-24-2006, 08:34 PM

Before I run off to the other side of the world again, Im planning to get a handheld digi dvd cam. my friend has one, it takes incredible photos and it records video either straight to a dvd or to the memory card. Its small and light and durable. My mother is very technologically challenged, so I'd like to send her video diary dvds.

As for the other stuff.. Well. Dont ever take (or buy for that matter) anything that would upset you too much to lose. I had a really nice digi cam stolen from me in London and havent had the heart to replace it yet. On the other hand, electronic goodies can come in really handy. I once bartered my mP3 player for a train ticket in Morocco. Heh. Better than phoning home...

**TERI** · 04-24-2006, 08:57 PM

When i travel i plan on taking an ipod nano w/ the highest song storage, and a digi cam w/ a good video option, extra memory, and extra batteries for both. and the converters if i need them.

**florencia9699** · 04-24-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Apr 24 2006, 05:07 PM
Yeah, what Benna said...

However, as much as I'd love good DV/HD footage of my trips, I can't possibly justify the size/weight of a video camera on top of stuff I already have.* The benefit:size ratio just doesn't seem favorable, considering video cams eat up more space, battery life and - ugh - tape.
[snapback]114560[/snapback]

Oh Omi!!

I suddenly had a visual of my dad (travelling with well, my mum and the three of us) in the middle of the storching heat in Gizah, was carring THIS around!!!

Do u guys remember these!?!?!? hahahaha it must have been longer that 35 cm.... and what was it worth??? we arrived at the pyramids and the guy at the entrance made him put it away, we dont even look at those videos, EVER, we must have seen them like twice in the last 10 years... oh the good ol' times.... Sometimes I wonder how people travelled at all back in the day.... hehe no internet to check out the hotel's rooms, no digital maps to toy around with, no info right at the confort of ur desk... how did people even thought about traveling?!?!?!

**TheJake** · 04-24-2006, 11:14 PM

my camera was stolen a couple months ago and even though i am not traveling I am having a hard time not having it even on simple hikes around the valley.

Cameras and mp3's are the new essentials.

**omisan** · 04-25-2006, 01:09 AM

Florencia - you think an 8mm handicam is big? How 'bout these old VHS bad boys?

The Clark Griswold special!

**Somnambulation** · 04-25-2006, 08:26 PM

Haha, yeah thats what my parents lugged around on every vacation back in the day. Back then you had to work for those vacation memories. I dont think they ever watched them either.