Finding Traveler Gadgets

Racking your brain for the perfect gift for the traveler in your life? Relax. Travel-oriented gadgets range from inexpensive stocking-stuffers to pricey auto-focus binoculars and expandable luggage that enables shoppers to transport their indulgences home.

In the stocking-stuffer category, affordable packing accessories include plastic travel bottle kits ($5 per set), multi-pocket garment bag organizers ($16.50 to $27), plastic pouches ($3.50 each) and shoe sacks (two pairs for $6.75) from Le Travel Store (295 Horton Plaza, San Diego 92101, 619-544-0005).

For safeguarding valuables and documents, Le Travel Store sells a variety of concealable pouches to be worn around the neck ($4.25), waist or ankle (from $9), looped over a belt and tucked inside trousers ($8) or attached to undergarments ($5). The Complete Traveller Bookstore (199 Madison Ave., New York 10016, 212-685-9007) sells waist and holster safe pouches ($15 each), and Brookstone (Peterborough, N.H. 03458, 800-926-7000) offers a secret pocket travel belt in black or brown leather ($29.50).

Reliable locks for luggage are essential, but for those prone to misplacing keys, Le Travel Store’s lightweight-but-sturdy combination lock for $6.95 could be the answer.

For personal comfort aboard plane or train, inflatable pillows that fit around the neck can help prevent stiffness: from Brookstone ($7.99), Le Travel Store ($9.95), the Complete Traveller Bookstore ($15) and Hammacher Schlemmer ($19.95). Also from Hammacher Schlemmer, although scientifically controversial, acupressure-type bracelets are said to prevent motion sickness and seasickness ($14.95).

Maintaining a schedule of pill-taking while changing time zones is made easier with a 12-hour, programmed beeping electronic AQUA Pill Timer and water reservoir, available for $29.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer or $25 from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA, 11 West 53rd St., New York 10019-5401, 800-447-6662).

Le Travel Store has dual voltage 1,000-watt hair dryers for $24.99, steam irons for $37, clothes steamers for $29.49 and the tiny 2 1/2-ounce Franzus 1600-watt, 220/110 converter with four adapter plugs for $40.99. The Complete Traveller Bookstore sells the Franzus kit for $32.

For fitness buffs, Hammacher Schlemmer offers a portable aerobics stair stepper ($339) that weighs only 15 pounds.

For organizing travel documents, credit cards, checks, currency and receipts, Yamani’s 19-pocket zippered leather portfolio costs $150 from Sharper Image (800-344-4444). Le Travel Store’s organizer, notebook and document case covered with waterproof nylon costs $24. MoMA’s fan-out card case ($18) has eight sleeves for easy access to credit cards and one sleeve for receipts.

Working while you travel? The Factory, a mini-office (scissors, stapler, tape dispenser, magnifying glass, hole punch, tape measure, carton opener and staple remover) in a container the size and shape of a pocket knife costs $19.95 at MoMA.

Hammacher Schlemmer’s executive memo-recording pen looks and writes like a fine ballpoint but also contains a sensitive tape recorder for minute-long memos ($99.95).

Pocket-size computers instantly convert foreign currencies into dollar amounts ($15 from Le Travel Store or $29 when combined with alarm clock from the Complete Traveller Bookstore). Computers can also translate and pronounce words in French, Spanish, German, Italian and English ($249.95 from Sharper Image).

Hammacher Schlemmer carries Sony’s portable Data Discman Electronic Notebook ($499), with foreign-language phrases and other travel guide information, as well as Rolodex’s small Fax-Sending Electronic Address Book ($199.95), which stores phone numbers and dials automatically, as well as sends faxes. For use on personal computers or laptops, TravelWare (2964 W. 4700 South, Suite 201, Salt Lake City, Utah 84118-2557, 800-336-6312) sells new travel software ($150) that helps organize itineraries and keeps track of frequent flier benefits and awards.

Hammacher Schlemmer boasts the world’s smallest camera. It’s a Minox EC ($304), which measures 1 3/16 by 3/8 inches, weighs 0.15 ounces and fits into the palm of a hand. Le Travel Store sells shield pouches to protect film from X-ray machines ($5.95 to $17,95, depending upon size).

Hammacher Schlemmer also carries auto-focus binoculars ($279.95), perfect for keeping an eye on rare birds or space shuttle lift-offs.

To carry around these gadgets, MoMA offers a sturdy blue-and-yellow nylon collapsible tote ($22.50). Or, more elegant, Tumi (250 Lackland Drive, Middlesex, N.J. 08846, 800-322-8864) sells a roomy leather weekend tote ($265) with six external pockets. Both pack flat for placement in other luggage until needed.

Tumi also makes a three-zip, expandable, soft-sided carry-on, available in ballistic nylon ($295) or leather ($450) that can increase carrying capacity by 50%, and soft-sided rectangular ballistic nylon or leather cargo bags (from $215, depending on size and material) that collapse and fit into other luggage until needed.

Collapsible luggage carts can be invaluable when suitcases are heavy. Sturdy models are available from Sharper Image (a five-pound aluminum cart that can carry up to 100 pounds is $49) and Hammacher Schlemmer (a 13-pound chrome-plated steel cart that can carry up to 200 pounds is $99.95). Also useful, Hammacher Schlemmer’s package-carrying instant handle ($30) has two sturdy nylon ropes that extend from a handle to wrap around up to 50 pounds of packages.

For those on the road, Hammacher Schlemmer has a range of useful devices for autos. Parked Car Hot Air Extractors ($32.95) are solar-powered ventilators that pull hot air out of parked and locked cars, keeping interiors reasonably cool. Flat Tire Rescue Devices ($189.75 or $199.75, depending upon tire size) can temporarily mend a tire so that it can be driven to a mechanic for repair.

The Auto Organizer ($19.95) hangs behind the driver or passenger seat and has seven compartments to hold umbrella, ice scraper, maps, sunglasses, gloves and other essentials. The sealable waterproof Hideaway Auto Garbage Bag ($14.95) also hangs behind a seat and offers a three-gallon capacity. Other useful car tools from Brookstone include a trunk organizer ($49) and an emergency fan belt ($15).

For measuring mileage on road maps, Brookstone and the Complete Traveller Bookstore both sell calibrated gadgets that roll across any map and count the miles between point A and point B. Cost: $10 and $8, respectively.