Gear & Gadgets : Small Pleasures of the Traveling Life

Not so many years ago, travelers had to carefully pick and choose among accessories to take along on a trip, balancing the helpfulness of the item with the amount of space it would take up in the luggage. Those things judged most dispensable were left at home, often to be missed sorely at the other end of the flight.

The miniaturization of seemingly everything has virtually eliminated such a predicament.

Herewith, a crop of small pleasures that, cumulatively, would take up no more space than an average hardcover book (prices do not include shipping and handling):

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A portable tape recorder can be a great asset on a vacation, especially when you’re in exotic places. Whether you’re picking up the music and regional dialect during a cultural show, recording your impressions of a country and its people, or interviewing interesting characters along the way, a tape player can be a lively alternative to writing things down. The advent of microcassette recorders has made it possible to keep a tape player always handy in a pocket, or even the smallest purse.

Problem is, most reasonably priced microcassette players have major flaws; they tend to be flimsy, pick up noise indiscriminately and, worst of all, give no warning when the tape has ended, resulting in a lot of missed recording. Olympus, well-respected for its range of quality miniature cameras, has come out with a number of top-notch microcassette recorders that solve those problems.

Balancing amenities with price, my favorite is the S811 Pearlcorder, a tiny machine measuring just 4 3/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches by 3/4 inch. First of all, the very sturdy S811 emits a warning light when about two minutes of recording time remain, and it beeps at the end of the tape--a rare commodity in a microcassette.

Also unique for a small machine are the dual microphone sensitivity settings: In dictation mode, the microphone hones in on a speaker’s voice, eliminating most extraneous noise; in conference mode, it picks up multiple voices and other sounds in the recording zone.

The nifty single slide control allows you to switch from recording to stop to review , with just the movement of your thumb (as opposed to the usual system of having to push a variety of control buttons). The review function allows you to quickly go back without having to use the rewind button.

A useful function is a button that allows you to “mark” key points in a tape--say, a Balinese singing performance. When the switch is slid to review mode, a beep sounds when the marked point is reached. The S811 has two tape-speed settings (a half-time setting gives double the recording time), operates on a pair of AA batteries, and can be used with an optional AC adapter.

Olympus S811 Pearlcorder has a list price of $289, but is available for as little as $160 at discount camera and electronics stores. For a store near you, call the manufacturer: (800) 221-3000. Optional AC adapter is $22. *

First there was the mini-flashlight. Now Zelco, a New York manufacturer, has created a mini-flashlight and fluorescent lantern combo that measures a diminutive 5 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches by 1 inch. A flick of the switch diverts the power from the high-intensity flashlight to a 3 1/2-inch fluorescent tube that swivels out to become a 360-degree area light.

When unfolded fully, the lantern functions as a kind of lighted wand; flip it up perpendicular to the base and you can set it on a table or other surface. The lantern/flashlight operates on four AAA batteries and has an attached wrist strap. Replacement bulbs for the flashlight can be ordered directly from Zelco. The company claims that the fluorescent tube will not wear out or need replacing.

Zelco Micro Fluorescent Lantern is $30 from Zelco; (800) 431-2486cq. Replacement bulbs are $5 for two 4.8-volt bulbs. *

Bird-watching, stage performances, spectator sports--where would we be without a good set of binoculars? Bushnell, one of the leading names in the field, has recently come out with a high-powered mini model that fits into a shirt pocket but delivers clear magnification. Just 4 inches by 3 inches by 1 1/4 inches, the Mini weighs in at only 5.3 ounces. The binoculars fold in and out to adjust to the distance between the eye pupils; the focus is a dial at the center of the unit.

The lenses have a red protective coating that shields against harmful ultraviolet rays, and rubber caps to keep out dirt when not in use.

Because of the small size, the binoculars work best with the naked eye; the right lens has a diopter knob that can be adjusted to accommodate those who normally wear corrective glasses. As a glasses wearer, I found this a bit awkward to get used to at first, but after a little practice with the diopter setting, I found the binoculars quite comfortable.

Bushnell Mini 8x21 Compact Binocular, in black, teal, green or blue, with soft carrying case and wrist strap, is about $100 at camera stores. Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.