A Miniature World of Small Necessities

Too many items weighing down the travel bag? No problem; shrink them. Miniaturization of popular products means you never have to leave home without aids that are handy in a variety of situations. Following are new entries on the mini scene. Items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping.

Radio redux: Grundig, maker of cutting-edge shortwave radios, last wowed the travel market by introducing a snazzy world-band radio/clock that could be carried in a shirt pocket. Now the electronics company has out-miniaturized itself with an even smaller model that comes in its own leather organizer, with room for a passport, travel documents, credit cards and more. The G-4 AM/FM shortwave radio, with built-in digital quartz clock and travel alarm, measures just 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches by 1 inch thick and weighs 7 ounces. The radio has five shortwave bands, a telescoping antenna, a built-in speaker and compact earphones. It attaches to the inside of the wallet with Velcro and runs on two AA batteries (not included).

Grundig Executive Traveler is about $130 in gift shops. For a nearby store or to order, call the manufacturer: telephone (800) 872-2228.

Short cut: A credit-card-size Swiss Army Knife? Well, sort of. The Swiss Card is a flat 3 1/4-inch by 2 1/2-inch plastic case with slots containing minuscule pull-out tools--scissors, knife, nail file/screwdriver, tweezers, ballpoint pen and toothpick. You won’t be earning any Scout badges with these, but at less than 1 ounce, the kit could very well save the day in minor emergencies.

Victorinox Swiss Card is $30 at stores. For a nearby store, call the manufacturer at (800) 442-2706 or see its Internet site, https://www.swissarmy.com.

Mini multi-tool: Need a more ambitious all-in-one tool? The Wenger Mini Grip Multi-Tool is a new pint-size version of the company’s popular full-size Multi-Tool. Out from the familiar red casing, measuring just 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches by 1 inch thick, unfold 13 implements, some of which go way beyond your basic knife. Among these are pliers (available in flat-nose or needle-nose versions), a flat-head screwdriver, wood saw, metal saw, can opener, bottle opener, ruler and, of course, knife. There’s also a detachable magnetized holder that has six different bits--from flat-head to Phillips and Torx screwdrivers. These fit onto a socket adapter that extends from one end of the tool. Alas, as with its bigger predecessor, there’s no corkscrew, but it will still please the hikers and handymen among us.

Wenger Mini Grip Multi-Tool is $99 at outdoor stores. For a nearby store, call the distributor, Precise International; tel. (800) 267-3577, Internet https://www.wengerna.com.

This computes: With airlines getting tougher about the number of carry-on bags--some now permit only one--paring down is essential. What, then, to do about the computer bag, often a hefty adjunct to a wheel-aboard and/or suit bag? Eagle Creek offers a solution in the form of a compact padded nylon computer insert, barely larger than a standard laptop. Just slide the computer into the bag, which closes with Velcro swatches, and stash it in your other carry-on luggage. The outside of the insert has pockets for floppy disks, power cords and modem lines.

Eagle Creek computer insert is about $25. To locate a store, contact the company; tel. (800) 874-9925, Internet https://www.eaglecreek.com.

Price fixer: When shopping abroad, I never seem to be able to find my little calculator to figure out how much some nifty item is in “American money.” Now the answer is as close as the cord around my neck with this little 2 1/2-inch-diameter currency converter on a rope. Just enter the exchange rate for a country into the memory, type in the currency and press the “equal” button to get the amount in dollars.

Currency Exchanger (item CC142V) is $9.85 from Magellan’s; tel. (800) 962-4943, Internet https://www.magellans.com.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.