82
COURTESY MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
» What it is: A soft carrying case that hides a power strip for your car, boat or RV. Charge as many as three hand-held gadgets while you drive (you can use the devices while they charge). When you reach your destination, the lightweight Traveller easily hauls your gear and the messy cords to your hotel room, where you can continue to charge your gadgets if you buy the optional DC-to-wall-outlet adapter.
» How it works: You will need to buy a car adapter for each of your gadgets. Plug the adapters into the bottom compartment of the Traveller, and position the three handhelds — say, three small phones or one GPS unit and one smartphone — in the top compartment. Adjustable clasps hold your devices in place. Now plug the Traveller’s adapter into your vehicle’s outlet.
» The good: The case craftily conceals charging cables so they don’t turn your car floor into a bowl of spaghetti. The shoulder strap can be partly disconnected and wrapped around an empty passenger seat and reconnected to keep the case secure and within reach. If there is a front-seat passenger, the case can be tossed into the back; the Traveller’s 5-foot charging cable can still reach the outlet. The case isn’t bulky.
» The bad: Not much to say here. It could be slightly bigger to hold, say, a GPS device, an iPod and a smartphone simultaneously. Wished the optional AC/DC adapter were included.
» The good: $17.95-$20
» Available from: amazon.com, ebay.com, smarthome.com and other sources
Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com.
