Gadget of the (Financial) Year 07 (/08)
I've been a little busy the last week or so meaning this is a little late but here it is. Only those gadgets that have joined me on my travels are eligible for this years award so good luck to all of you, my faithful friends!
The Contenders
Sony Ericsson W800i - last years winner leads the field to the start line and remains a formidable opponent as he attempts an unprecedented second win in a row in this, the second competition to date.
It's been a difficult year for young Mobi and this has inevitably left some scars. He retains all the plus points mentioned 12 months ago but in addition he has helped me out on a number of occasions, a guiding light to the blind (me) when descending into caves or trying to find the outside toilet in the dark at 3 o'clock in the morning!
Admittedly I am somewhat at fault for Mobi's scarring which has left him regularly devoid of the day to day energy required for his tasks as well as the onset of his dementia!!! However, the discovery that Mobi can not swim leads me to reduce his overall rating from a high last year of 9/10 to this years score of 8/10.
Apple iPod Classic 160gb - a sign of things to come perhaps?? Mobi won last year, partly as a result of being an iPod beater, only to find I'd bought an iPod anyway!!! I wouldn't have bought one had it not been for the travelling but it has been very useful!! I have a ridiculous amount of music on there and am not even close to getting through it. Also, it operates as a great back up disc. PSP games (that I own of course) are backed up on there as are all the photos I have.
Luckily I have a plentiful source of music (you know who you are), but a normal collection wouldn't require such a big hard drive.
I have to say, I am converted! With Mobi's erratic behaviour he is up for replacement on my return (don't tell him) and the iPhone represents the obvious choice... quite what that means for the current Apple incarnation I do not know!!! Rating 9/10.
Sony Playstation Portable - some questioned the wisdom of bringing this particular gadget but it has proved worthwhile and on occasion, necessary. Necessity hit the headlines when I had to use the built in browser to look up vital medicinal information. Potentially a life saver, luckily in this case a double dose of Diocalm did the job.
It's main purpose of course is for entertainment and in this it excels. When the endless stunning views of the countryside have become boring, the latest book tiresome or the sound of my own voice grating it has stepped in to entertain.
Unfortunately, some things are better performed in twos so it is not a one-stop entertainment shop. Now that my main foe Ben has retired from the arena following a number of shattering defeats the entertainment level has dropped. However, with the built in wireless connection he can easily be replaced by a 9 year old girl with webbed feet and chest hair living in Beijing. Careful Ben, she might replace you in other courts too!!! Rating 7/10.
Fujifilm Sd9000f - after many faithful years service from my previous digital camera I decided to upgrade at the start of the trip and purchased this in Thailand on day four. Buying from Thailand saved me 40% on the price and the reliability (touch wood) has been fine. It's main selling point in the 18x zoom that it sports. My previous camera had a 12x zoom and I loved that it gave me access to shots I otherwise would not be able to get. This, obviously, opens up that world again!! The trade-off, a small sensor so pictures can appear quite washed out if there are big differences in contrast. Particularly evident on overcast days but considering we are chasing the sun for 12 months it hasn't been too bad. My old camera required a lot of user input but this has definitely evolved in the direction of point and click. I'm not entirely happy with that but will upgrade to a D-Slr when I get back!! Overall rating 6/10.
HP IPAQ 110 - another mid trip purchase, this was aquired in Melbourne a month or so ago and originally wouldn't have been eligible. However, it has proved pretty useful so it gets the nod. Running on Windows Mobile 6 it's pretty slick and I use it a lot to write emails and it proved invaluable when organising the last minute details for our wedding. A stressful time was rendered, if only slightly, less stressful with this gadget. We thought that it wouldn't be much use in South and Central America due to a lack of wireless access but on the contrary, you can't move for being bombarded by data streams. I'm probably cooking myself in the process but, with a nice Chianti, I can live with that. Rating 8/10.
And the winner is... - in an unprecedented move, the award goes to the... IPAQ!
I came travelling in search of a simpler life and to embrace different cultures. With my iPod blaring in the ears, my IPAQ keeping me in touch with those back home, my eyes glued to my PSP as I take a corner at 180KPH in a driving game and Mobi mumbling insanely in the background; I think I've found it!! And if not, I'll stick the Fujifilm on autoshoot and watch it when I get home!!
The Contenders
Sony Ericsson W800i - last years winner leads the field to the start line and remains a formidable opponent as he attempts an unprecedented second win in a row in this, the second competition to date.
It's been a difficult year for young Mobi and this has inevitably left some scars. He retains all the plus points mentioned 12 months ago but in addition he has helped me out on a number of occasions, a guiding light to the blind (me) when descending into caves or trying to find the outside toilet in the dark at 3 o'clock in the morning!
Admittedly I am somewhat at fault for Mobi's scarring which has left him regularly devoid of the day to day energy required for his tasks as well as the onset of his dementia!!! However, the discovery that Mobi can not swim leads me to reduce his overall rating from a high last year of 9/10 to this years score of 8/10.
Apple iPod Classic 160gb - a sign of things to come perhaps?? Mobi won last year, partly as a result of being an iPod beater, only to find I'd bought an iPod anyway!!! I wouldn't have bought one had it not been for the travelling but it has been very useful!! I have a ridiculous amount of music on there and am not even close to getting through it. Also, it operates as a great back up disc. PSP games (that I own of course) are backed up on there as are all the photos I have.
Luckily I have a plentiful source of music (you know who you are), but a normal collection wouldn't require such a big hard drive.
I have to say, I am converted! With Mobi's erratic behaviour he is up for replacement on my return (don't tell him) and the iPhone represents the obvious choice... quite what that means for the current Apple incarnation I do not know!!! Rating 9/10.
Sony Playstation Portable - some questioned the wisdom of bringing this particular gadget but it has proved worthwhile and on occasion, necessary. Necessity hit the headlines when I had to use the built in browser to look up vital medicinal information. Potentially a life saver, luckily in this case a double dose of Diocalm did the job.
It's main purpose of course is for entertainment and in this it excels. When the endless stunning views of the countryside have become boring, the latest book tiresome or the sound of my own voice grating it has stepped in to entertain.
Unfortunately, some things are better performed in twos so it is not a one-stop entertainment shop. Now that my main foe Ben has retired from the arena following a number of shattering defeats the entertainment level has dropped. However, with the built in wireless connection he can easily be replaced by a 9 year old girl with webbed feet and chest hair living in Beijing. Careful Ben, she might replace you in other courts too!!! Rating 7/10.
Fujifilm Sd9000f - after many faithful years service from my previous digital camera I decided to upgrade at the start of the trip and purchased this in Thailand on day four. Buying from Thailand saved me 40% on the price and the reliability (touch wood) has been fine. It's main selling point in the 18x zoom that it sports. My previous camera had a 12x zoom and I loved that it gave me access to shots I otherwise would not be able to get. This, obviously, opens up that world again!! The trade-off, a small sensor so pictures can appear quite washed out if there are big differences in contrast. Particularly evident on overcast days but considering we are chasing the sun for 12 months it hasn't been too bad. My old camera required a lot of user input but this has definitely evolved in the direction of point and click. I'm not entirely happy with that but will upgrade to a D-Slr when I get back!! Overall rating 6/10.
HP IPAQ 110 - another mid trip purchase, this was aquired in Melbourne a month or so ago and originally wouldn't have been eligible. However, it has proved pretty useful so it gets the nod. Running on Windows Mobile 6 it's pretty slick and I use it a lot to write emails and it proved invaluable when organising the last minute details for our wedding. A stressful time was rendered, if only slightly, less stressful with this gadget. We thought that it wouldn't be much use in South and Central America due to a lack of wireless access but on the contrary, you can't move for being bombarded by data streams. I'm probably cooking myself in the process but, with a nice Chianti, I can live with that. Rating 8/10.
And the winner is... - in an unprecedented move, the award goes to the... IPAQ!
I came travelling in search of a simpler life and to embrace different cultures. With my iPod blaring in the ears, my IPAQ keeping me in touch with those back home, my eyes glued to my PSP as I take a corner at 180KPH in a driving game and Mobi mumbling insanely in the background; I think I've found it!! And if not, I'll stick the Fujifilm on autoshoot and watch it when I get home!!
You could dispose of the iPaq and iPod and get the iphone for next years winner :)
Posted by
Ben |
29 April 2008 11:00