TEMPTED to overpack your bag with gadgets you don't really need? I've finally honed down my list, writes tech journalist Camilla Chafer, who reveals what's in her holiday bag.
An iPod and transmitter- My car is blessed with one of those things called a tape cassette player and radio. Instead of replacing it with a new CD player, I forked out around £18 for for a Griffin RoadTrip FM transmitter that enables my iPod to stream through the radio. It's easy to operate – just plug it into the ciggie lighter socket for power and it comes with adapters to fit all iPods. And my iPod? Just a 4GB Nano.
Why I love it: I can carry hundreds of songs on one tiny device and create my own driving playlists.
Sat Nav- I hate getting lost, especially with children, and my TomTom makes me feel a bit more adventurous and secure. Mine doubles up as a music player though I've yet to try that out. I check out venues I'd like to visit online prior to trips and preinstall the postcodes on it ready for when we're away.
Why I love it: No more map reading.
Solar charger- Just leave it attached to the car window for some permanent juice when you're not near a plug socket. This one can be charged from the mains too.
Why I love it: Makes me feel like an eco crusader. Albeit in a small way.
Digital camera- I always have it on me for holiday snapping. Mine is an Olympus Mju which has a neat slide down lens cap and 10MP resolution so I can get large prints of the really good snaps. It doubles as a video camera too and I use it to make my vidcasts for this site.
Why I love it: Fast operation ensures only seconds between switching on and snapping.
Nintendo DS- my family's games console of choice. It's small, light and there are brilliant games for everyone. Games are small cartridges which I can tuck into the case. The children pair theirs up to communicate with each other and share games.
Why I love it: Great for use in the car and on wet days.
Security tips: Never leave gadgets in your car and make sure your insurance covers their theft or loss. Consider recording serial numbers, proof of purchase and photo/descriptions with a free account at Immobilise.com which is linked to the National Police Register.
What are your top travel gadgets? Whether it's a really clever booster seat or a top of the range camera, let us know!
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