Gear (2024)

Jan 17

My streaming stick runs Kodi which connects to my media collection and is logged in to all of my streaming accounts. And because I drop my remote far too often I got a remote cover in a loud color to help me find it when I misplace it.

As a video game enjoyer I travel with a proper controller in a hard shell travel case so I can always play something new or emulate something old. I recently picked up a VR headset and have been using it primarily for VR Chat. I upgraded the head strap to make it more comfortable and I found a compact case that holds everything safely. I always keep a deck of cards on me if anyone knows a fun game to play.

I keep my wireless earbuds in my shoulder bag to walk around town and use my wireless headphones for traveling or blocking out noise at home. I can't live without music so my wireless speaker will follow me everywhere around the house while I work. I still have a set of 3.5mm headphones from an old iPhone along with the lightning adapter and the usb-c adapter, but it's only a backup at this point.

To compliment the 6ft HDMI cable I bring with my computer, I can connect multiple devices to the television without swapping cables by using a tiny HDMI switch along with two 3ft HDMI cables and one 1ft HDMI cable. The switch supports 4K/60Hz and the cables are matched to that spec as well. Occasionally a hard to reach HDMI port is better accessed with an angled HDMI dongle. I don't find myself using audio cables much if at all, but I also have an angled 3.5mm dongle for audio cables along with a 3.5mm extension and 3.5mm adapter.

The more I travel and see, the more I want to capture those memories for the future in the best way possible. While my phone does an incredible job for most photographic tasks, I have a few other specialized devices that each serve their own unique purpose.

My 'nice camera' is a Sony RX100 VII which I acquired to take high quality photos with a decent optical-zoom in a super small package. It's actually so small that it's hard to hold on its own. And while the shooting grip negates the small size, it totally transforms the camera and makes shooting with it a rewarding experience. It is well documented that the rear screen will appear black if you have polarized sunglasses on because Sony didn't orient the polarization filter the right way. This effect can be reversed with a screen protector and as a bonus you protect the screen. I wanted to add a polarization filter to the front lens and used this adapter kit to attach it. I also picked up an aftermarket charger and extra batteries. The camera has grown in size, but so has its capability.

I have a GoPro HERO9 Black with an aftermarket charger and extra batteries and a Insta360 X3 with aftermarket charger and extra batteries. I use the GoPro primarily for recording my long distance drives and making time lapse videos. Whereas I use the Insta360 X3 when I want to capture everything happening in a specific moment to review or reframe later. The X3 comes with a sleeve, but the lens cap gives you better access to the device and the remote keeps you from fiddling and wasting battery.

To record my drives I use this suction mount to attach it to the windshield and to cut some of the windshield glare I use this lens filter set for GoPro. I have another suction mount to stick cameras to things other than windshields since it is bigger and more heavy duty. To keep the GoPro battery charged during long recording sessions I printed this charging door so I can plug in a battery pack. If I want to record my walk I attach this clip mount to my backpack, but you can clip it anywhere. For that first person POV I use the head strap and if I just want to walk with it in my hand I use this mini selfie-stick that turns into a tripod. To clean the lenses I use a small microfiber cloth that tucks away into its own pouch.

I have too many tripods and monopods, but only because I'm in the process of figuring out which one(s) I actually find myself using. The main tripod can extend very high while remaining somewhat light and sturdy thanks to its carbon fiber construction. It's not small, but there is nothing comparable to a tripod when you need to get a specific shot. The flexible tripod is great to hang off of things for an unexpected perspective and can be used as a grip in an instant. The next three monopods were designed for the Insta360 X3, but they would work with the GoPro. I'm just going to list them by name since they are self-explanatory 9.8ft Extended Selfie Stick, 2-in-1 Selfie Stick + Tripod, Power Selfie Stick. That last one has a battery built into the handle so you can charge while filming. Having owned all three, I feel like they need to combine them all to make one mega monopod that charges, extends to 10 feet and has a tripod at the bottom. It would be a little heavy but I'd swap them all out for that one in an instant.

One of the great things about traveling is getting to experience the creatures and landscapes that are unique to each particular region. On many occasions I have found myself mesmerized by watching nature play out in the distance through binoculars, or getting by getting a different perspective with my quadcopter (case). Every time I pull either of these out I'm glad I have them.

I've whittled my tools down to just the essentials and my mini kit can handle big jobs. There are few substitutes for a hammer, and the only small hammer I found was also a multi-tool. To grip and hold various items I have an adjustable wrench, pliers and mini pliers. The short screwdriver has multiple bits in the shaft and extends. For Torx bits I have a folding Torx key set and to cut wires I use a set of clippers. To open boxes I always have a box-cutter handy and to scrape things I use a scraper tool. I have a magnetic pickerupper that extends to pick things up and a collection of metal and plastic spudgers to gently poke at things. My precision screwdriver set has every tiny bit you could imagine and is mainly for electronics. The squeegee card is a nice thick card that can be used for a lot of random things. The flashlight, mini flashlight and headlamp run off of batteries and the two tapes I keep handy are masking tape and extreme double-sided tape.

To measure a range of weights I have both a milligram scale and postal scale. To measure different types of lengths I have a tape measure, fabric tape measure, laser tape measure and digital calipers. To track the temperature indoors or outdoors I have a digital thermometer and to visualize temperatures, such as drafts or water leaks, I have a thermal imaging camera dongle for the phone.

Supplementary power is provided to anything that needs it via a 4 port USB charger with two 3-in-1 USB cables and a spare USB-C cable. If batteries die there are additional rechargeable AA and AAA batteries to immediately replace them. And when the dead batteries have finished charging in the AA/AAA battery recharger they are stored in AA and AAA battery cases. I also keep disposable AA and AAA batteries on hand for emergencies. There are no rechargeable options for CR2032 (case) and LR44 (case) batteries which I use in a few devices.

A 3D printer is in a category of its own, yet one of the many tools I reach for to solve my problems. It fits and stays protected in a rolling carrying case along with all the accessories that I need to keep it humming. I print almost exclusively with PETG because of its ability to withstand warping from heat and shattering from impact. This is great for things that get left in the car and are prone to being dropped. To cut down on print times I swapped out the stock nozzle with a 0.8 nozzle. And every now and again I wipe down the axes with machine oil to keep them moving smoothly. I've been 3D printing for years and couldn't imagine my life without one.

Losing power for 10 days during Hurricane Sandy was a major wake-up call as to how useless everything was without power, and I vowed to never get caught unprepared again. My 'Power' kit has evolved over time and now includes a solar panel and a power station which, when combined, allows for total off-grid power generation.

An outlet is useless if you can't reach it, or if whatever you wanted to plug in has to be precariously perched in order to charge. I have a heavy-duty extension cord which could power a heater (1500w), and an rotating flat extension cord to multiply an outlet while extending the range. Other random adapters I have to help me plug things in include; a 2-Prong Swivel Mini 3-Way Wall Outlet Extender, grounded plug adapter (3 into 2 prongs) and 3 Way Wall Outlet Extender. To accompany the power station I have another AA/AAA battery charger along with (x2) 3-in-1 USB cables and (x2) USB-C cables. The power drill should probably go further up with tools, but it matched with the other orange items so well.

I found a foam roll that is the same width as my yoga mat so I can travel with them both and always get a stretch in. I use a yoga mat strap to keep it from unraveling and I stick the baseball bat in the middle of the yoga mat to save space in transit. I will stand on the bat to relax my feet and even lay on it to loosen my back. It's very hard and somewhat painful, but in an enjoyable way, so if this doesn't sound interesting please don't do it. Keeping with how I use the bat, I have some softer massage balls and hard massage balls which I couldn't live without. I use stretch bands to create resistance without a machine and I have some light weights to help with stretching. It's easy to get tight while traveling so these items help me stay a bit more limber.

To better protect where I'm staying and to make the space a bit more familiar I travel with a quilt set that I use to cover the couch and cushions. This way I can literally kick my feet up on the couch and lay on the cushions without feeling gross or worrying that I may spill a drink or drop a crumb. Blankets are typically provided, but I don't really trust other peoples blankets. To get cozy I tuck myself under my own Alpaca blanket, but the one I have now I don't recommend due to how much it sheds. This company makes incredible Alpaca blankets, but they are too small for me to fit under with my feet tucked. I'm on the look out for a thin, full size baby alpaca blanket to replace the shedmonster.

This final collection of items makes a huge difference around the home. If you've ever had to deal with a fly, the first call to action is finding something to splat it with. And while a magazine will suffice, it certainly isn't elegant. Ever since I acquired my telescoping fly swatter I actually don't mind when I see a bug because I just grab this tool and make quick work of them. Similarly, on more than one occasion I've set off a smoke detector while cooking only to find myself hopelessly waiving at a distant detector as my food burns. I bought a portable fan to quickly blow the air away and silence the detector - it works like a charm. It's also just a great portable fan that you can wrap around anything. The folding table has adjustable legs and it has a lot of uses depending on where I'm staying. I can use the step stool as a short chair when paired with the seat cushion. And the lantern is more of an emergency item, but having extra light is always useful. I travel with a vacuum because they are rarely provided and dust and debris only compounds if you don't clean it. I may be showing my age by proclaiming my love for a folding cart, but it has saved me so much time and energy while making me look incredibly put together in the process. But make sure you get the one with the fold down tailgate, because that is what makes it so capable.