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There are plenty of tempting gadgets out there, but not all are as essential or good as others.

Here are some of the devices we've reviewed during 2005.  Which are your favorites (and least favorites!)?

 
 
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2005 Third Annual Best Travel Technology Product Awards

Vote for your favorites
 

Our 2005 Best Travel Technology Product Awards will commemorate the products that you and we jointly feel made our lives easier in 2005.

 

 

 

2005 saw another year with an interesting diversity of products reviewed, ranging from software to safety, from books to bags, and many other things inbetween.

Here's a summary of the major reviews we featured during 2005.  Tell us which products you like - and if you have a personal favorite product that was new in 2005, tell us about that, too, in the 'Write In' box at the end of each of the two categories.
 

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED

How to Place Your Vote

There are two sections - Technology and Other Items, each with a list of products and a space for your own write-in suggestion as well.

If you know nothing about a product, and/or have no opinion, just skip it or, if you prefer, check the 'no opinion' box.

If you do have an opinion on a product, rate it from 0 (= very bad, don't like, don't recommend) to 4 (= wonderful, marvelous, highly recommend).

If you want to refresh your memory, click on the product link to have our original review open in a new window.

And, for each of the two categories, choose one only product as your category favorite.

All voting is optional.  Nothing is mandatory.  Vote as much or as little as you like.  It all helps and counts towards the category winners.  Winners are not decided on number of votes, but primarily on quality of rating, so there's no benefit or disadvantage to voting or not voting for anything.

Lastly, we don't ask for any personal details in this voting.  Don't worry - no salesmen will call!

 


 Part 1 :  Technology

Plane Quiet Solitude Noise Reducing Headphones

 

Will the two year in a row winner place first for the third time?

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Clipper Gear Emergency Phone  Recharger

 

A small, lightweight, inexpensive and reusable source of an emergency battery recharge for your cell phone.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Motorola Razr V3 Quadband GSM Cellphone

 

This phone has become the market leading best seller, showing yet again that style is more valuable than substance.  An average to good phone, but very well packaged and presented.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Global Riiing SIM

 

Gives your GSM cell phone a phone number and account that works in more than 100 different countries.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Parrot Easydrive Bluetooth Car Kit

 

Plug this into your car's cigarette lighter, and then, when you go into your car, your cell phone automatically switches, via wireless Bluetooth, to use the Parrot speakerphone.  When you leave, it switches back.  Completely convenient.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Canary Wireless Wi-Fi Detector

 

This simple small device instantly tells you if there are any Wi-Fi services in range for your computer to use.  Saves booting up your computer, perhaps unnecessarily.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Skype VoIP Phone Service

 

Use your computer's broadband internet connection to call anyone in the world, usually for less cost than regular phone service.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Toshiba Gigabeat Player

 

Similar to Apple's iPod range of MP3 players, this compact unit has massive storage and a nice color screen.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Times Electronic Crossword Puzzle

 

A modern day update of the venerable paper crossword.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Roboform Password Manager

 

A wonderful utility that helps manage and protect the passwords on your computers.  Protects against identity theft if your laptop is stolen, too.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Add a 'Write in' Candidate

 

And what do you think was the best new electronic item that helps make a traveler's life more convenient in 2005?

Nomination for : 

 

Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   
 

 

 

 Part 2 :  Other Gadgets and Helpful Things
 

Swany luggage

 

A combination wheeled carryon on bag and a seat.  What will they think of next!

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Red Oxx Duffle Bag

 

Without a doubt, the most robustly constructed soft duffle bag we've ever seen.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Pack-a-Cone Safety Cone

 

A convenient safety aid to be used if your car breaks down.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Emergency Radio Receiver

 

No power?  No batteries?  No worries!  This radio can even power itself from a built in hand cranked generator.  Also has a light and siren and outlet for recharging your cell phone, too.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Evac-U8 Smoke Hood

 

Most fire related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation, not by flames.  This device gives you precious time to escape a fire, whether you're on a plane, in a hotel, at home or at work.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Discount Airport Parking

 

A quick and convenient way to research discount parking options at your local airport.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Salk's Airport Transit Guide

 

Key information on how to get to/from 456 different airports around the world.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Mileage Pro

 

Two industry gurus share their insights into frequent flier programs.

       No Opinion/Experience or
Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

Add a 'Write In' Candidate

 

And what do you think was the best new gadget or other helpful thing that helps make a traveler's life more convenient in 2005?

Nomination for

 

Score  0   1   2   3   4               Category Favorite?   

 

 

 

 

Originally published 13 Jan 2006, last update 20 Jul 2020

You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to me as original writer.

 
 
 
 

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