I know every backpacker’s needs are different, but after travelling for many years I’ve realized that there are a few things that are common to us all:
- The need to stay connected (with friends and family – even if we don’t like them, they’re always good for some emergency cash)
- Capturing the moment
- Entertainment (on those long bus trips or those rainy days with nothing to do)
- Navigation (even the most adventurous soul needs directions)
With these things in mind, I delved into the problem of assembling a tech toolkit for the common backpacker. These tools had to satisfy the following criteria:
- Durable (preferably water-proof)
- Reasonably cheap and easily replaceable
- Lightweight and small
- Good workmanship and finishing
Furthermore, the cost of the entire toolkit had to remain under 1,000 US dollars.So, after a lot of research and some hotly-contested debates with a few guys who’ve globe-trotted quite a bit, I managed to make a kit that we all agreed was enough for all but the most demanding backpacker (a species that I sadly know too many of).
Off the bat, I decided not to get anything Apple. I know many of you will be up in arms over this, but the proprietary control that Apple exerts by tying devices to specific computers means that it is a nightmare to transfer files on the road.
The tablet vs. netbook debate
Which one? A laptop was out the question; with its weight, size and cost factor. Some urged me to choose a nice, cheap little netbook. But in all my travels, I have never truly needed a computer. And if you ever need one, you can ask around, sometimes this lack of a netbook can become a great conversation starter!
So I opted for a tablet. The best Android offering to date, the Google Nexus 7. It ticks all the boxes on my checklist. Reasonably durable, cheap (at half the cost of the latest iPad), extremely lightweight and has good battery life to boot. The only thing it lacks is extendable memory, so be sure to spend $50 more and get the 16GB version.
Also for those who can’t do without a keyboard, there are several options from third-party developers, starting from as low as $40.
Price – $250 + $50
Phone quandary
OK, so I’ll admit I’m an Android fan. On my recent trip to Thailand and Cambodia, I intentionally didn’t take a laptop or a tablet, just my battle-hardened Nexus S. And I truly didn’t feel the need for a computer. Drawing on this and other previous experiences, and the presence of a tablet in the backpack, I chose to add a Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 to the kit. It dovetails nicely with the tablet, and you can tether the tablet to the phone if you are stuck in a place without Wi-Fi.
Price – $200 for unlocked version
Camera – pics or it didn’t happen
The best camera is one that you can carry with you. Everywhere. Without fear. That’s why - unless you’re a serious photo buff - I don’t recommend a DSLR. Plus a DSLR alone would wipe out my whole budget. So I chose the roughest, toughest travel camera in the world. The Panasonic Lumix TS-4. Waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, takes pretty good pictures, and includes a timelapse mode for the gorgeous Angkor Wat sunrise. Sweet talk the salesperson to throwing in some extra goodies like a small tripod, extra battery pack and a camera case (not that you’d need one with this monster).
Price - $250
Navigation
One of the true experiences of backpacking is ending up in some godforsaken location, trying to figure out which village of which province you’re in. That may be fun, but there are times when one needs to know exactly where they are, and how to get to a city. A GPS is a godsend in those times – the Garmin Etrex is a waterproof, rugged sunlight readable unit with great battery life and good accuracy. Definitely a must have, especially for those who want to go solo trekking.
Price – $80
Extra juice
With all the power consumption and travelling to remote locations with patchy power supplies, extra power is definitely needed. I own a cheap Chinese-made solar charger power bank, and it has proved invaluable. It has meant that I can watch as many movies as I want on the night bus without having to keep worrying about battery health. The 60 odd dollars I’ve spent on this is money well spent.
The case
Improvisation. Making do with what we have. ‘MacGyvering’ our way through the trip is what many of us pride ourselves on. Find a largish Tupperware box to fit in all the goodies, and then pack it solid with socks and underwear to provide cushioning. Hard enough to take the most brutal handling, and waterproof enough to withstand sudden downpours and even a dunking in the lake (I can personally attest to that).
And then there were ten (dollars)
What to do with the last ten dollars? What indeed? I bought a couple of memory cards and an extension cord. I didn’t need to, but I never travel without an extension cord, it just makes life easier and makes me more welcome in every hostel I end up in.
There we go. All the essential tech that I need on the road, and all under a $1000 budget cap. Reasonably future-proof, and hardy enough to take some serious punishment.
Many of the features of devices are duplicated, and this is quite intentional. One of the rules that I abide by is to always have backups, and that is why my camera, phone and tablet have GPS functions and two media players.
