Able Planet Clear Harmony NC1050 Noise-Canceling Headphones
Able Planet has long had a reputation for providing superior noise-reducing and canceling headphones for a more affordable price than competitors like Bose. Some of its critics say that the quality is not as good, but my experience with them has proven the opposite. I have found that when comparing them with my Bose headphones that they provide similar noise-reducing qualities. Even my more expensive Bose pair does not eliminate sound so I often wonder why people are willing to pay so much for them.
I was quite excited to try out the Able Planet’s newest high-end Clear Harmony NC1050 noise canceling headphones simply because I knew of the competitive nature between advocates of both brands. First off, the Clear Harmony pair provides exceptional “white noise” sound that eliminates the chatter around you. I found it to be superior to Able Planet’s cheaper pairs, which is understandable and expected. Even when the battery is not switched on, the sound reduction is respectable.
When used to plug into audio channels or for watching videos on an airplane or with my laptop, the sound quality is impeccable; in fact, it is much better than a Bose pair when listening to audio content or music. Able Planet touts its Linx Audio sound quality, which is certainly recognizable, and it recognizes when the perception of noises and sound should seem louder without increasing the volume on the headset. This means that you can enjoy the high notes, low notes, loud sounds, and base noises in music without adjusting the volume to uncomfortable levels.
Often times, headsets can move around on your head when reclining or when dozing off. This pair maintained the sound quality even when it shifted on my head over the period of a few hours on a long plane flight after I fell asleep for a few hours.
It is also extremely lightweight, which is very important to me when traveling internationally since airlines can be quite strict with carryon baggage weight. Like its other models (and those of competing brands), the cord can be removed from the headset so you do not trip on it or break it when exiting an airplane seat or when storing it in your bag. I admit to sometimes not carrying it in the boxy case because it adds weight to my bag! Able Planet also makes a “made for iPhone” cord that can be purchased separately for playback control features.
It comes with its own sturdy case, airplane adaptor, and battery. The pair of headphones features a simple black color, and I am often asked about the brand by people who think they are Bose or want to find a pair that is cheaper than Bose’s headphones. While Clear Harmony is not necessarily cheap, it is certainly on par with its competitors in the high-quality, noise-canceling headphone department and scores highly in my book. It can be purchased at Able Planet’s website for $350. While it is pricey, I consider it to be a sound (forgive the pun) investment in my travel experience.
Search prices on all Able Planet headphones at Amazon.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear on April 23rd, 2012
Speck and Otterbox iPad Covers for Family Travel
The summer road trip and air travel season will soon be upon us! Forget about gas prices, packing, and plane tickets…is your iPad ready for all the abuse? We don’t travel long-distance without ours, and while our boys (ages 12, 10, and 7) are old enough to pay the device proper respect, accidents still occur. We’ve tried half a dozen cases over the course of the last few years, dragging them along on countless road trips, weekend getaways, and flights. Below, you’ll find our top picks for traveling with kids.
Speck SmartShell:
Right out of the box, we encased our new iPad2 with the Apple SmartCover, only to realize that ‘hey wait a minute…this thing offers next to no protection!’. We liked the simplicity of the SmartCover, however, and the fact that it saved our battery life with its sleep/wake feature, so we paired it with Speck’s SmartShell. The SmartShell is a very simple case that fits around the back of the iPad to protect it where the SmartCover does not, and since it’s designed exclusively with the SmartCover in mind, the two work perfectly together. The SmartShell is made of semi-opaque plastic that takes scratches and dings in stride, and even has a magnetic strip at the back to which the SmartCover connects when the iPad is propped up. If you like the sleek, minimalist features of the SmartCover but need the back protected, the SmartShell is for you. The only downside: the kids complain that the thin design makes it hard for them to get a good grip on the iPad while gaming.
The SmartShell matches the colors of the SmartCover perfectly, so you can either coordinate or mix-and-match. Pick one up at the Speck site for $34.95, or Amazon.
Otterbox Defender:
I’ve long been an Otterbox fan because it protects like no other cover. (I’ve used the Commuter and Reflex cases for my iPhone for as long as I’ve owned my phones.) Like most Otterbox designs, the Defender for iPad2 is heavy and a bit cumbersome, but if you want absolute full protection, in my experience, this is it. Its design is three-fold: first you have the hard plastic shell (with foam interior), then the silicone membrane. Over all that, you have the plastic shield. We really are talking full armor here.
The upside: I love-love-love the Defender’s shield design, which works as a detachable stand for viewing and typing. Unlike other stand designs, which can be awkward or even useless, the Defender’s is sturdy and well-constructed. I can type easily on the iPad’s screen while using it, and that’s saying something. The downside: because of all the pieces to the cover, it can be difficult to take on and off, and dirt specks and debris easily get into the cracks between the case and the iPad screen. (Or at least this occurs in our house.) Pick up an Otterbox Defender case on their site for $89.95 or at Amazon for considerably less.
Speck Wanderfolio:
Despite my Otterbox loyalty, the Speck Wanderfolio may be my new favorite iPad cover. It’s not too big and bulky, but not too thin and flimsy. It is, if you’ll pardon the cliche, just right. Made of a plastic shell and either faux or real leather, depending on the version you opt for, the front cover folds over portfolio-style, and opens with a magnetic clasp which also activates the sleep/wake function. Inside the padded cover, you get a secret (or not so secret) panel that opens to sleek passport and document pockets. If you don’t use that section (as we usually don’t) just snap it closed, and you’ll barely know it’s there. The back of the iPad is fully covered by the Wanderfolio, and the case adjusts for pretty decent display/viewing options. (Not as awesome as the Otterbox stand feature, mind you, but still quite respectable.)
The Wanderfolio is slightly more bulky than the SmartShell, but not half as much so as the Otterbox, making it solidly protective without going overboard. Pick one up in one of four colors at Speck for $69.95, or on Amazon. And if you have a Kindle or Kindle Fire, Speck makes a Wanderfolio for those as well.
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, check out Ramsey’s review of the G-Form Extreme. They say that while covered in the G-Form, you can drop a bowling ball (or hefty toddler) on your iPad. I’m not sure I’ll try it, though!
Note: All the above were tested using our iPad2. If you’re sporting the new iPad, double-check that the cover will fit before buying. Speck has an entire page devoted to the new iPad.
Posted by Amy in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on April 17th, 2012
Waterpik Traveler Water Flosser
This is a great device for those with a penchant for keeping fit and healthy. It is designed to be a more comprehensive alternative to traditional wax floss. While it weighs more than a plastic box of floss, it is still small and compact enough to fit into a carry-on bag or even a briefcase if paperwork and electronic gadgetry is kept to a minimum. It also takes up minimal space in a constricted hotel bathroom although hotel housekeepers seem to wonder what this device is (based on personal experience)!
World travelers will appreciate the voltage compatibility that will keep it from blowing a fuse in a foreign hotel. I really enjoyed using this device after a long-haul flight during an airport layover. Yes, brushing your teeth in an airplane lavatory is always a possible, if gross, option, but using this device was a completely refreshing and invigorating experience. It seems cliché, but it almost woke me up despite my jetlag since my gums were massaged. I did get a few strange looks from people in the airline lounge restroom, but clearly this would not happen in the privacy of one’s hotel room.
Waterpik notes that this is clinically proven to be more effective than traditional floss in reducing plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease. While I cannot personally vouch for this claim since floss can also remove food debris that is lodged in between teeth, I can truly say that the power of the water spray in this device is impressive making me believe the manufacturer’s claim.
To pack the device, you can simply invert the water container to make the device small enough to fit easily into your bag. It comes with its own travel case that features four types of water spray tips and a pressure control system with a variety of settings. In addition to cleaning your teeth, it can improve sometimes troublesome travel breath by removing bacteria around your teeth and below the gumline where brushing and traditional flossing are not always able to access especially when in a hurry.
This is a great travel accessory for business travelers with meetings upon landing. It may not be easy or practical enough to squeeze into a briefcase, but it is valuable for those who eat and drink on the plane and want to feel fresh upon landing. It is available for $70 at Waterpik’s website or on Amazon.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on April 16th, 2012
Magellan’s Stretch Travel Jeans
Dressing up for travel can be a pain. While we certainly do not condone the flip flop-wearing and Slurpee-gulping style of many Americans flying these days, there is a happy medium between dressing appropriately while still being comfortable. These denim slacks from Magellan’s are classy enough to pass for casual pants while comfortable enough to feel like a pair of jeans.
An invisible stretch waistband is hidden behind the belt loop providing a comfortable look without looking like a senior traveler on his first foray into the unknown world (although if you are one of those travelers who wears their ID around their neck and a fanny pack, there really is no helping your situation). The hidden security pocket with a zipper for identification, credit cards, or money does come close though.
In the back, there is another pocket with a zipper perfect for protecting one’s wallet, and the button foldover top keeps it inconspicuous.
An extra benefit for travelers is that these pants are made of wrinkle-resistant cotton with Lycra for a stretchy texture that is also machine washable. The flat-front design keeps them stylish too.
On closer inspection, they certainly do not look like jeans which may be a downside for those who want to pass them off as a hip pair of pants when heading out to the bar, but their comfort far surpasses that concern for most.
Frequent travelers with limited carry-on space will appreciate the fact that these pants are difficult to wrinkle making them perfect for long trips. Plus, their dark color is convenient for those worried about stains especially if this is the only pair you are traveling with (that is often my personal dilemma, at least).
They can shrink after their first wash so be careful to not buy a pair that is too tight. They are available for an affordable price of $70 at Magellan’s travel mecca website.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on April 9th, 2012
Lipault 22” Carry-On Travel Suitcase
Travelers will certainly garner some envious looks with this European-styled piece of luggage that is far more stylish than its American counterparts. The Lilpault Foldable bag’s European look is no joke since it is created by French designer Francois Lipovetsky, who is also responsible for designing Air France’s luggage line used by its impeccably dressed cabin crew. If ABC’s Pan Am did not pique your interest in the sexiness of air travel (or at least its glorious past), this smart line of luggage will help to bring it back to the forefront of your mind.
It is composed of a lightweight nylon that resists stains, knicks, and a brutal kicking from the airlines. It has wheels protected by snap-up floor plates, which are extremely important to protect against pebbles or dirt that can slip in between the wheels and cause them to get clogged and stop rolling. Many bags including Brookstone’s lightweight piece have this problem. In fact, Air France was the impetus for Brookstone to discontinue this size of Dash rollaboard and reduce the size of its cabin baggage offering. Talk about the influence of the French!
For some travelers, the lack of four wheels makes it less comfortable to roll through the airport when it is fully packed, but it does help to reduce the weight of the bag having only two wheels.
A zippered pocked in the front of the bag is another standout, yet simple, feature since it makes it easy to access items quickly and conveniently. Inside the bag, there are adjustable straps that allow you to easily secure clothes from moving around in transit. Its soft exterior allows it to expand if you end up acquiring to many purchases on a shopping excursion or need to travel with lots of items.
The Lilpault Plume Foldable 22-inch suitcase retails for $189 at Lipault’s website and makes a great travel companion for flyers who want to journey light. It’s also available at Zappos and eBags.
Various colors are available for those with style on their mind. Airlines with strict carry-on weight restrictions have met their match.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 2nd, 2012
