Posts Tagged stocking stuffers
iHome IHM7 Mini Travel Speakers
If you are feeling a sense of deja vu after seeing this review, it’s probably because we reviewed the X-mini portable speakers a few weeks ago. The physical design of the two items is very similar, though this iHome iHM7 model is a bit smaller and 2/3 the price—around $20 instead of $30.
The company iHome is dominant in the portable iPod speaker space, with a whole range of cubes, clocks, and speaker packs that allow you to listen to your iPod or MP3 player with something besides earbuds, like the iH13 splash-resistant speakers I reviewed back in the spring. Most of them are too big to travel with, however, so enter the tiny little rechargeable mini speaker pictured here.
When packed up, this little capsule is only about the size of a golf ball, with just an on/off switch and a mini USB input for the cord. When you are ready to use it, you unscrew it a quarter turn and it pops up higher. The accordion part serves as the bass response speaker, with the treble part on the top. This is a nifty design and the charged speaker is surprisingly loud—much louder than your laptop speakers. It easily filled up a large room with sound and when I placed it on the bathroom vanity I could hear the music fine while showering. As with most miniature speakers, the dynamic range leaves much to be desired, but this one sounds a whole lot better than other ones I’ve used, especially considering it’s super-light and only costs $20.
There’s always a trade-off when you give up a heavy magnet, but in my opinion it’s worth it to have something so portable. If you care about sound quality (especially bass response) more than ease and portability, I would recommend the larger Orbit speaker from Altec-Lansing, though be advised it takes three AA batteries, which is much more of a pain than just plugging this iHome one into a USB to recharge. With this you don’t have to toss anything or carry a battery recharger. 
If you’re a business traveler carrying a speaker to give presentations from your laptop, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll always have power since it plugs into the USB port. I’ve been running my test unit for more than 8 hours now too on a single charge.
The cord itself is pretty nifty too. Only one thing plugs into the speaker, then the cord splits into a regular USB (for recharging) and a regular headphone jack for plugging into any type of music player that accepts a regular headphone jack. (In other words, anything except some versions of the iPhone that have a recessed input—these may require an adapter.) There’s a little velcro strap to wrap it all up when packing.
I’ve reviewed a lot of travel gear items that are $20 or less over the past few years, but in terms of what will get the most use for the dollar, it’s hard to beat a portable mini speaker if you’re trying to pick out a gift for a traveler. And you can’t get much smaller than this one and still have good sound. Highly recommended.
Get the iHome IHM7 speaker at Amazon
iHome iHM7 portable speaker at Buy.com
Rocking iPhone/iPod Devices for your Home, Office & More at iHome!
Posted by Tim L. in Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on December 9th, 2009
Squishy Travel Earplugs from Hearos
When Johnny Jet did his 5 things I always pack guest post a while back, he included earplugs as one of his essential items. Quite a few people I’ve traveled with feel the same way, including my light-sleeping wife.
She never goes on a trip without some kind of earplugs, so I let her put these squishy Hearos earplugs to the test on our recent trip to Ecuador. They got a big thumbs up from her and I can see why. These foam earplugs squish down to nothing when you roll them in your fingers. But then after you put them in your ears, they expand to form a tight seal that blocks out noise. No more jet engines and ventilation noises on a plane, no more traffic noise or annoying hostelmates at your cheap hotel.
These Hearos ear plugs are rated to block out 32 decibels of noise, which is substantial. Most of what gets through otherwise is coming through your skull vibrations as much as your ears.If this isn’t enough though, they make advanced ones that block out even more.
These earplugs are simple, effective, and easy to pack since they’re small and light. When they get gunky, you can afford to throw them away and pop in a new pair. After all, you can get two 20-packs at Amazon right now for around 7 dollars. That ought to last you plenty of nights of honking horns and garbage trucks.
Get them at physical drug stores, mega retailers, or online at Amazon.
See more at Hearos.com—including an iPhone ap you can download to measure decibel levels at that next rock concert…
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on December 6th, 2009
Spongeable Shower Gel Travel Sponges
Here’s one inventive way to pack light and still get around the airport security restrictions on liquids: carry a sponge that’s already loaded up with bath gel. That’s the idea of the Shower Gel in a Sponge, which is good for at least three washings.
A company called Spongeables makes a whole line of these things, with the larger ones designed to hold enough for 20 showers. These little ones that fit in the palm of your hand are great for travel though, especially if you’re going to be in a cheap hotel with nasty soap. You can carry one of these lightweight packages along, a solid that is also well less than 3 ounces, and breeze through security without even taking it out. But then you can be nice to your skin when you shower, coming out radiant and smooth.
I’m not sure how they get all these ingredients in there and make it work—there are a bunch of patents involved—but I was pleasantly surprised at how long this little bath sponge lathered up. After six showers I probably could have used it another time or two. Each one has shea butter, olive oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and a few other ingredients, plus your choice of girly or manly scent. After using this Spongeable, you are clean, moisturized, exfoliated, and fragrant.
These shower sponges would make for a nice gift for the traveler of any kind and are inexpensive and small enough to qualify as a stocking stuffer. They list for just $3 each in the small size (a buck or less a bath) and the largest ones are $7. You can even get some heart-shaped ones come Valentine’s Day—in “spicy mango” or “peony passion.”
Buy the Spongeables online or see the company’s retail locator for where they are carried—common chain stores like Rite-Aid, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer, and CVS.
See more at spongeables.com
Posted by Tim L. in Travel Light on December 3rd, 2009
Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads
I’m the first to admit I am not a beauty-products connoisseur. I have my cleansing and moisturizing regimen prescribed by my friendly local esthetician (whom I don’t see nearly enough for facials), but I’m not familiar with many product lines. Although Elizabeth Grant has sold her moisturizing creams since 1958, evolving her home-based business into a global, multi-million corporation, I hadn’t heard of the brand before a marketing representative contacted me to review Vitamin C Eye Pads. It may be just that I’m not sophistiated — or wealthy — enough to use this line: a small jar of Caviar Night Crème is $130!
Her Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads at $35 for a six-pack of pairs are not inexpensive either, but if you are prone to “tired eyes” while traveling, or are facing some long travel days on your next trip, you might consider trying this product. (Or putting it on your holiday wish list.)
I sampled the eye pads during a five-night, whirlwind trip to Belize last month, and can confirm that the little cotton pieces infused with good stuff like chamomile, Vitamin C and Grant’s trademarked, moisturizing “miracle blend, Torricelumn™, definitely felt refreshing on my under-eye skin. The wet pads are sticky, so you don’t have to lie down while wearing them, though 15 minutes of meditation might also help your eyes look more refreshed anyway.
According to marketing materials, the Vitamin C in the eye pads naturally brighten, lighten and even the appearance of under-eye skin. I didn’t see this change in the mirror — nor did I see a visible difference between eyes when I tested just one pad at a time, for comparison’s sake (i.e. I still had a bit of puffiness and dark circle under each eye).
However, even though I didn’t see a change, I absolutely felt better after using the eye pads: more wide-eyed, more refreshed and more “awake” all around.
The eye pads come in convenient, thin foil packs that don’t take up much room in your toiletry bag or carry on. I think they’d be a great way to re-energize after a long-haul flight — say from Denver to Maui or New York to Frankfurt. Think about them, too, for stocking stuffers during this holiday season of giving!
Posted by Kara in Travel Light on December 1st, 2009
Mojito Micro Wallet from Malcolm Fontier
I doubt I’ve ever been mistaken for a metrosexual, even when I lived in New York City, but I’ll grab onto any fashionable item that is also functional. When form and function come together, it’s a beautiful thing.
So I like the line of accessories from Malcolm Fontier, including this cool little Mojito micro wallet. The idea is this: when you go out for a night on the town, do you really need a wallet two inches thick that has your cards from Costco, the grocery store, and the gym? Take cash, ID, and a credit card and you’re good to go. You can fit up to six cards in this little wallet though, with an elastic strap holding them in. On the side is a pocket for your folded up cash, billed as “a money clip without the clip.”
It comes in four colors and it’s stylish, but it’s also really practical as well. I’ve used it around town a few times in the past month and managed one weekend trip with only this along. I’m off to Vegas for a conference next week and this is what will be going with me every time I leave the room. (Unfortunately, I’m not blessed with a roll of hundred-dollar bills to gamble with, sigh…) I think this thing gets a bit ungainly if there are more than two credit cards and an ID in it, but most times that’s plenty anyway.
The Mojito micro wallet retails for $20, though be advised the construction is tagged as “animal-friendly,” which means “not leather” (and not likely to every biodegrade either since it’s synthetic). Follow this link to see more photos and even a video of it in use. They also make a similar larger case to hold your iPhone. You can get their stuff online or take a look at their retail store locater. Go to the Malcolm Fontier site to see the whole line of striking cool but functional bags and accessories. Need an incentive to click over? Well, there are videos of naked people…
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on November 29th, 2009
