The summer vacation time may be over, but that doesn't mean vacations are done.
Fall is my favorite time of year, so any chance I have of getting out and about to enjoy it, I'm taking it.
where it’s @
The Belkin Travel RockStar requires a standard outlet and a USB cord for charging electronics. The product retails for $59.99. More information is available at belkin.com. The GoMate iPX8 Waterproof Pouch Case from Satechi requires a smartphone up to 5.5 inches. The product retails for $19.99. More information is available at satechi.net.
All that traveling can wreak havoc on electronics, especially if one does something stupid like drop an iPhone in the only nearby rain puddle (not naming names, but someone, rescued it just in time). It's also not easy keeping everything charged. How many times have you searched a hotel room to find an outlet?
I have a couple of random items that can provide solutions to such issues, particularly on those fall trips.
The first is the Travel RockStar from Belkin. It's a battery pack, a charger and a surge protector all in one.
The RockStar has a USB port on top, a plug on the back and two outlets on the front. A button on top lights the four green lights on top, showing how much charge is left in the built-in battery. The battery is charged by plugging the RockStar into a power outlet using the fold-out plug. The plug can be a bit tough to get out of its hole, but once it's out, it stays put, making it easy to plug the device in and pull it out.
The RockStar is fairly heavy and a little bulky, so it would do best riding in a suitcase or computer bag, rather than a purse or pocket. Given that it includes a battery pack and a surge protector, the size and weight aren't too surprising.
The outlets only work when the RockStar is plugged into another outlet. So don't expect to charge three items at once by plugging them in on battery mode. The USB port uses the backup battery to charge phones, tablets, computers, small cameras and action cameras like GoPros. Those products also can be charged by plugging their power adapters into the RockStar's outlets, once the RockStar is plugged into an outlet.
Belkin offers a $75,000 warranty on equipment connected to the charger. Of course, you have to read the fine print, and good luck with that, because it's very fine and very light gray. Basically, they will repair or replace anything that is properly connected to the charger (which means anything outside of the standard electronics likely won't be covered, because it isn't made for that) up to $75,000 in value. However, that's only in the United States and Canada. Go anywhere else, and you're on your own.
I like the idea behind this item. I use surge strips throughout my house, and I always worry when plugging my electronics in to a bare outlet, especially in a rural hotel or mountain cabin. It's nice to be able to take this level of protection with me.
Speaking of protection, Satechi provides protection for smartphones that might end up saving them from fall rain showers, winter snowflakes or dunces dropping their phones in mud puddles. (Yes, OK, it was me.)
The GoMate iPX8 Waterproof Pouch Case is made for smartphones up to 5.5 inches. Basically, iPhones and Galaxy S-series phones are among those.
The pouch is bright orange, so it's easy to spot in the water. It's a polyurethane exterior with clear windows to use the phone's screen and camera. It seals with a zipper-style strip, such as what you would find on a sandwich bag. The top flap then folds over and attaches via Velcro. Two holes in the edge of the case at the bottom allow for the attachment of the included lanyard, so the phone can be kept around the neck and even used as an action camera through that back window.
The windows do make it a little harder to make the phone's screen respond, but for the most part, it did well. I even got an iPhone in it with a case already on it, and the screen still worked.
Naturally, I did the old paper-towel waterproof test on this, because it's better to ruin a cheap paper towel than a really, really expensive phone. The pouch actually did very well, not spilling or leaking a drop on the towel.
My concern is that, over time, it would be very easy for that zip seal or Velcro to wear out and lead to leaks. I also could see the seal eventually breaking around the clear windows. This could be used, but it would need to be used carefully and with caution. This is one of those "waterproof" items that I would test before every use and keep close watch afterward.
Either way, these products can help protect electronics on those fun fall excursions. Time to hit the road!
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via email at mljones72@me.com.
SundayMonday Business on 09/21/2015