Electronics and Cables

Camera

I purchased a Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 Mega Pixel Camera on the recommendation of a photographer friend.  As someone who never enjoyed taking pictures and never had much of an eye for it, I like this camera a lot so far.  The zoom gets me where I need to go and then some, and the auto focus and motion adjuster seem to take user error out of the equation.

I'm not sure if this camera can provide more skilled photographers with manual options they might desire, but for someone who prefers to point, shoot, and proceed, this camera is a great buy for under $200.

MP3 Player

Although I'm trying to ween myself off of listening to music all the time while I'm biking over long stretches for safety and atmospheric reasons, a long bike trip wouldn't be complete without some tunes to break up the ride.  I do not mind limited the number of songs I have at my disposal all the time to 500-600.  I actually prefer to substitute music in and out periodically to keep it fresh.

The 16BG Nano works perfectly for me.  I snap it on to my front basket and can easily change tracks with one hand without jeopardizing my position on the road.

Computer

I'd been using Mac for about 2 years when I started the trip, and while I seriously considered downgrading to a cheaper computer that would give me the basics that I needed, without the liability of traveling so far with such an expensive computer, I just didn't have it in me to give up my 13" Macbook Pro.

While this is more machine than most people need over such a long trip, I often spend 10+ hours a day on my computer.  My MacBook generally gets the job done.

Video Camera

I bought a Flip Video camera before I decided on the Canon which actually has video capabilities.  I'd seen a friend arrive in a new city armed with little else than one of these Flip Cameras and evolve into the principle journalist for the city's thriving art scene.

I still prefer using the Flip Video over the Canon when filming downhill stretches from the saddle.  Its weight, size, and simplicity, make it perfect for such short low quality videos.  Plus I don't have to risk dropping the bulkier (and more expensive) Canon.

GPS

I purchased Garmin's Etrex Venture HC because I'd used them before.  I knew their limitations, but they'd always gotten the job done for me in the past.

The device is still a great deal for the money, but if you go this route, be aware that you will probably have to do some extra work.  The device has a miniscule hard drive, which means you won't be able to download detailed city maps.  This is an extremely helpful feature when you pull into a new town, exhausted after miles of riding.

With the Etrex, I like to mark hotels and points of interest I want to visit before departing for the town.  While I won't see all of the roads within a city, I will always know whether my destination is to the north, south, east or west, and this is usually enough for me.

Having a GPS also allows me to record my tracks to upload them to the website for friends, family, and interested web surfers to peruse.

Kindle Reader

Lightweight, has access to nearly every book I've ever wanted to read, and most books written before 1900 are $0.99.  Enough said.

Headlight

I rarely bike at night, so my headlamp doubles as my bike light as well.  Like the Garmin and the Canon, it runs on AA batteries, which I can easily keep charged with the Dynamo.  It provides a few different options for the light beam and is remarkably affordable compared to many of the headlamps on the market.  I can't imagine needing more than this provides.

MacBook Plug

In line with my goal of never having to plug in to a wall socket, I use an Apple Airline Power Adapter to plug into my Brunton.

The Macbook Car Charger Will Not Work with the Brunton.  I know this because I tried.  If you want to use the Brunton power set up with an Apple Laptop, the Airline Adapter is the only way to go.

Ipod Nano to USB

For charging the Ipod via the Bruntons or from the computer and loading music from computer.

2 Brunton Wall Chargers

We're not completely off the grid yet, so when I'm in a hotel, I usually give the Brunton's a power boost from wall outlets.  These are included with the Brunton Impel Batteries.

1 Mini USB to USB Charger

The cable I am using has an input split into the thinner USB and the slightly fatter one.  I use the fatter input to plug in my GPS to the computer and the skinnier input to plug in the Kindle.

2 Car Charger Sockets

These connect the Apple Airline Adapter to the Brunton.  I carry two because I imagine they would be extremely hard to find on the road, and given their shape, they are rather fragile.  Brunton includes these with the Impel and Sustain battery lines.