The Traveler's Toolbox Part 9

David J. Danto

Travel thoughts in my own, personal opinion

eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on

The Traveler’s Toolbox – Update #9

“What do you have in this thing?” is what colleagues often ask me when they attempt to lift up my flight carry-on bag (my “personal item” as it were.) Over the last few years I’ve published a series of blogs ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) that listed a number of devices and tools that I keep with me when I travel. Things change rapidly in technology, and my bag will always have a bunch of new items, so here is the latest update. Click the links in each section to see some examples of where to get these cool travel tools.

· The Lexus of Flashlights – The Olight ArkPro . I’m not sure if it’s the techie in me or some other personality flaw, but I love flashlights – I have for years. I have more than I can possibly count, but they’re not lined up on a shelf. Each one lives in its own place, ready for use where it’s needed most. That includes the one in my road kit and, of course, the one built into my smartphone. But the ArkPro flashlight has raised the bar, making what I’d call the diamond-level version of a flashlight.

This small, rectangular light feels like a finely crafted tool rather than a gadget. Its adjustable beam can go from a wide, soft flood to a tight spotlight, and it even includes a laser pointer that can operate independently or in combination with the main beam. The rotary selector makes switching between modes effortless, and the beam itself is crisp and powerful, reaching impressive distances for something so compact. It charges magnetically or through USB-C, and Olight includes a lifetime warranty – even covering battery replacement if it ever fails to hold a charge. At around a hundred dollars, this isn’t the light to hand to a child to play with, but it’s the one you’ll want within reach when the power goes out or when you’re on location and need dependable, professional-grade illumination. If you just need something cheap, you can find dozens online for a few bucks. But if you need light you can count on – the kind your safety or work might depend on – this is the one.

· The Best Smartwatch – The Amazfit Bip 6. As you may have read in my blog of a few years ago, I’ve never had a good experience with my Apple Watch – from setup to service to the endless hoops you have to jump through just to make it talk to your phone when you have to change devices. It’s supposed to be simple, but between security restrictions and forced updates and device pairing limitations, it always turns into a nightmare of complexity…and lord help you if you ever need service. I finally gave up, tossed it in a drawer, and started looking for an alternative.

I discovered a surprising number of inexpensive smartwatches that cover about ninety percent of what Apple’s device does, many of them costing between twenty and thirty dollars. They work well enough, but most lacked one key feature I depend on – an international clock so I can track multiple time zones at a glance. Then I found the Amazfit Bip 6, and it quickly became my favorite.

The Bip 6 feels like an Apple Watch on my wrist, but it lasts for days on a single charge instead of hours. It offers multiple customizable screens (free and for purchase for a buck or two in their app store), some created by users (listed for purchase on a separate app) – including fun ones like Star Trek and Pac-Man themes. (These faces include dozens of choices to meet both the needs of data hungry folks like me – see the “glow” below – or people who want pretty or sharp appearances.) It handles all the health tracking anyone might need, from heart rate and pulse ox to steps and movement reminders. Its secondary button can be configured to show international time, solving the problem most budget watches overlook.

The best part is how well it integrates with your phone’s notifications. Every app icon in each notification appears as itself – not as a generic message bubble – and it doesn’t matter whether the app is old, new, or obscure. Calls, messages, reminders, travel notices, even calendar alerts all show up cleanly. For roughly seventy dollars, it’s a remarkably capable device that does almost everything the Apple Watch does, but without the headaches or price tag.

After two months of daily use, I can say this watch has finally replaced my Apple one completely. It’s reliable, simple, and refreshingly free of drama – exactly what a traveler needs.

I’m always on the lookout for convenient or cool things to carry on my travels. If you spot something I should feature in a future Traveler’s Toolbox, please drop me a note. I also want to hear if you’ve had any issues with any of the items I’ve mentioned – good or bad experiences help others. And to answer a question I’ve gotten from a few manufacturers: no, I don’t earn any money or commissions from the links or products I write about. The most I’ll ever accept is a sample to test because I never recommend anything I haven’t personally tried. It’s just easier to remember the truth than to keep track of a story that isn’t real.

After decades of candid travel commentary – from loyalty program “magic tricks” to hotel check-in roulette – I’ve decided to turn some of that honesty into apparel. These aren’t novelty shirts; they’re the exact truths every road warrior wishes they could say out loud. Whether you’re quietly muttering “My loyalty points devalued while you read this shirt” or admitting “If delays build character then I’m the whole movie’s cast” you’ll find plenty of familiar sentiments… and more. Everything is produced by a reputable outfit, with black tees that work under a sport jacket plus hoodies and wicking travel gear for life on the road. The site also has my honest and snarky takes on technology trade shows. Take a look at Tinyurl.com/TechAndTravelWear. Even if you’re not buying they’re fun to read and commiserate – and if you do buy something, maybe I’ll break even. If you want a style you don’t see, just email me and I’ll add it.

This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions.

All image and links provided above as reference under prevailing fair use statutes.

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As always, feel free to write and comment, question or disagree. Hearing from the traveling community is always a highlight for me. Thanks!