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(Continued from page 4) -to-US power-plug adapters that had two narrow
slots for the US connector, instead of one nar-
the world are available, although most require row and one wide slot, meaning that they could-
that your device use Garmin-compatible map n’t be used with almost all US plugs.
files. The same files are usable by PC mapping
applications when you are at home.

If you are fond of reading, those e-book readers
that display only black-and-white print have very
long battery lives, making them practical even
on long trips, and they often weigh less than a
couple of books. However, those that display in
color and play movies have battery lives compa-
rable to small laptops. Be careful of media en-
cumbered with Digital Rights Management
(DRM) as this “feature” may not allow you to ac-
cess it outside the U.S. Figure 2. Power Adapters (left) and a U.S. 3-to-2
Think seriously about power. Your hotel room Wire Power Adapter (right).
will probably have few outlets, likely in inconven-
ient locations, they may not fit U.S. plugs, and
outside the Americas are likely to carry 220-Volt,
50-Hz power. Light-weight, ten-foot, two-wire
extension cords with three outlets are widely
available. (Three-wire cords are far too heavy to
practical on trips, and few foreign outlets have
three-wire connectors.) In many countries you
will need a mechanical adapter to the local out-
lets; research this before you leave home. Take
spare adapters; it’s easy to leave them plugged
into the wall when you remove the cord. If any of
your devices have three-wire plugs (laptops are
the usual suspects) you will also need a U.S.
three-to-two wire adapter. See Figure 2. Most
electronic devices have power supplies that ac- Figure 3. Power Supply Label.
commodate both 110- and 220-volt power, but Your cell-phone can comfortably play music for
CHECK BEFORE YOU GO. You will probably many hours, but if you use it to read an e-book
need bright light and a magnifier to read the tiny its backlight will deplete the battery on a long
print, an example of which appears in Figure 3. trip, leaving you with a dead phone when you
Note the line “INPUT 100-240 V 3A 50-60 Hz.” arrive. A solution is an external battery pack with
The “3A” is the current drawn, which will vary USB connectors, and one can also recharge
among different devices; the important numbers other devices that have USB charging ports; see
are the power Voltage and frequency, “100-240 Figure 4. The one shown has two USB output
V” and “50-60Hz,” which in this case show that connectors and is recharged through the mini-
the unit can be used worldwide. While still at USB in the center.
home, plug together everything you will take to (Continued on page 6)
be sure it fits. For example, I’ve found European

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