All the hassles of getting the right chargers, converters for the electronc appliance...

All the hassles of getting the right chargers, converters for the electronc appliance...

We are living in such an electronic dependent era, it is amazing how many chargers one suddenly discovered one needs when you have to go a different country. I traveled a lot, domestically. I go to HK and China a bit too. Every time, I lived with the fact that I have to bring many chargers, charger for my laptop of course, charger for my camera, charger for my iPod, charger for my cell phones (yes, I have been carrying a couple of them over the past year, one for work, one is a test phone for wireless products), and charger for my blackberry. Sometimes, if we go on to trip with the family, then we need to bring charger for our camcorder too, and for my husband's shaver.

It was annoying, but not as much so when I travel domestically, since at least, you know that the power voltage will be fine. There is no compatible issues with electric outlets. Going to HK, I always feel resourceful, since HK practically has everything readily accessible. You will always be able to buy anything at a great price. No need to worry for the most part. Going to China is still not too much a problem. They use 110V, same as U.S. So, you only have to deal with electric plug adapter. Hotel usually supplies them. Now, going to London and Europe is a totally different story. Boy, we were at Radio Shack twice, Best Buy three times the day after thanksgiving ... all for getting the right charger for my camera, and electric plug adapter and transformer for ou Europe trip.

We first went to Radio Shack, thinking they most likely carry more of these products. We found iGo. I read about iGo, and had been thinking about getting it to help organize my packing for business travel. I figured I will give it a trial. So, I got the iGo, with a tip, which according to the web, should work for my SONY DSC-P9. I also got the power adapter with International plugs which should works for London and Europe. Well, disappointingly, I found out that the tip did not work for my camera. So, we went back to Radio Shack. I want to get the tip for my laptop, the iGo I got would not work for my laptop, at least that's what the store clerk said. There is another iGo, more expensive model which should work. Well, I did not bring the iGo, so, I was trying to find another tip which may work. They got the iPod tip, but not in store. I finally got the tip for my Blackberry. When I get a chance, I have to go back online to figure out exactly what work and what does not for the iGo I got. I still don't have charger for my camera.

Best Buy is next door. I went right to the camera department, shown the store clerk my camera. He found exactly the right camera charger, made by SONY, which said on the back that it is compatible to SONY DSC-P9. I asked the clerk if I can open the package and tried it on with my camera. He said 'No'. I have to buy it first, if it does not work, then return. So, disappointingly again when I got home, the SONY made charger did not work for my camera. I have to go back to Best Buy. The store clerk said that there is no more charger. I couldn't bear the thought that I would have to go to Europe without a camera. The thought of getting a new camera came across my mind. I wasn't sure if I want to spend all that money. So, I searched again, and I found it.

This time, I was determined to try it first, before buying it. I opened the package at the store, took a tip out, and wola, it worked! Before I realized there were three security guards behind me. Well, of course, they looked at me with suspicious eyes, with gesture that they were ready to arrest me. I explained to them that I had to try the goods before I bought it, because I was not going to return the goods again. Well, luckily, this one really fitted. They escorted me to the store clerk for me to pay for the product.

Got the goods, tried it at home, I was finally relieved. I still did not simplify packing of chargers. I packed the iGo, with tip for the blackberry. I really don't need to bring along the iGo. I just want to bring along, so that I can try out the charger to make sure all work. I also packed the charger for my digital camera, which can also be used for my camcorder (if the transformer works). I brought the camcorder charger anyway, in case the charger for camera/ camcorder does not work. And, thank god I packed it, since that charger actually works for 220V. Of course, I still brought the blackberry charger, since it got international interchangeable plugs, and the charger for my laptop, iPod, and my cell phone. So, I actually did not simply all the charger packing. Oh, I also packed the transformer.

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