TechTraveler: Surge protectors un-sexy but essential

By Howard Wolinsky

Your new laptop, video camera, and MP3 player are cool. No doubt you take every precaution to safeguard them while at home with a surge protector.

What do you do on the road? Probably nada. But there are options.

First a few words on the need for surge protection. Surge protectors aren’t considered sexy. They’re right up there with the advice mom gave you on wearing your boots and carrying an umbrella.

But surge protectors not only protect electrical devices from voltage spikes that can fry their electronic innards, they also protect your investment in pricey electronic devices.

They’re more than simple power strips that provide extra outlets in your gadget-rich, but outlet-poor environments.

My family didn’t used to travel with surge protection. We do now. And you should, too.

Last year, my wife, son, sister and I headed to Lithuania and Latvia for a family heritage trip. We also stopped over in Ireland, through which we were routed to Eastern Europe.

I was loaded down with a palm-top computer, an MP3 player, mobile phone, a PDA, camera gear and more. Everyone else had cameras, phones and MP3 players as well.

We had read the power supply could be iffy in some spots we were visiting. In addition, electrical plugs and voltages vary around the world.

What to do?

I found a solution at Wonpro, where I purchased a six-outlet, 13-ounce WE-4A6 power strip with lightning surge protection. WonPro now lists the device for $33.95, but there was a sale going on when I last looked. There are models fewer outlets: $29.95 for five outlets and $22.95 for three outlets.

Then, you buy detachable power cords, costing $9 or $10 each, that adapt the power strip for the individual country. Last year, I bought power cords that worked in Lithuania/Latvia and Ireland. This year, I bought one for an upcoming trip to Peru — and as it happens, the same adapter makes us good to go to Japan, should the need arise.

I hope to keep adding to my detachatable power cord collection, electrical souvenirs from my travels.

My wife described the WonPro devices as "heavy-duty." The design is 21st-century utilitarian, not Apple elegant. The power strips and cords are a bit clunky, but they get the job done.

WonPro kept us charged and ready to go in Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, Riga and points in-between.

There are some alternatives if you plan to travel domestically with these small devices that pack nicely in your laptop case or suitcase:

Targus Travel Power Outlets with surge protection. This 0.5-pound portable power strip, listing for about $20, has four power outlets.
Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger costs $25 and only has three power outlets. But this 0.4-ounce device also has two handy USB outlets, which enable you to charge—and protect—your MP3 player and cell phone. Belkin stresses the device cannot be used as a USB hub—charging only, please.

The Targus and Belkin devices also can provide extra outlets to recharge not only hotel rooms, but also airports, where outlets are in short supply.

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