Get in gear
Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff, 12/16/01
Get going!
Calculate travel distances quickly with this sleek little gadget. Use the hidden keypad to input your cruising speed and the scale of the map you’re using, then roll Map Mate along your route and quickly find out how much longer you’ll be on the road, how much more gas you’ll need, and your estimated time of arrival, too. It costs $19.95 though the AJ Prindle & Co. catalog (866-774-8278) or online at www.ajprindle.com, www.giftsandgadgetsonline.com, and www.kopes.com.
The long and short of it
Sahara pants from REI convert from pants to shorts in a couple of quick zips. The texturized nylon fabric is breathable and quick-drying, and the waist adjusts with a tug of the webbed belt. Zippers at the cuffs let you get boots on easily. Available at REI stores in Framingham (375 Cochituate Road; 508-270-6325) and Reading (279 Salem St.; 781-944-5103); through their catalog (800-426-4840), and online at www.rei.com.
Power to the traveler
Never run out of power again. Now, you can charge your laptop, digital camera, or other equipment while you travel with this Mobile 75-Watt DC/AC Inverter and Airline Power Port set. It’s 5 inches long, 3 inches wide, and just 1. inches deep, and it plugs into any 12-volt DC lighter socket (like the one in your car). The Airline Power Port allows your to plug into the 12-volt sockets available on most business-class seats. The set costs $65 (both pieces are also available separately) through the Herrington Catalog (800-903-28780) or online at www.herringtoncatalog.com and www.botachtactical.com.