Traveling With Bill Travel Blog

New Pocket-Size Camera--Sanyo's Xacti HD1010

This $799 camera, availabale July 14, weighs 9 ounces and is a little bigger than a cellphone. It has a 2.7-inch display and 10X optical zoom lens, and can record video directly to an SD or SDHC memory card. It can record up to 87 minutes of video on a single 8-gigabyte card. When vedio isn't needed, it takes 4-megapixel still images. Also, it can take 300-frames-a-second video for better slow-motion playback. Its "face chase" technology allows users to track a field of 12 faces at a time. Image stabilization adds security for those with shaking hands A docking station can link the camera directly to a HD TV or computer through various cables. For the picture-taking traveler, this is a great tool.

Personal UV Monitor

Going to the beach this summer? This is the gadget for you. Although sunlight can be healthly, too much sunlight can be very harmful. How much is too much? The Personal UV Monitor monitors the current UV levels and temperature and then calculates your recommended exposure time based on information you key in about your skin type and sunscreen protection level. You clink on the exposure timer and it will beep when it's time to cover up. It automataically updates recommended exposure time based on changes in UV intensity. The device is battery operated. For additional information, contact Oregon Scientific at www2.oregonscientific.com. The cost for this device is $30.

Spot--The World's First Satellite Messenger

Do you travel alone all over the world or in just one country? Are you a hiker, skier or biker? Are you a senior traveler or a traveler with health issues? If so, you need SPOT. Help is always within reach with a SPOT Satellite Messenger. It uses the GPS satellite network to acquire coordinates, then sends your location with a link to Google Maps and then sends a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite. At the push of a button, it tracks your progress, checks in with your loved ones and provides non-emergency assistance. SPOT works around the world including all of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia and portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia.

ALERT 911 (USA) and 112 (Europe). SPOT notifies the GEOS International Emergency Response Center and it alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide about your emergency. Once SPOT is activated, it acquires your locaton and sends a distress message to a GEOS International Response Center every 5 minutes until it's cancelled.

PRICE: SPOT sells for $149.99 to $169.99 based on where you purchase it--online, sports stores or marine stores. To activate it,you must subscribe to a basic satellite service for $99.99 a year for unlimited service.

GEOS Search and Rescue Benefit: If you purchase it at the initial activation, it costs $7.95 a year. Otherwise, it costs $150 a year. This service provides up to $100,000 of additional search and rescue resources, including helicopter extraction around the world.

The website for SPOT is: www.findmespot.com and the website for GEOS Alliance is: www.goesalliance.com/sar