Six cheap gifts

It’s that time of year again, tech travelers. With the holidays just a few weeks away, here’s your cue to start dropping hints about the gift you want for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice, or whatever your holiday of choice is.

If you’re an interloper who thinks that traveling with gadgets is only slightly worse than checking voice-mail on vacation, then read on, anyway. You might find a worthwhile present for a road warrior friend in this column’s fourth annual holiday guide.

As always, I’ve split my “must have” gift list into two columns: the inexpensive ones (less than $100) and the ones where money is no object. We begin with the cheap selection:

Of all the portable memory options, I like DiskOnKey the best. This miniature storage device, which doubles as a key ring and pocket clip, is about as light as a pen but can store up to 32MB. It hooks up to your laptop through a Universal Serial Bus connection and is resistant to shock and extreme temperatures, like any good key chain. Price: $69.99 for the 16MB version and $99.99 for the 32MB.

One of the do-it-all-tools I’ve been evaluating and now can’t live without is the new Leatherman Juice. This pocketknife sized multi-tool features wire cutters, a straight knife, three screwdrivers, a lanyard attachment and most importantly, a corkscrew. Not only does the Juice look sleek and futuristic, but it feels like something a professional would use-solid, reliable, and expensive. This Leatherman will set you back by at least $60, but it’s worth every penny. (Note: this is one gift you’re better off leaving with your check-in luggage.)

The Atek Super Mini Optical Mouse is an ideal substitute for the difficult-to-use mousepad on your laptop computer. The 2 1/2 inches long, one inch pointing device is specifically designed for travelers. Since I wrote a column earlier this year on the mini-mouse, I’ve had numerous responses from laptop users who swear by this portable mouse, and although I’m not the kind of person who likes to repeat myself, I have to include this on my gift list. It’ll prevent the cramped wrists and tired arms that laptop users get on the plane. And you’ll probably arrive at your destination feeling less stressed. Price: $49.95.

Speaking of relaxation, the The Travel Zen Alarm Clock may be just the thing to buy if you decide the mouse isn’t for you. It wakes you up with long-resonating pure tone acoustic chimes rather than the shrill artificial noise of its competitors. A word of caution: this timepiece weighs about a pound, and it definitely isn’t for minimalists. But if you need something to stir you out of bed gently, the Zen clock is worth looking into. Price: $89.95.

Here’s a device that will help keep you out of the dark. Kensington’s FlyLight plugs into your laptop computer and helps you see your keyboard in dark environments, like airplane cabins. It uses less than 90 seconds of laptop battery power per hour. Lighting on aircraft is notoriously awful-especially in economy class-and I’ve found that this easy-to-use contraption helps me see the keyboard better. Cost: $19.99.

Finally, if you or someone you love suffers from motion sickness, consider a ReliefBand, a watch-like device that’s worn on the underside of your wrist and that, for all intents and purposes, “zaps” the nausea out of your body. I couldn’t believe it when I heard about it, but that’s really the way it works. ReliefBand sends mild electric shocks to your median nerve, which is said to release endorphins that counteract the nausea (no one knows for certain how it works). I tested the device on a friend who suffered from both seasickness and morning sickness. It worked so well that she decided to keep it. Cost: $99.

Next week we’ll get into some of the more pricey presents. See you then.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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