I do not deny it, I love electronic gadgets! My iPhone, camera, GPS and laptop will be essential tools for me on this trip.
My ongoing challenge is to bring only what is absolutely necessary while making sure to have the tools needed to communicate, navigate, picture, save and share those memories!
Communication and Navigation #
I’ll have my iPhone 6s Plus installed and powered on the handlebars. It allows me to easily communicate while making navigation apps like Google Maps and Maps.me available. I am using a Rogers roaming package that, for a maximum of $100 per month, provides unlimited calls and data usage as if I were in Canada.
The main GPS navigation will be handled by my old Garmin Zumo 550. For safety and tracking, family and friends can follow my progress through a Spot GPS device.
Photography and Content #
I had to make big sacrifices regarding photography. While I would have loved to bring my Canon 5D, its weight and value make it too risky. I turned to a Canon SX610HS point-and-shoot. It has a powerful zoom and great image quality in good light.
To manage files and update this blog, I am carrying a MacBook Air and two small Western Digital hard drives for data backup. Everything is secured in waterproof bags—you never know when the bike might take a dip in a river!
Electronics List #
| Item | Model/Comment | Price (CAN$) |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13" | Apple | 1,600.00 |
| iPad Mini 4 | Apple (with covers/wires) | 1,000.00 |
| iPhone 6s Plus | Apple | 1,400.00 |
| iPhone 5 | Backup | 800.00 |
| External Hard Drives | Western Digital 2TB (2X) | 250.00 |
| Camera | Canon SX610HS | 250.00 |
| GPS | Garmin Zumo 550 | 0.00 |
| Quad Lock System | Covers, mounts, tripod head | 350.00 |
| Cases | Incase & Aqua-Quest (waterproof) | 100.00 |
| Accessories | Batteries, tripods, adapters | 410.00 |
| Total: | 6,160.00 |
Next article will cover travel documents.