By Tan Chong Yaw

1 Walkie-talkies (above, extreme right)

If you are in the United States, each call to a fellow Singaporean traveller - even a 30-second "Where are you?" - will cost you $3.50. Receiving a call from him will set you back at least $1.80.

Do not forget that you are no longer in Ang Mo Kio but in Anaheim making roaming calls to a Singapore number.

Do not let your phone bill bloat up. Use walkie-talkies instead and enjoy free calls.

The hardy Motorola T7 has a 10km range. However, the range drops sharply when used inside buildings.

Available at Carrefour, Courts, Harvey Norman and Challenger.

2 Noise-cancelling headphones

These sonic gizmos cut out the airplane drone.

The in-ear ones may be more uncomfortable but they are cheaper. A basic pair like the Creative EP-430 cost $29.

Or get one which uses electronic wizardry. With a set like Sony's MDR-NC60 ($379), ambient noise is countered with special soundwaves.

These are costlier but more comfortable and are great for long flights. Just make sure you get an airplane adapter if one is not included with the headphones.

3 Pocket camcorder

At least $100 cheaper than a basic camcorder, these pocket-sized devices are easy to use. The Creative Vado HD shoots HD-ready clips and costs $299. The standard-definition Vado costs only $99.

The deal clincher is the weight - just 100g for the Vado HD and 84g for the standard Vado.

Buy online at sg.store.creative.com or at the Creative Store in Marina Square.

4 GPS navigation device

A rental car from Hertz will cost you US$12.99 (S$18.20) more a day in the US if it comes with a global positioning system (GPS) navigation aid.

So pack your own battery-operated GPS device and take it with you.

Whether you are on foot or in a tour bus, you can get a quick fix on the buildings and roads around you.

Sets with Singapore maps start from about $300. Maps of other countries cost extra - like $79 for Sygic maps of the US. Extra benefit: you can use the GPS in Singapore and Malaysia too.

Call Eastgear (tel: 6837-1582) or Navicom Technology (tel: 6296-8238) for more details.

5 Notebook entertainment

Install Skype from skype.com on your notebook PC. As long as you have free Wi-Fi, you can make cheap or free calls back home.

Use the internal optical disc drive and turn your notebook into a mini-cinema. (For less endowed machines, you can get a slim external DVD drive for less than $200.) Pack the family's favourite movie discs and have a movie marathon for those stay-in nights.

Prices start from $900.

6 USB flash drive

Get a 16GB U3 version (apps can be installed in and launched from these enhanced drives) for less than $50.

Load your personalised versions of the Firefox browser, OpenOffice and Skype on this gadget and use them when in cybercafes.

Great for making your computing experience as close as possible to that of your PC back home.

7 MP3 player-cum-game console

Cocoon yourself in a world of your choicest tunes or be absorbed for hours in a game - on one device.

Consider the iPod Touch - a full-fledged media player that does double duty as a game machine.

Pick from over 5,000 free game apps, such as Pac-Man Lite and Tap Tap Revenge. Download from Apple's App Store.

From $308 at apple.com.sg/store.

cytan@sph.com.sg

Unless otherwise stated, all items are from shops in Sim Lim Square

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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