gear review - Pitstops for Kids

Travel Gear We Use: Best cameras for small hands

April 15, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

A good camera or HD video device is essential gear for most families traveling today. We agree, and take it one step further: it’s wonderful to put the camera in the hands of a child. Kids become more engaged with their surroundings when they have some control over documenting the trip, and we find our tweens and teens pay better attention on historic site visits or at natural attractions when occasionally looking through the lens of a camera.

This said, it’s not necessary to buy top-of-the-line camera equipment for kids! (Shouldn’t we parents get the good stuff, first?) Here’s what we deem to be the best cameras for kids:

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860:

Many cameras designed for young kids look like toys. I dislike this, mostly because kids know what the real deal looks like, and want their photography efforts to be taken just as seriously. This is why I love the Olympus Stylus Tough: it’s a real camera with a design that still appeals to kids. It truly is tough, with a rugged shell and shock-proof features. It’s waterproof up to 15 m, as well as crushproof and freezeproof. There’s easy selfie shooting, if you’re into that (your teens might be) and you get built in Wi-Fi, which makes it easy to transfer photos to a smart phone or the IO Share app. The optical zoom is decent at 5x, and I like the image stabilization. And yes, it shoots movies, too. Pick up the Olympus Stylus Tough on Amazon for $248.

NERF Action Camera:

Yes, NERF! HD action cameras are very expensive, and frankly, I’m not shelling out the big bucks until my kids can do something darn noteworthy on their skis or see something pretty amazing while we’re on the go. In the meantime, we’ve been traveling with the NERF Action Camera, which features many of the same assets of the spendy brands without the terror of kids losing it or breaking it. You get a 5.1 MP digital sports camcorder that produces full HD 720p images and has a 4x zoom, much like mom and dad’s. It mounts on a helmet just like that other brand, and comes with a waterproof case. You also get a full touch preview screen, which makes it easy for kids to use on the fly. Our kids have used it while biking and skiing. Pick up the NERF Action Camera for under $60 on Amazon.

Nikon Coolpix L840:

Our eleven-year-old has shown great interest in photography, so this year, we upgraded him to his first DSLR camera. We still didn’t want to break the bank, and we’ve been very happy with his Nikon Coolpix. He gets to learn about manual settings and lenses, and we don’t have to be too fearful of the cost of replacement. The Nikon Coolpix has 38x optical zoom, a low light image sensor, and a tilt LCD display, which makes it easy for a smaller and shorter person to get the correct angle on a shot. And it still takes HD video, too, of course. Pick up the Nikon Coolpix L840 on Amazon for under $200.

iPhone 5 or 6:

Lastly, don’t overlook the photography features on an iPhone. Even an iPhone 5 features an eight megapixel primary camera and 1.2 megapixel rear camera. Tweens and teens usually know more than their parents about photography apps available to make the most of this, and often a phone is already in a kid’s pocket. When younger, our kids aren’t allowed to have a working phone, but we ‘gift’ them with our old phones when we upgrade. They use them as iPods, for music, games, and photography. Given how often upgrades become available, these used phones make for great travel cameras.

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What camera does your child use? What do you love–or not love–about it?

Travel Gear We Use: Eagle Creek USB Universal Travel Adaptor

February 26, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Twenty-five years ago, I went on my first international trip on my own. One of my first purchases for my journey through Europe was a travel adaptor. It came in a big bag with lots of various-sized plug adaptors. A few months ago, I finally upgraded. As it turns out, gone are the clunky, multi-piece travel adaptors. Instead, adaptors now come in one sleek unit, and include USB ports.

I chose to purchase my new travel adaptor from Eagle Creek, because apart from one item*, I’ve always found their travel products to be high quality, practical, and affordable. In fact, we love their wheeled luggage lines so much, we were all carrying Eagle Creek bags through France and Italy.

Eagle Creek offers three travel adaptors, ranging from a bare bones model for $25 to a pro model for $65. I chose the one in the middle, the USB Universal Travel Adaptor for $50. Like it’s ‘pro’ counterpart, this adaptor comes with a detachable USB section with two ports. It’s a two-prong design that works in 150 countries. We appreciated that you simply slide the appropriate prongs in or out as needed. This way, in France we could use one adaptor type and in Italy another, all on the same unit, without needing to remember which types to pack. Because it’s a two-prong design, it accommodates US plug-ins directly. In other words, I can plug my US appliance directly into the adaptor, then plug the adaptor into the wall, using the appropriate prong type.

The whole unit is smaller than my fist, and I had no trouble with its durability, stashing it in various places in my carry on and in my day pack. It comes with surge overload protection, which is good insurance just in case your US devices aren’t approved for use at higher voltage.

The USB port section slides right into the main unit; you can take it on or off. I found that we used the USB unit at night to recharge our phones, then I’d just slide that section off (with the USB cables still attached) and use the adaptor solo for items like my hair dryer or my laptop. I debated getting the cheaper model without the USB ports; after all, it’s possible to simply bring a US plug for the USB cables and charge the phones one at a time. However, I’m so glad I splurged. If anything, we could have used more USB ports, not less!

Pick up the USB Universal Travel Adaptor on Eagle Creek, or save a few bucks and buy on Amazon.

*The only Eagle Creek product I’d avoid: their $6 travel sacks (3-1-1 bags) are not durable. We bought five, and four ripped before we’d even left the US.

Travel Gear We Use: One really good shell

August 28, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

With the arrival of fall, now is a great time to talk about one travel gear essential every person should have in their closet: a really good, high quality shell.

A shell is not an insulated jacket, nor is it a rain jacket, though it does need to be waterproof. It goes over a base and mid-layer in winter, or can stand alone over a t-shirt or light cotton layer in summer. Shells pack down small and are very lightweight, making them the perfect travel accessory for your suitcase.

Everyone in the family should own a quality shell to wear in all seasons, and while a good shell will set you back, they are used year-round. We definitely get our money’s worth out of ours, using them in ski season as an outer layer, during summer as a backpacking rain layer, and in fall and spring as a precaution (often, our shells are rolled at the bottom of our backpacks or roller bags). Here’s our pick for adults and kids:

Adult shell: Arcteryx Zeta LT

Arcteryx has long been a favorite brand of mine due to its high quality. Make no mistake, the price is high too, but as noted above, a quality shell will be highly used and will last many seasons. The Arcteryx Zeta LT stands out for me because it’s not just made for winter. It’s flexible and breathable, which makes it shine during hiking and backpacking season, too. It’s only 10 ounces, and folds or rolls very small. The storm hood is adjustable, so you can fit it over a helmet in winter or a beanie hat during summer camping trips when the weather turns on you. You also get an internal laminated pocket for your smart phone, and seamed pockets on the outside. The ‘lip’ at the back of the jacket is longish, which means it covers below your waist, and the cuffs at the wrists are adjustable to keep out sleet, snow, and rain.

My Zeta has been on ski trips, camping trips, autumn weekends away, and will soon head to Europe when we visit in winter. It has kept me dry while kayaking in the San Juan Islands and while skiing in Utah. Pick one up at Arcteryx for $399 (a one-time investment you won’t regret), or look on Amazon for a deal.

Kids’ shell: Marmot Southridge

This shell is a solid choice for kids, and even better yet, it’s currently on sale. The Marmot Southridge is fully waterproof and sealed, but still breathable, and like the Zeta, it’s lightweight enough to stash in a backpack when not in use. The cuffs at the wrists are elastic (we wish they were adjustable) and the hood is oversized. Pick one up for less than $60 or look on Backcountry.com.

Want something a bit simpler? The Columbia Trail Trooper is a waterproof outer layer that retails for even less. It’s less breathable than the Southridge, but every bit as waterproof and just as light.

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What about ‘soft shell’ jackets? They’re just fine..for winter sports. It’s a matter of preference during the winter; one of my kids vastly prefers his soft shell jacket (also waterproof) to his Goretex shell. However, for four-season use, soft shells are too bulky and not breathable enough for travel or trekking.

Read about more Travel Gear We Use!

New travel gear: Tuo Travel Undergarment Organizer

August 7, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

We love using packing cubes. I’m a huge believer in organized luggage, with everything in its place. It saves parents time and sanity when on vacation with kids. This is why I’m excited to introduce a brand new packing solution: the Tuo Travel Undergarment Organizer. This innovative product is still in Kickstarter, with pre-orders accepted. The Tuo will retail for $60, but backers get a great discount.

So what makes this undergarment organizer worth $60? Quite frankly, it’s the most versatile packing solution we’ve ever seen. It can hang in multiple ways for easy use in hotel rooms, in cars, and even in airplanes (more on that below), it’s very well-made and sturdy, with oversized zipper pulls, and it’s smart: there are pockets within pockets and a nice fold design for fairly flat storage.

What we love:

Three large main compartments, all with mesh fronts, so we can see what’s inside. Two of the three compartments have secondary, pocket-sized compartments within the compartment.
Nice snap-closure, with straps that convert to hanging straps when you’re in your destination.
Three-fold flat-storage design.

What we use it for:

The undergarment organizer is meant for undergarments, of course. It’s designed to be used by a single person, storing 7 days of underwear, socks, small accessories, swimwear, and the like. Honestly, there’s more room in this organizer than what I need personally when packing for a solo trip. However, for use with a family, it’s genius. The Tuo can easily store the underwear, socks, hair clips, and jammies of up to three young kids, or can store one child’s entire wardrobe in summer: t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, and undergarments. We also plan to use it for:

Storing toys, games, and entertainment on road trips (it can easily secure to the back of a seat)
Storing zip-locked snacks and entertainment on an airplane.
Storing an entire family’s toiletries, including medications and other important items you should always carry-on with you on planes.

Note: the Tuo also comes with a small laundry bag, divided into two compartments. We found this bag too small to be useful for laundry (from a family travel standpoint), but do use it as a separate packing cube.

Travel Gear We Use: Sony Alpha a5000 review

July 11, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

For most family travel situations, I strongly advocate using a quality point-and-shoot camera so you can easily take shots on the fly (in water, on sand, where ever, whenever). However, there is a time and place for a DSLR. For today’s Travel Gear We Use segment, we recommend the Sony Alpha a5000 for those trips during which once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities will present themselves.

The part in which I admit I’m not a photographer:

It’s true. I’m a writer, not a photographer. But I’m complimented frequently on my photos. I attribute my success to two things: 1. taking copious shots from all angles (and deleting most later), 2. using quality gear.

What I love about the Alpha a5000 is, you don’t need to know a lot to use it. Don’t be intimated by this high-end camera (that actually sells for under $500!). Just like on your point-and-shoot, it’s possible to set the Alpha a5000 to one of several automatic shooting modes, and learn to adjust manually as you go. The a5000 comes with tons of scene selection options, plus apps you can add as desired. You can edit as you go (on the camera) and take video, of course.

The a5000 is mirror less, with a 16-50 mm lens. I suggest buying a second lens as well, if possible, to expand your reach, so to speak. I added the E-18-200mm to mine. Find lenses that fit here. I love the flip screen on the a5000, which allows me to find new angles without getting on the ground, and makes for easier video taping. The a5000 does give you the option of using PlayMemories Camera Apps and transferring photos instantly via WiFi, but I personally rarely use these features, preferring to edit on my computer. For fast social media sharing, my phone is still king.

Where I see the difference between my Alpha a5000 and my point-and-shoot:

long distance shots: you just can’t zoom like this with a point-and-shoot!
nighttime shots: you get several scene selections that work at night
portraits: I love, love, love the a5000’s soft skin effect!

Trips where the a5000 rocks:

A cruise
A safari
Any wilderness venture during which you have time to set up shots and are reasonably sure you won’t get wet

Trips on which I was glad to have my point-and-shoot:

River rafting trips
Beach trips
City touring
Backpacking

Pick one up for $449 (on sale!) at Sony, or grab the Sony Alpha a5000 on Amazon for a few bucks less.

Find more gear in the Travel Gear We Use series (click below):

Disclosure: Pit Stops for Kids frequently tests and reviews Sony products, for the purpose of review. This partnership comes with no expectation of a positive review.

Travel Gear We Use: best point and shoot camera for vacation photos

January 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re continuing our Travel Gear We Use series with our #1 pick for an all-around best point and shoot camera for taking family vacation photos. We own several cameras, but only one comes with us on each and every family trip.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 is a little (and affordable!) camera that packs a big punch. Certified waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freeze-proof, the Cyber-Shot fits in your pocket and can take anything your vacation throws at it. We love the touch screen with tons of focus selections, but auto works great, too. The 3.0 screen is big enough to see what you’re doing, and the full HD 1080 records stills and video. You get a 16.2 Exmor R CMOS sensor, which means you’ll get crisp, sharp photos even in odd lighting situations like twilight or underwater. There’s a panorama setting, and sports and action settings.

I have several cameras on-hand for documenting various types of travel, but the Sony Cyber-Shot always comes with us. Why not? It’s small, easy to carry along, and won’t be grounded by sand, dust, water, or cold. It’s safe in the pocket of your ski pants, around your wrist while you’re swimming, and for every situation in-between. In fact, every shot in this video of Riviera Maya Mexico was taken with the Sony Cyber-Shot.

Because it’s so indestructible, it’s also a great pick for kids. We pass the Sony around while on vacation, and I don’t have to worry about it in the hands of the kids. Our boys can navigate the touch screen easily, and love taking underwater pics. (If you’ve bought a disposable underwater camera lately, you know what a hassle it is to develop the film, and how costly those precious few photos available to you are.)

We also love that the Cyber Shot is only 99 at Amazon.

More Travel Gear We Use:
Best carry-on luggage for kids
Best overnight backpacking for kids and youth
Best packing cubes and TSA bags for the family

Photo credit.

Travel gifts for kids: affordable POV action cam picks

December 6, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Do your kids want a POV camera or camcorder for Christmas? Tweens and teens love POV cams, and mine are no exception. However, these rugged, adaptable action video cameras can be expensive! Below are two affordable POV action cam picks that won’t set you back and will keep your kids happy during outdoor travel adventures.

Kids love to challenge themselves and try new skills, and with action cams, they can record their feats, post them on social media sites, and share with friends. My kids bring action cameras to the ski slopes, on mountain biking trails, and even underwater.

Sony Wifi Action Video Camera:

The Sony Action Cam is less expensive than a Go Pro, with all the same bells and whistles. Kids can mount the camera on their helmets, take them on or under water with the waterproof case, strap them to their handlebars, or wrap them around their head with a headband. The Action Cam is small enough to toss into a lightweight backpack or even a jacket pocket, and with only one button for on and off, gloves don’t even have to come off to get the scene rolling. Unlike a Go Pro, the Action Cam does not have a screen, but kids can sync the camera straight to a smart phone. (There are pros and cons of this: see our full Action Cam review for details.) We like the HD quality and the fact that with wifi enabled, we can upload our videos instantly. It can also be used with a USB cable or photo card. Pick it up as a family gift for under $230 on Amazon.

Oregon Scientific ATC Chameleon Action Video Camera:

The Chameleon is unique in that it shoots duel perspectives simultaneously. While capturing the speed of her snowboard on the snow, your daughter can also video the expression on her own face. Both perspectives are displayed together on a split screen view. The Chameleon is more lightweight than the Sony Action Cam, but also a little less rugged. A waterproof case can be bought as an accessory, as well as helmet mounts and pole/handlebar mounts. It fits in the palm of your hand, and captures full HD video. Like the Sony, video is transferred via photo card or USB, but cannot be transferred wirelessly. Grab it for only $199 on Amazon.

Want more travel gifts for kids? Here are some ideas!
Best hydration packs for kids
Nikon Coolpix Giveaway