Travel Like A Pro: 7 Must-Have Gadgets

Whether your traveling by plane, train or automobile you'll want to have the most comfortable and hassle-free journey as possible. So, if your suitcase checklist only consists of shirts, shorts and toiletries it's time to take packing for business or for leisure to the next level. To help make this possible, here are seven must-have gadgets for travelers.

Forget the deep pockets
Are you guilty of carrying multiple credit, identification and loyalty cards in your purse or wallet? You could be unintentionally making yourself a target for theft. Maybe it's time to make a change and streamline your style? The Q Card Case by CM4 is a great way to lighten your load and reduce your risk of becoming a target. Warning: This is not your typical iPhone case. It's an integrated wallet that can comfortably hold up to three cards plus cash. The protective case is soft to touch and is elegantly designed. As well, it's not all beauty and no brains. The thumb-out slot securely holds your essentials while providing easy access to the card(s) or cash you need. More importantly, the case won't interfere with your ability to use the phone.

(CM4.com, $39.99)

Stay charged
There's nothing worse than running out of juice while you're on the road or abroad. With the AViiQ Portable Charging Station and companion removable Cable Rack System, power plug currents are seldom a problem. The portable charging station has a power plug that can handle currents of up to 240 volts. This means that your days of tangled and misplaced cables are over. The AViiQ Portable Charging Station is designed to charge up to four USB devices by only using one outlet port. This is the perfect gadget for someone who is on-the-move,values aesthetics and versatile battery power.

(Amazon and Best Buy, $79.99)



Kid-friendly fun
Keeping kids entertained while traveling can be a challenge. For some piece of mind that you and your children will both enjoy, try Crayola myPhones. These headphones help to encourage creativity (i.e., keep boredom at bay). In addition, the kid-sized and volume-limiting earphones keep sound pressure at a volume that is safe for young ears -- 85 decibels. Meanwhile, the sticker sheets and Crayola Fine Line Washable Markers will inspire your young Impressionists to create masterpieces that will one day make their way to your kitchen fridge, or anywhere else that you'd like to proudly display their works of art. The earphones are available in two fun colour combinations: pink & purple and blue & green. Earbuds bearing the iconic Crayola crayon wrapper design are available too. It even comes with a Crayola crayon carrying case!

(Target, $14.99 and $24.99)



Banish snoring
Have you ever fallen asleep and started to snore very loudly? It may be funny the odd time, but what if it happens all the time and negatively affects your entire family's vacation or prevents a colleague from getting a good night's sleep? You could have sleep apnea. Toronto-based Dr. Priemer is a dentist by trade but has become an expert at helping his patients manage this sleep disorder. After getting a proper diagnosis from your doctor, Premier recommends getting fitted with oral appliance therapy that will help you and those around you sleep soundly.

(dentalsnoringsolutions.ca)



Discreet diabetic management
Intuitive, inspiring, and discrete these are not the words that one would normally associate with diabetes ... until now. Pharmaceutical leader Sanofi, has created an easy-to-use self-management system that allows diabetes patients to manage their condition from anywhere in the world 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the expert approved STARsystem, users can receive timely information on the go or at home. In most cases test strips and access to STARsystem's BGStar meters is free. However, for $65 you can access the very small and very portable iBGStar system (compatible with iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch and iPad). Today, people living with diabetes can conveniently travel, track trends and share blood glucose details with their entire healthcare team -- whenever and wherever they have access to the Internet.

(Bgstar.com, $65)







Companion for the long commute
If appearances and function rank high on your priority list then equip your vehicle with a budget-friendly SuperTooth Crystal. The slender Bluetooth car speakerphone allows you to talk on your phone hands-free. Sure, other headsets may perform the same function, however, with the Crystal there is no installation required. You simply clip the device to your car's sun visor and start talking hands-free while you drive. You can talk up 20 hours hands-free (or 40 days of stand-by) with a three-hour charge of its lithium ion battery.

(Supertoothstore.com, $69)