NON Scooter Topic... cell phone

I just purchased the Droid smart phone and have spent a bunch of hours looking at all the apps for it. There is a great one that I found last night that I want to mention in case some of you are interested.

There is an app called Lookout. It is a free antivirus, backup and find a lost or stolen phone. Amazing little buggar.

If the phone is lost or stolen, you can locate it with a google map that shows where the phone is. If you want, you can send a siren sound that can be heard all over the place. I tried it last night and it is REALLY LOUD.

You will need some kind of data package to get the full benefit without spending a lot of money. But with a package of your choosing, this is going to be a very helpful thing to have.

I have considered upgrading to one of the newer phones, but am balking at the additional cost of two data plans. We don't have basic cable at our house because we just can't see the point of paying for the drivel that passes for entertainment through the TV.

I do like many of the features of the newer phones, but we have our laptop, 2 PALM Tx's (WiFi) and each have a phone and mp3 players. I guess a smart phone could lessen the load a bit - except all that we currently own are paid for and work just fine.

When traveling on the SilverWings - We use the laptop to process photos and video of each day and then to post our daily blog and vlog for our family. The photos are taken with a point and shoot Fuji Camera and video is shot using a Flip Video Camera. The Flip charges while we're down loading so no charger needed. We carry a charger for the camera and the laptop cord.

We use the PALM Tx as our address book. They stay charged for over a week so we usually do not take the chargers. We forward our home phone and daily use cel-phone calls to a throw-away cel-phone (Nokia 1600 - just a phone, not even a camera) that gets excellent reception most every where we've been. So only have to take one charger.

Usually we leave the mp3 players at home, but if for some reason we take them with us they charge off of the laptop so no charger needed.

We do carry the charging stations for our blue tooth bike to bike radios.

We use maps so no GPS charger needed.

What electronics do y'all travel with and how do you use them?

I'm 72+. Electronics stay home when I'm on the road. I have a "free" digital cell phone (Verizon) about 12 years old. That is it -- with any luck I can call home if need be (kinda like ET?

Dale, Since you like to use maps and who the hell don't...I installed a compass on the SWing. It's made by a company called RITCHIE. They have been making compasses for over 150 years. It has a small 12V LED and lights up so a person can see it at night.

Model # RitchieSport X-10-M

I looked at the compasses at WalMart and a few other stores and got false reading from most. This Ritchie is very accurate dosn't jump around or get bubbles in it. It comes with a 5 year warrenty.

http://www.ritchienavigation.com/catalog/search.jsp?search=X-10-M&imageField.x=8&imageField.y=28

Here's a couple of pictures:

From the drivers seat.


From top, looking through the wind screen.


By the way...I just couldn't see the GPS during the daytime hours. I can see the compass just fine.

Looked for a similar program to lookout for the iphone. Couldnt find one.