Three current preoccupations, for which your input would be greatly appreciated:
- Should I get some noise-cancelling earphones for my forthcoming trip? Contemplating these (tres pricey) or these (but will they do the job?).
- Will I have enough access to the network while in Scandinavia to #blogjune? I’m planning on relying on public wifi. Last time I went to Europe iPads didn’t even exist yet…
- How will I get everything done/set up so I don’t have to worry too much about work while away for two weeks?
16 Comments
1. Yes! I’ve got some $50 ebay Sony noise cancelling headphones (over-ear, rather than earbuds) and they don’t quite erase loud biscuit crunching from 1m away, but have otherwise proven effective for most background noise, including the drone of airplane engines. Playing music through them is even more effective than just having them on + turned on. Just make sure you always turn them off when not in use, otherwise the batteries drain.
2. Probably, but can you set up a buffer to help?
3. It’s only 2 weeks – how many urgent issues can’t wait 2 weeks? (I don’t know, not being in your role, of course, but surely most things can either wait or be asked of someone else).
I have a pair of cheap in-ear headphones that I use for travel. I left the last pair I bought (for a much higher price) on an aeroplane somewhere. My current pair (some sort of Sennheisers) I picked up from JBHifi in the CBD because I discovered Headphonics (http://www.headphones.com.au/) moved from their convenient West Perth/Leederville location to an inconvenient Mt Hawthorn location.
The noise-reducing nature of the earbuds are simply essential for flights filled with screaming children and drunken idiots.
The most important thing is to make sure that you select the correct size tips. The correct tips will make sure that you’re not constantly re-seating the earbuds.
And I realise now that you’re after active noise-cancelling, rather than just passive noise-dampening. Wups.
Thanks Sian and mpfl. I think I am happy to give the less pricey ones a try. Wish I hadn’t left it so late, I may have to resort to going to a SHOP and paying the usual inflated prices…
Most definitely get yourself a pair! I ‘invested’ in a pair of Bose QuietComfort 15 and very happy with them. They are expensive but I bought a pair overseas for $299 which was a lot cheaper than here. One AAA battery will last a couple of long haul flights. They are over ear and I’ve worn them for most of a 14 hour flight LAX-MEL. I keep them on when sleeping and have a chill or jazz music station playing at very low volume to keep the noise out. That have to be heard to be believed! Also good for at home…
http://store.apple.com/au/product/H5987VC/B/bose-quietcomfort-15-acoustic-noise-cancelling-headphones
oh, and you may get away with free WiFi, depends what you want to do – access Google maps, access travel mapps, tweet, instagram… If you have cellular you could check out a local SIM to see if it’s economical enough.
PS. with the headphones you might be able to negotiate with someone like JB HiFi or DickSmith to get a discount… But try them first.
Thanks Colin. I am leaving on Saturday and still haven’t managed to get myself to a shop to try some! Hoping to do so this Friday, all going well…
Am definitely going to get some as I find the plane engine drone very annoying.
1. I bought those pricey Bose ones and they are nothing short of awesome! Before that I had a pair of cheap Mutants, and while they worked surprisingly well, they were simply too big and bulky. In any case, don’t expect them to block out *all* noise – just most of it along various frequencies. I also get a bit uncomfortable with the shhhhing sound after a while.
2. Scandinavia had plenty of Internet cafes when I travelled there several years ago. these days I would expect plenty of public wifi. Starbucks is popular there.
3. You won’t, so just do the best you can. I like to leave a voicemail message saying when I’m back, but not inviting the caller to leave a message. Apart from that, delegate, delegate, delegate.
Enjoy!
Hi Ryan, I’ll give them a try as I find the plane noises distracting and annoying (and I’m not sure why I have put up with that all this time).
Re access to the net, I will just have to keep my eyes open for public wifi. As for Starbucks, do they serve tea? I am not a coffee drinker… 🙂
And you are 100% right about delegating. Also, I am not irreplaceable!
Do your hotels, places you’re staying at, have free wifi? That did fine for us for 2 weeks in Japan.
Would you believe I did not check about wifi when I booked my hotels?!
I guess you will know how my connectivity is, by how many #blogjune posts I manage to put up while I’m away…
Just as alternative
I bought these, because I don’t like buds as can’t seem to get them small enough to fit.
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/sony-mdr-nc8-noise-cancelling-over-ear-headphones-black.html?CAWELAID=1694099918&gclid=CODJv6PV174CFZcjvQod3pQAMQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
they fold and have one AAA battery that lasted. Saved me from the /droning engine headache on 12 hour flight. 🙂
Thanks Teresa, I will have to go to the shop and try a few out…
I did a lot of research recently to get some NC headphones for my dad for his 70th and ended up going with these: https://www.storedj.com.au/products/AKG-K490NC
A bit less pricey than the Bose and very well reviewed by experts. A bit on the chunky side though compared to the in-ear ones . The earbud style from the same mob are on sale here – https://www.storedj.com.au/products/AKG-K391NC – maybe worth checking out?
I have some Sennheiser noise reducing earbuds (not with active noise cancelling) and they are not bad too. I think they were under $100.
Cheers, Sam. My main regret at this point is not thinking about this earlier – as it is I will be cutting it very fine and trying to shop on the Friday before I leave on Saturday!