Lightening Work-on-the-Go Load

Business travelers always are looking for ways to lighten their loads and make working on the go as trouble-free as possible. Following are items that solve a variety of problems while adding little to the schlep factor. Items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping and handling.

Bag it: Garment bags are the surest way to minimize wrinkles in transit, but a heavy, full bag is a drag to lug around, especially if you’re also toting a suitcase. Travelpro’s lightweight Deluxe Garment bag is a well-designed four-suiter that attaches to Travelpro wheel-aboard bags via the manufacturer’s signature front hook. That makes for easier transport down hotel and airport corridors, though the garment bag is too wide to piggyback down an airplane aisle so must be detached upon boarding.

The bag has double hanger clamps for spreading out the bulge, a long extension panel to cushion folded pants or dresses, pouches for two pairs of shoes and several large see-through mesh pockets (including a tie compartment) for easy organizing. Outside pockets provide extra storage space and a padded shoulder strap is included.

Travelpro hook-on Deluxe Garment bag is $159.95 at luggage stores or from Magellan’s; telephone (800) 962-4943.

Write in the air: There’s something very classy about a good-looking fountain pen, but taking one on the road is asking for trouble--like ink stains on your shirt pocket or all over your purse or briefcase. The problem is particularly acute on airplanes, where atmospheric changes can precipitate leakage. Ah, but for a price you needn’t let such worries cramp your high style. Mont Blanc, manufacturer of haute writing instruments, has produced a leakproof Traveller Fountain Pen. The pen’s airtight cartridge-filling system keeps the ink in its housing and off your fingers and other possessions. I tried it; it works. Plus, it comes with six reserve cartridges and a swanky leather case, all for an incredibly expensive--but perhaps deductible--price.

Mont Blanc leakproof Traveller Fountain Pen is $350 at stationery stores and gift shops.

Lighten up: My DayRunner business organizer is my lifeline to work contacts and appointments. But what if i need to refer to it while I’m in a dimly lighted room or airplane. No problem. Lumatec, which manufactures the DayRunner system, has just come out with the NightRunner Organizer Light, which clips into the three-ring or seven-ring versions of most mid-size planners--including DayRunner clones. The light is on a retractable neck that slides up from the base, forming an arch over the planner pages, which produces a nice spread of illumination. Powered by two AA batteries (not included), the light turns on automatically when the neck is extended and off when it is retracted. The only downside is that the NightRunner base that clips onto the DayRunner is quite thick, hogging precious page space--a bit of a problem if you overstuff your organizer as much as I do. Guess I just have to get better organized.

Lumatec NiteRunner Organizer Light is $22.50 at office supply stores. For a store near you, call the manufacturer at (800) 586-2832.

Slice and dice: My Swiss Army knife constantly comes in handy in my business travels--for slicing open packages wrapped in tough security tape, opening a bottle or soft drink on the go, or winding down a loose screw in my briefcase or other portable gadget. But my knife is too bulky to tote for business wear and I don’t always have a purse or briefcase on hand. For those times I’ve discovered a streamlined pocket tool that isn’t as versatile as my Swiss Army version but infinitely more portable. The Tool Logic Credit Card Companion is a one-quarter-inch-thick credit-card-sized “tool case” into which slide a slim miniature knife, can and bottle opener/screwdriver/awl, compass/eight-power lens, toothpick and tweezers. The back of the case is marked with inches and centimeters for mini-measurements. It won’t do on a serious camping trip, but the Tool Logic Card fits nicely into my credit card case and is instantly at-the-ready for basic tasks.

Tool Logic Credit Card Companion (item OX300) is $25 from the Sharper Image; tel. (800) 344-4444.

Phone-pager in one: Cellular phones are convenient, but pricey; pagers are cheap, but you have to find a phone to call back. Now Motorola has introduced a pager that clips onto any Motorola flip-top cellular phone, providing the advantages of each communications system. The RSVP is a pager and rechargeable cellular phone battery combined, which slides onto the back of the phone in place of the phone’s regular battery. Both the phone and pager then feed off the same battery--requiring more frequent charging but providing convenient dual access to both the pager and the phone. You can use the pager to screen calls, return calls at your convenience (such as from a home phone, where it’s cheaper), and remain accessible when you’re on the phone or the phone is turned off. The RSVP pager system requires a monthly service agreement with Motorola.

Motorola RSVP pager/cellular phone battery attachment lists for $199, but may be available at reduced rates. Monthly pager service through Motorola runs about $10 to $15. Normal monthly cellular phone charges through the provider of your choice apply. For ordering information, call Motorola; tel. (800) 892-3068.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.