How to keep your gear safe on vacation?

I am going to Puerto Rico for vacation for a week. I will be renting a car and driving around quite a bit. I also would like to run in the mornings to keep in good shape and also to go swimming.

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not with it? What tips/tricks would you recommend? I am thinking about staying at not so expensive hotels so I am concerned about leaving them at the hotel or car...

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Evrim72723 said:

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not
with it?

Click to expand...

I was in South America in February and had my wallet stolen by pickpockets in Quito, on the first day. I got street smart real fast after that.... The latin countries in general have a lot of people that are desparetly poverty stricken and petty theft is very common. I did not feel at ease in the urban areas. A few tips:

1. Don't carry an obvious camera bag. Daypacks are a fine choice.

2. Don't carry a wallet. Period. Just enough cash for taxi fare return and maybe lunch. Buy pants that have secure pockets. Never put cash/wallet in a back pocket.

3. Carry bigger amounts of cash in your shoe if you have to. I kept a spare hundred in the bottom of my sock. In the humid environment, rotate it daily (Grin).

4. Only carry one credit card at a time, if at all. Make sure your travel companion has a different credit card than yours. Keep a spare different card in the hotel safe.
5. Use the hotel safes/safe boxes.

6. Leave passports in the hotel safe.

7. Stay away from ambush spots like deserted back streets, crowded marketplaces and such.

8. Get travel insurance that covers your gear before you leave. Documents the items and costs carefully and leave that at home.
9. Travel with trusted companions.

10. There are scam artists that watch what you put in your trunk and some work parking lots at popular destinations. Use the hotel safe and not your car. I found good safe boxes even at small hotels. They have these for a good reason.

The above worked great for the rest of the trip throug the galapagos, and much of Peru, which are much wilder places than Puerto Rico.

Good luck, be safe and smart.

--
Zane
http://www.pbase.com/devonshire

Aloha Evrim
thought the trip was not going to happen ??
bet ya glad ya going though

I lived i Central America for a year and travelled a lot in CA

travel insurance
carry in a plain day pack
I packed some of my gear in tuperware containers that fit my gear

also had a few pieces of clothing that I would wrap my stuff up in such as socks etc...
never took out my gear in situations my gut said not to

check some travel boards also to see how things are going and hotspots to avoid

a lot of times I kept my daypack in front of me when i crowded spots with my arms around it

in CA they do packslashings where tehy cut your pack with a razor so your stuff falls out
pretty hard to do with it in front
again only in areas where lots of people

when sitting I would put each strap over my knees kinda like wearing it on my knees and then squeeze it a bit with my legs

my passport that I never left anywhere in any safe etc... when crusiing around I kept it with me in a passport carrier that went around my neck and was under my shirt or around my waist under my pants and would not be seen

at least in some countries I kept a 10 bill in my passport so if a official wanted to check it out it tended to expedite things and let me get through borders etc... with ease

when sleeping as paranoid as it sounded my gear was under my bed

I have heard of people coming in at night to quietly grab what is left out and slip out
they wont look or open doors just what is on tables
again in CA only in a few countries

hmmm lets see what else

batteries some places batteries are tough so I had my converter and rechargables

sure there is more cant think of

Evrim said:

I am going to Puerto Rico for vacation for a week. I will be
renting a car and driving around quite a bit. I also would like to
run in the mornings to keep in good shape and also to go swimming.

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not
with it? What tips/tricks would you recommend? I am thinking about
staying at not so expensive hotels so I am concerned about leaving
them at the hotel or car...

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Click to expand...

--
Chad D (aka Honu)
http://www.panotools.com
http://www.happyfish.com

Thanks guys!

Himm, you guys are getting me all worried. Where can I get travel insurance?

Chad D said:

I lived i Central America for a year and travelled a lot in CA

travel insurance
carry in a plain day pack
I packed some of my gear in tuperware containers that fit my gear
also had a few pieces of clothing that I would wrap my stuff up in
such as socks etc...
never took out my gear in situations my gut said not to

check some travel boards also to see how things are going and
hotspots to avoid

a lot of times I kept my daypack in front of me when i crowded
spots with my arms around it
in CA they do packslashings where tehy cut your pack with a razor
so your stuff falls out
pretty hard to do with it in front
again only in areas where lots of people

when sitting I would put each strap over my knees kinda like
wearing it on my knees and then squeeze it a bit with my legs

my passport that I never left anywhere in any safe etc... when
crusiing around I kept it with me in a passport carrier that went
around my neck and was under my shirt or around my waist under my
pants and would not be seen

at least in some countries I kept a 10 bill in my passport so if a
official wanted to check it out it tended to expedite things and
let me get through borders etc... with ease

when sleeping as paranoid as it sounded my gear was under my bed
I have heard of people coming in at night to quietly grab what is
left out and slip out
they wont look or open doors just what is on tables
again in CA only in a few countries

hmmm lets see what else

batteries some places batteries are tough so I had my converter and
rechargables

sure there is more cant think of

Evrim said:

I am going to Puerto Rico for vacation for a week. I will be
renting a car and driving around quite a bit. I also would like to
run in the mornings to keep in good shape and also to go swimming.

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not
with it? What tips/tricks would you recommend? I am thinking about
staying at not so expensive hotels so I am concerned about leaving
them at the hotel or car...

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Click to expand...

--
Chad D (aka Honu)
http://www.panotools.com
http://www.happyfish.com

Click to expand...

--
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

I must travel to safer spots than your other respondants One tip though. Whenever I leave gear in the hotel room, I ask for no maid service for my entire stay, and leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door. It's far from foolproof, obviously, but at least no one knows exactly what's in your room, and you can somewhat reduce your risk.

It helps to talk to the maid, even better the floor supervisor, and offer them a token of appreciation for the non-service they will be rendering

Lisa

Evrim said:

I am going to Puerto Rico for vacation for a week. I will be
renting a car and driving around quite a bit. I also would like to
run in the mornings to keep in good shape and also to go swimming.

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not
with it? What tips/tricks would you recommend? I am thinking about
staying at not so expensive hotels so I am concerned about leaving
them at the hotel or car...

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Click to expand...

I'd like to add this one:

Photocopy, at the very least, your passports and hide the copies in every piece of luggage you own.

Andy Frazer

for insurance consider

Calling Travelex at 888-457-4602 or Travel Smart at 800-706-7064 and see what their rate is. If you have home owners, you may be able to get a rider inexpensively.

don't check your camera unless it is very securely packed inside your luggage. even then the x ray scanner may be in cahoots with baggae guy by phone before you even get on the airplane.

hope this helps

**** L

To make stealing the bag from a hotel room a bit more difficult I bought a cable lock with a motion sensing alarm. You loop the cable round the bag and something solid like a radiator, arm the alarm and hope. It's not that secure, but better than nothing. Do a search for 'lifeventure' and you'll find a picture with instructions. I got mine in an outdoor shop, but I've seen similar devices for securing laptops in airport shops.

Another thing I've seen is a pac-safe, a wire mesh 'net' you wrap round the bag then lock to something safe. Even with cutters it'd take someone a couple of minutes to get at the bag. Adding the alarm as well wouldn't hurt.

--
http://www.fp-photo.com

Its also a good idea to hide the labels and logos on the equipment with electrical tape. Some thieves know what gear is most valuable and look for tourists carrying the 'good stuff'.

David Yule said:

To make stealing the bag from a hotel room a bit more difficult I
bought a cable lock with a motion sensing alarm. You loop the cable
round the bag and something solid like a radiator, arm the alarm
and hope. It's not that secure, but better than nothing. Do a
search for 'lifeventure' and you'll find a picture with
instructions. I got mine in an outdoor shop, but I've seen similar
devices for securing laptops in airport shops.

Another thing I've seen is a pac-safe, a wire mesh 'net' you wrap
round the bag then lock to something safe. Even with cutters it'd
take someone a couple of minutes to get at the bag. Adding the
alarm as well wouldn't hurt.

--
http://www.fp-photo.com

Click to expand...

only problem is, when you stash your bag in a wire mesh security thing you are just screaming "hey, look at all this really expensive gear i have in here, it's probably worth your while to have a crack at stealing it"

i have seen these things for backpacks and i'm not sure how effective they are, but i think the best idea is to try to hide your stuff somewhere- if they can't see it they can't steal it

btw i agree with the other guy who said DO NOT leave your passport in the hotel safe, KEEP IT ON YOU or else some crooked police will give you no end of hassles if you dont have any ID on you when they stop you. yeah they could take it off you, but if you bribe them first... (make sure you use a money belt under your clothes, preferably below your belt, and keep some bucks in your pocket to fob off any muggers)

David Yule said:

To make stealing the bag from a hotel room a bit more difficult I
bought a cable lock with a motion sensing alarm. You loop the cable
round the bag and something solid like a radiator, arm the alarm
and hope. It's not that secure, but better than nothing. Do a
search for 'lifeventure' and you'll find a picture with
instructions. I got mine in an outdoor shop, but I've seen similar
devices for securing laptops in airport shops.

Another thing I've seen is a pac-safe, a wire mesh 'net' you wrap
round the bag then lock to something safe. Even with cutters it'd
take someone a couple of minutes to get at the bag. Adding the
alarm as well wouldn't hurt.

--
http://www.fp-photo.com

Click to expand...

--
------------------------------------
i was gonna type something witty here but then i changed my mind.

There are metal cords that will lock around a case and they can be attached to something static in the room. Much like the locks you can use to secure your laptop. THey are not perfect but will stop the petty thefts. I like to stay in hotels with room safes.. ---also make sure you have insurance

Evrim said:

I am going to Puerto Rico for vacation for a week. I will be
renting a car and driving around quite a bit. I also would like to
run in the mornings to keep in good shape and also to go swimming.

Maybe I am paranoid but - How can I protect my gear while I am not
with it? What tips/tricks would you recommend? I am thinking about
staying at not so expensive hotels so I am concerned about leaving
them at the hotel or car...

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Click to expand...

Hey there Evrim!!

If you are going to PR with your gear, the chances are really good your gear will not be coming back I live in Miami and we have many many many wonderful Puerto Ricans here, so I know the atmosphere well.

Leave the D60 home - period. Buy a camera that you won't weep over if you find it gone. Check into renting something too.

I'd rather be up front than see your sad posts when you get back.

Pete

Peter Gregg said:

Leave the D60 home - period. Buy a camera that you won't weep over
if you find it gone. Check into renting something too.

I'd rather be up front than see your sad posts when you get back.

Click to expand...

I'd rather insure it and take it with me.

The images are what are what really needs protecting though. Either send the images home regularly (if you have the equipment burn them to cd and mail them, twice even) or make sure you have two copies somewhere. When I travel (admittedly not out of N America), I leave one copy of my images in an old notebook computer in the hotel room and another copy on my digital wallet that I keep with me. permute this to fit your means and needs.

Unfortunately anything small and electronic just screams steal me.

jim

Peter Gregg said:

Hey there Evrim!!

If you are going to PR with your gear, the chances are really good
your gear will not be coming back I live in Miami and we have
many many many wonderful Puerto Ricans here, so I know the
atmosphere well.

Leave the D60 home - period. Buy a camera that you won't weep over
if you find it gone. Check into renting something too.

I'd rather be up front than see your sad posts when you get back.

Pete

Click to expand...

If you are going to Puerto Rico ( USA ) take the same precautions you take going anywhere in the mainland or anywhere else; common sense!!. There are thieves anywhere you go. If you wear a "tourist sign" on your forehead. Remember most hotels have storage rooms where you can get a receipt when you store your belongins. It beats leaving things of value in your room. When in P.R. dont forget to visit San Cristobal castle. Good luck and enjoy your stay.

Nice to see some of my friends from other boards here too

I am thinking of getting insurance and taking my gear with me. I can always get a D60 or something similar if necessary; I just' can't afford to lose the value of the camera though.

In addition, I will be taking my notebook with me as well. So I need to worry about a lot of things I guess

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

First you do not need a Passport in PR that is just USA. I grew up there and have never been mugged or anything... neither did I do that to anyone like the other guy here who thinks that we are all thiefs.

Given, that if you enter a very poor high crime small hood your chances are higher... The small coastal towns are great for pictures and the people are friendly. I think, treated as a trip to NYC... just don't leave your equipment out of site or it will be gone... make CD backups of all your images (if you have the chance) or use a good Digital Wallet like the Vista. I used a Pacsafe on my trip to europe... and will use it on my comming trip to NYC.... I spen a week in PR last August and never had a problem... and I don't even look like a Puertorican... must be my years in Columbus Ohio...

Evrim said:

Nice to see some of my friends from other boards here too

I am thinking of getting insurance and taking my gear with me. I
can always get a D60 or something similar if necessary; I just'
can't afford to lose the value of the camera though.

In addition, I will be taking my notebook with me as well. So I
need to worry about a lot of things I guess

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.evrimgallery.com
Weddings and Dance Photography

Click to expand...

--
Gino Alvarez http://www.cmhphoto.com

First. Insure your stuff.

Second. Stay only at hotels with a safe who will agree to lock up your stuff.

Third. Take it with you as much as you can.

Fourth. Don't go anywhere by yourself.

fifth. Stay out of the rougher parts of town.

Sixth. Don't argue with bandits. They will cut your throat.

Seventh. Keep you stuff in a bag and don't flash it.

Eigth. Be paranoid.

Is to go with a group. I know, it sounds hoaky. But the higher priced groups are extremly hip to the local circumstances, they go to all the best places. And you are never alone. You meet some great people as well.

The advice given has really been great. I've learned some stuff even I was unaware of. But a few extra points:

1. Never leave your camera in the trunk of your car...ever. The back seat would be better under a pile of collected trash...lol.

Once in the Phillipines, when in a locked compound and meeting with the Customs Police in Their headquaters....someone must of seen me put my camera in the trunk of my car...half an hour later I came out and it was gone.

2. Be discrete when shooting...compose the picture first in your mind's eye, bring out your camera from your nondiscript backpack, shoot it, and put it way quickly.

Be aware of anyone watching you.

3. Trust yourself. If I feel I am being watched or followed, I have no shame at all in sprinting away like a gazelle in full flight....

4. If you're not going to be shooting, leave your camera in the hotel. Really.

I suppose that not much of the above applies if you're traveling in a group. That should be pretty safe in all instances. If you travel alone, as I do...

Trust your instincts...

Best Wishes,

Traveller