When I’m preparing for an upcoming trip, I always make a list of all the things I’ll need. Because without one, you can bet on me to forget something crucial. In my early days of winging my trips, where I would buy a ticket, and book the first accommodation, then head out, and wing the rest of the trip, I always forgot items, or brought too many. If I forgot things, it’s almost always more expensive to buy abroad, especially if it’s electronics. There was one time, when I started my 9-month trip in Europe that I brought way too much gear in the wrong bag, and on the first day I suffered from weight and pack straps that cut into my arms after less than an hour’s use. Not a great situation. Lists help me balance the issue of weight versus necessity. But what also helps is finding smaller, sleeker, lighter solutions that fit the requirements of the trip.
I used to take a bulky, heavy MacBook Pro (from 2010), along with over-ear headphones, a large DSLR camera body and lenses, among other gear like hard drives, batteries, charging cables, etc. So when you’re tramping across Europe with only a rucksack attached to your back to carry it all in, it can be bloody awful. So I’ve learned to put a lot of thought into selecting the best items for such a trip. I now take a cell phone for quick photography, and a mirrorless camera with a zoom lens, and that’s it for camera gear. I’ve upgraded to the MacBook Air, which is thin and much lighter, and I’ve cut out unneeded items that have become a burden. One of the biggest changes though, and it will seem obvious, a total “DUH!” moment, was when I stopped bringing over-ear headphones. While I LOVE the booming, oozing, crisp sound of a quality pair of headphones, it’s just not feasible for backpacker trips to carry them. So I switched to a more versatile approach: Optoma’s NuForce BE6i bluetooth earbuds.
Not only am I saving a massive amount of space and weight, but the BE6i’s are so small and lightweight that I can pop them in anywhere in my rucksack and never know the difference. Most earbuds on the market, from my experience, are cheaply made and sound worse than a low-end cell phone speaker. But let me tell you, I was instantly impressed by how the BE6i’s sounded. They aren’t necessarily comparable to a $300+ pair of fine over-ear headphones, of course, but they are very close. The sound is crisp and clear, and the bass is there, so it’s not a drag listening to bass-heavy music. I do some of my best writing when I’m listening to chill step music in a dark room, with nothing but my words (via my laptop screen) to keep me company; it just flows in that environment, so a quality earbud is important for me. One of my favorite ways to burn time while in transit is by listening to audio books, which I found these to be perfect for.
A lot of earbud styles tend to be very uncomfortable, even after a short usage, which is something the Nu Force BE6i in-ear headphones excel at. Not only do they include additional tips in assorted sizes, but they are very soft and flexible, so even with sensitive ears you can find a fit that works best for you. The earbuds are attached by a thin cable that fits conveniently in front or in back of the neck, which even if used while sleeping, provide little to no discomfort. Beyond being a great size with really solid audio quality, the BE6i’s come with a carry case and charging wire, and is capable of providing up to 8-hours of listening time, with a crazy bluetooth range of over 98-feet. All in all, I came away very impressed upon my first test and have since incorporated them into my travels; my back and ears are very happy for it!
If you would like to find out more about Optoma’s NuForce, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
Not only am I saving a massive amount of space and weight, but the BE6i’s are so small and lightweight that I can pop them in anywhere in my rucksack and never know the difference. Most earbuds on the market, from my experience, are cheaply made and sound worse than a low-end cell phone speaker. But let me tell you, I was instantly impressed by how the BE6i’s sounded. They aren’t necessarily comparable to a $300+ pair of fine over-ear headphones, of course, but they are very close. The sound is crisp and clear, and the bass is there, so it’s not a drag listening to bass-heavy music. I do some of my best writing when I’m listening to chill step music in a dark room, with nothing but my words (via my laptop screen) to keep me company; it just flows in that environment, so a quality earbud is important for me. One of my favorite ways to burn time while in transit is by listening to audio books, which I found these to be perfect for.
A lot of earbud styles tend to be very uncomfortable, even after a short usage, which is something the Nu Force BE6i in-ear headphones excel at. Not only do they include additional tips in assorted sizes, but they are very soft and flexible, so even with sensitive ears you can find a fit that works best for you. The earbuds are attached by a thin cable that fits conveniently in front or in back of the neck, which even if used while sleeping, provide little to no discomfort. Beyond being a great size with really solid audio quality, the BE6i’s come with a carry case and charging wire, and is capable of providing up to 8-hours of listening time, with a crazy bluetooth range of over 98-feet. All in all, I came away very impressed upon my first test and have since incorporated them into my travels; my back and ears are very happy for it!
- AAC and aptX-compatibility supported by latest Android, Apple and Windows smartphones, Macs and PCs
- Larger 10mm driver eliminating unwanted reverberation
- Up to 8 hours of listening time
- Bluetooth range of over 98 feet
- Ultra-lightweight solid metal casing provides better sound and tougher, IPX5-certified water-resistant design ideal
If you would like to find out more about Optoma’s NuForce, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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