Underwater Digital Camera Masks from Liquid Image come in several models. (Handout)

If necessity is the mother of invention, we obviously have a need for a lot of new travel products. It seems there are as many travel accessories on the market as there are destinations to visit. Here’s a sample:

Undersea adventures

Alternatives are popping up for shutter bugs who like underwater photography but don’t want to invest in specialized high-end camera gear.

Liquid Image’s Underwater Digital Camera Mask comes in several models. The Explorer Series is the most popular due to in part to its price (about $100). A 5- mega pixel digital camera is embedded in the mask to capture photos and VGA videos. It’s good for snorkelling and free diving in up to 5 metres of water.

The camera works with both PC and MAC computers (the free software that comes with it is PC only). Other models have higher quality video (D1, HD720P), higher storage capacity (up to 32 gigabyte), and deeper depth ratings (down to 39-metres for Scuba Diving). See liquidimageco.com.

Occasional users might want to check out WaterSeals, a 100% waterproof camera pouch that allows you to take photos underwater (up to 3 metres deep) through the clear window. The pouches can also be used to protect iPods, MP3 players, mini DVD players, money and ID. Wear it around your neck or shoulder using the adjustable strap. Test it first with an item you don’t care much about before immersing valuable electronics underwater. About $10 from magellans.com.

Carry-on with confidence

Lush has a line of body care products designed with travellers in mind: They are not liquid, so there’s little risk of them being confiscated at airport security. The handmade cosmetics — all under $10 — are compact in size and come in a range of feel-good scents.

One of the most innovative ideas is the Solid Shampoo Bar, available in several scents and sold in a lightweight easy to carry tin. The Seanik bar is made with Irish moss and Japanese nori seaweed to soften hair, sea salt for volume, and lemon oil for shine. Other travel-friendly products (all vegan) include the Sugar Scrub (fennel oil and lavender to exfoliate and heal the skin), Mint Julips Lip Scrub (peppermint and chocolate sugar), Olive Branch Solid Perfume (for guys or girls). The products are widely available at Lush stores or can be ordered by contacting lush.ca or 1-888-733-Lush.

SteriPen

“Don’t drink the water” is a warning travellers are wise to heed in many areas of the world. But when in doubt, the SteriPen can help prevent water-borne illness. The handheld water purifier uses ultraviolet light to destroy 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

It won the Product of the Year by the U.K. Outdoor Writer’s Guild and has been proven in the field by Everest climbers.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has three models which differ by weight, battery type, and extras. But all are easy to use: Push a button to activate, place the lamp in clear water to illuminate, then stir until the indicator light turns green. No pumping, or chemicals involved. The SteriPen classic sells for $93 at MEC (400 King St. W).

Insect Defend Patch

This product is designed to help keep mosquitoes — and the diseases they carry — away. The Insect Defend Patch, which you place on your skin for up to 36 hours, releases 75 mg of Vitamin B1 into the dermal skin layer and makes you unappealing to biting insects. It’s safe for pregnant women, seniors and children as young as 12 months. A package of five patches sells for about $7 at Home Hardware, Wal-Mart, Pharma Plus, Rexall, and pharmacies at Loblaws, Zellers and Metro. Check InsectDefendPatch.com.

Word magic

Few travel products get the kind of attention recently given to Wordlock. The luggage lock was featured as part of the plot on a recent episode of ABC-TV’s new crime drama, The Forgotten, starring Christian Bale. The U.S. TSA-approved Wordlock Luggage Lock, uses combinations based on words or letters, which may be easier to remember than number combinations. Available in black, silver, red, pink and green, the locks can be ordered at wordlock.com. About $10.

Sitting pretty

If you get sore feet or knees from standing too long, a Sport Seat can provide relief. The portable three-legged seat is strong and light; it will support a person up to 250-pounds and weighs less than 1 kilo. Made of extra-strength anodized aluminum with stainless steel fittings, it folds up into a cane and comes in handy while waiting in long lines, listening to a tour guide, or attending an event with limited seating. Online travel product retailer Magellan’s claims the Sport Seat has the best construction, the most stability and is the lightest of any they’ve tested. See magellans.com, $26.85 US.

Sling style

Are you one of those people who feels cramped in an economy class seat? You’re not alone. Tired of fighting for space on armrests, Matt Mostad created the Pocket Armrest (also called a Travel Armrest) — a soft and stretchy figure-eight-shaped accessory that gently cradles the arms. Used for resting, reading or sleeping, it can alleviate muscle discomfort and avoid encounters with arm rest hogs. Priced from about $15, it’s available through protravelgear.com and, so far, two locations in Canada: Gulliver’s Travels in Vancouver and The Travel Bug in St John’s Newfoundland. See pocketarmrest.com.

You’re talking my lingo

When your foreign language skills aren’t up to snuff but you really want to get a message across, don’t despair. The Lingo Talking Translator will boost your fluency in 12 different languages in just seconds. Amazing to think a gizmo that’s small enough to fit in a pocket can speak and display over 240,000 words and 27,000 phrases in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, Arabic, and Greek. The Translator also maintains a history and favourite lists, has eight metric and eight currency conversions, and time zones for 360 cities. Priced from $149 US, it comes with ear buds and a carrying case. See magellans.com.

writer@interlog.com