# So, now, what's the most technology strapped to your hip at any given time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648 "2004-11-03T00:54:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/1 "2004-11-03T00:54:24Z")
This is kind of a follow up to [a thread I asked about in '02](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=121827) , where, for one weekend I got kinda curious about how much electronic technology I carried versus what you guys carried. In my case, I can thankfully say that I only carry two pieces of electronic (i.e. using oscillators), and a couple other non-electronic pieces of technology. As **THespos** put it, my “Batman” factor is down . . . So, during a normal workday I’ve got: [ul] [li]1 Cellular Telephone (Verizon)[/li][li]1 ‘Palm Pilot’[/li][li]1 Laptop computer[/li][li] 1 2" folding pocketknife[/li][li] 1 4.5" pocketknife[/li][li] 1 EMT ‘pocket-protector’ containing one laser pointer, one Leatherman, one flashlight, one electrical box key, and one paint can key.[/li][/ul] I’m no longer so geeky, but I have the ability to be so in just under an hour. So, have any of yous guys changed your ways? Tripler Man, have I consolidated my crap. Just plain threw away a lot of the useless stuff too . . . ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/2 "2004-11-03T01:10:50Z")
I am a technophile but I never strap things to my hip. I pocket them. On an average day my pockets contain a mobile phone, a ‘neon powerball’ and a powerful green laser. On a good day they will contain, in addition to the above, a SLR digital camera, and/or a PDA. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/3 "2004-11-03T01:12:27Z")
Feh, on a GOOD day I’ll have my work pager, and my personal cell phone. An average day has just one or the other. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/4 "2004-11-03T01:39:51Z")
I’m not a big fan of strapping things to myself, but if I can count pockets and stuff in my purse/bookbag, I’ve always got my cell phone and watch. The most techno-laden I’ve ever been was likely when I was walking through the airport, the day I left for college. The security checkpoint hated me, for my bookbag contained: -Laptop computer, spare battery, assorted cables -128mb memory stick -Cell phone and charger -Palm pilot and cradle -Alarm clock (because I did _not_ want it getting lost in my luggage) ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/5 "2004-11-03T01:54:23Z")
Assuming my pockets and wrist counts as being in the general hip area, I carry a watch, credit card, debit card, and keys. Otherwise, nothing. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/6 "2004-11-03T01:56:33Z")
Um, lessee here … a belt! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/7 "2004-11-03T01:59:49Z")
Normally, nothing. Max in canoe pack: EPIRB GPS Electronic compass/watch Solar panels Battery Inverter Laptop ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/8 "2004-11-03T02:02:22Z")
My pass card to get in at work. Other than that, nothing. ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/9 "2004-11-03T02:20:12Z")
I wear a carabiner on a beltloop at my right hip, to which I attach my set of seven keys. When I’m not wearing a shirt with a front pocket, I sometimes carry pencils, erasers, glasses case, and chewing gum in a cylindrical pencil pouch hanging from another carabiner at my left hip. Lastly, in my left pocket I carry a [coin and key case](http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/PRODIDPG.ASP?Params=Category=15-102%7CPageID=1041%7CLevel=2-3) containing a few plastic cards, a couple of bills, and some loose change. No timepieces, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, portable music players, or other electronic devices are strapped to my hip nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/10 "2004-11-03T03:02:24Z")
The most technology on my person at any time is my watch. I hate to have anything in my pockets except for my wallet and comb. I don’t know why this is. The other day I got a Coke from a machine and had to walk around with 40 cents in my pocket. It drove me nuts! I don’t own any portable devices because I don’t need any. I have no idea how to even operate a cell phone. There are only five people in the world who call me, four of them infrequently. They know how to reach me! ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/11 "2004-11-03T04:11:04Z")
All of my carry-around technology is kinda old school. My great-grandfather’s pocketwatch, a mini-maglite, and sometimes an M1911A. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/12 "2004-11-03T05:09:50Z")
In the pockets goes the cell phone. On my wrist is a cheap but reliable digital watch. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/13 "2004-11-03T05:37:22Z")
When I’m working… Watch Cellphone w/ earpiece Camera Electronic tape measure Keys and electronic fobs attached to a small wallet that carries my license and credit cards And I’m carrying my briefcase or portfolio and a pen. No wonder I’m tired at the end of the day. ---
**Author:** ![DantesTenth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@DantesTenth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DantesTenth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/14 "2004-11-03T06:59:07Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > Um, lessee here … a belt! May your gods bless you… I always took the “you-give-me-beeper, I-give-you-notice” position, but economic reality has me carrying a cell phone. I met a guy at a dentist’s office a few months back - as he was leaving, he retreived and deployed: 1 - cell phone (personal) 1 - cell phone (employer mandated) 1 - old-fashioned transceiver (aka “walky-talky”) (employer mandated) poor schmuck… the transceiver started sqwaking immediately… All of a sudden, a beeper didn’t look so oppressive. A network techie came to visit my screwed-up PC at work - and left her PDA - she was nearly frantic when I called her to know that I had locked it up, and it was safe. 7/24 is obscene, and if you need a computer to organize your life, you are probably doing something wrong. OK, maybe this belongs in IMHO. _Non, je ne regrette rein_ ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/15 "2004-11-03T10:59:56Z")
A nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile. No, wait. That’s my dick. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/16 "2004-11-03T12:33:08Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] [ul][li]1 Laptop computer[/ul] [/li][/QUOTE] I have to ask how you strap a laptop compuer to your hip 😕 Or, putting it another way, what size hips do you have? 😃 Grim (who doesn’t even have a belt) ---
**Author:** ![AsecretK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ab992/32.png) [@AsecretK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AsecretK)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/17 "2004-11-03T12:40:42Z")
1 - personal cell phone 1 - Timex wrist watch 1 - ID/swipe card for work Dang am I boring ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/18 "2004-11-03T12:59:18Z")
I’m pretty boring, too. All I have is a cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![wheelie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wheelie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheelie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/19 "2004-11-03T13:18:16Z")
I carry a bag with my laptop, cell phone, ipod and palm pilot. At work the laptop gets put in my toolbox with the phone, and I carry the ipod & palm. None are required by my job. My last job required carrying as much stuff. Og, how I hated that job. BTW, the laptop is mostly used for browsing the SDMB, besides having to wait for an available computer when I need one NOW really sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648/20 "2004-11-03T14:18:37Z")
I have a phone that is also a Palm PDA/camera etc My keyring has a small but powerful white LED light on it. (I also have a small crosspoint screwdriver on there that I take everywhere) I used to have a laser pointer, but it broke; must get a new one. At work, I will additionally have my laptop case which also contains a fairly extensive toolkit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-whats-the-most-technology-strapped-to-your-hip-at-any-given-time/272648.md?page=2)