Photos: Gadgets pass road test

Not only was Road Trip 2007 a search for the best science, technology, nature and architecture destinations in the Southwest, it was also about the gadgets that helped me get to and document those destinations.

The following are my thoughts on the technology I reviewed, most of which proved impressive.

The Iridium 9505A satellite phone came in very handy when I needed it. I was heading out on a very bad road and figured I should tell someone where I was going. I pulled out the phone, dialed the number, and got a crystal-clear signal.