I don't know about you but I like to travel as often as possible and packing lightly is a skill I lack. These days the airlines seem to be cashing in by reducing our luggage allowances and increasing our excess luggage charges, but I've recently managed to stay one step ahead with the use of the Balanzza digital luggage scale - it's perfect where luggage is concerned.

Now, I in fact already own a cheap luggage scale, but it's not digital, doesn't have any of the nifty functions of the Balanzza and has in fact become useless because the needle will not return to zero (puh!). Welcome the Balanzza.

What are some if the benefits and features:

• Weight in lb or kg - therefore no more nasty excess baggage charges (hooray!)
• Automatic hold feature which allows you to lift the luggage, set it down and still be able to read the weight. This incidentally is a huge bonus. With my previous luggage scale (which will remain nameless) it was near-on impossible to get an accurate reading because trying to lift 20kg to eye level to read the display (for me) was out of the question. Lifting hefty luggage and bending my torso round to read the display would create shaking hence no accurate reading this way either, (how would I ever know if I could squeeze in my 4th bikini, matching sarong and flip-flops to boot? Now I know you understand where I'm coming from, yes?? .... sometimes every point-of-a-kilo counts)
• Large digital display for ease of reading
• Weighs up to 1000lbs or 44kg (though I only tested up to 25kg - I'm not a weightlifter I'll have you know)
• One year warranty

I also liked the easy to read instructions, though I was surprised to find the odd spelling mistake. I like the design, colour choice and general feel of good quality of the device. It comes with batteries, says "hello" when turning on the device and "bye" when switching off. Not necessary I know, but I thought it was a nice touch. Their website is also very good, and to top it off the Balanzza is presented in a very nice mat black rectangle box which would make wrapping it as a present a toddle as opposed to these awkwardly shaped plastic encased lesser alternatives.

So what wasn't I keen on?
Not a lot really.

I did note in the instructions that you shouldn't leave the batteries inside the Balanzza for long periods of time without use (what do they mean by "long periods", I wonder?). Also they ask for you to allow 30 seconds warm up after switching the device on before weighing anything which is a bit of a bore and seems longer than you might think when you're stood there ready to go. They market the product as having a strong strap (which is true as far as I can tell) and it's also marketed as having "no dangerous hooks" which I personally think is daft - not the dangerous bit, but no hooks. Not having a hook potentially limits the number of things you can weight with this device as the strap is 3.5cm across, but I guess it is designed specifically for use with luggage after all so my gripe is a small one. The only other change I would like to see is for this device to be solar powered. Batteries are potentially harmful to the environment, and can you imagine wanting to use this device only to find the batteries have run out?

Would l buy this gadget?

Yes, it makes perfect sense if you are a regular traveller. I think it's a cool present to give to someone as it's not immediately the sort of thing you think of buying for yourself when you're out and about, but once you have one you wouldn't be without it.

Worth it at £19.99 (especially when you offset what your excess luggage charges can be).

See the www.balanzza.co.uk