Archive for the ‘Field’ Category

Speck Products iPhone CandyShell

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

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I typically avoid cell phone cases. I find them to be either overbuilt for the average user (like the Otterbox) or cheaply constructed pieces of plastic that offer no really protection against the accidental drop. So I just go naked. But I am always on the look out for that one perfect case. The CandyShell is as close to perfection as I have found. Speck took its form fitting hard shell and lined it with a great soft rubber material for excellent shock absorption. The result is a surprisingly heavy duty case that is still nice and slim for easy pocketing. The CandyShell is available in a variety of colors. all with a classy glossy finish.

Link: Speck Products CandyShell Case for iPhone

Randolph Engineering Aviators

Monday, July 20th, 2009

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As previously noted, my eyes are extremely sensitive to light, both visible and UV, so I am always on the look out for a good pair of sunglasses. The Randolph Engineering Aviators, look to be a strong contender for my next pair. Designed for the US Military and NASA, they can take a beating. While I will never see combat or walk on the moon, I tend to pretty tough on my glasses between my usually clumsiness and the everyday wear and tear they get out in the field. For years, I have been tempted to pick up a pair of Oakley X-Metals for their purported durability, but the price point is a bit ridiculous at $400 or more. Not so with RE. Pricing starts at just $99 with the polarized setting you back a very reasonable $140 plus you can customize frame size, lens color and material along with frame color and temple style. Sound about perfect to me.

Link: Randolph Engineering Aviators

Source: Uncrate

L.A. Police Gear's Operator Tactical Pants

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

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On a typical fire scene, jeans are our standard “uniform”. In the winter, no problem, heck we usually add coveralls to keep warm. But in the summer, they can turn a guy into a hot, sweaty, uncomfortable mess pretty quick. So while searching for an alternative, I came across the Operator Tactical Pants by L.A. Police Gear. They look like a winner for several reasons.

They are cheap, just $20 a pair. They come in 5 different colors, including khaki for say around the office and both black and olive which are good colors for hiding all the dirt from a scene. I also like the fact they are loaded with pockets. With 10 in total, we should be able to easily carry everything from our pocket knife, wallet and flashlight to multiple cell phones. My only question is durability. At $20 bucks I don’t need them to last for years, but I don’t want them to fall apart after the first wash either. Anyone out there with a pair? Let us know in the comments.

Link: L.A. Police Gear Tactical Pants

Warn Pullzall

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

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The Warn Pullzall is a very cool tool I came across this morning that will be very handy to have around the shop. So what it is? A 1,000 pound portable pulling/winch system. Warn offers two models, AC or DC. The DC model includes a 24v rechargeable NiMH battery pack with rapid charger. In the shop we have a huge rack of storage shelves stretching 50 feet across and 30 feet high. While we don’t storage super heavy stuff on the top shelves, the Pullzall mounted to a track on a ceiling joist could be a really cool way to lift bigger boxes that are a pain to hump up a ladder ourselves.

Beyond that, I am thinking it could be a huge help on a scene if we need to move furniture, appliances or even debris out of our way or into our trucks for transport. Considering the pretty reasonable price, getting an AC version for the shop and the DC version for the vehicles is a realistic option.

Amazon: Warn Industries 685000 PullzAll 110 AC Corded Electric Pulling Tool

Corporate: Warn Industries

Milwaukee M12 Power Port

Monday, July 6th, 2009

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We are big fans of the relatively new lines of 12v “micro” power tools out there by both Bosch and Milwaukee. Not only are they incredibly versatile and powerful considering their small size but the choice of tools is also expanding darn near every day. One of the latest entries into the genre is the Milwaukee M12 Power Port.

Its a dead simple (and cheap) solution to a pesky problem, the dead cellphone battery. The Power Port can charge 2 devices simultaneously via with a DC car charger or a USB cable. Plus a single Milwaukee 12v battery can power up to 5 small devices like cellphones, iPods, etc on a single charge.

Link: Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Power Port

The Oxo Curvy Clipboard

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

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One of our favorite unsung heroes around the shop is our clipboard collection.  They are great for helping us keep our various project papers neat and organized, plus we always have one with us in the trucks when we head out to a scene for better note taking.  Without them, we probably would not be able to read our own handwriting.  Despite their utility, we have never found ourselves sitting around thinking on how to improve this venerable tool.  Good thing there are companies like OXO out there.

With a one swipe of their design pen, they added a simple but very nice improvement to our friend: a concave edge on at the bottom making balancing it on our bellies much easier.  As an added bonus, the board is also coated with a non-slip surface to help better secure all those papers.  Pretty nifty if you ask us.  Available at Staples.

Mag-Lite LED Conversion Kit

Monday, May 25th, 2009

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Mag-Lite makes some of the best general purpose flashlights around. They are durable, reliable and reasonably priced. We probably have 10 laying around the shop. Breath new life into your old Mag with this 3 Watt LED conversion kit. It’s about 1/2 the price of a new unit and since Mag-Lite’s are pretty much indestructible, we see no reason to go any other route.

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The Gerber Artifact

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

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I see a lot of function in this little multi-tool. First, it is small enough to attach to your key ring which you will probably always have it on hand. Next, it gives you a nice mix of tools including wire strippers, screw drivers and a razor blade. That blade is what we like best about this tool. Since it is removable, just pack your extras in your check bag and you can carry this guy right onto a plane. No more worries about the TSA drones helping themselves to an expensive knife.

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Kobalt SpeedFit System

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

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About a year ago, Kobalt (Lowe’s in-house tool brand), decided to rename and repackage the venerable multi-bit screwdriver as the SpeedFit System. In addition to the standard screwdriver bits, other tools including picks, files, an adjustable wrench and sockets were designed and launched to all fit in one universal handle topped with a standard quick change connection.

What initially intrigued me about the SpeedFit product line was its versatility and portability. Any product that can lighten the travel tool bag without compromising functionality is definitely worth a look. That is where the rub lies, the SpeedFit’s functionality. It just is not professional grade. Something that I found surprising, considering its Kobalt pedigree. While a relatively new line of tools, especially when compared to Craftsman, I have found the brand to a worthy competitor when comparing professional/contractor grade durability across other manufacturers.

The SpeedFit lives and in this case dies with its ability to quickly change bits on tools on the go. The problem was, this connection was also the weak spot of the tool. It was not as solid and secure as it should have been, allowing for a little “travel” in the bits and leaving concern of breakage in high torque applications. So for us the promising system was a no go. But we do see merit in it for the typical homeowner or as an emergency car toolkit considering the variety of combinations the system comes in and its reasonable price points. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Jawbone Prime

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

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I have been a fan of the Jawbone family of bluetooth headsets since that original monstrosity. While the JB 2 made marked improvements in styling for the line, the JB Prime provides the technical updates we have been waiting for. With the Prime, Aliph upgrades the unit’s software to NoiseAssassin 2.0 which improves its already great noise canceling performance and adds the ability to automatically fall back to “traditional” noise canceling – read crappy but better than nothing – should the JB lose contact with your face. Add in a much needed button refresh making the controls much more user friendly and a new ear cup option that makes it possible to wear without the awful (IMHO) ear hook and you have perhaps the best headset on the market today.

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