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Always be prepared with the Adventure Mate 5-in-1 outdoor multi-tool

I’ve never been camping, but when I daydream about being more outdoorsy, I can picture myself with all sorts of gear for both utility and protection. The problem is that too much gear weighs you down. Conrad Sayer of Australia has designed a modular 5-in-1 multi-tool that eases the burden of carrying too much gear but provides the essential tools you’ll want and need.

The Adventure Mate is a multi-tool constructed of rust-resistant carbon rolled steel that will stand up to chopping, sawing, hammering and digging activities.

The 5-in-1 provides a hatchet, saw, shovel, hammer, and a hook.

The design looks pretty well thought out. The knurled handle can be used with the hatchet head, the shovel, or the saw blade.

There’s a hammer built into the back of the hatchet head for any smashing activities, and the hook can be used for lifting pots off the fire, opening beers, and more.

When you get tired of the bugs and the dirt, the Adventure Mate tool packs into the included canvas pouch for easy transport to your next Adventure.

You can read more about the Adventure Mate at www.adventuremate.com and you can buy one for $149 – $169 from The Grommet or Amazon.

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Always be prepared with the Adventure Mate 5-in-1 outdoor multi-tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 18, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Mychanic Blade Multi Light rechargeable work light review


I may have a flashlight problem.  No, I definitely have a flashlight problem!  Why can’t someone make the perfect light? I believe there is no such thing because every situation calls for something different. This time, I get to try out the Mychanic Blade Multi Light, a rechargeable light that flexes to your needs.

  • Weight: 1.4 lbs
  • Blade: x 7″ tall 1 1/2″ across x 5/8″ deep
  • Extended: 17.5″ tall x 2″ across x 2″ deep
  • Folded:  10″ tall x 2″ across x 2 1/4 deep
  • LI-Ion rechargeable battery with micro USB AC charging adapter
  • Durable ABS housing
  • Low heat output
  • Patent pending

My sample didn’t come in retail packaging.  I received a sheet of instructions, wall charger, and microUSB cable for charging.

You can use any microUSB cable (as I did here).  Note the red LED that indicates charging.  It turns green when full. Why can’t all manufacturers do it this way?

There’s a hook that at first, I could not figure out.  To extend the hook, you push IN to the light. I naturally tried to gorilla-pull the hook out, to no avail.

There’s also a magnet along the green rubbery strip where the microUSB is.  The problem?  Once you’ve stuck it on a surface, you’ve just covered up the power button.

There are four different lighting modes:  Full bright (250 lumens), Low (difficult to photograph!), red flashing, and directional.  The direction pattern consists of one red LED flashing in one direction, sequentially.

Here’s the light attached to the underside of a hood using the magnets.

And, here’s the light again, this time hung by the hook.

How long does the battery last?  On the brightest setting, I got 4 hours.  It’s likely longer on the low setting.

My only complaint about the Mychanic Blade Multi Light is that there’s no obvious way to have it sit upright on a desk or flat surface.  It may take you a moment of twisting and flexing to figure it out.  The magnet isn’t the strongest, so a bump could dislodge the lamp.  I’m still slightly embarrassed about the hook thing, too.

What I do like is the light weight (1.4 lbs), and the USB charging. The red/green LED indicator is simple genius that I wish was more commonplace.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mychanic. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $34.99
Manufacturer: Mychanic
Requirements:
  • Charges via microUSB
Pros:
  • Light weight, four light modes, magnet and hook mounts. MicroUSB rechargeable.
Cons:
  • Not totally obvious how to get the light to stand on a flat surface without some trial and error.

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Mychanic Blade Multi Light rechargeable work light review originally appeared on on July 4, 2017 at 8:22 am.

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Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite review


Survival tools run the gamut from a pocket knife to axes and even beyond. I don’t know if there is any real definition of what a survival tool is, so I guess it comes down to what an individual would consider to be a survival tool. With that in mind Off Grid Tools has offered up for review their version of a survival tool, the Survival Axe Elite.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

Although not all survival tools will have multiple useful features, to me the most effective ones will. The Survival Axe Elite delivers on the multiple use aspect being advertised as having 30 features. Now, just for clarification, features may not mean tools or uses depending on your definition. As you can see by the picture below from the Off Grid Tools website all the features are shown and listed.

Again, you would need to decide and define what you consider a feature.

I will break this review down by the axe head section and the handle section. Before I go too far into this review I want to address the “hatchet” in the room. I know some of you may look at the Survival Axe Elite and say, “isn’t that a hatchet?” And by many definitions, the tool could be considered a hatchet, but hatchets are also known as hand axes so by accepted terms the Survival Axe Elite is an axe.

The head of the axe contains the majority of the Survival Axe Elites tools the main two to me being the hatchet edge and the hammer head. Although the other tools can be useful, those two are the workhorses of this section of the tool. I don’t want to discount the other features here like the pry bar and gas valve shut off, or even the built-in sockets, but I consider those to be ancillary items.

The handle of the Survival Axe Elite covers the full tang of the axe. The rubberized 33% glass filled nylon handle has some interesting feature including a six-inch reciprocating saw blade and a hardened glass breaker.

There is a locking mechanism at the bottom of the axe that keeps the reciprocating blade lock in place when in and outside of the handle. I will say that when the blade is deployed the locking mechanism does not hold the blade locked in place on my Survival Axe Elite. The blade lock is low enough on the handle that it should not interfere with your use of the Survival Axe Elite.

I mentioned the glass breaker before, but the handle also has a seatbelt cutter built into it. Both would seem to function well, but I must admit I did not try out the glass breaker. As with the blade lock both of these items are low enough on the handle so they should not interfere with normal use.

I mainly tested the Survival Axe Elite by using the hatchet, hammer and saw blade. The hatchet blade is good for chopping, I wish that the blade was sharpened a little better, I believe this would make chopping wood easier. The hammer was also good at what it does, hammer. The grip was comfortable for both chopping and hammering. I did try out the nail puller and it also performed well. That brings me to the saw feature. First, let me say I love the fact that the saw feature is included on this tool, that being said I think the tool would benefit from a redesign of the locking mechanism. I am just scared that I will hit the back of the blade making it close on my fingers. The blade did cut well and the way the system is designed makes it a little more ergonomic when cutting.

So, what’s my bottom line here? The Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite is good. From what I did it functions well. The features have been well thought out but, I would honestly only use some of the features in an emergency (mainly the hex sockets). The build is solid and the materials seem to be first rate. The oxide coating has held up so far and will help protect the Survival Axe Elite while it waits to be used. Even with the minor issues I have had with this tool, I would still recommend it to someone that was looking for a tool of this type. The Survival Axe Elite is available on the Off Grid Tools website for $89.99.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Off Grid Tools. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order one.

 

Product Information

Price: $89.99
Manufacturer: Off Grid Tools
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Well built
  • Built in tools
Cons:
  • No axe head cover or case

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Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite review originally appeared on on July 2, 2017 at 9:45 am.

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Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite review


Survival tools run the gamut from a pocket knife to axes and even beyond. I don’t know if there is any real definition of what a survival tool is, so I guess it comes down to what an individual would consider to be a survival tool. With that in mind Off Grid Tools has offered up for review their version of a survival tool, the Survival Axe Elite.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

Although not all survival tools will have multiple useful features, to me the most effective ones will. The Survival Axe Elite delivers on the multiple use aspect being advertised as having 30 features. Now, just for clarification, features may not mean tools or uses depending on your definition. As you can see by the picture below from the Off Grid Tools website all the features are shown and listed.

Again, you would need to decide and define what you consider a feature.

I will break this review down by the axe head section and the handle section. Before I go too far into this review I want to address the “hatchet” in the room. I know some of you may look at the Survival Axe Elite and say, “isn’t that a hatchet?” And by many definitions, the tool could be considered a hatchet, but hatchets are also known as hand axes so by accepted terms the Survival Axe Elite is an axe.

The head of the axe contains the majority of the Survival Axe Elites tools the main two to me being the hatchet edge and the hammer head. Although the other tools can be useful, those two are the workhorses of this section of the tool. I don’t want to discount the other features here like the pry bar and gas valve shut off, or even the built-in sockets, but I consider those to be ancillary items.

The handle of the Survival Axe Elite covers the full tang of the axe. The rubberized 33% glass filled nylon handle has some interesting feature including a six-inch reciprocating saw blade and a hardened glass breaker.

There is a locking mechanism at the bottom of the axe that keeps the reciprocating blade lock in place when in and outside of the handle. I will say that when the blade is deployed the locking mechanism does not hold the blade locked in place on my Survival Axe Elite. The blade lock is low enough on the handle that it should not interfere with your use of the Survival Axe Elite.

I mentioned the glass breaker before, but the handle also has a seatbelt cutter built into it. Both would seem to function well, but I must admit I did not try out the glass breaker. As with the blade lock both of these items are low enough on the handle so they should not interfere with normal use.

I mainly tested the Survival Axe Elite by using the hatchet, hammer and saw blade. The hatchet blade is good for chopping, I wish that the blade was sharpened a little better, I believe this would make chopping wood easier. The hammer was also good at what it does, hammer. The grip was comfortable for both chopping and hammering. I did try out the nail puller and it also performed well. That brings me to the saw feature. First, let me say I love the fact that the saw feature is included on this tool, that being said I think the tool would benefit from a redesign of the locking mechanism. I am just scared that I will hit the back of the blade making it close on my fingers. The blade did cut well and the way the system is designed makes it a little more ergonomic when cutting.

So, what’s my bottom line here? The Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite is good. From what I did it functions well. The features have been well thought out but, I would honestly only use some of the features in an emergency (mainly the hex sockets). The build is solid and the materials seem to be first rate. The oxide coating has held up so far and will help protect the Survival Axe Elite while it waits to be used. Even with the minor issues I have had with this tool, I would still recommend it to someone that was looking for a tool of this type. The Survival Axe Elite is available on the Off Grid Tools website for $89.99.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Off Grid Tools. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order one.

 

Product Information

Price: $89.99
Manufacturer: Off Grid Tools
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Well built
  • Built in tools
Cons:
  • No axe head cover or case

Filed in categories: Reviews

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Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Elite review originally appeared on on July 2, 2017 at 9:45 am.

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Tacklife IT-T05 Dual Laser Infrared Thermometer review


I used to have one of these infrared thermometers, but it’s since gone missing.  I suspect it was stolen in the Great Garage Robbery of 2015.  I recently had a chance to test out another infrared thermometer, but with not one laser, but two!  Let’s check out this laser-y goodness.

Specifications :

● Temperature: -50°C~550°C （-58°F~1022°F)
● Accuracy Resolution: ≥100°C±2% / ≤100°C±2°C
● Response Time: ≤0.5S
● Emissivity: Adjustable (0.1-1.0)
● Distance to Spot Ratio: 12: 1
● Storage Temperature: -20 to 50°C （-4 to 122°F）
● Operating Temperature: 0 to 50°C（32 to 122°F）
● Power/ Power Life: 9V / about 12 hours

Included In The Package:

1 X Tacklife T05 Pro infrared thermometer
1 X 9V battery
1 X User Manual
1 X Carrying Case
1 X 24 Months Warranty

To be honest, this looks similar to every other infrared thermometer you’d find on Amazon.  I suspect a handful are made by a few companies, then rebranded across many, many different names.

The model T05 comes with a carrying case and a 9V battery.

What I did not expect was a belt loop in the back.  Not bad!

Look familiar?  If you’ve ever owned an inexpensive infrared thermometer, there’s not a whole lot of difference other than cosmetics.

It’s feeding time!  The T-05 takes a single 9 V battery (included).

One thing about the T-05 that stands out:  Dual laser pointer.  The space between the two dots indicates the approximate “circle” you’re measuring.  To me, this is a must-have feature.

Don’t forget to peel off the plastic film!  The LCD display can be backlit.  There are four buttons that let you toggle the backlight or laser on or off, set degrees C or F, and change emissivity (0.1 to 1.0).  The default emissivity is 0.95 out of the box.

Let’s go measure things! This block of reusable “ice” measured a frosty 7.6°F  Note the two laser dots.

For something warm, I measured a cup of warm water.  (The red laser dot on the edge of the cup is actually a reflection).  Both the T-05 and my trusted Thermoworks Thermapen Mk4  measured about the same at the surface of the water.  Of course, one thing the infrared thermometer can’t do is measure temperatures BELOW the surface.

Is the Tacklife IT-T05 useful?  Sure it is.  Keep in mind that I consider this a strictly non-scientific instrument that’s really only good for “how much hotter/colder is this thing vs. ___?”   However, the addition of two laser “dots” indicating the area measured makes this a far more useful thermometer than those without.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tacklife. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: MSRP $49.99 ($24.97 at the time of this review)
Manufacturer: Tacklife
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • 9V battery (included)
Pros:
  • Dual laser pointers makes remote measuring a snap
  • Carry case and batteries included
Cons:
  • Only takes surface measurements

Filed in categories: Reviews

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Tacklife IT-T05 Dual Laser Infrared Thermometer review originally appeared on on June 15, 2017 at 7:32 am.

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