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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe!

You won’t be building a house or blazing a wilderness trail using just this multi-tool, but it could be a handy addition to your home or car toolbox or your hiking or camping kit.  This Wit Bird multitool with an axe is perfect for small jobs where you need a few tools but you don’t need a full mechanics toolbox.

The tool measures 6.88″ x 3.54″ x 1.18″ and weighs 14.5 ounces.  It’s made of ferritic stainless steel metal with a wood inlay handle.  It includes the following tools:

  • Hammer
  • Axe / hatchet
  • Knife
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flat screwdriver
  • Fish fork
  • Saw
  • Allen wrench
  • Bottle opener
  • File
  • Locking plier
  • Flat nose pliers
  • Scale knife
  • Rasp
  • Wire cutter
  • Can opener
  • Wrench

At $12.88 each, you could get a couple of these Wit Bird multitool axes to throw in your car and your outdoor kits.  Get them at Amazon.

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Forget the knife – get yourself a Swiss Army axe! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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The Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool keeps your photos true to color


After many years of working in the photography and videography/filmmaking industry, there are many occasions when I still find myself editing photos where dialing in the “true” color is an issue, and I have to spend extra time editing to achieve satisfactory results. Realistically, this is quite unnecessary, since there are many products that are available to help with or solve the color challenge.

The Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool is one of the available products. It is a digital color balancing tool that allows you to correct the color temperature, exposure, brightness, blacks, and whites of your photographs. It makes editing and adjusting your RAW photographs in post-production much easier. To use it, you simply place the spider cube in the area of light of the environment where you are planning to take pictures. This can be done by hanging it or having someone hold it. It can also be mounted on a tripod or light stand. The grey, white, chrome, and black surfaces, and black trap for Shadow Detail Control, must be visible to your camera and in the frame of the picture.

When used in the same lighting conditions as your photographs, it provides enough information for your editing software for optimal color adjustment. While I have not yet tried it, it seems to be a helpful tool for photographers at any level.

You can purchase the Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool at Amazon or B&H Photo Video for $49.

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The Datacolor SpyderCUBE RAW Calibration Tool keeps your photos true to color originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 10:05 am.

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This tracker keeps hikers from getting lost

Compared to the general population, serious hikers are often better than average at understanding environmental factors and keeping themselves safe. Part of the planning process associated with upcoming excursions almost always involves studying maps and routes.

However, as new technologies become available, hikers often invest in tracking devices that make it easier for rescuers to locate them in times of trouble. One particularly worth knowing about is the SPOT Gen3.

Helping friends and family track your route

The often-rugged conditions associated with hiking trips mean friends and relatives probably can’t depend on communicating via phone. However, this tracker sends updates as frequently as every five minutes up to every hour, revealing your location with help from satellites.

The Gen3 also has a vibration sensor that detects when you’re moving and sends tracking information continually. However, it stops when you do to prevent wasting the battery. You don’t need to reset your Gen3 daily or do anything else to keep it in the tracking mode, other than making sure it’s turned on.

Providing a one-way communication method

This device goes beyond telling people where you are and lets you send messages to them. People who’ve used the Gen3 for extended periods point out SPOT is the market leader in one-way communication devices.

In addition to sending a pre-programmed message that says “OK,” you can set up a custom, personalized message before leaving on a hike that reaches up to 10 designated contacts. One set of lithium batteries provides enough power to send 1,250 check-in or custom messages.

Giving you access to emergency responders in the U.S. and Europe

Although there are various ways to send visual and audible distress signals, the Gen3 has an SOS button you can use to get in touch with emergency personnel while hiking throughout the United States and Europe. That feature gives your GPS coordinates and other information to professionals, so they can find you in dire situations.

Informing contacts you need non-emergency help

The Gen3 gadget is useful for scenarios that require outside assistance, but aren’t life-threatening. Its Save Our Vehicle capability sends a message to your contacts, giving them location details and letting them call for help or come to you themselves. Besides wearing the Gen3 on your backpack, you can use it in an automobile, which is probably how the feature got its name.

Other things to know

The SPOT Gen3 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $169.95, but some retailers sell it for $149.99. That cost is for the device itself. The functions described above require a supplementary service subscription. When using more than one Gen3 device, you’ll have to buy a subscription for each of them.

The basic tier costs $19.99 per month for 12 months, or $199.99 if you pay for the whole year at once.

You can also add the Extreme Tracking upgrade, which enables sending updates in two-and-a-half-minute intervals and costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

You also have the option of buying the GEOS Search and Rescue addition. No matter what, the Gen3 has an active SOS button. However, this extra provides up to $100,000 worth of coverage for search-and-rescue-related expenses, including the use of a private contractor to bring you to safety. It costs $17.95 per year.

Hiking can be dangerous, especially with a lack of preparedness. However, the Gen3 gives the people you care about your location and summons help in emergencies. Visit findmespot.com for more info.

Image by Oziel Gómez

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This tracker keeps hikers from getting lost originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Replace your Apple Watch band with the beauty of wood and titanium

If you’re tired of having a band like everyone else, replace your current Apple Watch band with a beautiful wood and titanium band from Jord. Each band has black metal Apple band adapters, links, and buckle mechanism, and they fit either the 38mm or the 42mm Apple Watch.

Bands are available in your choice of ebony, stacked zebrawood and dark sandalwood, stacked walnut and olive wood, or koa wood.  Jord doesn’t specify the length of their Watch bands, but each purchase comes with a couple extra links to extend the band.  They also send a screwdriver for adding/removing links to adjust the band length and to install the correct band adapter.  Jord also sells additional links if you need more for a correct fit.

The Jord Wood Apple Watch Band is $85 for your choice of wood.  Order your new Watch band at Jord.

 

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Replace your Apple Watch band with the beauty of wood and titanium originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Edge of Belgravia Teak Star cutting boards, UGEARS bionic horse model, Moasure ONE measuring device, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week we are bringing you five crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter. This week’s campaigns are for people who like to cook, get outdoors, build cool models, and more. Check out our picks for this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.

Edge of Belgravia Teak Star cutting boards

What is it?
Teak Star cutting boards are luxury cutting boards that can be used for cutting and serving food.

Why do I like it?
I like the Teak Star cutting boards because they have a unique look, are durable, and are resistant to rot, water, and slips.

Where can I find more info?
The Teak Star campaign ends on 5/8/2018 and they have already reached their funding goal of $35,202. You can pre-order a Teak Star starting at $49. After the Teak Star campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

UGEARS mechanical wooden models

What is it?
UGEARS are complex mechanical models made of CNC laser cut plywood that can be assembled without the aid of glue, or any special tools.

Why do I like it?
I like the UGEARS models because they aren’t designed to just sit on a shelf gathering dust, they can actually move. We’ve talked about the UGEARS models before on The Gadgeteer, but the Horse-Mechanoid model is the first one that I’ve actually thought about buying for myself. It would be a fun solo project or as a cool family project.

Where can I find more info?
The UGEARS campaign ends on 5/2/2018 and they have already blown past their funding goal of $15,000 by over $100,000. You can pre-order a UGEARS model starting at $39. After the UGEARS campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Quotes Watch

What is it?
The Quotes Watch is a watch that features a dot-matrix e-paper display that you can customize with your own personal message and quotes using the Quotes app.

Why do I like it?
I like the Quotes Watch for the customization options and that specified friends and loved ones can send personalized quotes and messages directly to your watch with the Quotes app.

Where can I find more info?
The Quotes Watch campaign ends on 4/26/2018 and they are getting close to their funding goal of $30,711. You can pre-order a Quotes Watch starting at $92. After the Quotes Watch campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Somewear satellite global hotspot

What is it?
Somewear is a lightweight palm-sized gadget that turns your existing smartphone into a satellite phone that you can use ANYWHERE to send 2 way texts, get weather reports, share your location, and even call for help.

Why do I like it?
I like the Somewear global hotspot because it allows you to communicate anywhere you are in the world because it uses satellite signals instead of cell towers. It’s also built to be tough. It’s shockproof, waterproof and can withstand temps as low as -4 and as high as 140F. Unlike other satellite phones, the Somewear model is more affordable. They will have monthly plans starting at $15/mo.

Where can I find more info?
The Somewear campaign ends on 5/2/2018 and they are working towards their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Somewear starting at $299. After the Somewear campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Moasure ONE – The World’s First Motion Measure Tool

What is it?
Moasure ONE is a measuring device that uses motion to calculate distance, angle, volume, and area using the same technology used in rockets.

Why do I like it?
I like the Moasure ONE measuring device because all you need to do is move from one spot to the other to get an accurate measurement even if there are walls and furniture in the way. It can even measure irregular shapes which is always a challenge.

Where can I find more info?
The Moasure ONE campaign ends on 4/20/2018 and they have already met and passed their funding goal of $28,161. You can pre-order a Moasure ONE starting at $139. After the Moasure ONE campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

The post Edge of Belgravia Teak Star cutting boards, UGEARS bionic horse model, Moasure ONE measuring device, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Edge of Belgravia Teak Star cutting boards, UGEARS bionic horse model, Moasure ONE measuring device, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 5, 2018 at 4:53 pm.

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