Posts Tagged "EDC"
Gear Review – Multi-Tool
This is another post in my series of reviews for gear that I use on a regular basis: The http://www.leatherman.com/product/Skeletool_CX Leatherman Skeletool CX
I picked up this multi-tool specifically as something to have with me while fishing. I wanted my tool to have pliers and a knife, but didn’t want or need much else. I shopped around for a tool that satisfied my needs, but also had a low overall weight.
Here is the description from Leatherman:
The sleek new Leatherman Skeletool CX gets you back to basics… very cool basics. The Skeletool CX has only the most necessary of multi-tool features, because sometimes that’s all you need. With a 154CM stainless steel blade, pliers, bit driver, pocket clip and carabiner/bottle opener, you’re set. Lightweight, low volume, perfect size. The Skeletool CX: Who says more is better?
Over and over I’ve been surprised how useful this tool has been for me. Sure enough, the
pliers and knife have been the most useful, as expected. But I have used the screwdrivers and the bottle opener at least one or twice each week.
I’ve actually moved this tool from my daypack to my pocket for day-to-day use. It’s actually been really handy because I’m now taking it with me even when I leave the daypack behind so I have more opportunities to use it.
This is definitely an item that I would buy again.
Read MoreEDC – EveryDay Carry
I’ve been obsessed with the idea of being prepared lately. It started with finding my flashlight and realizing that the manufacturer was using the term EDC (EveryDay Carry) as part of the model number. I know that the word “Everyday” is a single word and that using the “ED” is a bit of a misnomer, but I like it so I’m using the term.
I’ve always had challenges with carrying everything that I’ve always wanted to have on me at all times because I seem to constantly be accumulating more things that I might need. I had always made due with stuffing things into my pockets until I found the Scottevest. Then, I was tempted to carry more and more and even the Scottevest became insufficient.
I’ve moved to a daypack; the Futura 28 by Deuter. I’ve reviewed the pack separately, but it is important to reiterate that this pack is awesome and has logical places for all of my EDC items.
I’m going to go pocket by pocket with my primary list:
FRONT POCKET
- Wallet + backup wallet for extra cards and expenses
- Keys
- iPhone 4 – personal
- Blackberry 8830 – work
- (1) Pen
- (1) 2GB USB Key
- Jewelry (Wedding Ring, Watch)
INSIDE POCKET
- Passport
- Earbuds
- Apple 30 pin connector and power cord for iPad or iPhone
- iPad to RGB conversion cable
- Checkbook
LOWER COMPARTMENT
- Micro towel
- Leatherman CX multi-tool
- Sunglasses in hard case with cleaning cloth
- Toiletries Bag (includes: bottle of mixed drugs and vitamins (Advil, Multivitamin, Benadryl, etc), New Skin Liquid Bandage, Gillette Anti-Perspirant, Dental Floss, Matches)
- Titanium Spork
- Garmin Oregon 450 handheld GPS + (2) AA Lithium Energizer
- Flashlight + (1) backup 18650 lithium battery
- (1) Pack Wrigley 5 React Gum
MAIN COMPARTMENT
- iPad
- HP Elitebook 2540p
- Small notebook
- Kevlar work gloves
SEASONAL
- Sunscreen
- Toque
- Windbreaker
Outside of these items I can supplement with anything that I need for the day because the pack expands to fit up to 28 liters on the inside, but these items seem to satisfy most of my day-to-day unexpected requirements.
Read MoreReview – Sunglasses
As a birthday gift this year Susie bought me a pair of Adidas Adivista Vario glasses.
I had been wanting to get a pair since I learned about them back in February at the Golf Show. The are designed specifically for playing golf with a few key features:
1) They have adjustable temple pieces that allow for various different positions, depending on what activity you are doing and where the sun is in the sky. The 3 positions don’t change the angle of the lens by much, but enough to take some glare off your eyes for key shots. Also, I like the option of positions for driving / riding.
2) The Vario LST lens technology. I was going to try and describe this but someone else already did a great job:
“During a 5 hour round a golfer may experience an extreme variance in lighting conditions. The adivista’s “photochromic” lenses provide the “perfect lighting” via a “Light Stabilizing Technology or “LST.” The adivista’s LST helps keep the player’s eyes relaxed even when switching from extreme dark to light conditions. For instance, during a typical golf shot the player looks down at the ball and up to the horizon several times. In the case of Jose Maria Olazabal it may be several dozen times. The discrimination in brightness between the 2 can be 20x or more, causing the player’s eyes to need major adjustment in how much light is let in. This can cause extreme fatigue and compromise the player’s focus and ability to hit good shots. LST allows the golfer’s eyes to remain relaxed, preventing fatigue and promoting better play.”
3) The glasses are extremely lightweight, once again great for playing the entire round without falling off. Also, when dropped they hold up well. I’m surprised how few scratches there are on my lens given how often I use them. The style is a wrap-around lens with slim flexible arms. The arms were a very important factor for me as there aren’t many pairs of glasses that comfortably fit inside a full face motorcycle helmet.
The overall appearance is very sporty so I’m sure that they aren’t intended to be an everyday wear, but I’ve pretty much dropped or lost all of my other sunglasses so they are all I am wearing this summer.
My wife thinks that sporty is not acceptable for a lot of cases (e.g. Weddings). She is the fashionista of the house so I’m sure she’s right, but I like them so much that I’m willing to look a little inappropriate at times.
Overall a great pair of glasses that I would buy again.
N
Review – Flashlight
After our trip to Havasu Falls earlier this year I had great learnings about which parts of my gear I was thrilled about, and which parts I could improve.
We are now in the planning stage of our next trip and I have had a little time to consider my options and make a couple of upgrades.
This is the first in a series of review posts about my upgrades.
First, I was very happy with my MEC LED 30 lumens headlamp for performing specific tasks, but really wished that I had a hand carried, brighter option for viewing my surroundings. 30 lumens doesn’t offer much range. Don’t get me wrong, to make dinner or dig through a pack it works great and I will definitely not be taking it out of my bag.
At Havasu, Brian pulled out a Surefire Defender 200 lumens carry light that was both light and exceptionally bright. I love this light, and would probably have eventually bought one had I not stumbled upon a fabulous alternative.
The Elektro-Lumens EDC-MCE Flashlight. You can find the full specs on the site. This beast throws 700-900 lumens and is a very comfortable carry. I sacrificed the well known brand and took a calculated risk on this custom built unit from Wayne Johnson because there are a lot of great testimonials. Also, I found the possibility of seeing what 700-900 lumens looked like coming from a hand carry light.
The light ships without a battery so you need to order one online. I had no luck finding a retail shop in Toronto that even knew what I was talking about when asking for a 11865 lithium ion battery. The best choice in Canada was a company in Montreal who could ship what I needed over night. Since I was already paying for shipping I picked up two LGABC11865 cells and a charger. At the same time I also won a $0.01 bid on an auction for two no-brand 18650 batteries being shipped from Hong Kong for $5 CAN.
Both batteries work great, but there is an obvious extra brightness in the first few minutes of use with the LGABC11865.
The overall weight is an addition because I’m not taking anything out of my bag. The space is no issue because I’m carrying a fairly large pack at 70 liters.
The light itself is 9oz and each battery brings an extra 1oz along with it so if I bring the light and 4 batteries the total weight added is 13oz, but for simple overnight trips I would never need that many batteries so the usual added weight will be 10oz.
So far I am thrilled with this product and would recommend it to anyone. I can see how law enforcement professionals would want something this bright because you can definitely temporarily incapacitate someone in the dark with a light this bright.
N
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