Rivet Powerbroker Clip

The Rivet system consist of a series of systems and accesories to provide attachment points to carry your gadgets. The Powerbroker we describe here is one of the many options available.

The system consists of a clip (e-clip) and a pin. The powerbroker comes with the e-clip that is the foundation of the system (pictured) and several options to attach the e-clip. Included are a belt clip plate, a QR fabric plate and an adhesive plate. The e-clip is then attached to your person, backpack or similar while the pin goes attached to your gadget of choice, mp3 player, cell phone, etc. The powerbroker comes with two pins one with a small lanyard and a fixed one with adhesive.

You slide the clip along the e-clip until it locks, to unlock you press a button on the side of the e-clip and then slide the clip again to release your gadget. The e-clip is small and stylish and the lanyard pin is very small and practical once locked it is quite safe. The many options for attachment and the quality of the mechanism make this accesory a good option to consider when you need a carry option for your gadget, it works specially well with smaller gadgets and scales quite well up to the size of a handheld GPS but probably not more than that.

Other models from the same manufacturer are based in the same clip-pin system but have different pins and different accesories to attach the pin they are all compatible so you can buy a couple and get many different carrying options at the same time.

In this particular model we can say the e-clip may be a little bulky for our taste, a small or flatish clip would have been better for a belt to avoid getting it in the way of objects as you move around. If you are used to cellphone holders this is more or less the same in size as the small ones.

You can read more and check different models in the official website or order from the online store for about $18.

Ares SO LED

This is a very small keychain light that goes on top of a strong clip and can rotate over the clip. The light can be clipped to a baseball cap to be used as an emergency headlamp, to a belt, backpack or other places.

The switch is a simple on/off operation big enough to be used with gloves. They use common coin cell lithium batteries.

The lights are not very bright but have a very long runtime and that makes them useful as backup or emergency lights for tasks where an extra light may be needed or to be used as small markers when hicking or for pets. It is certainly not comparable to the Photon Freedom but can be compared to the Fauxtons with the nice extra of the rotary clip.

The switch is a little unreliable without momentary operation and the case is not perfect but for the price we couldn´t expect a great finish.

The lights cost $1.75 and can be obtained from CountyComm. If you want different LED colors you can buy only the light without the clip for $1 and then screw it to your clip using two small screws.

Petzl Myo XP

The Myo XP is a headlamp featuring a 3Watt Luxeon led powered by 3 AA batteries in a rear battery compartment. The battery compartment is connected to the head by a bulky cord with a coil for expansion.

The lamp can be moved vertically within a holding bezel, it comes with a flip-up diffuser lens that converts the spot beam into a very floody beam for close work, reading and indoors operation. The lamp has a battery indicator that indicates level of charge of 30% or higher, 10% and less than 10%. There are 4 output types for the LED: high, med, low and blink all activated using the switch. Next to the regular switch you can find a boost button that will give you momentary 50% additional output to the maximum beam, the boost mode will operate for 20 seconds only.

The run time goes from 70 hours in high mode to 170 hours in low mode. The LED is not regulated so as the runtime increases the light will seem dimmer and the total runtime for usable light is probably a lot less than the advertised total runtime.

The light is water resistant and quite solid the headband does not have an extra strap to go above the head so it may be a little unconfortable if you are used to other headlamps with more support. It is a very bright headlamp with useful lower levels for long runtime and a difuser filter for close work and reading.

You can read more in Petzl's website or order from REI for $70.

NukAlert

This is a keychain radiation meter and alarm. It is constantly on powered by a battery that from the manufacturer will last for at least 10 years. The device emits chirps depending on the level of radiation in the environment from 100 mR/hr to 5,000 R/hr.

The number of chirps the device emits is checked against a table in the back of the device to get the level of radiation in the current area. The table also has the number of hours needed to get to 100R at the current rate.

If you take a look at this because it is "cool" think twice because it is quite expensive $160 for one unit, so it is probably a good EDC option only for people that work in environments where radiation is a problem like X-ray exposure, frequent airline travelers, radiation technicians, etc.

You can read more and order from the official webpage.

Swisstech Mpro 11 in 1 tool

This is a very small multi-tool that can be stored in a docking station featuring a small flashlight. It includes a set of pliers, wire cutter, wire stripper, sheet shear, standard philips and flat screwdrivers, micro philips and flat screwdrivers, 1/4'' rule markings and key ring. It weights only 2.2 oz in total and is only 2-3/8” x 1-1/4” x 1/2" when folded.

The tool is stored turning the legs and can then be coupled to the micro-light docking station, releasing the tool from the station is easy and you just unturn the legs to use it.

The mpro is nice for small repairs and other precision jobs that can benefit from a small multi-tool, as you can imagine it can't be used for jobs that require force. The micro light uses a LED bulb and two coin sized lithium batteries and is good to illuminate keyholes or as a small light to work with the mpro tool in case of need.

Each of the tools included does the job well, you are basically using a good set of micro pliers with some screwdrivers so the tools complement well. Being as small as it is the mpro is probably one of the few available options as a keychain sized set of pliers, smaller than the smallest leatherman tools.

You can read more and order from SwissTech's website.

Fisher Bullet Pen

The "bullet" is proably the most well known model of the Fisher space pen family. This small pen is just 3.75'' closed and 5.25'' open, and comes with a Fisher PR4 refill. As widely known the fisher refills are pressurized meaning the pen will be able to write upside down, under water, in greasy paper and many other adverse conditions like for example without gravity. The pressure makes the ink flow regardless of the writing surface or the conditions.

The bullet can be ordered optionally with a pocket clip, you may want to secure the pocket clip with some drops of super glue because it has a tendency to fall and that can be a problem. The shape of the pen is very confortable for writing. If you are used to long heavy pens this may not be your best choice.

The bullet can be get from $10 to $30 or more depending on several options for the finish and materials, there are silver models, brass models, matte models, laquered in different colors, titanium coated models and many special editions. You can check options in the Fisher official website or order some different models from Penwa.

Leatherman E306x Knife

This is a folding knife offering some extra functions. This knife has two ways of deploying the blade. The first, is Leatherman's patent-pending Blade Launcher™ that works as a flipper in other knives. The second method, is a thumb stud.

The blade is a drop point made of 154CM steel and can be very sharp, once opened the knife locks in place via a liner-lock mechanism.

In addition there is a bit driver. One can carry three double-ended bits onboard the knife at any given time, with one in the bit driver and two in the Bit Holder, which is integrated into one of the glass-reinforced nylon handles. The other unique feature of this knife is the combination Carabiner/Bottle Opener. Both of these unique features remain hidden in the knife until needed. A set of 10 bits is supplied with the knife, 3 of them in the knife and seven more in a plastic bit holder. There is also a pocket clip in the side where the extra bits are not stored.

The E306x is a nice folding knife with the addition of a carabiner to clip it to many places if needed, a bottle opener and a very good screwdriver with replaceable bits. Depending on the activities you do often the aditional tools may become useful and the knife will be a pleasant tool to use. If you don't use the screwdriver or you carry a multi-tool with you maybe a better knife that is only a knife is your preferred option.

You can order for $55 from REI or read more from Leatherman's website.

Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack

The Fatboy is a pack to use for your everyday needs. It is bigger than a waistpack and smaller than most backpacks. It can be used either as a waistpack (not recommended) removing the shoulder strap or in badolier style with the padded shoulder pad.

The main compartment is accessed opening an adjustable buckle that also has a d-ring. Once the flap is opened you have access to the main compartment and to two smaller compartments in front of the big one, one of them closed with a zipper. The unzippered compartment is good for things that you want to access quickly while being protected or hidden under the main flap, the zippered compartment with a pocket inside is great for small loose items.

The main compartment is protected by a protective hoodie that can be depolyed in case of severe rain or just left opened otherwise, there are mesh pockets on both sides of the main compartment. Inside the main compartment you can fit things as big as some reflex cameras with their accesories this should give you a good idea of the size.

Behind the main compartment there is a strap that can be used to attach the Fatboy to your belt for extra security or as an additional support point if the pack is heavy. There is padding to make the pack confortable against your waist.

With the main flap closed you have access to a zippered pocket in the flap useful for small flat items and a big zippered compartment that is behind the main one, here you can put big flat objects maybe envelopes, a wallet, paper, etc.

On the sides of the main compartment there are two pouches. One of the pouches is a zippered pouch with straps for external attachment, inside this pouch you can fit multi-tools, flashlights and many other items. The other pouch is a velcro closure pouch that seems to be specially created for flashlights, most of them will fit here. On the sides of this pouch there are pen slots for pens with pocket clips.

The ends where the shoulder straps are attached have some surprises too, one of them has another pouch the smaller of the three with a buckle closure that is good for cell-phones or items you need to keep very accesible. An MP3 player, is a good idea since it is easy to reach your head with the headphones from the shoulder band pouch.

On the other side there is a carabiner in the same style of the maxpedition keyper that can be used to hang a keychain or other objects, below the clip you have more straps for attachment of extra pouches.

Constructed in excellent nylon with double stitching and lot of reinforcement points the Fatboy is an excellent day pack with many pockets, pouches and the verstaility to be expanded if needed. It is certainly a very recommendable pack for your daily stuff.

The Fatboy is available in black, tan, olive and camo versions. You can read more at Maxpedition's website and You can order from Lighthound for $59.