Pila Codex

The "Codex" is a module to add programmable modes to your Pila flashlight. It is available for the GL2, GL3 and GL4 models and works with either incandescent lamps or the LED dropins, luxeon or Cree. The module works regardless of the battery types used so you can still use primaries or rechargeables. The Pila LED tailcaps can't be used with the Codex module, it only works with the tactical clickie switch.

The codex is installed between the bezel and the battery tube. It has 4 programs "a,b,c,d" that you can modify. Each program consists of a series of frames (up to 9 frames per program). Each frame defines a brightness level (0%,25%,50%,75%,99%) and a duration (from 0.0 to 9.9 seconds). When the program is activated frames are run in sequence re-starting with the first frame after the last one is played. So for example a strobe is a 0.1 second 99% frame followed by a 0.1 seconds 0% frame. A locator beacon can be a 25% 0.1 seconds frame followed by a 0% 9.9 seconds frame. Etc. There is a built-in SOS mode that doesn't take a program and can be used at any time. There is also a "bypass" mode that means "no program" to use the light at 100% brightness. After programming you can cycle through programs and bypass mode clicking the button in the codex module.

The codex also adds a battery indicator and automatically dims the light if the battery is low to preserve runtime. The module also remembers the last program used and turns on in that program the next time the light is used.

We found the codex very interesting but very limited for its size and price, 4 programs are not enough if you want 4 brightness levels you can't have any other programs strobes anything. The programming is also limited forcing you to create repeating sequences, many ideas we had in mind like a light to read at camping that auto turns off after a few hours or keeps blinking in beacon mode are not possible. The self-start test that makes the light blink destroys momentary operation and the 99% flash is annoying specially if you wanted to start the light in a low brightness mode.

So the idea is brilliant the execution has some flaws. You can read more and order ($73 for the GL2) from JSBurlys Flashlights.

Cash Can

The cash can is a novelty container designed to keep some cash for emergencies.

The capsule is 1 1/2 Inches Long built in solid brass with a small bar inside. This cool little cash keeper is for just one bill, which is to be folded in thirds, then rolled around the center bar. The center bar with the note is then inserted in the container and through a hole in the top. Then a split ring ot a clip goes through the hole in the bar the bar then can't be removed from the container as long as the splitring or clip is blocking the hole.

Very clever solution and very practical, o-rings at the bottom of the container make it water-proof. You can use it to keep some emergency cash in your keychain, or as a very elegant gift. The design is also practical to store a mini roll of duct tape cut to fit the inner bar or some nylon thread.

We believe a removable ring makes more sense than a split ring in some uses to be able to quickly access the contents without removing the split ring. We really liked this product either to keep some cash, some duct tape or as a gift, it is small, sleek and works great. Our strongest recomendation is that ordering one is not going to be enough.

You can read more and order for $13 from Sunshine products.

Flat Spannerbabies

The flat spannerbabies are a new tool by Peter Atwood from a new line of very thin tools.

They are made of .050 titanium and are thin to carry in a change pocket, a wallet or in a keychain. They feature a spanner wrench for Strider folding knives, a screwdriver for Hinderer and Emerson pivot screws and a bottle opener.

The tool can also be used for little prying or scraping, popping tape, opening boxes etc.

The tool is very beautiful and thin and is probably an ideal companion if you carry a strider folder, if you don't it is still a very useful tool that as other Atwood tools will be useful in many situations that you wouldn't expect.

Available in plain bead blast and solid colors only. Bronze, purple, blue for $25 from Peter Atwood's website.

Fenix P3D

The Fenix P3D is a 2 cell flashlight using lithium 123 batteries with the same interface as the Fenix L1DCE and P2D.

The light has two modes of operation that can be selected twising or untwisting the head. Each mode of operation has different settings that can be selected pressing the tailcap button. In the first mode you can select either "turbo" mode for maximum brightness or the strobe. In the second mode of operation the settings are minimum, medium, maximum and then SOS. If you are in any of the settings twisting or untwisting the head will take you to turbo or minimum mode automatically so you have the brightest and lowest mode always available without needing a click.

The ligh uses a Cree LED so it is extremely bright up to about 150 lumen in turbo mode. Runtime goes from 1.8 hours in turbo mode to 65 hours in the lowest mode. The flashlight is regulated meaning that regardless of the battery status the amount of light produced is always the same for a given setting. Even in turbo mode the runtime is very good so this light is a really useful light for several applications and the multiple brightness settings give it versatility.

The beam is a good combination of throw and sidespill, there are some minor flaws and artifacts due to the LED being slightly offcentered that are common in Cree LED flashlights. The tint is much better in the P3D than in the P2D being whiter with some P3Ds having a bluish tint, no green/yellow tints as in the P2D.

As a 2 cell light it is too big for a keychain but it can be your EDC light if you like the interface and the specifications.

You can order from Fenix Store for $62.

Paper Cartridge Pen

This is an interesting novelty pen, it works as a normal pen with the adition of having a retractable scroll of paper inside the cap.

The pen uses a cartrdige of paper 2 inches wide and 24 inches long, you can write with the pen in the scroll of paper and then either cut it or retract it inside the cap.
The top of the cap rotates to scroll or unscroll the paper inside.

The pen is very useful for shopping lists, taking quick notes in a hurry, phone numbers, email addresses or things you need to remember like an improvised to-do list. You only need the pen to have both a writing tool and some paper.

The pen is made of brass and chrome parts with a laquered finish, it weights about 2 oz and feels solid in the hand.

The pen comes with two refills and black ink. You can order for $20 from this site.

Sun FeatherWeight Mirror

This is a signal mirror made by Sun Company. It has some interesting details compared to other popular signal mirrors.

The first difference is that this mirror is bigger, at 4.2 inches by 3.1 inches it is not suitable for a wallet and barely ok for a pocket. It is also very thin and extremely light only 1/3 of an ounce.

There is a small hole in the center used to aim when signaling (not seen in the picture), the reflective material is plastic and is not really very good reflecting light that is why the mirror is probably so big.

In our tests this mirror had problems aiming and the reflected light was not very bright compared to other signal mirrors. In our opinion this mirror makes sense as a backup or if you manage to cut it down for wallet size as something that you can carry in your wallet without adding weight and will only be used in case of need. As a test we cut this mirror to credit-card size with a simple pair of scissors, cutting it was not difficult at all and the mirror survived the operation without problems. Carrying the trimmed mirror in a wallet is fine as a backup signal mirror or as an utility mirror.

To check your face, apply makeup or similar tasks it works fine. Just don't put your chances of being rescued in the hands of this mirror because there are better ones.

You can get it from EDCdepot at $3.25

Spy Capsule X-Large

This is the X-large version of the popular spy capsules frequently used to carry pills and other small items.

This capsule is about 2 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter, it is opened at the middle and it has an o-ring to make it water resistant. At the top there is a hole with a split ring.

The capsule is large enough to carry AA, AAA or C123 batteries, and it can also be used to store money, mini survival kits and other items.

We didn't like the way the capsule opens in two halfs, the space inside would be more usable if the threads were located at the top as in other capsules. When you open it contents will come out unless they are very tight.

The construction in anodized aluminium is very solid and there are several colors available: red, green, blue, black, purpke and gold. The size is probably too big for a keychain but can be used hanging from a backpack or inside a survival bag or kit.

You can order from EDC depot at $7.

Zippo Hand Warmer

This is a handwarmer from the world famous lighter company Zippo. It is a reusable warmer based in the Zippo lighter fluid.

To use it you fill it with the lighter fluid, then light it up with a lighter (Zippo for example) and close it; you store it in a pouch that comes with the warmer and put it in your pockets. The warmer will quickly start producing heat and it will continue working for about 24 hours per refill.

The refilling process is simple and the fluid is widely available for Zippo lighters and that makes this really reusable compared to other warmers that need a special fuel or more preparation to work.

The amount of heat generated is quite good without being hot enough to produce burns or problems, the way the warmer burns the fuel without the generation of flames and fumes is a mistery but we can say it works perfectly well.

You can read more and order for $30 from Zippo.