12 led UV light by Lighthound

UV means "Ultra Violet" this in turn means that the light produced by the flashlight is beyond the color violet in the visible light spectrum. So this flashlight not only produces light, it also produces UV radiation also known as "black light".

Some materials have flourescent properties under UV light, white fabrics glow, blood glows as you have seen in the CSI shows, scorpions glow very brightly, you can use it to check currency etc. GID stuff can be charged under UV too.

I need to add that UV radiation is really bad for the eyes so you have to avoid looking at this kind of light sources directly and use it with caution. This light from Lighthound has 12 UV leds and produces a good amount of light for normal users. With a retail value of $7 it is affordable if you want to play CSI or hunt for scorpions in your backyard.

Lee Valley Pocket Screwdrivers

These pocket screwdrivers have the size (and shape) of a quarter. The edge is shaped like a ramp so they can be used for different screw sizes. The range of edge thickness goes from 0.030" to 0.090". They are specially good for flat screws but can be used for Phillips too.

They are certainly more convenient than using a coin, the nails (ouch!) or other objects. You can carry them in a keychain, wallet, etc. The pricing is $7.20 for a dozen and you can read more about this curious item at Lee Valley's web site.

Glo Toob FX

Glo toob are markers available in different colors. The toobs provide light in 360 degrees so they are used either to light up small rooms or as signaling devices, they can't be used to illuminate an objet since they don't have a directional beam like flashlights.

The FX model has 7 different modes: 100% constant on, 25% constant on, Flash, Fast Strobe, Slow Strobe, Sos and Throb. The runtime goes from 30 to 80 hours depending on the mode selected.

They are available in different led colours: red, blue, green, amber and white. The green one is the most visible (green is the color that the eye sees better) so it's perfect as a marker, the red one is suitable to preserve night vision (red is the color that less affects the eye), amber is nice for ambient illumination, blues are cool and might be used to detect substances that contrast better under blue light (blood for example), the white one is of course general purpose. There's also an IR model suitable to be used with Night Vision equipment.

The toobs have negative buyancy (they float), are waterproof and shock proof, they use an A23 battery, not your every day battery but is not hard to find either. You can find more information at the official Glo Toob page. Pricing is about $22.

Pelican Cases

Don't look for anything very fancy here, these are just cases and their purpose is to store things. So what better for valuable gadgets than very special cases like the ones from Pelican? These cases are shockproof, waterproof, and dustproof. They even come with a pressure valve to release pressure from the inside in case of need.

You can get them in many different colors and sizes, the 1010 in the picture is the smallest one, there is a i1010 version for Ipods with an outlet for earplugs. You can also get foam inserts for the case that can be shaped to accept different items, for example batteries. The cases are produced in different colors: black, yellow and clear.

They are great to carry gadgets around without worries about bumps, falls or humidity. Price starts at about $10 and up for the bigger ones. (i1010 for Ipds $35). You can get more information at Pelican website.

Spyderco Delica Wave

Spyderco Knives are among the favourite utility knives for EDC, the Delica is a classic model that has been used a lot as a general purpose knive, sturdy to resist normal and not so normal use without costing a lot of money.

The Wave is a new version of the Delica designed to be used clipped to a pants pocket. When you pull the knife out the "Wave" in the delica clips to the pocket opening the knife in the same single motion you use to pull it. This is on one side cool and on the other side may be useful in an emergency situation.

The Blade is VG-10 steel and the lock is a front lock. It comes with a pocket clip and you can get it for about $50.
Check Spyderco's website for more information.

PicoPen by TEC accesories

The PicoPen is a really small keychain pen. The cap with the small split ring is magnetic and that is what holds the pen inside the cap, no pressure or threading.

The pen comes in a very nice mettalic box with a nice set of accesories: a claw clip and a twisty keyring. The pen writes well and the small size and design is great for a keychain.

The magnetic cap is not a problem for credit cards or thumbdrives because the magnet is not very strong but can be used to attach the pen to some mettalic surfaces if you want.
You can get it for $20 from TEC website.

Safe-Light 9v emergency light and flashlight

The Safe-light uses a 9 volt battery to power a 5mm led. This light is intended as an emergency light but can be used as a regular flashlight if needed.

By default the light will be in "locator" mode a very dim always on mode that can be used to find the light in the dark, the light can run for about a year(!) in this mode that can be deactivated pressing the button for 2 secs and reactivated in the same way.

From the always-on mode you can activate the low-beam flashlight then high-beam and then the emergency strobe before returning to the always-on mode. You cycle through modes just pressing the button.


The light is water resistant and comes with a belt clip that is also magnetic.
It is a very good product to keep in different places in the always-on mode so you can use it if you are in need, one at home, one in the car, etc.
You can get it for $14 at Lighthound. And you can learn more in the official website.

The Arc AAA-p

The Arc AAA was for a long time one of the best keychain flashlights available in the market. The company had trouble and folded but re-emerged to the market for a new version of their most popular light.

The Arc AAA-p is a brighter version of the flashlight. The Arc is powered by a AAA battery (lithiums and NiMh are fine) driving a Nichia 5mm led.

The good things about the arc are its toughness and runtime, built in a very strong HA-3 finish this flashlight can resist all kinds of use and abuse. It is a very good companion for a keychain or neck carry because of its small size.

It retails at $40, expensive for a 5mm led light but explainable for a light built in the best way using the best materials. You can find more info about this flashlight in the Arc website.