TOPS TP005 Waist Pouch

This is a Waist pouch by TOPS (tactical operation products), it features a main compartment with a handle, two removable side pouches and a zippered front compartment.

The main compartment has plenty of space for several items, the "U" shape zipper is a good idea to load and unload items on the go. Inside the compartment you can find a removable pocket for 6 CDs/DVDs, a net pocket for loose/small items and a flapped pocket that can be used to carry batteries or other small items. There is also a small cord with a clip for keys or small items.

The front compartment has internal pockets for flat items and a net pocket. The front pocket has MOLLE attachment points to add extra pouches if you want to attach carabiners or other objects. At the sides you will find two pen pockets for pens that have a clip.

The side pouches can be removed using the MOLLE system, you can move them to the front if you want for example, they have a small zippered external pocket. These pouches are good for radios, multitools, flashlights, phones, PDAs and other items that you want to access quickly.

On the back you will find yet more MOLLE attachment points in case you want to attach this waistpack to a backpack or something similar, the waistbands can be stored inside the back of the waistpouch if you want to carry it with the top handle or attached to a bigger pack.

The construction is excellent made of cordura nylon with reinforcement points and double stitching, the amount of things you can carry is surprising for the size of the bag and there are many possible configurations and reconfigurations for different needs. You are getting 3 pouches for the same price, the big one and the two small side pouches. The only small drawback I can find about this bag is that it is a tad big for EDC in a urban environment but is certainly great for any kind of small travel you do or as a complement to your backpack or large bag.

You can read some extra information from Tops website and buy it for $50 from LightHound.

Huntlight FT-01XSE

The Huntlight FT-01XSE is a 3 watt U-bin or T-bin luxeon led flashlight powered by 2 C123 lithium batteries. The body is HA-III anodized aluminium, very resistant to impacts and scratches. The switch is a simple tailcap reverse clickie. It comes with a UCL lens covered with anti-reflex coating and a pocket clip that can be used to carry the flashlight bezel down in your pocket.

The bezel is crenelated so you can see if the flashlight is on or off if you put it bezel down on a table or some other surface, I don't think the crenelations can be used for self defense purposes since they are quite soft and not very deep.

The flashlight is waterproof using orings for sealing, mine came with interesting orange orings. The beam is a nice combination of throw and sidespill it has a lot of reach compared to similar flashlights in the same category. You can be surprised how many other flashlights will be beaten by this one.

The light can be powered by primary C123 batteries or a 18650 rechargeable battery, the runtime is aproximately 3 hours and a half on primaries and a little over 4 hours on a 18650 battery. My estimations for the brightness of this flashlight is that it should be around 70 to 80 lumen.

This huntlight is a very beautiful flashlight, the runtime is great, it can be used with a rechargeable 18650 battery which is a good point and is very very bright. I also like the fact that it can be carried bezel down in your pocket.

You can find more information and buy this flashlight for about $68 from JS Burly's Flashlights.

Petzl Tactikka XP Adapt Headlamp

This is a new version of Petzl's tactikka headlamp adding several improvements including the very versatile "Adapt" connection system that allows the headlamp to be used in several different ways.

The headlamp is driven by one 1 watt led powered by 3 AAA batteries, there are 3 brightness levels and 1 blinking mode selected pressing the on/off button, you go from off to max, mid, low, blink and again to off. There's also a boost mode selected with a second button that can be used for extra brightness for short periods of time.

The lamp has a sliding filter that can be used for a difusser filter, or a color filter, red, green and blue are supplied. The "adapt" system allows the user to use the lamp in different modes, attached to the headbands you have a traditional headlamp. You can also attach the light to a belt clip and use it on your belt or a backpack. Finally there is an adhesive attachment point that can be used to attach the lamp to a helmet, a bike or others. The headband includes a small plastic pouch to carry an extra filter so you can use a red filter and have a diffusor filter available if you want. The difussor is very good for reading and close tasks.

In maximum mode the headlamp reaches about 35 meteres and has autonomy for 60 hours and it can go to 120 hours in low brightness mode. The boost function allows a maximum throw of about 50 meters in case of need.

This is a very nice headlamp with different brightness levels, boost mode, sliding filter and excellent runtime, the adapt system makes it even better adding a lot of interesting uses besides being a great headlamp; a very interesting product.

You can read more about this headlamp in Petzl's webpage or you can order it for about $58 from TAD Gear.

Pocket ChainSaw

The pocket chainsaw is a foldable, portable saw useful for cutting wood and general cutting tasks while on the field, it folds to a very small size so you can include it in your kits without taking much space.

The version we tested comes in a nylon pouch, it looks like bicycle chain with dents, it unfolds to about 27 inches length and it has two loops of paracord on each size to use as handles.

We tested the saw cutting branches of pine trees in a field excursion; the branches were dead or fallen so no trees were damaged in our tests. The grip of the saw with just the paracord loops is problematic, you want to use it facing up because otherwise it will fold but that can be slightly dangerous so we ended using it facing up to start the cutting and then finish face down for extra safety. The saw cuts wood perfectly, in both directions without getting tangled. Mid sized pine branches were cut in 2 or 3 minutes without complications.

The pocket chainsaw is a very small item that can be helpful in many situations, for example to get some lumber if you want to make a nice fire for heating or cooking. If you are going to be outside is probably a must have in your kit.

You can find more information about this brand of pocket chainsaws in this website or you can directly order one for $18 from EDCdepot.

Titanium Gate Snap

The titanium gate snap from Berkeley Point is a cross bewteen a clip and a carabiner. The gaye snap is large enough to be clipped to a belt loop, a backpack or a pouch, so it can be used as the end attachment point for your keychain.

The hole at the bottom can be used to thread paracord or chain, it can also be used for a large splitring, a smaller one might be hard to install since the width of the titanium borders can be problematic, we all know how painful tight splitrings can be sometimes.

Constructed from Titanium the gate snap will resist wear, corrosion, impacts and daily abuse. I found them practical for keychains and lanyards made with paracord as the end attachment for belt loops but there are a zillion possible usages.

There are two sizes: 1-15/16'' and 2-7/8'' that cost $22 and $36 respectively. You can find more information or order from Berkely Point.

Surefire L4 LumaMax

The L4 is the brightest led flashlight from Surefire's E-Series. The body, tailcap and bezel are compatible with parts from the E1L, E2L, E1E and E2E flashlights.

The bezel is a KL4 a 5watt Luxeon led capable of producing up to 100 lumen which puts the L4 as one of the brightest led flashlights you can get.

The beam of the L4 is a typical pure flood beam, that means the L4 produces a "wall of light" instead of a focused beam. This kind of beam is great for illuminating rooms or nearby objects but doesn't have the "throw" to light up distant objects. Small as it looks this flashlight can produce a lot of light.

The light is powered by 2 C123 lithium batteries, 3.7v rechargeables must not be used since that can damage the led, if you want to use rechargeables you should get a 17670 protected rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The runtime on regular 123 batteries is about 1 hour.

In some forums you might also be able to get a 2 stage tailcap switch that will make the L4 a two stage light with a extremely long runtime in low and extremely high brightness on high. The two stage tailcap with the 17670 rechargeable battery make the L4 one of the nicest EDC lights you can have.

You can read specs for the L4 in Surefire's website. And you can order ir for $165 from this site.

Personal Keychain Alarm With Flashlight

This small keychain device has two functions, on one end it has a small incadescent flashlight in the other end there is a speaker for a 120db alarm which is the interesting thing.

The alarm is activated using a red button on the side of the device, you can press lightly for momentary alarm/whistle or press a little harder and the switch will click and the alarm will sound constantly, to deactivate simply click the red button again.

The sount of the alarm is loud and pitchy and certainly attracts attention, you can use it as an electronic whistle or as a safety device in case of danger. The small flashlight is useful when using your keys or to find something in the dark. It is a useful little device that goes unnoticed and might help in case of an emergency or dangerous situation.

The device is powered by an A23 battery, not very popular but easy to find, the same kind of battery that powers gloo-toobs. The model in the picture costs $15 and can be ordered from this site.

Boker Subcom

The Subcom is a very small folder designed by Chad Los Banos. It is only 1 7/8'' long and 1/16'' thick, weighting just 2.5 oz.

This makes the Subcom a non threatening knife that you can carry in most cities without breaking the law and that you can use in plain sight without getting worried looks. The subcom looks "cool" and is certainly more a tool than a weapon for most people.

The beauty of the design is that in a very small folder you get a lot of cutting surface, the blade is a bead-blasted AUS-8 stainless steel with a framelock lock and ambidextrous thumb studs to open it. You can get it in a plain or serrated edge. The pocket clip can be used to clip the knife to a pocket or to use it as money clip. The handle is fiberglass reinforced nylon offering a very good grip and can be either black or silver.

You can read more in Boker's website. Or order it for $25 from Knivesplus.