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Connected Objects Tools

The 01 is number one at measuring the world around you

Despite the action of measuring being vital to pretty much every industry, the tools used to do so are woefully outdates. Now, with the 01, the tape measure gets a 21st-century makeover.

The 01 is a combination laser-guided measuring tool, pen, pencil and stylus all wrapped in an elegant and slim aliminum housing. Created with designers, engineers, architects and even the average joe in mind, the 01 can be used to accurately capture the dimensions of any surface or object. For example, at work it can be used to quickly log the length, width and height of an object in any metric (millimeters, inches, etc.), measure complex contours and even be used with a scale to read drawings better. And at home, it cames in handy when dimensioning spaces for furniture, setting up a grid for posters, or even measuring material for installation.

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Tools

WildCard wallet pocket knife has a removable blade for TSA approval

Pocket knives are extremely useful yet prohibitively bulky compared to the slim wallets and smartphones used on a daily basis. As such, they can feel a bit uncomfortable to carry around or easily get lost.

Nate Barr, the inventor of the PocketMonkey multi-tool, has created its spiritual successor: the WildCard. Its main draw is the serrated-edge pocket knife built around proprietary FlyOff Technology. This technology replaces the commonplace pin most knives pivot on, saving the space necessary to make the WildCard just 2mm thick — as thick as an average credit card. Blade guards and the single-angled side ensure users won’t accidentally cut themselves while they use it.

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Tools

The SCURVO credit card tool packs an ax in your slacks

Sure, there are reality shows based on people prepping for the end of days, but most people just want to prep for every day.

The SURVCO credit card ax is forged from stainless steel and has 21 uses. It’s heftier than typical card-style multitools, but still fits easily into a wallet. As the name suggests, it transforms into an ax for tree hacking or door busting, although it does need to be secured to a handle. Campers or hikers are likely to have such items around, but things may be a bit less convenient for the typical urban serial killer. Options include a serrated blade, a seatbelt cutter, a bottle opener, and an arrowhead.  Each card costs $25, and the developer hopes to raise $6,500 by June 19, 2015, with delivery expected August 2015.

Thicker and sturdier than other similar models, this tool could definitely be great for outdoorsy types. It doesn’t seem as practical for city dwellers, and it’s absolutely not TSA approved.

Categories
Camping Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries Sensors/IoT Tools

The FOGO Adventure Gadget is a digital Swiss Army knife for outdoorsy types

Exploring the wilds of nature can be a truly rewarding experience. Trails leading to new discoveries alongside the pleasant musk of nature helps foster memorable experiences. Until, of course, someone needs to pull out a flashlight or some other tool from deep within a backpack for some reason — nothing ruins a quaint ambience like the sound of a befuddled hiker looking for their GPS device.

While many would prefer using a smartphone as an aid during such excursions, most smartphones, on account of their poor battery life and dainty construction, can’t ably survive the rigors of outdoor exploration. The FOGO Adventure Gadget solves this problem by incorporating a GPS, walkie talkie, and a 1000 lumen LED flashlight into one rugged device. The FOGO Adventure Gadget includes an embedded digital compass which can help guide users to points of interest and other FOGO users. Further, the device’s walkie talkie feature combines voice and text messaging functionality, thereby allowing users to effectively communicate with others.  Additionally, the device’s LED flashlight sports dynamic light control which adjusts the level of brightness based on the object being illuminated and, in some cases, how fast the object (presumably an animal) is moving).

The FOGO employs some neat tricks with SmartCaps, interchangeable pieces of hardware that add different capabilities. For now, the only SmartCap available is the Digital Walkie-Talkie. Notably, a satellite modem and laser range finder  are both in the works.  With an app based OS, an open SDK, 128MB of flash memory, and a Bluetooth LE connection, FOGO can also act as a fitness monitor along with anything else the developer community can come up with. And its 6800mAh backup battery will ensure it will stay useful and operational for much longer than a smartphone. The $200 FOGO is expected to ship in November 2015 if the $125,000 campaign is successful by March 24, 2015.

New concepts for outdoor gear are always welcome, especially when the product in question does so much to lessen the burden for outdoor explorers. The FOGO Adventure Gadget, along with the All Terrain Cover and WakaWaka, is therefore an ideal product for nature enthusiasts everywhere.

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Tools

T-Rex tool changes the bar, makes it easier to pry stuff loose

Tearing up flooring can be one of the most time-consuming tasks when it comes to home repairs. If staples were used as a part of laying flooring, it can mean spending hours using a screwdriver to pry them out.

patent-claimedT-Rex is touted as taking those hours and reducing them to minutes. Three groves in this pry bar allow the user to pull out not only a standard nail, but also staples, pin nails, and framing nails. The rounded teeth simplify the task of getting under stubborn staples and getting leverage to pull them out. A dimple near the top allows the pry bar to have a tri-pod type of shape, which helps keep it from bending out of shape or warping over time.

T-Rex is a nifty little house tool, great for those DIYers who own homes. Interested backers might also like to check out TrackBelt360, CaulkKnocker, and Hangman, This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter. For $10, backers get one nine inch ripper with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Home Tools

Quack Vac cleans your pool; campaign offers eye candy

Having a pool at home is a luxury, but one that requires a lot of maintenance. In order to keep the pool clean, chemicals must be balanced and dirt and leaves vacuumed out.

The Quack Vac is a pool cleaning system that can be stored outside of the pool. When it’s ready to be used, wheel the system to the edge of the pool and submerge. Quack Vac hooks up with any existing vacuum and filters out dirt and silt at 3,200 gallons per hour. This system is cordless for ease of use and runs on a 12V rechargeable battery. It’s claim to fame is that it can clean any pool faster than existing vacuums can.

While this product does seem perfectly fine with its fast capabilities, its campaign is lacking. First of all, there are few clear pictures of the product itself, but backers will get an eyeful of some bikini-clad babe. Clearly the creators buy into the whole “sex sells” theory. In addition, there are no reward tiers offering the actual product, a definite mistake. Still, for those who want to help, QuackVac needs to raise $48,000 on Kickstarter by mid-January.

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Home Tools

CaulkKnocker makes home repairs more smooth; not as dirty as it sounds

Roofing sealant, caulk and other sticky substances used for home repair or construction are often a pain to work with. It’s often difficult to manipulate them into where they are supposed to go.

CaulkKnocker was created with the do-it-yourselfer in mind. The smoothing tool has a head made of ice, so sticky substances stick to the proper surfaces and not the tool. The product consists of a handle that is attached to a reservoir and mold. Water gets poured into the reservoir and then the product gets placed in the freezer so that an ice mold is formed on the head of the product.

This seems like a great idea, though if one is on a roof or is not close to a freezer, a cooler may be necessary to help keep the ice head from melting too quickly. To keep this product cold, ready to use and at one’s fingertips, backers may also be interested in Icebuddy. This campaign seeks to raise $55,000. For $100, backers get one kit with an expected delivery of August 2015.

Categories
Home Tools

Toilet strainer prevents kids from flushing jewelry

Kids have a tendency to destroy things like valuables and happiness. Okay, maybe not happiness, but certainly priceless family heirlooms.

iGuard is a solution to this problem, straining out items from the toilet. Ew. Okay, yes it sounds disgusting, but the creators claim it’s the only way to prevent clogged toilets. The small plastic mechanism hooks onto the side of the toilet bowl. There’s a round piece that goes into the toilet with holes in it to strain. This way, it’ll catch unwanted items from going down the pipes. The only question that remains is, what about those things that you want to go down? iGuard comes in a case that opens with tap of the foot so touch is unnecessary. One is going for $50 on Kickstarter with an estimated delivery of April 2015. iGuard is looking to raise $20,000.

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Tools

Loopy multitools clips to belt loops, give them a job beyond belt guiding

Multitool gadgets are convenient items to have when cycling or hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. There are quite a few of these around these days. Loopy is one of the newest to try to push its way into a crowded marketplace. One thing that makes this product a little different is that it attaches to a belt loop. Loopy is 1.5 inches in height and claims to provide 12 tools in one, including a bottle opener, wrench, bike tools and more. Because it’s made of stainless steel and titanium, it is washing machine safe and doesn’t have to be removed from one’s jeans belt loop – as long as one can remember to which pair of jeans one attached it last.

Loopy is one of the more minimalist of these types of tools, honing the discretion of the Swiss Army knife. It’ll definitely find its place on the belt loops of the types of guys who still carry their cellphones around on belt holders. Other interesting multitool options that backers might want to check out include My Task and TrackBelt360. This campaign seeks to raise $27,000. Early bird backers can get one Loopy for $7, with an expected delivery of May 2015.

Categories
Tools

Boss lets you record voice with the tape measure of your choice

For all those who use a tape measure, the Tape Boss will prove a godsend. The digital recorder attaches to any tape measure and has the capacity to record three separate recordings, from instructions to measurements. Having all the detailed information a button press away is superior to trying to remember everything or writing everything, especially because information is so easily forgotten and it takes so much time to actually get everything of importance down.

Contractors, homeowners, plumbers, and everyone else who use a tape measure will be able to cut down on labor time with this handy device, and over time that number will rise dramatically. A protective rubber coating prevents major damage to the the Tape Boss, and a single battery cycle will last 1,500 recordings. More technology could potentially go into this device, like some sort of smartphone import/export feature but as it exists, it gets the job done. A Tape Boss goes for $50 CAD (~$44 USD) and is expected in April 2015. The campaign is looking for $15,000 (~$13,200 USD) to start production.