Archive | Preparedness

This Swiss Army Cybertool has just about everything you might need in a compact package, including removable screw and nut adapters and a long handle for getting at computer parts, along with Philips and traditional screwdrivers. The adapters snap into place on the long handle, which locks firmly for better stability and ease of use. There are four drivers, each with two uses. Three of them fold away and the fourth remains on the long tool. It also has pliers and scissors. The corkscrew has a little eyeglass screwdriver contained within it which unscrews easily for use. There are also two blades, toothpick, tweezers, and a long rod for flipping computer DIP switches.

Swiss Army knifes are gems of design and engineering, oft-imitated, but no one else really comes close. The Swiss Army Cybertool comes in several configurations, was designed for working on computers – and most anything else too. It just replaced several pocket tools that I’d been carrying.

The Swiss Army Knife Rescue Tool has a specially designed blade for cutting off the rubber fitting that holds windshields in place, a tip on the end that breaks windshield glass in one blow, a saw to cut through windshields, a curved blunt edged blade for cutting seat belts without endangering the passenger, and more.

It is bright yellow, glows in the dark, comes with a pouch, and is designed to used while wearing gloves. Blades can be opened with one hand and are locking. There is also a bottle / can opener and screwdrivers that can take serious abuse. All in all, the Swiss Army Knife Rescue Tool is an amazing rescue tool.

Eneloop charger, 15 AA and 4 AAA batteries, 2 C and D spacers. $39.99 from Amazon,

Sanyo Eneloop batteries are probably the best rechargeable batteries on the market. They keep their charge literally for years, come precharged, and have up to 1800 life cycles. They are available in AA and AA sizes. However, you can put an AA inside their C and D adapters.

Eneloop C adapter for AA battery

Cool Tools

No doubt, the best batteries I’ve used are Sanyo’s Eneloop cells. They’re NiMH but the self-discharge problem is pretty well licked, and Sanyo are the ones who solved the problem.

Eneloops are still the best, but there are more makers now of LSD (Low Self-Discharge) NiMH cells. Usually marketed as “ready to use”, their initial charge should still be available at time of purchase.

The Sanyo EneLoop rechargeable battery could possibly be the best rechargeable battery on the market at any price. When you use the AA Sanyo EneLoop batteries and the C & D cell adapters you can convert the AA batteries into C & D cell sizes. One great feature of the EneLoop is the slow discharge. That means you can charge them once and leave them in the drawer and months later they are still usable.