One Year Anniversary and Mydogtag Competition

Wow, guess what?  It's been just over a year since I started this blog!  During this time we've reached over 110,000 pageviews, with numbers gradually increasing as the months go by.  I've enjoyed sharing my various gadgets, toys and topics of interest with you guys, I just wish I had more time to post more regularly.  I hope you guys find my posts useful and interesting.  If there are certain things that you would like to see more of just let me know.

Another milestone for the blog, is that we've just gotten our first sponsor: mydogtag.com .  Often we can invest a fair bit amount of money in our keychain and EDC gear.  Having some sort of identification on your keyring, at least offers a chance that you will get your gear back if you lose it.  Of course this will also depend if the finder of your gear is a honest kind-hearted soul (or not), but we can always be optimistic.  Check out the mydogtag.com website, they have a large range of customisable dogtags!

To celebrate this sponsorship, mydogtag.com is offering 5 free dogtags to readers of the blog.  I've haven't used this on the site before, but I thought this would also be a good opportunity to make the most of blogger's 'followers' gadget. 

Here are the details for entering the competition:
1. Email me at 99abc99[at]gmail.com  (replace the [at] with @)
2. State in the subject line:  "mydogtag competition"
3. All emails will automatically receive one entry into the competition, whether you are a follower or not. 
4. If you are already a follower or become a follower, you will get two entries into the competition.  To become a follower click on the 'Join this site' button on the right-hand column.
5. If you are a follower, make sure you state your google 'display name' in the body of the email so I know to give you two entries.
5. Deadline to enter the draw will be 21th of December 2011.  Winners will be drawn randomly and contacted back via email.

Good luck!

ABITAX 0510 Tag Light

This was another toy I came across in the New York MoMa Store.  Initially, I was hesistant to buy this keychain light, at $18 USD I felt it was overpriced for what it was.  Nevertheless, I ended up getting it anyway. 

The ABITAX tag light is sort of similar to the 'fauxton' lights, but what intrigued me about it was the design and smaller size.  Instead of two CR2016 batteries which are found in the fauxton/photon lights, it uses two smaller CR2012 batteries.  As a result this, the light is slightly smaller and very lightweight.  In fact, it's probably the smallest and lightest flashlight I own.

Size comparison.  From the top: Photon Freedom, ABITAX Tag Light, Egear Pico Zipper Lite

 
Comparing the ABITAX tag light to my Photon Freedom, the ABITAX is slightly less bright.  However, it does have a nicer tint which is more blue as opposed to a purple tint.   The beam also has less rings and artefacts than the Photon Freedom.  The ABITAX has a clear frosted section over the LED; I believe this helps to smooth out the beam.

LED is protected by a frosted translucent cover.  However, the centre area is not frosted.

To operate the light; you push the red button to turn it on momentarily.  If you want to leave the light on, you need to slide the red button forward.  I do find the side button a little too sensitive to pressure, and it is likely to accidentally turn itself on.

Another downside of this light, is that it's not waterproof. 

On the upside, the batteries in the ABITAX are easier to change than the photon/fauxton lights.  There is a small panel on the back, that can be slid open to change the batteries.  No need for screwdrivers or other utensils.

Panel on the back is flipped open to change batteries

Another thing I like about this light is the clip that it comes with it.  It's really sturdy, lightweight and well made.  I wish I could get more of these to use on my keyring.

I really like the clip that comes with this light!

 Overall this keychain light has a few shortcomings, but if you are looking for something very small that weighs next to nothing... it might be something to consider.

Dioide: Nichia white LED
Size : H31.6mm X W14.7mm X D8mm
Weight : 4g including batteries and clip
Runtime:  15 hours (manufacturer claims)
Made in Japan
Manufacturer's Website:  http://www.abitax.co.jp/products/0510taglight/
Online source: MoMa Store


Some similar sized, previously reviewed, keychain lights that you could also consider are:
Egear Pico Zipper Lite
Streamlight Nano

Zipper Scissors

Zipper Scissors

As I mentioned in my last post I picked up a few keychain items, during my trip to the USA.  This is the first of three; a pair of zipper scissors.  Stayed tuned for the other items later.

I bought these scissors at the MoMA (museum of modern art) store in New York City for $10USD.  Initially, I thought these scissor seemed pretty cool, however after buying them and opening it up, I find them functionally hard to use.  When I squeeze the handles together, the scissor tends to get stuck, rather than springing back out.  I'm not sure if they are all like this, or if I got a dud.  On the upside, they are very light-weight and a novelty to have. 

The scissor blades extends and retracts via the button on the side.  When retracted, these scissors look like a large zipper pull.  On the packaging it suggest that you attach it to a keyring or jacket/bag zippers.  In fact, it also claims these scissors are so 'cool' they can be worn as a necklace!

Here a some rough measurements:  43(L) x 16(W) x 10(H) mm

Can be purchased from the MoMa store:  Mini zipper scissors

MY KEYCHAIN SETUP FOR TRAVEL

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been traveling around the USA for the past 4 weeks.  On my way, I picked up a few interesting keychain items which I plan to post about in the next few updates.

Out of interest, here's the keyring setup I was carrying for my travels:

-true utility telepen
-photon freedom
-'mini' dogtag with name and email address (I've blanked my personal details out).  These were bought from http://www.mydogtag.com
-swisstech utili-key
-tritium vial
-size 0 nite-ize s-biner

I brought along the swisstech utili-key because it's light and unobtrusive.  It came in handy cutting some clothing tags, and some other odd jobs.  I put the keychain away in my backpack during security checks, and the utili-key  managed to pass through without any problems. 

The empty s-biner was used for attaching and detaching things to the keyring.