What cheap tool/gadget do you use that greatly improves your daily life?
What cheap tool/gadget do you use that greatly improves your daily life?
Just went down the aliexpress rabbit hole again. Theres really everythinf for some of really niche things that i wouldnt ever buy, but some things really do look appealing. I wonder what do you guys use daily thats worth lets say under $20
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A decent headlamp. Flashlights are well and good, and sometimes necessary too. But if you've ever had to do something intricate with both hands in the complete dark, a good headlamp can be so much better in those situations
100%. I found one with grooves, so you can tilt and lock on whatever angle you like. Going to use as secondary light soirce on my bike rides and camping trips
I worked with a guy who wore a headlamp nearly all the time. When people would ask about it he would always tell them "There are only two reasons NOT to wear a headlamp. Either you don't have a head, or you don't have a headlamp."
I will never forget this.
Oh phew, one of those reasons applies to me. Guess I don't need one.
What are you doing in the dark that's so intricate? Genuine question.
In most places, lights are placed on the ceiling. This is fine for generally lighting a room, but if you need to do something intricate that's not directly under the ceiling lamp it can be hard to see. Even simple things like plugging in some cables under the desk.
I guess I don't do anything away from desk lamps. Thanks for the explanation.
I've done fibre optic splicing entirely under the light of a headtorch. I don't think you could get much more intricate than that.
Completely agree on this. For some reason I’ve gone through like four at this point. They seem to break for some reason. Even tried the REI route with the black diamond brand and they don’t seem to last. I need to find a better brand.
Petzl. Had mine for 14 years
Was just using mine earlier!
I got a Lightbar brand "lightbar pro", so good. The only downside to it is that there is a design flaw where there is no strain relief on the main power cable so twisting it will lead to failure. I don't know if they fixed it since I bought mine, but some glue on the power wire should sort it out.
You get a nice wide diffuse light so you can see all around you and what you are working on. It isn't the best for distance, but most of the time I am working I need to see my surroundings and what I am working on.
Great for walking the dog at night, in suburban or rural settings. A phone flashlight is annoying to juggle while also controlling a leash and impossible when I need to scoop poop.
And you can get such small ones now! My spouse has one she keeps in her purse where the strap is just a thin wire that retracts into the unit. It's not even uncomfortable! Needless to say I'm jealous!
Is it the petzl zipka? Because if it isn't I'd love to know what it is. I have one, but they've apparently stopped making them, and it's so much better not having an elastic strap.