07/ 25/ 2006
Good Grip
Streamline your toolbox with these wrenches from Loggerhead Tools. With a squeeze of the hand, the Bionic Wrench automatically sizes and grips a wide range of U.S. and metric-sized nuts and bolts, distributing equal force on all sides of the fastener.
The 6-inch wrench fits 14 fastener sizes; the 8-inch fits 16, and the 10-inch fits 18. The set can replace a total of 38 SAE and metric tools and can even remove damaged bolts.
Cost: From $29
Buy: www.loggerheadtools.com
A Handle on the Weather
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow keeps a busy small-business owner in the office. Regardless of the weather, you pound the pavement looking for new business. Stay dry with the Ambient Umbrella from Ambient Devices. Embedded with a wireless chip, the umbrella receives weather information from accuweather.com. If the chance of rain is 100 percent, the light on the handle pulses 100 times per minute. If rain is less likely, the pulse rate decreases proportionally.
Cost: $100
Buy: www.ambientdevices.com
Weigh to Go
Avoid overweight penalties at the airport with a suitcase from Ricardo Beverly Hills' new Solutions line. With a built-in digital scale, you don't have to wait for check-in to find out how much your bag weighs. Using long-lasting watch batteries, the easy-to-read scale displays pounds or kilograms. Available in two sizes, the bags are made of durable nylon fabric and include in-line skate wheels and TSA combination locks.
Cost: From $180
Buy: www.macys.com
Car Talk
Skip a trip to the repair shop with the Code Scout 1500 from AutoXRay. All vehicles manufactured after 1995 use a common set of diagnostic computer codes called OBD-II. When your check-engine light comes on, Code Scout quickly reads the error code and lets you know what's going on—and whether a trip to the mechanic is needed.
Cost: $200
Buy: www.autoxray.com
