ThruNite Ti3 Flashlight — produces 120 lumens — waterproofed to IPX-8 — impact resistant — use a single AAA battery

Titan Plus Flashlight  —  produces 300 lumens of light — durable construction — waterproof — made in USA

RovyVon A3 Flashlight — produces 700 lumens — IPX-65 water-resistant — waterproofed to IPX-65

Nite Ize Inka Pen — writes underwater — writes in temperature from -30 degrees to +300 degrees — ultralight — made in USA

Leatherman Micra — ultralight mult-itool — includes scissors — made in USA

World’s Smallest Titanium Toothpick — a portable toothpick made out of titanium

Quick Release Keychain Clip — ultralight titanium clip for a keychain

The post The Best Ultralight Keychain Tools appeared first on Reactual.

• Samsung Galaxy Active Pro: Certified and tested to be military standard (MIL-STD-810G) for drops, shocks, vibration, rain, dirt, mud, sand, water, altitude, freeze & thaw, temperature range, temperature shock, and humidity
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Active2: Similar to the Pro, less expensive
• WinBridge S933L which runs Android and its rated at IP68 (this guarantees protection in water up to 1.5 meter deep for 30 minutes. It also ensures dust and shock resistance)
• Vanquisher 8″ tablet, which runs Windows and is IP67 rated (protection in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. It also ensures dust and shock resistance)

The Details: The Best Waterproof Tablet

Samsung’s Galaxy Active Pro is a ruggedized version the flagship Galaxy tablet. It is protected by protective silicone edging and a sturdy internal frame. It has an impressive IP67 rating, which means it has complete protection against contact from dust and is safe in up to 1m of water immersion.

I has some other ruggedized features:

• Water-resistant touch screen
• Glove mode for winter use
• Includes IP68-Certified Samsung S Pen
• Facial recognition for unlocking while wearing gloves

The Galaxy Active Pro is available on Amazon for around $745.

The post The Best Waterproof Tablets appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

The Olympus TG-4 camera can withstand extreme conditions. But beyond its durability, many people will appreciate the camera’s ability to autofocus very quickly — which is important for catching action.

The TG-4 also performs well in low light, and it features a super macro or “microscope” mode that allows the camera to focus on objects only 1 centimeter away from its lens (good for taking pictures of tiny insects or plants for example).

Here’s a couple of test photos I took in “microscope mode”:

Here’s an underwater macro photo taken with the TG-4:

One quibble about this camera is that it takes only average quality videos. DPReview (a comprehensive camera reviewe site) said:

In a sea of mostly unremarkable rugged cameras, the Olympus Tough TG-4 sits at the top of food chain. It’s incredibly well built, responsive, full-featured and, with a little work, produces excellent quality images for a small-sensored camera. The only real negatives are its limited control over aperture and not-so-great video quality.

When reviewing this camera Imaging Resource said:

…[T]he TG-4 really does offer features not found in other waterproof and tough cameras. Based on previous shootouts and my experience with the TG-4, this camera should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a waterproof and tough compact camera. The TG-4 gave me good photos for a waterproof camera, was generally easy to use and offered up enough unique features that genuinely held my interest.

The Olympus TG-4 16 MP Waterproof Digital Camera is available at Amazon for about $350.

The post The Best Waterproof & Shockproof Camera appeared first on Reactual.

You can take a picture of your friends sliding into the ocean at Citta del Mare (southern Italy), using the Olympus TG-4 Waterproof Camera.

You can use your Swimbud Waterproof Headphones while swimming outside the Hotel Piccolo Portofino in Italy.

You can listen to jams near the ocean at the Rockhouse in Jamaica, using Ultimate Ears UE Boom (portable waterproof speakers).

You can charge your gadgets next to the pool at the Frechman’s Reef Hotel in St Thomas with a Unifun Waterproof External Battery.

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

The post The Best Waterproof Gear For The Summer appeared first on Reactual.

The IP Code is an international standard that rates a product’s protection against intrusions by water and foreign particles.

The chart below gives a detailed breakdown for each individual IP Code numeric rating. The solid particle protection is always the first number and the moisture protection is always the second. To illustrate, a product rated IP57 would be dust resistant and waterproof up to 1 meter. A product rated IP68 is completely dustproof and waterproof.

IP Code Basics

Consumers on the hunt for waterproof or dust proof electronics will want to familiarize themselves with the IP Code. An IP ranking provides much-needed clarity in a market saturated with meaningless jargon and misleading advertising. While an IP ranking is not a guarantor of a product’s overall quality, it adds transparency by assessing what level of protection a product offers. A variety of consumer products, ranging from earphones to tablets, now display an IP ranking to advertise durability. Those who are familiar with the IP code have a powerful tool with which to make informed purchases of ruggedized electronics.

IP stands for International Protection Marking, or Ingress Protection. It is an international standard used to define the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusions by substances like dirt, water and tools. In other words, it tells you what a product’s casing will keep out.

An IP classification is determined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization formed in 1906 and headquartered in Switzerland. Composed of a coalition of electrical engineers, academics and industry experts, the IEC is the world’s leading organization dedicated to “electrotechnology” standards, a broad catchall term for electronic technology. They establish world-wide quality standards for electrotechnologies. Currently, 82 countries participate in their program.

An IP code rates the degree of protection a product has against dust, accidental contact and water. The code is displayed as IP followed by two numbers, such as IP67. If either numeral is represented by an “X,” it means the product has not been tested in that category. It does not equate to a ranking of 0, but it does not guarantee any protection.

Solid Particle Protection

The first number in the IP rating signifies a product’s level of protection against access to hazardous parts and ingress (access or entrance) of solid foreign objects. Solid protection is ranked on a scale of 0 to 6. A ranking of “0” means the product has no protection against solid objects, nor way to prevent them from entering.

Rankings 1-4 represent how resistant an object is to entry by foreign tools, ranging from fingers to fine tools. This is an important safety ranking that assesses protection against accidental contact with charged electricity. An IP3X is the minimum ranking you would want if you have children or pets around, and an IP4X protects against foreign contact for grain-sized and larger objects.

A rating of a IP5X or IP6X assesses a product’s protection against hazardous dust or other fine particles like sand. These are the two most common Single Particle Protection rankings, and they tell you how well a product keeps dust out of electronic components.

IP5X means a product is protected against dust. Dust entry is not entirely prevented, but significant protection of dust assures the product can operate in sandy conditions. A ranking of 5 is sufficient for most consumer-grade uses.

A rating of IP6X means the product is completely dust tight and there is no ingress of dust. Contractors and those traveling to extremely dirty or dusty locations prefer products with an IP6X rating.

Liquid Ingress Protection

The second digit in an IP code indicates moisture protection. It can range from 0 (no protection) to 8 (completely waterproof in depths over 1m).

Many products advertised as waterproof are not intended to be submerged in water for any prolonged period of time. A ranking of 1-4 means that a product will operate if exposed to water (from splashing or dripping), but will not work under water. This is common for shower radios, outdoor speakers and kitchen appliances.

IPX7 and IPX8 indicate a product will operate while fully submersed in water for an extended period of time. These electronics are rated for depths of less than and greater than 1 meter, respectively. The manufacturer should specify exactly what distance this safety is assured to, so it is important to double check before taking your electronic underwater.

An IPX5 and IPX6 mean that the product can resist jets of pressurized water. It is important to note that a product rated to be fully submersed in water cannot necessarily survive pressurized water jet.

The post The IP Code: A Guide To Waterproof and Dustproof Ratings appeared first on Reactual.

Swimbud’s redesigned Sport Waterproof Headphones are the best waterproof earphones of 2016. The new model comes with 4 different style of earbuds to adapt to environment and ear type. They are made with a rugged waterproof design and come with a 1 year warranty.

The Details

The Sport Waterproof Headphones‘ secure fit and tight seal separate them from their competition. In order for sound to transmit underwater, earbuds must form a completely secure waterproof seal inside your ear. If this seal is broken, the sound does not transmit under water and the earphones are useless. On a lot of other underwater earphones, it is common for the seal to break in mid-lap. When that happens it is frustrating to reseal in the middle of an aquatic workout.

Equipped with four different types of IPX8-rated waterproof earbuds, the Sport Waterproof is designed to hold a comfortable seal while submerged in water. They come with the Ergos for biking and running, Trees for lap swimming, Fins for watersports, and Mushroom for everyday activities.

The earphones sport third generation Hydrobeat audio technology which has audio fidelity that is clear enough to listen to music and audiobooks underwater. The audio fidelity does not stand up to the quality of standard earphones, and music will sound a little flat to audiophiles. Do not expect great bass quality from these things.

Unfortunately, they do not have Bluetooth capability. Instead they use a short 40 m cord with a 1m of waterproof extension.

The Sport Waterproof Headphones are available on Amazon for about $70.

Another Option

If you need waterproof headphones with Bluetooth capability, go for Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth Headphones. Although these aren’t the best for swimming, they have an IP57 rating, which means they can withstand fresh water up to 1 m for 30 minutes. They can go in the lap lane, but the seal will break. That said, they will work great on a rafting or boating excursion or in the weight room. An invisible nano-coating technology protects the earbuds against water and sweat during workouts and water related activities.

The earbuds have a flexible design so they remain stable throughout your workout. A set of built-in controls allows for easy pause, play, and skipping access, without having to pull out the phone or MP3 player. Their charge lasts for about 8 hours.

The Plantronics BackBeat Fit Bluetooth Headphones are available on Amazon for about $80.

The post The Best Waterproof Earphones of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

The best windproof lighter is the Zippo Armor.

This windproof, liquid-fueled lighter won’t freeze in cold temperatures. It has a lifetime warranty and is available in dozens of colors and themes.

• Other best windproof lighters include: the Ultimate Survival Technologies Floating Lighter and the Windmill Classic Stormproof All Weather Lighter.
• Along with being windproof, the best lighters should be resistant to cold, reliable, with ease of refueling and use.

The Details: The Best Windproof Lighter

A windproof lighter is a handy tool to have around. You can use it to start a campfire when out in the woods; it’s handy to have when working on a project in your shop; and also great for lighting those Fourth of July fireworks. But a tool is only as good as its reliability. An when it comes to determining the reliability of a product, my motto is “simpler is better.” So when it comes to choosing the best windproof lighter, the Zippo Armor is the clear winner.

Zippo has been making lighters since 1932, so the company knows its way around a lighter. And their design hasn’t changed much since the first one that came off the assembly line. Their lighters are simple, bombproof and extremely reliable.

They’re fuelled by Zippo’s proprietary lighter fluid, which is poured into the bottom case, where it’s absorbed into the fluffy rayon balls stuffed in there. The nature of this liquid fuel system makes Zippo lighters naturally freeze-resistant.

In the realm of wind resistance, Zippo’s ability to deliver fuel consistently via its wick and the screen that encases said wick make it almost impossible for wind to extinguish the flame on one of these lighters. And because there’s no button that needs to be held down, it’s easy to keep the flame burning. You could even set the lighter down on a flat surface and use both hands if necessary.

Along with a lifetime warranty that offers you a free repair for your lighter if it ever breaks, Zippo’s parts are highly replaceable. That includes; the flints, wicks, rayon balls, and other internal parts.

As if a regular Zippo isn’t tough enough, cases on the Armor models are 50 per cent thicker than the average Zippo. That’s a super handy feature, especially if you ever need your lighter to stop a bullet.

Add to that the fact that Zippo Armor lighters are available in a mind-boggling array of styles, designs, colors and prices – and you’ve got one of the best, most reliable lighters available anywhere.

Zippo Armor is available from Amazon for about $18.

An Alternative

The Windmill Classic Stormproof All Weather Lighter is said to stand up to 70-80 mph winds. It has an elastomer armor that helps protect it against impacts and drops.

The post The Best Windproof and Freezeproof Lighters appeared first on Reactual.

• The best waterproof watch is the Rolex Deepsea. It’s waterproof to a depth of almost 13,000 feet. It features a titanium and stainless steel case that impedes corrosion, shows a long-lasting lighted display, and maintains a helium-escape valve. It is available for approximately $10,000.
• A less expensive but high-quality alternative, Omega Seamaster is the runner up. Retailing for just under $3,000, the Seamaster is water resistant to a depth of 1,000 feet and the base model is made of steel.

The Details

Professional divers and watch enthusiasts alike agree that the Rolex DeepSea watch is not only a timeless, visually appealing accessory, but is one of the most durable, high-performance watches available on the market today.

The 44-millimeter watch case and bracelet is made from 904L stainless steel, which is a superalloy primarily used in the aerospace and chemical industries, and grade 5 titanium, both of which are known for their strength and anti-corrosive properties. As such, this watch can be submerged in salt water and chemically-treated pools without tarnishing or losing its luster. The watch face is black with platinum-coated dials to promote readability and prevent tarnishing. In addition, the dials feature a luminescent blue glow that lasts for up to eight hours for visibility in the dark. The glass topper is made from 5-millimeter-thick scratch resistant sapphire crystal.

Inside the watch, the patented 3135 caliber, self-winding mechanical movement features a paramagnetic hairspring that is unaffected by magnetic fields and offers increased resistance to shocks and temperature variations, making it one of the most reliable watches on the planet. The movement has been tested and certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.

The DeepSea is water-resistant to a depth of almost 13,000 feet. The watch maintains an exclusive system of rings to lock out water and withstand water pressure. It also has a helium-escape valve for use when diving to certain depths. All watches are tested for water resistance in a specially-designed hyperbaric tank to simulate water pressure.

Rolex offers a five-year warranty on all new watches.

A Less Expensive Alternative

The Omega Seamaster is an extremely high-quality, durable watch without the Rolex price tag. It’s also a stylish accessory worthy of an international spy, and has been worn by both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in several James Bond movies.

The 41-millimeter case comes in a variety of models, the base being stainless steel. It features an anti-magnetic master co-axial mechanical movement, and anti-corrosive metal treatments to reduce tarnishing from salt water. Depending on the model, the Seamaster has either a blue or black dial with recessed hour markers which glow when in the dark. The glass topper is made from sapphire crystal, which is scratch-resistant. The watch is certified to be water-resistant to a depth of 1,000 feet.

Omega offers a four-year warranty on its Seamaster watch.

The Omega Seamaster is available on Amazon for about $3000.

The post The Best Waterproof Watch appeared first on Reactual.