Microsoft Band, first impressions

So I got an initiation to the new MS store pre-opening through Yelp because our community manager is awesome. I went.  It was pretty super.  It was even more super when they told me that they could sell me a new Microsoft Band right then.  Score!

I got it.  They showed off some basics, but didn’t seem to know much about it or the tech behind it.  I showed one of them how to fool the more advanced differential momentum sensor to fake steps.  On the other hand, the guy there who put the screen protector on knew exactly what he was doing and seemed to understand “gas permeable membrane” as it related to the screen protector.

Speaking of, they have screen protectors made specifically for the devices and seem pretty super.  They’ll probably all but insist that you let them put one on before you manhandle the phone.  You should probably let them.  In the first couple of days of having this thing, I was sure that I’d scratched the face horribly, but it turned out that I only gouged the protector.  Not only that, the protector healed over almost ever instance of damage.

The thing is a little big and clunky, but very light. I quickly got to a point where I didn’t notice it much. Like everyone else is doing, I started wearing it “upside down” on the bottom of my wrist. It’s easier to interact with it and read it, since it needs two hands and at least one eye.

One disappointing bit is that the app is phone only, not universal, so you can’t get at all the data from your computer. It’s only on your phone. Lame. There is a desktop app that apparently lets you sync, but you can’t see any data from it. Like others have said, it looks like they had a lot of this stuff half finished and were told that they were releasing in a few days. I’ve noticed that the band software version has updated a couple of times.

Another disappointing bit, and I mean REALLY disappointing, is that it uses a proprietary connector to sync and charge. Someone needs to get slapped for that. I’d have to carry around another cable for their special pet device everywhere I travel. And if something happens to it on the road, I have about a day to get to a microsoft store and replace it (at a nice premium cost of twenty dollars) or my band turns into a wrist weight. Forget slapping, someone should probably be fired for screwing that one up.

I’d really like a better way to read up on it, get news updates, and interact with the development and engineering teams.

Basic Bug Out Bag list

This is a list of some of the basics of a bug out bag.  It’s definitely not exclusive, but I’m not going to try to tell you what kind of gun or holster to get, for example.  But you better have one or two, and some loaded mags.  Any way, you’ll probably want most of these and more gear on top of it.  I’d carry a couple of MREs and water bladders in addition to the stuff here – most of the weight you carry will likely be water.  Don’t forget a change of clothes and extra socks!

Rubbermaid 20-Ounce Filtration Personal Bottle, Black – 7.99
Clean water is critical. To extend filter life, fill through a sock or other fabric if it’s dirty. I picked this over others because it can be turned upside down to drip-filter.

Banana Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30: 1 OZ – 5.00 (get it at your local store)
Sunburn bites. You don’t need much of this, but it’s pretty critical.

4 Panel Large Bill Flap Hat W15S48B (One Size Fits Most/Khaki) – 19.50
Head cover is probably the most important thing after water.
Priority: highest

MOLLE 3 Day Military Assault Pack Backpack – Black – 85.99
Priority: highest

AAA 53 Piece Tune Up First Aid Kit – 10.10
Keep a FAK in the bag. Your injuries will be amplified and you might not be able to keep them clean otherwise.
Priority: highest

Gerber 22-41576 Gator Machete with Sheath – 22.84
A machete is an incredible tool. You can use it for a lever, to clear a path, cutting large pieces of meat, and for protection. Make sure you keep it sharp!
Priority: highest

Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord (Black, 550-Pound/50-Fe​et) – 5.91
Paracord is absurdly useful. It’s hard to have too much.
Priority: highest

5 in 1 Survival Whistle, Emergency Zone® Brand – 4.99
It’s in the crappy add-on program, but it’s a useful device. Keep matches, a strike strip, and tinder in it.
Priority: highest

Cree 7W 300LM Mini LED Flashlight – 8.88
Little flashlights are great. Note that you only get the full light output if you use one of the 3.7 V special batteries. You might consider starting with one in it and moving to rechargeable AA if you need.
Priority: high

Energizer Headlight, Yellow/Blue, 1AA – 25.48
Light is pretty important. This model is light, uses a single AA battery, and has white and red LEDs with separate buttons.
Priority: high

Mainstay Emergency Food Rations – Case of 10 Packs – 66.81
Basic food to keep you going. Won’t win any awards, but it will keep you up and running. One case is enough for two or three people for BOBs.
Priority: high

Cold Steel Recon Tanto Kraton Handle with Black Blade (Secure-Ex Sheath) – 78.71
A quality blade is very important. I’d get a machete and multitool before a dedicated medium blade though.
Priority: high

55GAL 2M DRUM LINER – 13.57
Heavy large bags are really versatile. You can section your pack with them, use them for simple waterproofing, make them into a rain jacket or shelter, nice!
Priority: high

Rayovac Rechargeable NiMH Batteries, AA-size, 4-count Carded Pack – 11.95
The base of the power system used in this kit. All electronics use AA batteries.
Priority: high

Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool – 60.00
You need a high quality multitool. Check a lot out and find what meets your needs. This is just an example.
Priority: high

Off! Deep Woods for Sportsmen Insect Repellent I, Pump Spray – 95% DEET – 1 fl oz – 5.60
Keeps the bugs off.
Priority: high

Quake Kare Emergency Thermal Blankets (4 Pack) – 6.00
These are light and can be used for shelter, warmth, cooking, and signaling. There’s little reason to not carry two in a BOB.
Priority: high

Emergency Zone Folding Shovel with Pick and Compass, Multifunction Survival Tool – 12.99
I would have liked to add one of the tool kits that has a shovel, pick, saw, and axe. But I couldn’t find any that were of good quality.
Priority: medium

SanDisk Cruzer Switch CZ52 16 GB USB Flash Drive (SDCZ52-016G-B3​5) – 15.82
Several things to do with these. Keep medical and financial data on it, encrypt it (use bitlocker to go, most computers can read it), or install windows to go on it and bitlocker it.
Priority: medium

Goal Zero 19010 Guide 10 Plus Small Adventure Kit – 119.95
Just upgraded to the Guide 10 Plus, which has a full amp of output.
Priority: medium

Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) (Black/Silver) – 58.56
A good solid GRMS radio that uses internal NiMH charge packs but can take AA batteries instead. They also function as chargers if you have a 12 v power source.
Priority: medium

Suisse Sport Adult Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactab​le Sleeping Bag (Right Zipper) Blue – 40.52
Depending on the area, you may not want this in your bag in the summer. But you’re really going to miss it if you need it and don’t have it.
Priority: medium

 407 BLACK TACTICAL MARCHING COMPASS – 5.89
Priority: medium

Tinder-Quik 10 pack (1 packet) – 3.95
Tinder is good, but it’s easier to get dryer lint and mix some lard or petroleum jelly in. Keep it in an altoids tin.
Priority: medium

Spiderwire Stealth Braid 300-Yard Spool (Moss Green, Pound/Diameter 6/1) – 24.24
Goes with the fishing line.
Priority: medium

Energizer-Evere​ady 01793 – AA 1.5 Volt Ultimate Lithium Battery (4 pack) (L91BP-4) – 1.97
I prefer to stick with rechargeable batteries generally, but these are very light and hold much more power per size and weight. I would seriously consider them for a kit that I expect to not have after 72 hours.
Priority: medium

Gerber 01471 Suspension Butterfly Opening Multi-Plier with Sheath – 29.89
This is an alternate multitool.
Priority: medium

12 Hour Green Lightsticks (4 Pack) – 7.70
Chemlights have plenty of great uses. If you’re not hiding, you can stick them on a shoulder to mark members if your group.
Priority: medium

Tool Logic T1BCC Series Business Card, Ultra-Slim Tool Card with Twelve Features, Translucent Black – 21.42
Never know what little things you’ll need to fix. This packs well, even if it is a little expensive.
Priority: low

Light My Fire MealKit Harness – Grey – 7.37
Goes with the meal kit, very optional.
Priority: low

Light My Fire Outdoor MealKit – Black – 19.61
Won’t really be needed if you stick with the meal bars and MREs. I’d really like to carry stainless instead.
Priority: low

South Bend Catfish Hook Assortment (Assorted) – 4.49
Fish hooks and line can be great. Keep some around if you can. There are catfish in almost all water in America.
Priority: low

Gerber 22-41420 Gator Combo Axe II – 36.99
An axe and saw can be fairly useful, but your machete will probably serve you better, especially in the south. These might not be worth the weight.
Priority: low

3M Peltor MT15H69FB-09 Com-Tac II Headset – 324.49
This is an example of an amp headset that uses AA batteries. I wouldn’t spend anywhere near its list price of $300 though.
Priority: lowest

This Bear Grylls branded stuff is getting out of hand.

So there’s this Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Kit on amazon that has a bunch of apparent no-name generic survival stuff.  Then there’s the Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Pack with Multitool, Flashlight, and Fire Starter with a multitool and flashlight.  His name is also on Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge, some knife.

There was also some machete set in a folding case that I can’t find now.

Any way, my point is to wonder if these blades are worth crap.  They’re putting so much effort into making them pretty and branded that I can’t imagine much is left for quality.

Gear: Goal0 Guide 10 4AA Battery Recharger

Goal0 Guide 10 4AA Battery Recharger

Background

I saw this on the shelf at Target one day and thought it might be a good contender for a travel battery charger.  I’d been using some crappy ones, and couldn’t find an all in one device.  Basically, I wanted something that would store two or four AA batteries, provide 5 VCD out, optionally have a flashlight, and preferably charge them from a 5 VCD standard USB port.

This one does all of the above.  And does it well.

Construction

The construction is rock solid.  The door doesn’t come open without some effort, and the body is sturdy.  After a month of heavy travel,mine has some scratches, but no cracks or damage.

It stores four AA batteries, and has a removable tray that lets it hold AAA batteries instead.  One gripe is that the tray comes out – I’d prefer they have some sort of flip-down spacer that changes the fit.  If it can be removed, it will get lost. I’ve standardized on AA batteries, so that’s not a huge deal for me, but it’s still annoying.

Specifications

The front face has a switch, a status indicator, a bright white LED light, a USB A Female port, what appears to be an EIAJ-01 coaxial power plug, and a USB Mini-B Female port.

• The switch changes the function from off to power out to light.  It will recharge itself in any position, but will not power the output port and the light at the same time.
• The indicator uses an intuitive red/orange/green system, and a key is on the back. 
• The bright white LED appears to be a standard 1 W white LED.  It functions great as a convenient flashlight, and should last for about fifteen hours on a full charge (assuming you have 2500 mAh batteries). 
• The USB A Female port (the kind most computers have for inserting devices, for people who haven’t bothered to learn what the types are in the past fifteen years) functions as an output port.  It spits out 2.5 W (5 V at 0.5 A, exactly to USB spec) when the switch is in the middle position.
• The coaxial port is for charging.  It didn’t come with an external charger, but other goal zero products use 6.5 v with these connectors for the low power interconnections.  They make several solar charging mats like the Nomad 7M Solar Panel that use that connector and voltage.
• The USB Mini-B Female port (like you have on your camera or phone, unless it uses the new thin Micro-B standard) is for charging from a USB power source.  They lose some points because it’s not standards-compliant – the device is supposed to negotiate before it draws more than 50 mA or so.  So if it doesn’t charge from your device, it’s not necessarily your device’s fault.  But it’s not like anyone else follows the standards.

Observations

It’s a trickle charger, made to work on 2.5 watts input.  It will take several hours to charge batteries.  That’s inherent to working with low power levels like this.  If you want something faster, get a high current quick charger.  The auto-off works fine, so you can leave it connected to a charging source.

Oh and it has a neat hook on the back… I have no idea what that’s for.

Conclusion

This meets my criteria for a travel device: compact, uses standard batteries, accepts standard power in, provides standard power out.  It’s not fancy, not expensive, and does its thing reliably.  If you need power or recharging in a portable platform, this might just be the best option out there.