Archives June 2011

Welcome to the first issues of Get You Gadget On. As you can tell by the title, this is a blog about Gadgets. I want to make this a running article addressing various aspects of RLSH gadgetry, software, tech, and toys. Hopefully this blog will serve as a repository of information where heroes can find answers to questions that vex them throughout their service as an active member of the community.
 
I also want to have other distinguished guests bring subjects to the blog. I don’t know everything about the gadget world (since so much of it is in flux) so I will defer to those who are more informed and experienced when the need arises. Indeed there are a great number of accomplished gadget builders in the community. I hope they will join me in passing along some knowledge.
 
Let’s get to it!
 

Separating Physics from Fiction

We all love comic book superheroes. Duh! They got all these cool toys! Spiderman has his web shooters. Cyclops has his eye blaster. Batman has the bat-a-rang, grappling gun, bat-mobile, bat plane, tons of stuff. Ironman IS a gadget. Man these guys got it all. But it’s what they don’t have that makes their gadgets the best. Laws of physics. Without these laws, a simple basement built chemical web shooter will allow you to swing between skyscrapers and stop run away locomotives. Sweet!

 
Of course we do have those laws. Take that comic heroes, we have all your laws of physics. Nah Nah Nyah! We get to deal with things like mass and gravity, heat and chemical reactions, velocity and stresses and.. And so many things it becomes very hard to build a good gadget. But that doesn’t stop us from trying. It doesn’t stop us from succeeding either. But it does make some things very, very impractical.
 

Grappling Gun

This is by far the most requested item that comes across my inbox. I have had at least 10 requests for a grappling gun in the past year. Every interview I have ever done included at least one question about grappling guns. What is it about this little beauty that makes people salivate like an over fed dog? Is it the fact that it gives you lateral movement? Is it the fact that it allows you to swoop out of the skyline and pummel the bad guy? Is it the fact that it allows you to make a quick get away when needed? Is it the fact that it will allow you to get above your city in order to get a better view of your patrol area? Is it the fact that they are damned sexy cool?
Answer: All of the above…
 
Accept that none of those are facts. They are all fiction. Comic lore that doesn’t actually function because of those laws of physics and stuff, I mentioned earlier.
So it can’t be built? Not precisely. It can be built. It has been built. This is the latest version.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/batelle-grappling-hook-gun,news-9060.html
How’s that for sexy cool? Looks like pregnant airsoft rifle. Actually it kinda is a pregnant airsoft rifle. That is as close as we can get to a real grappling gun.
 
See that big barrel shaped thing on the front? That is where the 100ft of rope is stored. Guess what that does? It makes it front heavy. So it is hard to aim. It weighs close to 30 lbs. Carry that around on patrol for 3 hours. You won’t want to do it again, I’ll bet. Also it is air powered. So it takes a long time to reload. And it WON’T pull your weight up the side of a building automatically. You actually have to climb the rope! Holy rope burn Batman! This is turning into work!
 
Also there are liability issues. The hook and rope will almost definitely damage whatever you hook it to. That’s a lawsuit, maybe even jail time. If you do decide to climb the rope, you have to leave the gun on the ground, and then pull it up after you are on the roof. You know what will happen then? Some super-villain will take your gun while you are climbing the rope! Yep. As soon as you get 2 stories up that gun will belong to Malvado!
 
So that is pretty much it for Grappling Guns. It can be done but it is really a very, very impractical device to have along in the field

http://youtu.be/YvgRJZMKZz4

Originally posted: http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-Real-Life-Superheroes-slideshow-added/kk5BteQ0S0GzWZOicxqHRA.cspx
Since the “Dynamic Duo”is taken, I’ll just refer to “Commonwealth” and “Armistice” as the “Philanthropic Pair”.
It doesn’t roll off the tongue as smoothly as the other name, but it does speak more to what the “Keystone Crusaders” do – giving of their time and energy to clean up the streets of Harrisburg.
The “Keystone Crusaders” came about from a magazine article “Commonwealth” was reading about real life superheroes 5 months ago.
“Commonwealth” says, “I thought it was complete, you know, nonsense, until I looked it up and was like wow, you know that’s really cool. They go around and make their cities better places.”
“Commonwealth” and “Armistice” want to keep their identities a secret, so we don’t know their alter egos.
We just know “Commonwealth” is in his late twenties, married with two kids and “Armistice” is a 19-year old who moved from Pittsburgh to be a part of his friend’s idea.
Armed with the utility belt – a staple of a super heroes arsenal, the duo take to the streets to clean up litter.
They even have spare batteries for the homeless whose flashlights might be drained and spare change for the short-changed using laundromats and parking meters.
They also carry a cooler with bottled water for the parched, like Joe Whitfield, who at first glance wasn’t so sure what he was witnessing.

Originally posted: http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-harrisburg-super-heroes,0,553298.story
By Melissa Matthews
HARRISBURG—Two friends, who love Harrisburg, are helping to make it a better place. The Keystone Crusaders won’t reveal their real identity, but they do want everyone to help pitch in with their effort.
“The mask helps for the anonymity. We don’t want people to know who we are doing this, we just want people to know there are people doing this,” said Armistice.
Commonwealth and Armistice say they were bright purple and blue attention-grabbing costumes for a very good reason.
“You see two guys walking down the street in super hero costumes, what are you gonna think,” said Commonwealth.
While the initial shock of seeing two grown men dressed up as super heroes is wearing off, you quickly realize, they do have a special super power: “While we can`t fly or anything like that, we got big hearts for everyone in the city and the city itself,” said Commonwealth.
From picking up trash on sidewalks and parking lots, to making people smile and helping the homeless, this duo doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“You see people trying to improve the city in different ways, this is a more colorful way of doing it and I think it gets people`s attention and maybe get people moving a little bit more with it,” said Bernard Ramer who works downtown.

Jack Havoc appeared all Memorial Day weekend at Crypticon Seattle, in The Hilton Hotel and on May 29th Phoenix came down and did an amazing panel and showed some self defense techniques, as well as made an appearance at the Jack Havoc/Your Mom Comics Booth and signed autographs for donations for Water for Africa.
http://www.reallifesuperheroes.com/2011/03/26/water-for-africa/
And the actual donation page is here…
https://mygenerositywater.org/rlsh
Was a Great Team up from Jack Havoc and Rain City Hero Movement
Rock on guys

The Ded Beat
 

I am making this so new people can see what an “average utility belt” looks like. I carry what is the general consensus of utility belt RLSH. That is, what is typical gear carried on a utility belt. And some not so much. This is to give you a rough idea of what you may want, or not want, to carry with you on crime fighting patrols. Links to my gear and a short review of them are included:
This is my utility belt. it occasionally changes, and evolves, usually for the better.
[url=http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=60&u=15595275][img]http://i29.servimg.com/u/f29/15/59/52/75/utilit13.jpg[/img][/url]
Starting from left to right we have:
4″ S&W Tactical Rescue Knife:
<img src="http://cache-images.pronto.com/thumb2.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.pronto.com%2Fimages%2Fproduction%2Fproducts%2Fb8%2Fb5%2Fimag56458f0d21f9b076e105c53873e6-1291754975_160x160.jpg&wmax=180&hmax=180&quality=80&bgcol=FFFFFF"
Very big knife. Heavy and sharp. Intended for getting people out of auto accidents, plus makes a good general utility knife. Don't bother putting the belt clip to any use, as mine fell off after a few weeks. Comes with a seat belt cutter, and glass breaker on the end.
http://www.pronto.com/product/smith-and-wesson-swbg1-border-guard-p_1555204972
NEBO CSI Self Defense Flashlight

NEBO CSI Tactical self defense flashlight. This thing is extremely bright, not sure of the lumen rating. It has three modes, the standard light, a laser pointer, and SOS strobe function. The teeth on the front make for a good self defense tool if someone comes at you while you are holding it. One strike across the temple and they are down. Runs on 3 AAA batteries.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R2Q0GM?tag=leddiscounts-20
Gerb Suspension Multitool

Good multitool. Comes with accessory bits which also fit on the pouch, which you can find here. This pouch also carried the NEBO flashlight, thumb cuffs and (not pictured, but goes in the back) a small notepad and pen.
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Suspension-Multi-Plier-1471.htm
Double Locking Thumb Cuffs

Nasty little buggers. way worse than typical handcuffs as you cannot get out of them by being more flexible unless you want to cut your thumb off. Excellent compliance device. May be a little harder to get around big thumbs.
http://www.defensedevices.com/thumbcuffs.html
Caltrops

Typical ninja tool. Theoretically you drop them on the ground and are supposed to stick in the feet of whoever is chasing you. Won’t puncture tires (well maybe bike tires) but should definitely slow down anyone unfortunate to hit them. Yes they pose potential liability issues if not picked up after dispatching them. I’ve yet to have to use them in the field.
http://www.wildbillwholesale.com/ninjacaltrops.html
First Aid Kit
Various small first aid supplies including bandages, bandaids, neosporin and some OTC medications/aspirin alternatives. Could be more but I’m no medic.
Marbles
Nothin fancy, got these at toys r us.
Smart Phone

My smart phone of choice is the T-Mobile G2. Excellent power, full keyboard. 5MP camera with flash. HD video recording capability.
Doubtle Trouble Stun Gun

Between all the XJL member’s stun devices I have to say this is my favorite one. 1.2 Million volts. This stun gun claims to have a quicker disabling ability because the prongs are farther apart. Something to do with the arcing of the charge or some such business. This sucker packs a punch. I’ve tested on myself and will instantly paralyze anyone. Targeting specific muscles like the arms or legs in a scuffle makes that limb completely useless while it’s being stunned. The crackle of the stun gun alone is more than enough to deter anyone. It’s my weapon of choice.
http://www.wildbillwholesale.com/dtrstgun.html
UZI 2,000,000 SHU 2 oz Pepper Spray

You know pepper spray. It burns, a lot. I’ve tested this stuff out on me too. Although not to the extent of the stun gun. I’d rather be stunned than sprayed any day. Flip top lid beats the twist top kind any day of the week. I speak from personal experience. Flip top won’t accidentally discharge into your crotch 🙁
http://www.hand-tools.com/product-detail.php?prodnum=BRK-UZI1300
Handcuffs

Peerless Nickel finish handcuffs. Made in the USA, simple, strong and double locking so they don’t keep getting tighter. I carry two sets.
http://www.peerless.net/model-700-nickel-finish.html
900 Lumen CREE 5 Function Flashlight

This thing is an absolute monster given its size and price. I’ve hit the top story of a 20 story building from four blocks away. Run tike is pretty low considering the sheer power of this awesome light. Took me almost a month to finally figure out how to use the multiple functions. High power, low power, strobe, and two different beacon flashes. Half pressing the tail button switches between the different modes. I intend on buying a couple more of these to create my own North Star light, which I would eventually like to incorporate into my armor. The batteries are a bit expensive though. Half the price of the light itself.
http://www.bestofferbuy.com/UniqueFire-C8-Q5-5-Mode-900-Lumen-LED-Flashlight-(1*18650)-p-67649.html?currency=USD&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase
Total weight: Approximately 8lbs