Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I do electronics, light mechanical and electric repair, and am always looking for a screwdriver or wire strippers or what-have-you. That said, I'm also fussy and hate low-quality stuff that doesn't work right, breaks, fails, screwdrivers that get worn down quickly, etc.
I bought this to strap to myself (via my keychain) for those gotta-have-a-driver (and far too common don't-have-a-driver) moments and am extremely pleased.
I have seen the small Leatherman Squirt for example (about twice the price), but it's loaded with knives, nail files, swiss army style stuff, etc. I don't need any of that. I just need a large and a small philips and flathead screwdriver, a wire cutter/stripper and a light. Those are my six "biggies" that I need for electrial, electronic household and mechanical work I do.
It is engineered very nicely, like an entry-level firearm...it has that level of precision!
The full sized screwdrivers are FULL-SIZED! Really nice.
Now...this one (the Micro-PRO) is the same basic design as the Micro-PLUS, except it's MADE better...it has the look and feel of precision engineering and the heft (for it's size) of long-term quality. The difference is - as before - the build, but also the plastic "holster" that doubles as as a LED light.
NOW - if you notice, this holster DOUBLES the thickness of this thing...if you clip just the tool itself to your keyring (which looks super cool), you think to yourself "gee whiz, all this extra thickness just for a light"? I mean, I've seen lights far smaller that would work in conjunction just fine...BUT that misses the point...
This double thickness affords you something fairly *magical* in the world of tiny all-in-one tools: leverage. Torque. Power.
How many times have we used a tiny tool only to get frustrated with our cramped hand and slow slow progress?
With a screwdriver extended from this tool in it's "docked" position, you have a significant "handle grip" to hold on to...and not only that, but also to PUSH and TWIST with...far harder than any smaller tool might be able to do.
There were bigger tools with more grip...namely the Swiss Tech Transformer Xi...but that thing is absolutely massive. Just look at the pictures! It's grotesquely huge...I am sure you get huge torque, but for everyday carry, it was just not an option for me.
This tool strikes a great balance between small size and power.
Now, Swiss Tech has (for a few bucks more on Amazon) an apparently "updated" version of this tool...still has an LED-holster, but it's smaller. I believe buying this would be a mistake, as it simply will not give you the good, solid, hand-sized grip you need to power in more ornery screws.
For the people complaining that the screwdrivers fall out to form a point in your pocket, mine is extremely tight and stays in place. Maybe they put some Loc-Tite on it, but mine is definitely staying put...and if yours isn't, Loc-Tite fluid will do it.
I am enjoying the heck out of this thing and believe I made the right decision between the various options.
- Matt
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Swiss+Tech PPCSBZ-DL Micro-Pro KeyChain Pliers with Flashlight LED, Screwdriver
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