>>I sort of guess that someone tried the two-switch system of the Photon 3 for five minutes, didn't "get" it, and started looking for reasons not to like it. But that's just my opinion.<<

Good enough for me. I will take another look at the Photon 3.

>>Anyplace that sells Boy Scout equipment. It's very cheap, too.<<

Cool. I'll look into that, too.

>>Haven't tried the metal versions, I'll look forward to hearing.<<

The Permanent Match seems to work just fine. It's less bulky than a regular lighter and there are no moving parts to wear out or break and an inopportune moment. Pros: Tiny, easy to fill and light, seems to be watertight. Cons: A bit clumsy to fill with lighter fluid. If you're clumsy like me, fill the container over a paper towel. Not windproof. Overall, however, I like it. A great little gadget to play with.

>>I can sympathize. If you can't see, you're pretty much dead.<<

Yep.

>>Some of my stuff is duplicated, and that's one. I also carry a folded oven bag in my wallet, and a few other items. My keychain sports another Photon 3, another Hot Spark, another P38, and another tiny whistle. I don't always remember to grab the tin on the way out the door.<<

That's why I gave up on tins and went with keychains. How do you keep your canopener folded up?

>>As I said elsewhere, the great value of the Micra, for me, is that the scissors and tiny PC blade give me something to cut with in front of co-workers, and when someone asks "have you got a knife?", I can honestly answer "sure" and hand them the Micra, without ever showing them what else I'm carrying.<<

Agreed. The Micra is my loaner. I don't show my lockblade Spydercos to co-workers any more. Just too iffy a situation.

You used to be able to buy direclty from scoutstuff, but they've discontinued that practise. Now they direct you to whoever your local retailer may be.

I also have a permanent match. I solved the filling problem by using a syringe and a needle. That way I have full control over the liquid and I know how much I filled in. Due to the small size of the needle it´s also possible to look into the filling hole. That way I can stop filling before the fuel flows all over that thing.

less than 2 months away from 50 : does that qualify ?? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't have bi-focals, I guess that will be one of the gifts for my next birthday !
Presently, I just look over the rim or remove the glasses.

These are the whistles that Virginian uses in his 'Pro Survival Kit' micro kits.

If you are in serious need of reading or close work glasses, and you are reduced to using the mini PSK, I assume there is a fair chance you have lost your main glasses, and maybe even your wallet. Having a spare pair in the PSK, or at least a magnifying lens that can double for it in a semi-painful way could be a very important survival tool.

>>Good enough for me. I will take another look at the Photon 3.<<

What you'll be looking for is the latest generation, in the GREEN box. Those will be the only ones with the new chip that supports the SOS feature. Availablity is spotty- apparently they can't meet demand.

"Serious need" is a kind way of putting it. Totally freaking nearsighted is what I am. I always take my spare pair of glasses with me on overnight trips. Carrying them in my EDC would be genuinely burdensome and would require a larger kit.

I figure if the glasses I'm wearing get damaged beyond repair, then chances are good that I, too, have been damaged beyond repair!

I never take them off except for sleeping, showering, and you-know-what-else. Grin.

It all depends on whether you feel the need for them. I started having troubling seeing to write checks to pay the household bills. That was when I was 38.

Then I was taking my glasses off to write checks. I had to hold magazines at arms' length to read articles. Enough. A few months before my 42nd birthday, I went to my eye doc. She is the best. I told her I needed bifocals, she tested me, and said I needed only a mild correction. I went to LensCrafters, got fitted, which is a tricky process since they must measure your focal depth and stuff, and got my new glasses with Progressive and Featherweight lenses.

I adapted almost intantly because I was ready for them and I knew I needed them. I just had to get used to turning my entire head rather than shifting my eyes, on occassion, to be able to focus.

Good idea. Where does one purchase a syringe and needle?