Looking for a PSK box the size of a PDA.<br><br>I carry a zippered portfolio to work every day. Currently, it has a leather PDA case velcro'd to the inside, in which my electronic memory resides. There is room to velcro in a second case, and I was thinking that would be the easiest way to pack in a small urban PSK, but I am having trouble finding a plastic or metal box to put into the thin, crushable, PDA case. I like the idea of an insertable box so that I can more easily access the contents, rather than dig to the bottom of the PDA carrier to get the item I am looking for. Any ideas?<br><br>Alan

Visit your local cigar store. They often carry a variety on mini-cigars, about the size of cigarettes, that often come in thin tins. I think I may have one kicking around that's about the same hirght as a PDA but a bit thinner and 50% wider.

Hi Alan,<br><br>Don't get too hung up on a tin. There is nothing magical about a tin container, it is just a way to keep things together. Consider a small ziplock bag, cigar tube, 4mm DAT tape box, or a CD jewel case with the innards removed. Pack it in with your other CDs. Any container that fits the items you want to carry and fits into the space you want to carry it will do. <br><br>Think outside of the Altoids box. ;^)<br><br>David Koelzer

A couple of quick thoughts on PSK items in a PDA holder/case. First of all, the credit card mini-kit mentioned earlier would fit with ease in my leather case. Second, I have a brass business card pocket holder somewhere that may be small enough to carry in the same case.

Check out the "corns and bunions" counter at your local pharmacy. Dr. Scholl's sells a fourpack of blister pads in a nifty blue plastic flat box 3X3 1/2X 1/2 " thick.<br><br> I've been using the box for urban PSK for quite a while. It's flat, light, waterproof, rustproof, and rides in a pocket comfortably and unobtrusively. Still has room for basic meds, mini Bic, xacto blade, button compass, Photon, duct tape, etc.<br><br> Couple that wih one of the keychain ideas mentioned elsewhere here (for SAK, whistle, Micra, etc) and you've covered most bases.

>>Dr. Scholl's sells a fourpack of blister pads in a nifty blue plastic flat box 3X3 1/2X 1/2 " thick... I've been using the box for urban PSK for quite a while. <<<br><br>I did check it out, and it is a nice container- for it's form factor. Your urban PSK must be... interestingly minimalist, though. I'm surprised there's enough depth inside for a Photon light.. it didn't look it from the outside.

Hi, Presumed;<br><br> I just opened the darned thing up to refresh my memory of what I HAD managed to get in it, and it seems to cover my "urban" bases><br><br> Includes:<br>--1 ft duct tape on non stick label paper<br>--10' nylon twine<br>--button compass<br>--Xacto blade<br>--4 Tylenol<br>--2 Motrin (all in vac sealed plastic wrap)<br>--2 Benadryl for beesting allergy<br>--Photon II<br>--mini (hotel freebie) sewing kit, 3 safety pins, threader<br>--1 large, 2 medium Bandaids; 2 butterfly closures<br>--Povidone iodine wipe pad<br>--1 sparklite tinder<br>--small flat lighter (in wrap to prevent fluid evaporation)<br><br> No question it's full. Two small pieces of electrical tape keep it closed, and a couple of rubber bands wrap around the outside for misc use.<br><br> Admittedly, there's no provision for fishing, snares, water purification, etc.; but, like I said, it's for urban carry only. Along with the Arclight flash and small SAK (blade, scissors ,toothpick and tweezers) on my keychain, and the Fresnel lens in the wallet, it's a workable tradeoff to me for an urban context.<br><br> Needless to say, "off road," I have a different kit -- most everything in Doug's larger PSK in a BCB tin, plus a separate meds/first aid kit in a small zip pouch. <br><br> And all that's in addition to the reasonably well equipped car trunk first aid kit, and another modified Adventure kit that travels with me in checked luggage (and yet another minimalist meds kit for carry on travel).<br><br> Am I over kitted. or what? <br><br> Still, it makes sense to me to carry what works for the environment I'm actually in that day. And, strangely enough (at least on first aid stuff) you always seem to have multiples of the basics, enough for multiple kits.<br><br> OTOH, I know plenty of people get everything into one or two tins and carry them all the time. I seem to have trouble with the weight and bulk without losing my pants between the car and the office. And it does seem unlikely that I'll have to fish or snare in the parking lot, so I save that kind of preparedness for forays farther from home.<br><br> That's the fun of this board, seeing how we all personalize to suit individual needs.<br><br> Regards -- Karl

Karl,<br><br>Well, I’m the wrong one to ask whether you’re “over-kitted”. Like you, I have different kits for different circumstances. Not only do I have “hiking” and “urban” kits, but I’m starting to evolve a different urban kit for the times when I’m facing metal detectors and x-ray machines. I also find that I pack and re-pack, and there’s some bleedover between “kit” and pocket and pouch carry, so it’s hard to honestly say exactly what’s in any given kit over time… either urban kit gets carried in a shoulder pouch that also has some larger items in it that vary with weather and circumstances.<br><br>I also carry a Fresnel lens, as well as an oven bag for water, and a P-38 can opener in my wallet. For me, the Fresnel lens is for emergencies when I don’t have reading glasses, more than any idea of firestarting- my eyes no longer focus well at distances shorter than 3 feet or so. I routinely carry a lighter and Leatherman micra in my pocket and a BSA "Hot Spark" ferrocerium rod with my keys.<br><br>Because of my paranoia about the eyesight (I read that Teddy Roosevelt took something like 25 pairs of glasses up San Juan hill- I sympathize), I have a tiny multi-folding pair in my urban kit, aside from the spare I usually carry in the pouch. I also carry a tiny FM radio and earphones, which I consider essential for my “urban” kit. I know from experience the frustration of seeing the news choppers from the ground, knowing that they can see what's going on, but not knowing what they’re saying. I also have a whistle (thinking “trapped in the rubble” as opposed to “lost”). And, being a knife nut, the kit contains 2 X-acto blades as well as a Gerber LST folder. Another P-38, another BSA "Hot Spark" ferrocerium rod (the P-38s work as strikers for these), another lighter. Needle and thread- no buttons. Photon 3 in the kit- though I also usually have a Petzl Zipka in the pouch, a tiny LED headlamp with a retractable cord that can be fastened to a forearm or equipment as well as working as a headband- it’s too handy for it’s size to leave behind.<br><br>The pouch always contains at least a flexible Platypus water bottle (empty and flat), a tiny, flat, Totes pocket umbrella, a couple of lawn-leaf size plastic bags, a large but thin black silk bandana, a polarpile cap and neck gaitor (flat, they just feel like padding), and yet another pair of spare specs. If I’m not facing metal detectors, it carries a Leatherman Wave as well.<br><br>I too, consider a compass essential, especially in unfamiliar areas of a city where line of sight is typically very short. I try to always have a local map in the pouch. I have also de-emphasized tinder, since that’s one thing that there never seems to be a shortage of in urban areas, and realistic opportunities to use a fire are much rarer.<br><br>I’m carrying more cord than you are- about 30 feet of flat nylon that looks like bootlace. I do have a plastic bag and one of Blue Line Outfitter’s tiny vials containing 20 water purification tablets. That’s probably paranoia, but they are tiny, and two local urban areas have had trouble keeping the tap water safe in recent years even without emergencies for an excuse.<br><br>I’m not carrying duct tape. I do have some in the vehicle and value it highly, but I was never sure that a foot or less would really be useful.<br><br>No, no snares or fishing gear. <br><br>The kit also contains what I consider easily the most essential single item of “urban” equipment, something that can work near-miracles if used freely and intelligently, and can often substitute for anything other item in the kit, and more, though nothing else will substitute for it… and it’s something that’s totally useless in the wilderness. Money.<br><br>Urban requirements really are different, I’d like to see more discussion and ideas about them… not just gear, but techniques as well.<br>