New Volty Bit: THE SWITCH.

[Craig_S]

Looking forward to it.  Will you post here or under the Reviews tab?

Maybe the best thing to do is post a review in the Reviews section but include a link here. I actually didn't remember we had a section for reviews!

Craig

[Craig_S]

The new features (especially the EMF sensing) and the happy customers convinced me to order one 

This is seriously the handiest thing about it for me. It's like having an outlet tester/multimeter with you constantly!  Can't tell you how many outlets I've checked for power. And right after I got it, my sister bought an antique car that ran rough. We were able to hold it next to the spark plug wires and immediately know what we had going on. 

Craig

[Poncho65]

Great feedback

Maybe the best thing to do is post a review in the Reviews section but include a link here. I actually didn't remember we had a section for reviews!

Craig

That is a great idea

[Aloha]

Is there a video review of its features? 

[pcdoodle]

Is there a video review of its features?

There's one embedded in the first post. I'm working on a 60 second short video that I'll upload soon.

[Aloha]

 

[pcdoodle]

Is there a video review of its features?

As promised, a short 60 second demo reel:

https://youtube.com/shorts/VWrVBVGxTCc?feature=share

[Poncho65]

Very cool video, pcdoodle

[Aloha]

 

Thank you. 

[Craig_S]

Well, turns out I left my Volty on and it now has a dead battery. If you guys would share pictures of your charging setup so I can get some ideas on what I need to do, that would be super. I tried to charge it by putting a battery in between it and my Leatherman like the way you would check it, but you just can't make it stay the way it needs to for any length of time.

In my mind, a little bit of wire, some alligator clips, and a hunk of wood might do it but there's probably a much simpler solution!

Thanks,
Craig

[variable]

@pcdoodle, The Volty Switch is a vast improvement over the original Volty. I do like that you took your Volty Ruler and miniaturized it to the Volty bit size.
May I suggest that a link in Volty Switch product page for the online instructions. I am not a fan of QR code links .

Well, turns out I left my Volty on and it now has a dead battery. If you guys would share pictures of your charging setup so I can get some ideas on what I need to do, that would be super. I tried to charge it by putting a battery in between it and my Leatherman like the way you would check it, but you just can't make it stay the way it needs to for any length of time.

In my mind, a little bit of wire, some alligator clips, and a hunk of wood might do it but there's probably a much simpler solution!

Thanks,
Craig

This is what I added (since I find it easier than using with my Crunch)  to mine Volty Switch since I keep it in my kit pouch.

[pcdoodle]

I added the manual to the bottom of product page as suggested.


It's so funny i was just thinking last night about including a high quality alligator lead. I really want to keep everything "Made in USA" so I found this company muller that looks good:

They have a nice gold plated clip that i can get made in a custom length with jackets. I am reaching out to them.

I was thinking 12"-18" gold plated and black jacket, does that sound okay?

[Craig_S]

Variable, thanks for the picture.

PC Doodle: I think an alligator clip would be a nice addition, but maybe a complete setup with a 9V connector would be even better? Just wondering out loud...

Is there a certain way to properly charge? Switch on or off? My volty seems to want to take about 5 readings off a 9V before going to a solid red even when the switch is off. Just want to make sure I'm not going to hurt it.

Thanks,
Craig

[pcdoodle]

Switch in the ON position to charge. Don't worry about hurting it, it's been tourture tested for everything including reverse polarity and such.

The 9V to alligator clips found on amazon and elsewhere are really crappy (The pivot rivets shear off just squeezing them a little too hard).

If this mueller thing pulls through, we'll send out a set to anyone that already purchased the new volty on request.

[variable]

I added the manual to the bottom of product page as suggested.


It's so funny i was just thinking last night about including a high quality alligator lead. I really want to keep everything "Made in USA" so I found this company muller that looks good:

They have a nice gold plated clip that i can get made in a custom length with jackets. I am reaching out to them.

I was thinking 12"-18" gold plated and black jacket, does that sound okay?

Thank you for adding the manual to the product page.   

I would prefer the longer 18" version.

Thanks for a great product and attentive customer service!

[Aloha]

I had to comment,

@pcdoodle  terrific customer service.  Well done to you for reacting to your customers.   

[Craig_S]

I concur, thank you so much.

It's obvious to me that if only people would find out about this little marvel, it would sell like hotcakes. To have the ability to do so many things with that little implement, hiding on a keychain or in a Leatherman, is astonishing. Hopefully the word will get out!

Craig

[pcdoodle]

Thanks everyone for their kind words.

I also have something to say: we could not ask for better customers. I doubt very many companies have the privilege to sell to people “who get stuff done”.

It’s been an awesome ride and you’re the reason we try to do better everyday.

[Craig_S]

I apologize for not getting my complete review out yet. The good part is that I love my new job and actually miss it when I'm not there, and that's an amazing feeling.

The positives about this tool are overwhelming. The negatives are few and minor, but I thought I'd mention them just to see what everything thinks, so here goes.

1. The VS is hard to fit in some Leathermans. I have to orient it in a certain way or it won't close in my modded Rebar. Even then it's tight enough that it barely closes, and I have to open the knife and then open the bit holder. Can't remember which, but I think it's the Wave where it won't close no matter what. (Could be the Curl, or maybe both Wave and Curl?? I'll check and update asap.)

2. The VS is a bit long and also too thick in the middle to fit in a LM bit kit holder. This means that if you don't have a backup phillips bit, you're going to have to either go without that tool or put the Volty on a keychain. Once you put it on a keychain, it's a pain to remove and put back in the LM to use it when you want it deployed that way. I'm lucky because I added a bit holder to my Rebar, so I have the bit holder in addition to both phillips and regular screwdrivers. AND have the room in my pouch to have a singe bit kit holder too. The best of everything AFAIC. What I do is have my VS in the bit holder of the LM, and the combo #1/#2 phillips/3/16 straight screwdriver bit among others in the bit kit holder in my pouch. 

That's all I can come up with. This is an indispensable tool and I never leave home without it now. If any of this is confusing I'm sorry, but it'll all make more sense when it's in my video.

Craig

[Craig_S]

Some clarification...

The Volty Switch will close in my Wave, but only in one orientation. It is just long enough to contact the stud that's riveted in the handle for the pliers. The bigger problem is that even if it's in the proper way and you get the Wave closed, it gets stuck and you'll need something to pry the bit holder up and out the next time. Of course, there are variations from one tool to another and the VS may work fine in a different Wave+.

In my Curl, the volty works fine regardless of which way it's installed. It just barely contacts the stud and moves outward in one orientation, but doesn't get stuck like in the Wave. This leads me to believe the stud in my Wave may be bent or riveted (or both) out of tolerance just enough to cause an issue.

What's the solution? I don't know but it can't be shortened on either end (shorten the back side and the coating will hit the bit holder and not let it go in farther, and you don't want to go grinding on the tip because it's gold plated) which would be the quick and dirty route. Personally, if my Wave was my daily carry, I'd figure out a fix for this problem and also how to have at least one combo bit with me. Probably do some careful dremel work on the stud...  The Volty is just too handy to not be with me constantly, and I would rather not have it on a keychain or in my pocket separately.  For now though, that's what I do when it's "Wave Wednesday".
 
Just curious, if you have a Wave+ and a VS, please let me know how yours fits.

Craig

[Grand_Banana]

I’m running into this situation below:

 

75A5DA18-7229-418D-BE40-390FE625F952.jpg (Filesize: 114.56 KB)

Doesn’t rest fully closed in the vertical, but doesn’t seem to be in the way horizontal. Doesn’t appear any way to reshape. As far as I can tell the pin on my Wave is not bent.

[BillBarrels]

I’m running into this situation below:

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

Doesn’t rest fully closed in the vertical, but doesn’t seem to be in the way horizontal. Doesn’t appear any way to reshape. As far as I can tell the pin on my Wave is not bent.

Don’t attempt to reshape the bit, if you mar the surface you won’t be able to make a connection on that side. I found that slightly bending the pliers stop works fine with no affect on my tools.

[cnlson]

If this mueller thing pulls through, we'll send out a set to anyone that already purchased the new volty on request.

Did it work out? If so my order is 2529. If it didn't a magnet rather than alligator would be cool
Magnets on all ends so I can use 9v or lion

[ed_is_dead]

Mine arrived.
I'm very happy with it. I included a few pics/mini review.

I used it to check battery voltages and alternator output. Both were the same as my multimeter.
The body mode for fuse checking is a great feature for side of the road where fuse access is hampered by poor access and the lack of a long nose pliers.
Checks out for spark plug leads too. Haven't check temp function yet.

If you intend using this in tti charge the bit driver fouls the pliers stop and prevents you closing the tool fully.


So a wee rip with a dremel and diamond burr bit to take a mm off the stop and alls good. Just bear in mind the pliers will still contact it so don't torque down the handles detent against it when closing. What I did was ensure the weaker handle detent was acting on it, that way when I torqued the tool closed the pliers was in the other handle Hope that makes sense.




Here it is used as intended with the micro bit driver as the negative.


In use. Handily it repeats the test as long as she's hooked up.


Unnoticeable on the keys, missus says it looks like a lippy haha. A foot length of small gauge wire with a tiny croc clip soldered on in your back pocket and your good to go.

Great product PCPOODLE, I have shown this elsewhere and there's a few sales inbound.
Can I ask whats the situation re water, can it get wet?
Your idea of supplying with a clip and wire is great.

[pcdoodle]

Thanks everyone for sharing pictures.

I am doing a "Water Resistance Test". I'm thinking total submersion in tap water for 5 minutes. Would this be enough to call it water resistant in your eyes? The internal contacts of the power switch are gold plated but some current will flow and slowly degrade them even if the switch is off. I'll start the test tonight and post results.

As far as some of the fitment issues go, I have an updated version of the switch coming soon that is 3mm shorter without losing any features. This should allow fitment into the new ARC and hopefully the rest of leatherman's product line.

One last thing, I have a prototype in progress that has a magnetic sensor for finding drill hole paths. Let's say you need to drill a hole in a wall or through a ceiling, you can use this proposed feature to scan the wall until you find the magnet on the other side for correct drill placement.  I'm testing it with one of those magnet based stud finders and can successfully locate it through 12" of wall. Does this feature interest anyone?

 

voltywater.jpg (Filesize: 26.17 KB)

[ed_is_dead]

Thanks everyone for sharing pictures.

I am doing a "Water Resistance Test". I'm thinking total submersion in tap water for 5 minutes. Would this be enough to call it water resistant in your eyes? The internal contacts of the power switch are gold plated but some current will flow and slowly degrade them even if the switch is off. I'll start the test tonight and post results.

As far as some of the fitment issues go, I have an updated version of the switch coming soon that is 3mm shorter without losing any features. This should allow fitment into the new ARC and hopefully the rest of leatherman's product line.

One last thing, I have a prototype in progress that has a magnetic sensor for finding drill hole paths. Let's say you need to drill a hole in a wall or through a ceiling, you can use this proposed feature to scan the wall until you find the magnet on the other side for correct drill placement.  I'm testing it with one of those magnet based stud finders and can successfully locate it through 12" of wall. Does this feature interest anyone?

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

That's brilliant news Pcdoodle, so it's at somewhere between ipx-5 and 7 as is then. On another site where I showed it techy heads suggested not getting it wet so I have it on my keys in a small titanium cylindrical capsule but I'll revert back to the lippy so.
The improved features would be a great addition. I have already used it to fault find a fuse board in body mode and on cr2032 cells I had lieing around of unknown charge. Such a great thing to have and forget you have to all of a sudden remember you have it and use it! If that makes sense l

[pcdoodle]

Results: Volty Switch is not only water resistant but waterproof. I left it submerged in the cup 12 hours while powered on and 12 hours while powered off and it still works great. I'll keep a long term test going.

I placed an order for the ARC today, I will follow up on fitment. The new shorter version in the picture is what we are shipping now, hope it fits them all!

 

Screenshot 2023-10-16 at 5.01.19 PM.jpg (Filesize: 82.31 KB)

[Poncho65]

That is awesome love seeing the feedback from here getting put into this

[The Mt Kid]

Ordered yesterday after discovering this!

I’m wondering if the spacing between contacts is short enough that the volty switch could just be held against a 9 volt (probably using a single 3d printed part) battery for charging.

Once I get mine I’ll definitely investigate some small form factor charging options.

[Aloha]

  Great news pcdoodle.