Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 31-31 of 31
 Small enough to carry and potentially save your life. December 12, 2005
T. Hassler
41 out of 41 found this review helpful
I've always read that in order for equipment to save you, it has to be with you. The ResQMe Mini is pretty small - about 3 inches long with the keyring/protector inserted and 1 1/4" wide and 5/8" tall.
It has a plastic insert blade guard which "locks" into place to protect the razor blade intended to cut through a stuck seat belt (or potentially cut through clothes or shoes that are caught if the fabric is thin enough). I have to admit that I'm disappointed in this design to some degree. While I understand the necessity, I think that a dedicated lanyard or keyring hole in the body casing would have proven stronger and less likely to fail. It's not that the insert is easy to fall out, it's just that it can. The razor is firmly seated and double edged, so it's very sharp.
The spring loaded glass breaker uses a hardened steel pin which is hidden behind a plastic cowl. This cowl is difficult to depress, but it charges the spring for the pin to release with enough pressure to break the side window of your car. The spike is self-resetting and may be used many times. The manufacturer, states that it takes 12lbs (5kg) of force to fire. The tool will not break windshields or laminated glass. Some auto side windows are laminated! So check your vehicle model or call your dealer as this may not work in your particular car (though it's not common yet, many cars are getting safety upgrades now). It should break most rear windows too.
While the Mini Escape tool is small enough to fit in a pocket, it could be bulky on a keychain. I like to keep my accessories to a bare minimum, so I'd prefer it in a smaller formfactor. I've already noted the problem with the keyring mounting position. The quality of the plastic is very good and the blade hook is reinforced well. I'm giving it a 3.5, rounding down for the weak keyring placement.
I think that many people wouldn't mind carrying this in their pocket or on their keyring. I will do so, since that is why I bought it, but I hope the NGV folks who make the ResQMe line of products comes out with a more compact design with a permanent lanyard hole.
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