I read a frustrating article the other day, In Smartphone Era, Point and Shoots Stay Home, (also via Yahoo), which discusses how people are abondoning their point and shoot (P&S) cameras and using their iPhones, Androids & Blacberry smartphones’ built-in cameras. In a similar way, many DIYers are going gaga over all these “many-in-one” tools flooding the market these days.
Smartphone cameras are best used when a regular camera is not available, or at least that is how they should be used. Many manufacturers like to focus on the number of megapixels these smartphone camera sensors have, as if MPs were a true a measure of a camera’s potential quality. Seeing as how smartphone camera usage is on the rise with manufacturers in fierce competition throwing words like “high definition” around, people are getting the wrong idea that these built-in cameras are better than standalone P&S cameras.
In a similar fashion, quite a few manufacturers are heavily marketing all-in-one types of tools. For example, take Kobalt’s new universal socket Multi Drive Wrench. Kobalt’s promo commerial starts off with “sometimes finding the right tool is half the job.” Then they discuss how the sockets are good for use on hex bolts as well as “high precision bolts”, and that it’s great for at home or on the go.
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However, these types of tools are NOT adequate substitutes for standalone tools. In the past few days I did some assembly work, and the Multi Drive Wrench couldn’t be used for any of those jobs – it was simply too bulky or awkward to use. Instead, I needed to use sockets, extensions and universals, a flex-head/rotary-head ratchet, combination wrenches, and deep offset thin-wall box wrenches.
For people that don’t take photographs or use tools on a regular basis, smartphone cameras become their only camera, and “all-in-one” tools become their only tools. When they’re unable to get good results, some people will blame the equipment. Others will instead upgrade, aware of the need to buy the right tools for the job.
I’ve had people criticize my own camera and tool choices in the past. Why did I buy a new lens for my camera, or a camera at all, when my Droid has one built in? Why did I buy a cold chisel and ball pein when a wood chisel and claw hammer were already available? Why did I bring my T-handle ball-hex drivers to help someone with an assembly when “some L keys” came in the box?
Many manufacturers spend a lot of time and resources trying to convince consumers that their tools are the right tools for any job. Some of these tools are even marketed as if they were valid substitutes for the individual tools that they emulate.
Not knowing any better, many consumers that don’t often use tools bite the marketing bait and buy these tools. I have to admit, many of the tools are often enticing (and are usually designed to be!), but consumers are often misled into thinking that the tools are better and more versatile than they really are.
Overzealous marketing is why smartphone cameras and “many-in-one” tools have become so popular. With many consumers buying into the idea that a smartphone camera can produce “professional postcard photo quality” and that “universal” and “many-in-one” tools are more versatile than they really are, the trend will continue long into the future.
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Now I’m left wondering – how will manufacturers try to one-up each other next year.
jeff_williams
Let the masses have their multi-junks. It will keep the trades employed when they have to come in and fix shoddy results. The repair people will probably need a couple good quality nut splitters and extractors to fix all of the bunged up hardware.
Mike Shoaf
Speaking from the perspective of working for a manufacturer (not tools, though), these “do-everythings” are certainly marketed for Christmas/Holiday gift buyers than for the people who actually use tools. Just look at the timing of the introductions on many of these coming out this fall. Lowe’s/Kobalt and others aren’t expecting to sell any of these to those of us who read tool blogs, but rather our well-meaning wives, girlfriends, children, aunts & uncles, etc. (and those of semi-DIY-ers). For that, they will probably do well.
Benjamen Johnson
The New York Time Article is much ado about nothing. The smart phone isn’t going to kill the point and shoot anymore than the iPhone was supposed to kill the iPod. Real tools aren’t going anywhere either. Just like real cameras, they are the go to tools when you have them available. But that being available is the important distinction. It is nice to have something available when you need it, whether it be a smart phone or multi-tool. What’s better the grainy picture of your kid’s special moment you did take or not having a picture at all?
Stuart you use these all the time yourself! — your quick in store phone snapped pictures and your multi-tool habit.
I do think that the camera with video will all but kill the dedicated consumer video camera though. My little P&S takes 4x better video than my camcorder and I don’t have deal with tape. I don’t understand the point of a dedicated camcorder anymore (notice I did say consumer).
fred
Tools like cameras are just instruments that can be employed to achieve a result in the hands of a person – whether that person is a professional like a journeyman carpenter, master plumber, licensed electrician, professional photographer or any of their amateur counterparts. In the hands of a skilled individual (and skill usually takes training and practice to achieve – maybe some talent too) the right tool can produce good results. Some tools are selected for good-enough results, some to improve productivity, some to complement the craftsmanship of the worker, some to stroke the buyer’s ego. My 40 plus year professional life has involved the use of tools – which when running a business – are purchased with a decision making process that seeks to balance first cost, O&M cost, life expectancy, worker safety, past experience with the brand and the merchant, location and experience with repair facilities etc. – and the ability to use the tool to produce high quality results. While a skilled craftsman can achieve good results with a less than superb tool – the converse is probably true too – that the unskilled uncaring worker will not achieve good results even with a top-of-the -line tool – and it is not the camera that takes the picture – its the photographer.
For a hobbyist, while having a fine professional camera may inspire better photography – it might be better to grow into the hobby with a more modest investment until skills are learned and honed. That doesn’t suggest that you should start out (if you’re interested in the hobby) with a throwaway camera.
I’m an amateur furniture maker – and started out by thinking that the only way to produce good results was through machinery. As I grew older and more skilled – and perhaps more patient – I’ve come to appreciate hand tools more and more – but have also learned that a poor quality tool is not worth the effort to try to bring it up to snuff. I’ve had folks complain about various hand tools – some of the complaints relate to not taking the time to learn how to use them or set them up properly for use. others are a result of poor tools. A junk handplane will probably never produce a fine shaving – but a tuned-up old Stanley – or a new Lie Nielsen in the hands of someone who take the time to learn how to use one will.
lens42
I’m sorry, but this post is way off base. It’s a huge (and poor) stretch to compare a smartphone to a mechanical multi-tool. A multifunction mechanical device is forced to make compromises that an electronic device is not. There are many portable electronic devices that, on the surface consist of a screen and some buttons (GPS, movie player, music player, portable game). The difference is mostly software. There is little compromise needed to include these in one convenient device that’s lives in your pocket. Only the camera comparison holds any water at all, but I would argue that is even wrong because a good smartphone is getting pretty close in image quality to most $100 point-and-shoot cameras. So the real analogy for a smartphone is like getting a Leatherman with Snap-On quality tools for 9 out of 10 functions.
Stuart
I did consider whether I was being contradictory given my love for pocket knives and multi-tools, but I typically carry these tools when full-size versions are not at hand.
A smartphone camera lacks many of the capabilities of even a sub-$150 P&S camera. Yes, they’re convenient to have around, and I do use mine occasionally to capture tools and prices that I spot when on the go. But if I know I’m going to need to take some photos, I bring along a real camera. The problem is that many people are naive and think that a smartphone camera is the best thing ever because it offers x-many megapixels.
Maybe it was a bit too much of a stretch to discuss consumer gullibility in regard to both cameras and tools at the same time, but I saw the two issues as relatable.
The post was also fueled by the realization of how many people are buying up these all-sizes-in-one wrenches this year. And it’s not just people buying them as gifts. Amazon has a list of the most popular gifted and most wished-for tools. The Black & Decker ratcheting ReadyWrench is number 2 on the most wished-for list, so it’s fair to say that many people want it for themselves. I would bet that most of these people don’t even know what they would use it on.
Keith
I wouldn’t worry about multi-tools taking over the world. Craftsman has been a particular offender of “gadget” tools for well over a decade now. There were the Robo-slip pliers, and they made a vise-grip version of these too. Also some sort of a hex uni-wrench which just slid one half of a hex up and down to close on a fastener. Plenty of other examples too.
As said, these tools are purchased in holiday marketing blitzes and then eventually just get discarded because they don’t do anything well. One year later it all starts over again.
Perhaps the best thing to do is teach family members to simply provide gift cards so you or I – the educated tool shopper – can go buy “real” tools with discretion.
Paul
Keith, My wife loves the Robogrip Pliers. I hate them and I still have a brand new 3 piece set somewhere out in the garage that has never been used.
Stuart, The “Bionic” wrench has gotten a lot of TV time this year and it will sell out at most of the Sears stores. I think this is the worst “all in one” wrench out there.
I agree completely with you. To get a good picture for the web you need at least 6 mp. The current crop of multi-function cell phones (smartphones) don’t even come close to that. But to the uninformed………..
I taught tool use to power plant technicians for over 15 years and I cringe every time I see someone pick up even a combination wire stripper/crimper to replace the lug on the end of a wire.
The current crop of multi-tools are just a fad and hype for Christmas. I personally think they are selling well this year because of the economy, not because they are any good. The typical consumer has reduced their spending to the $20 gifts instead of the higher ticket items and most of these multi-tools fit the bill.
Some Lucky Dog
Great article! I’m just a DIYer, but one of the best things my Dad ever taught me was “Use the right tool for the job”!
Dan Richards
I still haven’t bought into the dogbone wrench thing, as much as I’ve talked about them. I did run into a buddy using one though, he said it was the greatest thing ever for an oil change guy. I don’t do a lot of oil changes – there’s no money in just doing an oil change – but I’ve been that guy before and I can see the attraction of just being able to keep it in your knife pocket and not having to grab the right socket. If it saves you a minute on each job, that could easily net you a half hour a day or more as a lube guy, and you’ll make more money.
Phil G
An old saying in the photographic world is “the best camera is the one you have with you” or something to that ideal. In other words, if you find yourself in a situation where you wished you had a camera to grab that once-in-a-lifetime shot, a Kodak pocket 110 that you had with you at the time would be lightyears better than the Hasselblad packed away 300 miles at home. I don’t drag my 30D with me everywhere unless I expect to be taking some serious photos. I bring along my S3-IS where I might be taking serious shots, but know it’s mostly going to be snapshots. I have a little Pentax W30 I toss in my pocket when I think i might be taking a snapshot or two. But, most often, I leave my cameras at home. I usually have my phone with me though, and it’s come in handy those times. The pictures suck, but at least I got them, and they were important at the time.
The same goes for various combo tools. I’d rather have my Leatherman or Swisstool with me than nothing at all, but will always use the proper tool when I have access. Some folks can’t avail themselves of the many levels of tools as I can for whatever reason, but at least they have something. The worst I can see in all this is those who think having some multifunction ubertool makes needing the proper stuff unnecessary.
Mrs. ToolGuyd
” The worst I can see in all this is those who think having some multifunction ubertool makes needing the proper stuff unnecessary.”
When we were at the Grand Canyon earlier this year, I saw a guy taking pictures with his iPhone. I had no words.
Maikeru
I was once asked by a friend (a software engineer who typically proclaims that “[he is] not a hardware guy” when it comes to assemblage of things) why I carry a Leatherman instead of carrying a toolkit in my “Standard Carry Bag” (which holds a miscellany of things like computer connector cables, an L.E.D. converted Maglite, point and shoot camera, etc.). I told him that unfortunately I there are weight and space concerns—even if I carried a mini-socket wrench with a select number of sockets; and I did consider it for a while. The idea is that I have basic functionality on me (Leatherman, junky box-cutter as a temporary E.D.C. knife, cellphone w/ camera, and iPod) and keep adding layers of more specialized functionality. So by the time I’m up to the level of having my car with me, I actually have a few specialized tools in it. Heck, the extremes of this would be this one guy I knew in high school who used to carry a Swiss Army Knife linked to a few matches that were encased in a duct tape packet on his person while he’d carry a Sawzall and a 50 foot extension cord in the trunk of his ’76 Grand Prix “just in case”.
In regards to cameras, I personally I find that while the best camera is the one that you have on you, it can actually be useful to have more than one on one’s self. Just as samurai would often carry more than one blade of a different size/type or a soldier might have more than one gun of a different type each type each camera is best suited for a different purpose (yes the analogy is silly and makes me sound nutty, but it applies).
My prosumer model Nikon gives me the best range, image stabilization, highest quality, a myriad of options under manual mode, the option to use a flash unit instead of pop-up one, and it gets respect when I’m out at a venue—I don’t get bumped into as often as the camera has a more imposing presence than I do. Think of it like a photographer’s version of a katana (long sword) or a scoped assault rifle—it’s the main workhorse and typically the one that you’d want to use whenever possible.
However, the prosumer camera is not one that I’d want to use in situations where I’d want a few discrete shots as everyone spots it and will steer clear of it (or hassle me about it in the case of a museum) unless I’m far off and using the telephoto zoom or misdirecting by looking away. In this case I’ll use my Nikon point and shoot and snag a few quick snaps before quickly dropping it back into a pocket. The point and shoot is also good for maneuverability in situations which are super crowded. One can think about this camera as a photographer’s side-arm like a wakazashi (short sword) or a pistol—quick to draw, easy to use, better in tight environments, and does the job well enough.
In situations that require even more discretion I’ll resort to using my cellphone’s camera. It’s not nearly so pretty and there’s almost always a colour cast to the images, but I can take a shot and act like I’m in the middle of a phone call—good for places that have somewhat restrictive photo taking policies or when you have no other option, but your cell’s camera. This is like a photographer’s tanto (dagger) or survival knife—everything else is generally preferable, effective usage requires very good timing, it’s can be pretty discrete, the results are often a touch messy with a certain amount of clean up needed afterwards, and never expect it to compete with the aforementioned items. In short while one should, “never bring (just) a knife to a gun fight,” one should never bring (just) a cellphone camera to an event if you can bring something more robust.