Rugged, trackable cases for portable refrigerant scales and field tools.
This Reddit post talks about a refrigerant scale that was found on the road, likely dropped from a service truck. One comment really stood out: "I feel for the person who lost it... I had mine stolen once." It highlights how valuable and costly these professional tools can be, and how easily they can be lost or stolen.
Product/Service Opportunity: Specialized protective and anti-theft cases for portable professional field equipment, like refrigerant scales, multimeters, diagnostic tools, and more.
Specific Product Suggestion: A line of "FieldGuard Pro Cases" for various models of portable technician tools.
Key Features:
- Rugged Construction: Made from impact-resistant materials (e.g., reinforced polymer, thick ABS plastic) with shock-absorbing internal padding to protect against drops and harsh field conditions.
- High-Visibility Colors: Available in bright, conspicuous colors (e.g., fluorescent orange, safety yellow, bright green) to make them easily noticeable if dropped on a roadside or worksite.
- Integrated Tracking Device Slot: A dedicated, secure internal or external slot designed to fit popular tracking devices like Apple AirTags or Tile trackers. This allows technicians to easily add their own tracking.
- (Optional) Built-in Basic Tracking: A premium version could include a simple, integrated GPS or Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) beacon for basic location tracking, possibly with a companion app.
- Secure Latching Mechanism: Robust, lockable latches to prevent accidental opening and deter opportunistic theft.
- Customizable Foam Inserts: Options for pre-cut or customizable pluck-foam inserts to snugly fit specific tool models.
- Weather Resistance: Gasket seals to offer protection against dust and moisture.
- Labeling Area: A prominent, protected area for owners to clearly label their cases with contact information.
Expected Benefits:
- Reduced Loss & Theft: Significantly lowers the chances of expensive tools being lost (e.g., falling off vehicles) or stolen, saving technicians hundreds or thousands of dollars in replacement costs.
- Minimized Downtime: Prevents operational delays and lost income that occur when essential tools are missing or damaged.
- Increased Tool Lifespan: Protects sensitive equipment from physical damage, extending its operational life.
- Peace of Mind: Technicians can work with greater confidence knowing their valuable tools are better protected and traceable.
- Potential Insurance Premium Reduction: For businesses, demonstrating enhanced tool security might lead to lower insurance premiums for equipment.
This solution addresses a clear pain point expressed in the discussion—the financial and operational impact of losing expensive, essential field equipment.
Origin Reddit Post
r/tools
Found this in the road, wondering what it's used for.
Posted by u/Johmbud•05/31/2025
Saw it in the road on my way home, recovered it, now I'm curious. It's got a serial number on the back (515398), and the front has an air bubble window with a circle marked in the center. It
Top Comments
u/Liquor_N_Whorez
Makes sense, set the fulcrum level then place the long beam like a teeter totter, cop stands on on end and if the truck doesnt lift off the ground its overweight
u/Taranohare27
Damn i was about to say that
u/Johmbud
Definitely fell off a truck. When I drove past it on my way home, I only saw the case in the road, which was still intact. My house was only about a mile away, so I decided to walk back and c
u/SkewbieDewbie
100% can confirm. If op found it in the road, it probably fell off a service truck and also why the display is missing.
u/Emergency_Meaning968
It was a stool, then I sat on it
u/radioactivegentleman
It’s a Bluepoint portable refrigerant scale model ACT120A. See link. I use refrigerant scales for work but never seen this particular brand. It’s missing the display.
https://ebay.us/m/H1EaX
u/Shake_Ratle_N_Roll
Its the passenger floor panel from Brian O’Conners Eclipse.
u/radioactivegentleman
The brands I use don’t have a bubble level on them so it’s not a requirement, but some high pressure refrigerant tanks are tall and narrow and heavy so they could easily tip over if the scale
u/Johmbud
Interesting. I know it's not a brand you're familiar with, but do you know what the little bubble is for? Is it a requirement to weigh refrigerant on a level surface?
u/Allnewsisfakenews
Danger to manifold.......shut up!
u/Graham_Wellington3
That's Brian's floorboard from the original fast and furious. Nobody has been able to find it! Nice find!
u/fuzzbutton
It’s the cover for a small hand hole for communications. (Like a manhole lid, but smaller, like the size of a small storage tote)
u/Johmbud
I had no idea, thanks for the info. My curiosity is satisfied!
u/meta358
I'm probably not right but it looks like a scale to me. Seen police weigh commercial vehicles on the side of the road with something similar. Never saw one up close though. And don't see how
u/Graham_Wellington3
Sometimes you just gotta be in the right place to get a comment with 4 up votes
u/SkewbieDewbie
I feel for the person that dropped it. Hopefully they realize they lost it before they need it. I found out someone stole mine while prepping for A/C season.