Laser-guided Trimmer Gives Us Ideas for Other Laser Gadgets

Even those of us who don't have any practical experience with firearms likely has played a game where a laser sight proved useful in aiming precision. For the pacifists, some power cutting tools come with a laser line guide to aid in cutting straight lines. Of course, both of those applications are for limited use – but what if we could apply lasers to more things?

I asked myself that after I learned about the Philips BT9295. It's an electric clipper and it worked excellently for beard trimming, or those getting ready to keep things neat while participating in Movember. What makes it unique is that it has a laser guide just to make sure you're not shaving off more than you intend to. The laser can help neat groomers to make a straighter or more precise line, as the laser on the Philips is perfectly parallel to the cutting edge. While not a revolutionary change in shaving, it did make things easier – and really, isn't everything cooler with lasers? That got us thinking: what else would be better with lasers?

For us system builders, why not put a laser sight on a screwdriver? Sure, it may not be an essential addition, but neither are laser guides on many things. It would just make life easier – and lasers are just damn cool, regardless of what they're attached to. For a tool that requires more precision, such as a solder iron, would a laser be better appreciated there?

We tried a few applications with a laser pointer. First, with a screwdriver:

Then we wanted something that has a trigger and shoots stuff – so, a can of compressed air:

Share your ideas and feedback with us in the comments below!

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Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • bochica
    A laser guided Cat Launcher would be very effective.
    Reply
  • Tech savory
    how about where your tires will be so you can avoid potholes/stay in your lane.
    Reply
  • razor512
    Laser guided knife with 20x scope with built in range finder.
    Reply
  • blackmagnum
    Wear it on your belt so you don't miss the honey pot.
    Reply
  • Darkk
    Laser pointer from a ceiling in a garage towards the windshield so you can see the sweet spot on your dashboard while parking.
    Reply
  • RooD
    A laser on your laser so you can be accurate while being accurate
    Reply
  • drummerdimitri
    Interesting application for a laser, but why would you need one in that case? It's not like you're trying to shave from a distance, so the edge of the blade, which happens to be straight just like that laser line is the only thing you need to know exactly where you are cutting when placed on your face. That makes it completely pointless unless you can shave with that laser beam. That would be awesome!
    Reply
  • djorgji
    Laser instead of high beam so you can blind the suckers that drive with high beams.
    Reply
  • CrArC
    There's a guy in the office who needs one for his knob because he keeps pissing all over the toilet floor. WHY. WHY DOES HE DO THAT.
    Reply
  • VictorLimaMike
    Laser guided toilet paper...admit it, you all know you've gotten poo on your finger at one point or another.
    Reply