A large part of our work here at XSReviews involves getting up close and personal with bits of electronics. Sure, we can review gadgets by just using them, but often the real insights come when you actually take things apart. That’s why I’m excited to have a look today at the Taylor M Electronics Toolkit Plus from Speedlink.
This tiny screwdriver set comes nicely presented in a small metallic storage case, which accommodates 10 bits and the aluminium-and-plastic bit holder.
Here are the bits you’re provided with:
- Torx: T3, T4
- Philips: PH00, PH0, PH1
- Slotted: 1.5mm, 1.7mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm
- Pentalobe: TS1
Each bit feels relatively well constructed and is clearly labelled so you can easily find bits of a certain size. The case itself is well designed too, with foam padding cut precisely to hold each part. The case zips open and closed easily, and is a pocketable 66 x 105 x 21 millimetres.
We tested out the toolkit by fiddling with that we had lying around. We:
- unscrewed an iPhone using the Pentalobe bit
- tightened up some spectacles with a slotted bit
- loosened up a Rubik’s cube with the Philips head
- struggled to find anything that had Torx screws
In each instance, we found that the toolkit worked pretty well. The shaft of the bit holder provides enough grip for tight screws to be loosened without difficulty, and the nearly inch-long length of the bits made it possible to work in recessed areas. The rotating plastic cap is another nice inclusion, as it means you can push the toolkit into the palm of your hand, then rotate in either direction one-handed.
The toolkit is listed as being suitable for opening up PCs, but we’d probably recommend a larger screwdriver for this purpose. Most PC screws these days are larger Philips screws, so this toolkit is a little undersized. However, for opening up smaller gadgets and peripherals, this toolkit works well.
How about value for money? It goes for €15 in MediaMarkt, which seems like a fair price. It’s not the most feature-filled toolkit, but it feels well made and it is well-suited for its intended purpose. The cheapest I can find it in the UK is £20, which becomes a little expensive compared to domestic alternatives… but regardless, this is a nice compact toolkit that should appeal to anyone that likes to tinker with phones, handheld consoles and other small electronic items.
