Recommend me a car escape tool. What are the options?

[koolio]

I don't have one but I remember this thread from last year recommending Lifeline: https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...ough-laminated-glass-car-truck-windows.21764/

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[nevetsyad]

Incorrect!



Both the BRB and the Lifeline will work. I like the BRB as it has some “heft” but is small enough to store in the driver’s door well and comes in a box with cutout foam.

I don't see where they cut a Cybertruck's window, just a regular front car laminated windshield. Do you have the time stamp?

Cybertruck front window is multilayer, laminated borosilicate, ~1mm thick. It has an additional inner layer of ~1mm borosilicate. It's about twice as thick as a regular, sedans, laminated windshield like they demonstrated on in the video.

 

[nevetsyad]

I don't have one but I remember this thread from last year recommending Lifeline: https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...ough-laminated-glass-car-truck-windows.21764/

I think people aren't comprehending how tough Cybertruck glass is. When fire fighters train how to open it with an axe, and they need full swings, repeatedly, to get it to crack even, you're not puncturing it with a hand tool, like these demo videos do. It's not the same.

There's a reason there's only one successful "smash and grab" on a Cybertruck that I'm aware of. They basically folded the window down, I think it was cracked open. But normal puncturing tools don't work on side windows, top glass, etc.

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

Here’s what I have in all of our vehicles:

https://lifelinerescuetools.com/

Works on laminated glass like those on our CT side windows. It’s on the pricier side and bulky compared to most but I decided it was the best for us.

This is the video that made my decision easier:

Looks like they're sold out, but Jay (seems like owner based on my conversation with him) said they're expecting a restock in the next week or two. Very nice, helpful guy. Sounds like he's spoken to a few CT owners already . . . likely based on this post.

If you're able to get him access to a panel of CT glass for testing, you might earn yourself a free tool (priced around $200 per). He's a man of integrity and doesn't want to assert with certainty the tools' viability on CTs without testing them.

Look forward to sending him my business when they restock.

 

[hemiarch]

Good to know

This is THE primary tool I would recommend first, as it is pretty much foolproof since it doesn't rely on any electrical system and is specifically designed to work on modern laminated glass. You need at least (3) primary things in a tool like this: Leverage, punture/penetration, and serrated sawing.

https://www.firstoutrescue.com/index.php/glas-master-glass-removal-tool.html

I would also recommend that you take your family to a junkyard and pre-arrange with the owner to practice on a few junked cars (not sure how much they will want to charge, but maybe $50-100 ??). The most important aspect though is an actual practical application demonstration of how the tool works.

There are a ton of videos out there demonstrating how to perform a field extrication too. Don't bother with any small form factor tools. They will just give you a false sense of safety.

Also, this tool needs to be hard mounted, within reach of the driver. Preferably somewhere that doesn't become deformed during the most likely impacts (think: crushed door, collapsed footwell, etc).

so. Where would one mount something like this?

 

[hemiarch]

I’m leaning still towards the brb. Because I think the ice pick shape (right angle) is more likely to achieve oenetration to the window with good arc to the swing than the straight not so sharp end of the lifeline. Guess I’ll have to wait for them.
I do like the pro tool a lot but I’m not sure where it can be practically stowed near the driver.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Looks like they're sold out, but Jay (seems like owner based on my conversation with him) said they're expecting a restock in the next week or two. Very nice, helpful guy. Sounds like he's spoken to a few CT owners already . . . likely based on this post.

If you're able to get him access to a panel of CT glass for testing, you might earn yourself a free tool (priced around $200 per). He's a man of integrity and doesn't want to assert with certainty the tools' viability on CTs without testing them.

Look forward to sending him my business when they restock.

I am not the owner of Colonel Blades. I only know about their BRB tool. I’ve not received any payment or freebies. I purchased a full-price BRB tool and I am certain that it could be used for cutting and then folding over a Cybertruck passenger window.

Cheers!

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

I am not the owner of Colonel Blades. I only know about their BRB tool. I’ve not received any payment or freebies. I purchased a full-price BRB tool and I am certain that it could be used for cutting and then folding over a Cybertruck passenger window.

Cheers!

They're sold out too, so I've signed up for notification from them as well.

Not doubting your conclusion, but what is your certainty based upon? I have no basis to assess, so asking for educational purposes. It certainly looks wicked enough to do the trick.

 

[hemiarch]

I’ve seen his brb. It’s a vicious looking thing and SUPER high quality. I think the shape lends itself to a pretty hard strike with an arc type swing.

 

[Hookalakupua]

I think people aren't comprehending how tough Cybertruck glass is.

I don’t want to speak for everyone else but I think we all fully understand just how tough the CT glass is and that’s the reason we’ve looked for best available options. They may not be perfect but at least for us, we’d rather have something than nothing. Our assumption is that in a rollover or situation where we can’t exit via the doors, that there’s probably a high likely-hood that the windows would be compromised to some degree. If that’s the case, a tool like the Lifeline or BRB may be all you need. Again, for us, it’s better to have something that gives you a chance, rather than nothing at all.

 

[hemiarch]

I don’t want to speak for everyone else but I think we all fully understand just how tough the CT glass is and that’s the reason we’ve looked for best available options. They may not be perfect but at least for us, we’d rather have something than nothing. Our assumption is that in a rollover or situation where we can’t exit via the doors, that there’s probably a high likely-hood that the windows would be compromised to some degree. If that’s the case, a tool like the Lifeline or BRB may be all you need. Again, for us, it’s better to have something that gives you a chance, rather than nothing at all.

You can definitely speak for me in this respect. Well said.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

They're sold out too, so I've signed up for notification from them as well.

Not doubting your conclusion, but what is your certainty based upon? I have no basis to assess, so asking for educational purposes. It certainly looks wicked enough to do the trick.

I base my opinion on the heft of the tool, the location of the hook-end point, and the placement of the serrated edge.

It is heavy enough to generate substantial impact energy. Transferring that energy from the tool into the glass at the pointy hook will require a number of blows to pierce the glass. Once pierced the pointy end can penetrate the hole, where the location of the serrated edge becomes helpful in that the serrated edge is in the inner curvature of the tool. So practically across many different angles “thrust” and “pull” force allow the serrated/chiseled edges to break small bits of the glass. At this point the user is just “sawing” the glass and continues to do so until whatever point the glass partition can be “bent” over, away from the frame of the vehicle.

I have no doubts that it would allow a user to extricate themselves. It is a hefty tool but not so large as to be unusable.

 

[nevetsyad]

I don’t want to speak for everyone else but I think we all fully understand just how tough the CT glass is and that’s the reason we’ve looked for best available options. They may not be perfect but at least for us, we’d rather have something than nothing. Our assumption is that in a rollover or situation where we can’t exit via the doors, that there’s probably a high likely-hood that the windows would be compromised to some degree. If that’s the case, a tool like the Lifeline or BRB may be all you need. Again, for us, it’s better to have something that gives you a chance, rather than nothing at all.

Seems like false hope to have people buy tools that are very likely useless, especially while upside down and concussed.

The only time a Cybertruck window has been compromised by thieves that I can find, is when one was pulled outward from the top of the drivers side door towards the back. They folded it down and out.

This seems like the best way out. It's frameless, so, try to open door a bit with the manual open if possible. Make some space if it's buried in the ground a bit. Then start kicking/pressing on it in the rear top corner. You'll be upside down "sitting on the roof", so bottom back of vehicle corner. Legs are the most powerful muscle in pretty much anyone's body, decent chance we can snap it and make it fold outward, no tools needed.

I'd love to see a big YouTuber test various methods before having their window replaced, so we know for sure what works or doesn't, before we're in a bad situation. But kicking it out is what looks like the best bet from the data we have so far. That or a fire axe and extreme strength training to generate enough force in the confined space.

 

[REM]

Good to know

so. Where would one mount something like this?

The low profile footwell bin in the center (under the console) would be great I think. strap it down with some screws.

 

[REM]

I’m leaning still towards the brb. Because I think the ice pick shape (right angle) is more likely to achieve oenetration to the window with good arc to the swing than the straight not so sharp end of the lifeline. Guess I’ll have to wait for them.
I do like the pro tool a lot but I’m not sure where it can be practically stowed near the driver.

That would be a great option as well! I would Velcro tie proper gloves with it too.

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