This Smart Mini-Pump Will Become a Go-To Gadget

Silca’s Tattico Bluetooth Mini-Pump puts modern wireless tech to old-school use.

Today’s smartphones control everything from music to fans to lights. Silca’s Tattico Bluetooth Mini-Pump takes it a step further by using wireless tech to tackle a slew of traditional hand pump problems. First, there’s the obvious: Anyone who has used a hand pump on the road knows that it’s an imprecise and infuriating task trying to get the correct pressure (and face it, you’re probably only using a portable pump when you’re already frustrated). By virtue of their design, hand pumps move around a lot, making it hard or impossible to read the tiny little gauge—if there even is one. By using an iOS or Android-compatible app as the readout, you can go nuts on the Tattico and still see the pressure in big readable digits. Without the need for a gauge on the pump, Silca uses the real estate for a more accurate sensor and better pumping mechanicals. We loved the burly aluminum grips and the knowledge that there were no delicate mechanical gauges to break. We also loved knowing that the pressure we saw on our phone was not just some temporary estimate that needed to be verified on our home pump—in fact, the Tattico became our go-to gauge for proper pressure.

A few highlights:

• The Bluetooth transmitter has a user-replaceable CR2032 watch battery and a burly aluminum pump body to ensure a long life.
• Because there is no mechanical display, the sensors can be completely encased in a waterproof, shockproof seal.
• The retractable hose disappears into the handle when not in use.
• Using the iGauge app, you can easily see your pressure in bars or PSI right from your phone. Other helpful features include a ‘set’ function and a battery indicator.

Silca Tattico Bluetooth Mini-Pump

$120; Amazon.com