Last weeks coolest gadget competition was the closest yet, as I’m typing this it is tied so I’ve reached out to Twitter followers for help decide the final winner (you can follow on Twitter at AlCarlton) and the lead then swapped 3 times before the voting was closed.

The final winner is the SL2 Survival Tool, so congratulations to Gaj-It on their return to winning ways.

The SL2 Survival Tool is a super-tough, compact and lightweight tool that is indispensable for anyone who’s into camping, fishing or hiking, and is an upgrade from our popular SL3.

As well as its sturdy little black and serrated locking ‘A’ grade blade, it comes with a remarkable firesteel (developed by the small, but, no doubt, perfectly formed, Swedish Defense Department) which will light fires with ease even in the wet – it produces an astonishing 3,000°C hot spark. The handle of the firesteel contains a small but powerful waterproof torch, and in the body of the SL2 is a piercing rescue whistle, as well as a handy belt clip. The SL Series Survival Tools make you wonder how anyone survived without them.

Pushed into second place by a solitary vote was the COM-BAT Spy Plane.

The COM-BAT is designed to provide short-term but real-time surveillance and feedback to soldiers in urban combat zones using a collection of sight, sound and smell sensors while running on 1 W of power. The Army is hoping that the spy plane could scavenge power from vibrations, wind and of course the sun, which the University of Michigan has a particular expertise in. The robot they believe is “to be 1,000 times smaller and more energy efficient than systems being used now.”

Well done Eco Talks, you were so close.

Shining into third place we have the Wicked Lasers Torchlight

There something always has been alluring about the lasers, perhaps it’s the idea of a futuristic society and a futuristic way of perpetuating violence, that makes us fall in love with lasers. However, this time it is a laser flashlight brought to you by Wicked Lasers, which can even burn paper easily

Well done Gadgets Blog.

Thanks again to all voters, commentators and submissions (if you wish to be included in this weeks contest submit your story by Thursday (instructions)).

The randomly drawn $50 Amazon voucher for commenting goes to Kris, congrats. The voucher for telling a friend about the contest goes to Dipesh. Massive thanks again to everybody taking the time vote, comment and for spreading the word.