So this week I finally got my hands on the Brady 4 system. Been hearing buzz about it forever, decided to bite the bullet and see what the fuss is about myself.
Okay, get this: box arrives Tuesday morning. Way more compact than I thought it would be. Unpacked the main unit, charger, and this little magnetic card holder thing. Felt solid, not cheap plastic – good first sign. Plugged it in right at my cluttered garage workbench. Simple setup, just peel off some protective films and power button on the back.
First thing I did? Tried putting my shop access card in the magnetic holder. Click. Held tight. Took my key fob with the access card dangling and slammed it down hard onto the bench – okay, maybe too excited. Card stayed put. Did it again. Still stuck. Impressive little magnets. Started tossing other metal bits like loose screws and washers at it – yep, held. That magnetic card holder is no joke.
Putting It Through the Wads
Next day, Wednesday. Used it out in the yard while prepping garden beds. Had it hooked on my belt – no bulky holder needed, clipped right on my tool loop. Got caught in a sudden drizzle. No biggie, wiped it off, kept working. Sprayed it accidentally later with the hose while cleaning tools. Still chugging. Just shook the water off. Later that afternoon, smacked it real good against the shed doorframe walking past. Grimaced, checked it. Nothing. Not even a scratch. Tougher than my old one by miles. Okay, point one: this thing shrugs off everyday beatings like a champ.
Digging Into the Files… Or Trying To
Thursday morning I tackled the filing system everyone talks about. Pulled out a stack of old project notes and supplier cards – total mess. Popped in the basic cards Brady provided. Thing lit up. Scanned a card using the button. Asked for a few details: Supplier Name? “Bob’s Hardware.” Category? Chose “Materials Suppliers.” Hit save. Instantly showed me Bob’s card clear as day on the screen. Did this for ten random cards super quick.
Then I intentionally messed up. Put a client meeting note in upside down and backwards. Scanned it. Screen flashed red “Unclear.” Okay, flipped it the right way. Scanned perfectly. Typed in “Meeting – Johnson Project,” chose the “Projects” category. Boom. Saved. Next, scanned a faded, stained receipt I found. Still pulled the main text off it enough to file under “Expenses.” Point two: this filing feels ridiculously fast and hard to mess up. Searched for “Bob” later, popped up instantly.
That Battery Just Won’t Quit
Now the battery. Remember I charged it Tuesday morning? Used it hard Wednesday and Thursday – scanning cards, adding notes, checking files while out in the yard and garage. Played around way more than I usually would. Friday afternoon rolls around, 3pm-ish. My phone is begging for a charger. Glanced at the Brady 4 battery icon… Still showed over half full! Used it Saturday morning too before finally plugging it in late Saturday afternoon after finishing my log. Point three: battery life is kinda insane.
Been a week now. What sticks? Honestly: dropping cards in the holder and knowing they ain’t falling off, slamming into things without sweating a cracked screen, and completely forgetting I need to charge it because it just lasts.
So yeah, that’s the raw take. Those top three? They earned their hype on my bench this week. Anyone else found one feature they use way more than they expected?