I haven't been on this board in ages so this has probably already been mentioned, I just read something interesting regarding what the belt tool is used for. Apparently according to http://colonialmarines.wikispaces.com/Equipment, It's an A24 Electronic Morphine Administer

This device can administer a controlled shot of morphine, sensors locate the vein and only then will it administer the shot using a hypodermic needle which is encased inside the unit. All Marines are issued one of these as standard kit, most however prefer to carry more. It is usually carried clipped to a belt on the M3 Combat Webbing belt, for easy access.

Has this been discussed before and is this accurate? Personally, I think it's a pretty good explanation if know one still knows what it's used for.

I like that. Makes sense. Field troops (WWII/Vietnam) used to carry vials of morphine sulphate in easy-to-reach places, as well as field dressings.

Could be good, but only works if every Marine carries at least one of them.
I can't recall if they do...

Everyone but Ski did carry at least one. That is an interesting theory.

VERY recetently (Only 4 topics down!) this was discussed. Page 1 started as a guy on ebay selling originals, but near the bottom of page 2 through page 4 the theories start flying. Bunch of good ones there.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12853&start=25


Side question, who runs the colonial marines wikispace? Is it like regular wiki where anyone can edit and add? If so, I'd take anything it says with a grain of salt, but again, that theory seems just as plausible as any of the others!

you know i will use this as what it is for sure. and now im glad to have 2 cuz you never know when you will need morphine.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

Seems like a really big unit for a morphine injector. Epi-pens for allergic reactions aren't that big, neither were morphine syrettes like the ones used in WW II.

I think this is just another "theory" as plausible as anyone else's.

It's all conjecture until James Cameron tells us what it is.

Yes it has, and no it isn't.

There has been absolutely no official explanation as to what the belt tool is for. Everything is conjecture. The bottom line is that it was simply dressing to flesh out the Marine's kit.

Past explanations have included that it is:

-A grenade (I believe this answer came from Cynthia Scott, so as much as it might not make sense as the Marine's already have M40 grenades, it is the closest to an "official" answer we have gotten.)

-A remote detonator (such as for a modern claymore mine)

-An Atropine auto-injector (to combat the effects of nerve gas)

-A universal charging device (such as for the Motion Tracker, welder or Pulse Rifle as the Smartgun battery has a similar design.)

-Some kind of medical dermal regeneration device (synthetic skin?)

And now this.

No answer is better than another, so as far as I am concerned, whatever makes the most sense to the individual works for me.

It's like the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.


Kevin

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Oh, I just thought it was a pop gun

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http://www.tentaclechris.com

^ that + 1 lmao

I am so shocked and appalled at this statement I can only reply in a video response:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT-4mZJA ... e=youtu.be


Kevin

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

It would be very interesting to know just what Cameron's thoughts on it are/were, though we may never know.

Until he decides to share that nugget of trivia with the rest of the Aliens-loving world, I believe I'll stick with the idea that it's a charging unit, for pulse rifles and possibly other pieces of equipment, due to it being based on the same found object as the M56 smartgun battery, which has been established.

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

But do we even know for sure that it is a smart gun battery ? Ok she pulls it on request to disable the weapon but do we know it's a battery ?

Well, if Mr Harris suggests it's a smart gun battery (refer to main index under "S"), that's convincing enough for me. I believe the USCM Tech Manual also refers to it as a DV9 Battery (for the smart gun). As Dom said, though, whatever James Cameron wants to call these props would undoubtedly settle it once and for all... and we still may never know the answer to that!
http://www.harryharris.com/clip.htm
http://www.harryharris.com/popgun.htm
http://www.harryharris.com/mm.htm

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Being easily accessible on the belt, 'protruding' if you will means it must be something that must be just that...easily accessible.

Battery, medical device....all of them are plausible as both will be needed in a hurry.
What's not plausible...is pop-gun.
That's official, I saw it on YouTube

I'm going to go with 'charging unit/battery' because the housing is the same as the Smartgun battery but with a different connector...thus used for the same thing on different items.

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That's really the most compelling feature about it that makes me think so too. The medical instrument theory may be plausible, but I just imagine that a hypospray or something along the lines suggested would likely be carried in a protective pouch rather than clipped to one's web belt where it might be subject to damage or loss. Not at all good in a critical emergency.

A charging unit on the other hand would, as you mentioned, need to be easily accessible, but if damaged or lost, a Marine could just borrow one from another grunt if needs be, which might explain why some Marines carried spares.

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

No-one likes my grape jelly dispenser theory?

Shucks

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2nd Lt Jon "Jaylo" Lopez
A11/TQ1.0.72144E1
USCM Quality Assurance Division- Aerospace and Space Products- Earth
"Checklists Save Lives- No Service Stations at 30,000ft"

The 'belt tool' with the two stereo plugs is no doubt a smart gun battery.

If the belt tool were a medical device, I'm sure Hicks or Hudson would have used it when they were both sprayed with acid?

As mentioned above its certainly a prop and nothing more, probably because they didnt expect people like us to be discussing it nearly 30 years later

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Cpl Ade Philpott
A08/TQ1.0.62145E1
UKCM XO 501st Regt. 1st Batt. The Bucketheads

"Game over man!"

I tend to agree on this point, particularly since on the second dropship...



... we see Hicks inject himself with a different device.

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support

Most likely, Cameron and the others who made all of this gear probably thought it looked cool hanging off of the Marine gear, and thusly, had not thought far enough ahead as to what it actually was supposed to be.

It could have a wide variety of uses though, that much is clear, but I specifically mean this one device being sort of like a muti-tool of some sort in the future. For something like that, Morphine could be one function of the device, and besides, just because they never showed Hudson or Hicks use it in the Colony does not by any means they didn’t use it, in a "real life" sort of scenario. So yes, it could dispense Morphine, AND Grape Jelly for the Marine on the go perhaps.

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"Tyranny will know our name, for we will carve it into his forehead."

No ground to give...not 1 inch... Major T. Gunn

I did some heavy searching for an answer to this thing as it has been largely ignored as all spotlights are on the M41 and stuff. I agree with Synthias "hand grenade" partly as that is the only first hand answer we have. It also corresponds with following notes:

- According to Bien the costume dressing team was very detailed with what the equipment was. This is interesting as If any one get in touch with some of the marines we might get some more answers of the other pouches and stuff.

- No detail would escape Camerons eye. He was extremely precise about everything and knows his military stuff.

- The "Tool" is located on marines were the larger TNT/CS grenades is placed on Cameron marine equipment illustration used by the dress department.

- Apone have most of the "tools" (iirc). Matthews was in Vietnam and carries them in correct places for hand grenades.

- Looking closely at the "tools" there is a safety ring holding the "spoon" handle down and red button on top. Not far off from what one could imagine a future hand grenade with safety and primer, especially as the M-40 also have a primer on top in presumably similar size.

- Although the M-40 can be used to prime manually as shown, its primary use for the grenade launcher it should not overshadow the fact that dedicated hand grenades can be around although not not used in the movie.

- What standard piece of "ready to use" equipment do you expect to see on a marine in full combat gear that is multiple in numbers except ammunition? ..... Condoms? Cigarettes? Cammo paint sticks??? Come on guys =)

- Distributing more then a dozen "morphine ejectors" to people (some wearing multiple) with dubious medical training is very dangerous. It is a nice idea if you only saw the movie once but no, sorry. Besides what do you think Dietrichs role is??

The smart gun battery clip is another piece of equipment in the way that its connected to the smart gun just like the backs of the TV sets on on the corridor set dressing, as well as everything else the set department cooked up to make things look cool.

/ Jonsey

I kinda like the hand grenade idea, especially if it were a mini thermonuclear device! Seriously though, it would be very interesting to ask any of the cast members what they remember about the belt tool's purpose. As you said, Cameron was/is not one to make casual choices about anything, especially regarding equipment details, so everything was there for a specific purpose. I'd sure like to know without a doubt what he intended them to be!

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

Personally I think you'd be asking the wrong person. From the interviews I've seen with people involved in the prop making, they had concept drawings but were left alone to create something for Jim's approval. The flamer bottle has a corrigated tea cake holder around it for detailing that was then cast for the actual props for example.

The pulse Rifle grenades doubles up as grenades so why double up? Why can't people be content in thinking its just a prop with actually no practical use? They were probably looking for something to hang off the belts to make it a little more busy, and found this cheap option with a handle that can clip straight to the belt. That's why some people have 3, it's just costume dressing.

One day I hope we find out once and for all

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Cpl Ade Philpott
A08/TQ1.0.62145E1
UKCM XO 501st Regt. 1st Batt. The Bucketheads

"Game over man!"

I think it's anything except a grenade.


Kevin

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

I suppose they could always be smoke grenades - is there any reference to the pulse-rifle firing smokes?

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Weyland Yutani Corp. Bio-Weapons Division - "Superior Weapons through Superior Genetics"