Gear Clamps: what are they for?

[The Diehard Bard]

I don't understand the utility of Gear Clamps. Are they just to make it difficult for people to pick pocket you? Does armor normally not have pockets? Please help me wrap my head around these things!

[Justin Norveg]

*cheesy advertisement music*

Without gear clamps

move action: I move up to the fire.

standard action: I take out the fire extinguisher.

*fire WHOOSHES up in the ysoki's face*

Next round, standard action, I put the fire out *blink blinks around scorched fur*

With gear clamps

Move action: I move up to the fire drawig the extinguisher as I go because the gear clamp lets you draw it as a weapon

Standard action: I put out the fire

Next round: I am NOT all burned and singey.

[The Diehard Bard]

Oh boy.
The Gear Clamp just clicked, spun, tugged, and twisted its way into my heart!

[Themetricsystem]

The Diehard Bard wrote:

Oh boy.

The Gear Clamp just clicked, spun, tugged, and twisted its way into my heart!

Oh boy, Gear Clamp, it's a good one alright! Almost as popular as Mr. Weapon Cord or eons past!

[The Diehard Bard]

It’s really a shame we lost that technology during the gap.

[ElPorcupine]

I thought if you have a BAB of at least +1 you could pull any item out during a move action? (CRB Pg. 247) Is there a limit to how many items you are allowed to have at "easy access?"

[HammerJack]

You thought incorrectly, I'm afraid. Having a BAB of +1 or better allows you to draw a weapon as part of a move action, not any object.

Drawing other objects as though they were weapons (meaning that you can do it during movement, or as a swift action with the Quick Draw feat) is one of the benefits of the Starfinder Backpack or a Gear Clamp. Other items can still be drawn as a move action, but not while moving. See the two actions from CRB page 247 quoted below.

Quote:

Draw or Sheathe a Weapon

Drawing a weapon so that you can use it in combat or putting it away so that you have a free hand requires a move action. This action includes activating or deactivating the weapon. This also applies to weapon-like objects that are easily accessible, such as remote controls and most tools or sensors you can carry and use with one hand. If your weapon or weapon-like object is stored in a pack or otherwise out of easy reach, you must instead retrieve it as a stored item before you can use it (see Manipulate an Item below).
Exception: If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you can combine drawing or sheathing a weapon or weapon-like object with moving up to your speed as a single move action.

Quote:

Manipulate an Item

Moving or manipulating an item is usually a move action. This includes retrieving or putting away a stored item, picking up an item, moving a heavy object, and opening a door.