I jumped at the chance to get a Rigel Systems SkyLite Mini in the Group Buy with the CPF sticker..... it arrived today.
I've long been interested in the continuously dimmable Rigel Systems SkyLite (the bigger waterproof version) also in Red/White - and my interest peaked when they introduced the Mini version losing the waterproof but gaining in smaller size and socketed LEDs for easy exchange.
Just when I was on the brink of ordering one - Leon from Rigel posted about the CPF special Group Buy - the timing couldn't have been better, adding the CPF sticker was the real icing.......
As soon as details were confirmed and the stickers ready I ordered one (at 2:02AM 2/02 )
Size -
Components -
Head and LEDs/board -
The LEDs are well recessed in the body behind the square plastic window - this is good detailed design to avoid extraenous light - to least disturb others - remeber this was orignally designed for astronomers who need to preserve their Scotopic human Night Vision. However there is some light leakage through the gaps in the non-sealed parts of the flashlight (I would imagine the full sized waterproof version probably does not have this problem.)
The light levels are controlled by a thumbwheel - which turns the light on and goes from dimmest to brightest. There is a selection switch next to the thumbwheel that changes between Red and White LEDs.
OK, how does this light compare?
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White - both on Brightest Whites
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White - both on Brightest Reds
Seems comparable.....
(brightest) Whites vs. Energizer LED HeadBeam (2x Brighter) on Whites
(brightest) Reds vs. Energizer LED HeadBeam on Red
Again pretty comparable.......
Compare the Red (brightest setting) to a coin cell single 5mm Red LED (clone Photon)
Comparable, maybe the Rigel is a bit brighter........
All this is really MISSING the POINT -
it's not how bright are these lights - although obviously they should be bright enough to be practical -
BUT how DIM will this light go to help least disturb whatever dark adaption one can attain.
Let's start with the Red - the correct color to preserve Scotopic human Night Vision -
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White both on Dimmest Red setting
Man! that is DIM! - the beam doesn't even show up in this comparison photo. But in real-life one can just make out the red light - it is very dim and only really usable close up - but that's EXACTLY what I'd want!
How about white?
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White both on Dimmest White setting -
The Rigel manages to go noticably lower in brightness - however it is not as dim as the Reds would go.....
Compared to my deliberately Dim 20 for $20 coin cell light - salvaged 5mm white LED on single 2016 (or 2032)
So the Rigel will actually get dimmer than a 5mm white LED on only 3volts (1x 2016 or 2032 coin cell)
Dimmness compared to my semi-dark adapation use of old Photon I Yellow
The old Photon I Yellow LED using an old 2032 is still quite a bit brighter than the dimmest white level of the Rigel SkyLite - so this light probably will help a lot in least dusturbing any semi-dark adaption......
I really like this light - it is a serious purpose built tool for keeping one's dark adpation (or at least minimizing any disturbance) - if the low dimmer levels are used correctly......
Being continuously variable/dimmable this will allow me to adjust the level of light to least disturb any semi-dark adaption; or even true scotopic human night vision (very rare) - using the red LEDs. In other words this kind of light will allow me to get the right amount of light suitable for the situation.
I've long been interested in the continuously dimmable Rigel Systems SkyLite (the bigger waterproof version) also in Red/White - and my interest peaked when they introduced the Mini version losing the waterproof but gaining in smaller size and socketed LEDs for easy exchange.
Just when I was on the brink of ordering one - Leon from Rigel posted about the CPF special Group Buy - the timing couldn't have been better, adding the CPF sticker was the real icing.......
As soon as details were confirmed and the stickers ready I ordered one (at 2:02AM 2/02 )
Size -
Components -
Head and LEDs/board -
The LEDs are well recessed in the body behind the square plastic window - this is good detailed design to avoid extraenous light - to least disturb others - remeber this was orignally designed for astronomers who need to preserve their Scotopic human Night Vision. However there is some light leakage through the gaps in the non-sealed parts of the flashlight (I would imagine the full sized waterproof version probably does not have this problem.)
The light levels are controlled by a thumbwheel - which turns the light on and goes from dimmest to brightest. There is a selection switch next to the thumbwheel that changes between Red and White LEDs.
OK, how does this light compare?
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White - both on Brightest Whites
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White - both on Brightest Reds
Seems comparable.....
(brightest) Whites vs. Energizer LED HeadBeam (2x Brighter) on Whites
(brightest) Reds vs. Energizer LED HeadBeam on Red
Again pretty comparable.......
Compare the Red (brightest setting) to a coin cell single 5mm Red LED (clone Photon)
Comparable, maybe the Rigel is a bit brighter........
All this is really MISSING the POINT -
it's not how bright are these lights - although obviously they should be bright enough to be practical -
BUT how DIM will this light go to help least disturb whatever dark adaption one can attain.
Let's start with the Red - the correct color to preserve Scotopic human Night Vision -
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White both on Dimmest Red setting
Man! that is DIM! - the beam doesn't even show up in this comparison photo. But in real-life one can just make out the red light - it is very dim and only really usable close up - but that's EXACTLY what I'd want!
How about white?
vs. eternaLight ergo 3 Red/White both on Dimmest White setting -
The Rigel manages to go noticably lower in brightness - however it is not as dim as the Reds would go.....
Compared to my deliberately Dim 20 for $20 coin cell light - salvaged 5mm white LED on single 2016 (or 2032)
So the Rigel will actually get dimmer than a 5mm white LED on only 3volts (1x 2016 or 2032 coin cell)
Dimmness compared to my semi-dark adapation use of old Photon I Yellow
The old Photon I Yellow LED using an old 2032 is still quite a bit brighter than the dimmest white level of the Rigel SkyLite - so this light probably will help a lot in least dusturbing any semi-dark adaption......
I really like this light - it is a serious purpose built tool for keeping one's dark adpation (or at least minimizing any disturbance) - if the low dimmer levels are used correctly......
Being continuously variable/dimmable this will allow me to adjust the level of light to least disturb any semi-dark adaption; or even true scotopic human night vision (very rare) - using the red LEDs. In other words this kind of light will allow me to get the right amount of light suitable for the situation.
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