Soldier headlamp question

[razorsdescent]

Ok so i am a soldier and im currently serving in afghanistan. Im having a surefire Saint sent my way. Now theres only one problem i need a red lense filter now. I just kinda took for granted that every head lamp had a red lense filter since every lamp ive had in the military has had a red lense filter. This is important because im in a fob very close to the pakistani border and at nights we go lights out so no white lights aloud. Ive been going nuts thinking of a way to change the light color, i dont much fancy coating the lense with red sharpie, but just short of that im gonna have a 200 dollar flashlight im not allowed to use :(

Im an active member on a few knife forums and this orums name gets thrown around alot so i thought i might give it a try. Sorry to be asking stupid questions on a first post. If any of you guys know of a red lense filter for the saint it would be quite helpful, even tho ill feel stupid for not finding it on my own.

 

[Balefire]

I don't think that there is a red filter available for the Saint (Surefire has reportedly said that there are no plans to develop one, either) and it's such a strange shape that it might be hard to modify an existing filter to fit.

What I would do is buy a sheet of the red filter material used to change the color of lights for photography/theater and cut a piece to shape, then tape it down with electrical tape so that it covers the lens.

You can find a selection of the filter sheets at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=rosco+red+filter&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

Note that they do decrease light output (the more "stops" the filter has, the redder the light will be, but the more light you lose) but there's no getting around that unless you want to permanently modify your light.

 

[Yucca Patrol]

Here's an idea for a red filter you can probably find anywhere in the world.

Any chance you can come across a car's broken tail-light?

A piece of that red plastic cut to size and some electrical/duct tape and you should be good to go.

 

[Owen]

What I would do is buy a sheet of the red filter material used to change the color of lights for photography/theater and cut a piece to shape, then tape it down with electrical tape so that it covers the lens.

You can find a selection of the filter sheets at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=rosco+red+filter&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I was thinking along the lines of taking the lens out of a F05 filter and taping it on there, but that is a GREAT idea:thumbsup:

 

[Casper507]

I got a headlamp from Lowe's for around 12 bucks while down at Ft. Bragg.
My buddy said they were real useful. Move switch left for red LED-move switch right for white. lasts for hours and hours on a few AAA batteries. The red LEDs in it use up very little power but are much more efficient than a red filter. I have a cheap five mode spiderfire that is around 200 lumens on high but it puts out less than 30 lumens in appearance after putting in a red lens cut down from a minimag kit. Something about the wavelength of the white LEDs and the red filter REALLY cuts down the light output. (May be because red actually absorbs alot of light which is why it is hard to see red cloth in dim light.)

 

[Casper507]

This is important because im in a fob very close to the pakistani border and at nights we go lights out so no white lights aloud. Ive been going nuts thinking of a way to change the light color, i dont much fancy coating the lense with red sharpie, but just short of that im gonna have a 200 dollar flashlight im not allowed to use :(

No offense but I'd like to remind all that light discipline means:

-All lights used under cover and invisible from outside FOB. (Think of the black out convoy lights on the tactical vehicles.)
-Red lights are used while under cover to preserve night vision. Working in the HQ for Division we usually worked in white light under total cover and spent 20-30 minutes adjusting vision outside before moving around in dark outside.
-The red light can still be seen from a distance and is only limited by the amount of light/lux it is putting out. (I've actually encountered soldiers who believed if they used red lights they couldn't be seen.:eek: Usually if you point out to them they can see the red light the enemy can too the appropriate light will go off. :ohgeez: Again no offense but watch what others are doing wrong and make corrections as needed.)


The rule I learned in law enforcement training is if it's dark keep it dark, if it's light then LIGHT IT UP. (That means hit it with appropriate lumen to light up the whole room in general. In Military it may also mean use full auto/artillery/Hellfire missiles as appropriate but that wasn't in the law enforcement program. :twothumbs)

If you can find a low powered single red led battery vampire it could produce a few lumens from "dead" Cr123s for hours on end......
Nite Ize has a head band with elastic for sliding the flashlight in and attaching it to your head. I wish I could find a low output red LED bulb to replace the pill in a RC-A4 but then I'd probably get it mixed up with the one I have modified with a MCE 3 mode with strobe. :duh2:

Good luck and hope you all come back safe.

 

[depusm12]

razorsdecent

I have a Petzl Tac Tikka with a red lens I would be willing to let you have if your interested. Here is a link to the specs from Cabela's website http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...160_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat20160&rid=. If you interested send me a email and I'll send it out to you. My email info is in the Vcard profile.

 

[angelofwar]

use one of the red filters from the mini mag acessories kit...just a small dab of glue around the edges should work...if ya can't get it over there, send me your apo and i'll send ya one. be safe.

 

[hopkins]

borrowing a red tail light lens from a disabled vehicle may be the ticket.
You could make several and keep them handy, in case anyone else is in the same situation.

 

[ki4hou]

I got a headlamp from Lowe's for around 12 bucks while down at Ft. Bragg.
My buddy said they were real useful. Move switch left for red LED-move switch right for white. lasts for hours and hours on a few AAA batteries. The red LEDs in it use up very little power but are much more efficient than a red filter. I have a cheap five mode spiderfire that is around 200 lumens on high but it puts out less than 30 lumens in appearance after putting in a red lens cut down from a minimag kit. Something about the wavelength of the white LEDs and the red filter REALLY cuts down the light output. (May be because red actually absorbs alot of light which is why it is hard to see red cloth in dim light.)

This occurs because a white led is actually a combined red, blue, and yellow led. The colors produced are very narrow banded so when fitting a red filter you are basically blocking out two thirds of the light being produced. When you filter incandescent light its not nearly as noticable because the light being produced is very wide banded in wavelength.
About the headlight the best option for performance would be to try to order a red led and replace the oem one. Being in the field thats not an option though. Probably the best and most versatile option in my opinion would be to use the theater color film.

 

[GMLRS]

Send Surefire a message, Im sure they would like your story, and send you suggestion or a solution.

 

[AndyStroup]

I own a Saint and the idea of the red film has got to be the way to go. Because the saint can swivel 360 degrees, it should be easy to apply and to get the tape secured so you have no accidental white light mishaps should the film come off.