Light options for trip to Jamaica.

[WDR65]

Headed to Jamaica in November for my honeymoon. The great question comes up "what should I carry?". I have multiple battery options with some variety in the types of lights with each battery (headlamps, throwers, floody edc types). I have no anticipated use but like to have my bases covered.

Part of me wants to carry CR123 based lights with some 16340's. A setup like the following:

Olight H1 headlamp with rechargeable conversion, 16340 inside.
Olight S1 mini with 16340 in the light.
Surefire EB1 200 lumen for throw.
Fenix CL09 lantern

6 CR123 spares in Surefire spares carrier
Foursevens magnetic charger
Olight magnetic charging cable

I think this is a pretty comprehensive setup. I usually prefer a longer distance thrower than an EB1 but it does a fair job for the size.
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Then the worst case scenario guy inside me says that AA lights would make more sense due to the ability to purchase spare AA's while there if we're stuck for some strange reason. Granted it will be at the tail end of hurricane season but that's always a possibility.

With that in mind I thought of the following setup.

Zebralight H52wf.
Olight S1A
Foursevens Quark AA2 X (can't remember the right way to refer to this one but its a 2 AA light with XML emitter, not the click model)
Foursevens Quark AA with Fenix camping diffuser.

4 Energizer lithium AA's.
4 Eneloop's.
Foursevens magnetic charger

This setup lacks a good thrower and I don't tend to buy 2AA lights much anymore that would be better for this. That's a drawback and I don't think this setup is as well rounded as my first.

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I'm fairly certain that I'll be carrying my Surefire Titan A on a neck lanyard. Plus either a Pelican 1910 or a Fenix LD02. I think I'll leave the Titan plus at home.

I thought about doing a AAA option for this whole setup but based on the floody beams most of mine have I know I won't be happy relying on them as my primary light.

I could switch my EB1 for an EB2 with greater throw and the ability to use as a kubotan if that need should arise. I would probably add four more CR123's in another spares carrier.

I'd love to carry 18650 based lights but most of mine are not dual fuel compatible, but all of my 16340 lights are. As I also don't have any set plans that involve nighttime adventures I'm a little less interested in carrying these.

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Anyway, I'm interesting in hearing people's thoughts on the subject. Normally I travel by truck and have all sorts of lights and tools available so paring down even this far is a new experience for me.

 

[Keitho]

I certainly understand the desire to go dual-fuel when traveling. I often go with a AA setup when taking shorter trips by air, because I am draconian about the weight of my bags. But, if I'm going to be traveling more than a few days, I usually go with 18650, and bring a couple 1-cell chargers and a mini solar panel. My thinking is that the AA batteries that are usually readily available can be suddenly difficult/impossible/expensive to obtain, especially if weather or other natural disasters happen. I agree with you that 18650 lights have more capability (especially in throw)--that's part of my reason for taking 18650 lights on longer trips, to keep myself entertained (I sometimes justify bringing a 4x18650 light as a "battery carrier", but really it is mostly a toy that I like playing with sometimes). The runtime of three or 4 18650's, plus the ability to charge them with a wall-wart or a 160-gram solar panel, gives me some confidence that I'll always have light. The ability to use the 18650's as a good power bank for my cellphone gives me additional peace of mind, and the ability to be entertained on my cellphone even if an airplane flight takes an extra few battery-draining hours.

(Don't forget to put a mini 12V charge plug in your luggage, in case you're in a taxi or other vehicle that might allow you to top off a charge. Also, don't forget water filtration--a Sawyer filter is a tiny 3 oz, $30, and could be VERY valuable.)

Have a great trip!

 

[aginthelaw]

Make sure it's waterproof. My brother dropped his Nikon in Dunn's river falls. He's still waiting for it to surface, but if it does, it's probably ruined. I sunk my sea & sea, and it was fine (because it's water proof). My light for some reason isn't. Screws reacted with the sea water

 

[StarHalo]

Pretty sure I'd want warm tint for a honeymoon..

 

[peter yetman]

Yeah, I brought a light to bed early on in our relationship and Mrs.Yeti threw it across the room. Must have been a Mini Maglite I reckon. She probably didn't like the tint.
P

 

[markr6]

Need a GOOD TINT!

 

[Modernflame]

Yeah, I brought a light to bed early on in our relationship and Mrs.Yeti threw it across the room. Must have been a Mini Maglite I reckon. She probably didn't like the tint.
P

And does the Mrs. know about your online viewing material, sir? My wife caught me looking at an HDS last Saturday night. It's been the cold shoulder treatment ever since.

 

[WDR65]

I certainly understand the desire to go dual-fuel when traveling. I often go with a AA setup when taking shorter trips by air, because I am draconian about the weight of my bags. But, if I'm going to be traveling more than a few days, I usually go with 18650, and bring a couple 1-cell chargers and a mini solar panel. My thinking is that the AA batteries that are usually readily available can be suddenly difficult/impossible/expensive to obtain, especially if weather or other natural disasters happen. I agree with you that 18650 lights have more capability (especially in throw)--that's part of my reason for taking 18650 lights on longer trips, to keep myself entertained (I sometimes justify bringing a 4x18650 light as a "battery carrier", but really it is mostly a toy that I like playing with sometimes). The runtime of three or 4 18650's, plus the ability to charge them with a wall-wart or a 160-gram solar panel, gives me some confidence that I'll always have light. The ability to use the 18650's as a good power bank for my cellphone gives me additional peace of mind, and the ability to be entertained on my cellphone even if an airplane flight takes an extra few battery-draining hours.

(Don't forget to put a mini 12V charge plug in your luggage, in case you're in a taxi or other vehicle that might allow you to top off a charge. Also, don't forget water filtration--a Sawyer filter is a tiny 3 oz, $30, and could be VERY valuable.)

Have a great trip!

Keitho,
Good advice, I'll include a filter in my carry on. I'll think on the 18650's, I just bought an Olight H2R and M2R so I have a pair of lights with the same charging system so that may work. I'm just trying not to carry a lot of bulky stuff. I could add those and leave the H1 and maybe the EB1. Or I could just add them to the first list and carry it all. That's the temptation I'm trying to avoid.

Aginthelaw,
I agree about the waterproof angle. Anything I take out near the water will be or in a Pelican case.

StarHalo, Peter-yetman, Markr6 and Modernflame,
I shouldn't have said honeymoon, I knew better. I've gotten a good laugh out of all of you guy's replies though.

 

[sp5it]

It must be funny to see guy with headlamp holding a bong