The Zebralight H501
And heres the long version.
After work today I decided to go check out some bushland near where I live, to scope out a camping trip. Anyway I looked around, couldnt find the camp site (I didnt take a map, but I was never lost, I just couldnt find the camp site) anyway, after a bit I decided to go home, then I decided I would do a little scenario with my EDC gear to see how well I could cope with just that.
Actual EDC:
Fenix TK10
Zebralight H501
Fenix LD01 SS
Benchmade Mini-Ambush
Leatherman Charge TTI
Mini First-Aid kit (useless, only has a couple of bandaids) but also in that container I have jammed a Bic lighter, tissues and a 1 meter'ish lenth of paracord.
Extra stuff i "conveniently" had (for testing purposes..)
Gerber Tracer headlight
Fenix TK40
Fenix TK20
What happened:
I pulled over on the side of the road, got out of the car and locked it, walked about 20m into the bush and started my "survival" scenario.
It had just been raining, so everything was soaked, but i got a fire going very easily with some paperbark and twigs. Initially I was using the Gerber headlight, which i found to be pretty much hopeless, so I soon swapped over to the Zebralight, and found that on low, its excellent for looking around for firewood etc close to your feet. It rendered the colores MUCH better than the Gerber, thus making it much easier to ensure I was trying to light the fire with dead wood and not green.
I then used the TK40 on turbo for a bit (total overkill, I could have used the TK10 on low just as well) to scout around to find some long bits of wood to start building a lean-to shelter with. After locating them I built myself a quick rudimentary shelter to keep the rain off etc (though it had stopped raining by then anyhow). Shelter building is where the Zebralight really came into its own, its far more difficult to build a shelter if your trying to juggle a hand held torch + sticks etc etc.
While I was off in the bush looking for wood I used the fire to enable me to find my way back to "camp". This very soon because problematic because I was only maintaining a very small fire, and most of the time it was not flaming. The TK40 tailstanding (and pointing at the upmost branches of the largest neighboring tree) on Beacon mode however.... that worked teriffically. I was able to wander a good 100m away from my camp and still locate it easily. I was always carefull to check behind me regularly as i was venturing out that I could still see the torch (also, to make sure noone nicked my very expensive torch..)
Now that I was leaving my TK40 at camp, i was scouting for building materials using the TK10 (on low to conserve battery). One thing the Zebralight just cannot do, even on high, is throw, so i was glad I had the TK10 for this. I would have used the TK20 for this but I had stolen 1 of the batteries for the Zebralight.
Anyway, I got a fire going, got dry (i started off wet) and built myself a nice cosy shelter that I would have been able to sleep in, had I not had to go to work tomorrow, which sadly I do.
So, top 10 lessons learned in dot point form:
1. Of all the torches I own, the one I need most in the bush is the Zebralight. I can do everything with it I need to, though I can do some things better with other torches. However, had I not had the others, I'm sure i still would have done OK, it would have taken a little bit longer to find good ridge poles and what not, but still..
2. The second best torch (assuming no H501) would be the TK20. Good color rendition, plus, due to the rubber grip, i can hold it reasonably well in my mouth.
3. Best secondary torch (assuming I do have the H501) would definitly be the TK40 for its bright beacon, and bright searching capabilities.
4. The first thing I will die of if I am stuck in the bush with my EDC is dehydration. I can cover fire and shelter.
5. I cant really remedy point 4 without carrying around a steel cup everywhere, which I dont see me doing.
6. I should give my Gerber Tracer to someone I dont like for Christmas. All of my other torches are wonderfull.
7. (This one is a lesson from way before today.. but the Bic is a new addition..) Using a lighter to light a fire is easy. Using a firesteel and striker is not (I have never successfully lit a fire with a steel and striker..)
8. The saw on my leatherman is too short to cut anything usefull.
9. If its just stopped raining, and your still 90% dry, dont sit on a wet log. Get the fire going first and try it out then sit.
10. The heat from a fire is only slightly more pleasant than the smoke from it is annoying.
And heres the long version.
After work today I decided to go check out some bushland near where I live, to scope out a camping trip. Anyway I looked around, couldnt find the camp site (I didnt take a map, but I was never lost, I just couldnt find the camp site) anyway, after a bit I decided to go home, then I decided I would do a little scenario with my EDC gear to see how well I could cope with just that.
Actual EDC:
Fenix TK10
Zebralight H501
Fenix LD01 SS
Benchmade Mini-Ambush
Leatherman Charge TTI
Mini First-Aid kit (useless, only has a couple of bandaids) but also in that container I have jammed a Bic lighter, tissues and a 1 meter'ish lenth of paracord.
Extra stuff i "conveniently" had (for testing purposes..)
Gerber Tracer headlight
Fenix TK40
Fenix TK20
What happened:
I pulled over on the side of the road, got out of the car and locked it, walked about 20m into the bush and started my "survival" scenario.
It had just been raining, so everything was soaked, but i got a fire going very easily with some paperbark and twigs. Initially I was using the Gerber headlight, which i found to be pretty much hopeless, so I soon swapped over to the Zebralight, and found that on low, its excellent for looking around for firewood etc close to your feet. It rendered the colores MUCH better than the Gerber, thus making it much easier to ensure I was trying to light the fire with dead wood and not green.
I then used the TK40 on turbo for a bit (total overkill, I could have used the TK10 on low just as well) to scout around to find some long bits of wood to start building a lean-to shelter with. After locating them I built myself a quick rudimentary shelter to keep the rain off etc (though it had stopped raining by then anyhow). Shelter building is where the Zebralight really came into its own, its far more difficult to build a shelter if your trying to juggle a hand held torch + sticks etc etc.
While I was off in the bush looking for wood I used the fire to enable me to find my way back to "camp". This very soon because problematic because I was only maintaining a very small fire, and most of the time it was not flaming. The TK40 tailstanding (and pointing at the upmost branches of the largest neighboring tree) on Beacon mode however.... that worked teriffically. I was able to wander a good 100m away from my camp and still locate it easily. I was always carefull to check behind me regularly as i was venturing out that I could still see the torch (also, to make sure noone nicked my very expensive torch..)
Now that I was leaving my TK40 at camp, i was scouting for building materials using the TK10 (on low to conserve battery). One thing the Zebralight just cannot do, even on high, is throw, so i was glad I had the TK10 for this. I would have used the TK20 for this but I had stolen 1 of the batteries for the Zebralight.
Anyway, I got a fire going, got dry (i started off wet) and built myself a nice cosy shelter that I would have been able to sleep in, had I not had to go to work tomorrow, which sadly I do.
So, top 10 lessons learned in dot point form:
1. Of all the torches I own, the one I need most in the bush is the Zebralight. I can do everything with it I need to, though I can do some things better with other torches. However, had I not had the others, I'm sure i still would have done OK, it would have taken a little bit longer to find good ridge poles and what not, but still..
2. The second best torch (assuming no H501) would be the TK20. Good color rendition, plus, due to the rubber grip, i can hold it reasonably well in my mouth.
3. Best secondary torch (assuming I do have the H501) would definitly be the TK40 for its bright beacon, and bright searching capabilities.
4. The first thing I will die of if I am stuck in the bush with my EDC is dehydration. I can cover fire and shelter.
5. I cant really remedy point 4 without carrying around a steel cup everywhere, which I dont see me doing.
6. I should give my Gerber Tracer to someone I dont like for Christmas. All of my other torches are wonderfull.
7. (This one is a lesson from way before today.. but the Bic is a new addition..) Using a lighter to light a fire is easy. Using a firesteel and striker is not (I have never successfully lit a fire with a steel and striker..)
8. The saw on my leatherman is too short to cut anything usefull.
9. If its just stopped raining, and your still 90% dry, dont sit on a wet log. Get the fire going first and try it out then sit.
10. The heat from a fire is only slightly more pleasant than the smoke from it is annoying.
