24/7/365 Waterproof Neck Carry Light

[kramer5150]

Thanks for sharing... I frequently wear a gerber tempo on a surefire lanyard. Although its a little too heavy for 24/7. Although it is comfy to wear under my shirt while I sleep. Its great for camping as well as all the things you already mentioned.


Sometimes I wear it up high like this...


:twothumbs

 

[applevision]

Thanks for sharing... I frequently wear a gerber tempo on a surefire lanyard. Although its a little too heavy for 24/7. Although it is comfy to wear under my shirt while I sleep. Its great for camping as well as all the things you already mentioned.
:twothumbs

Hey kramer5150, that's awesome! You are ahead of the curve and that's a nice little light. 😎

If you could make changes to the tempo (even major ones like size/shape/weight, etc) what would they be? Would you also end up with a light like the FireFli?

 

[kramer5150]

They really don't make a "perfect" 1AAA low lumen task light that fits all my needs... sigh. Here's my cheers and jeers about the tempo.

Cheers
-Standard AAA battery type (I get these for free at work)
-Conservatively rated runtime and accurate Lumen output specs on the packaging (something that nearly EVERY chinese light gets wrong).
-5~6 hours of regulated output from an alkaline, + 1-2 more candle hours as cell depletes.
-Lanyard hole is centered at the end of the light, PERFECT for neck-carry.
-6 Floody lumens is perfect for my needs, and even too bright at times. Easily lights up a large room or tent with night dilated vision.
-Light
-water resistant
-I think its a Nichia CS, a GS would be a nice upgrade.
-Nice twist switch engagement, firm and not sloppy or spongy feeling, with GOOD thread length. It takes a good 5-6 turns to take the tailcap off.
-Good color choice IMHO.
-Cheap ($10) and B&M availability at REI and some Sports Authority stores.

Jeers
-Anodize is very thin and scratches easily
-I would prefer a twistie-head with solid body tube, rather than a tailcap twistie.
-Better emitter centering quality form light to light. I had to take my first one back because the LED aim was WAY off... very annoying IMHO. Because of this I have a hard time recommending it as a www purchase. You need to inspect the led for centering in person.
-Bezel opening could be open wider to obstruct less light, like the ultra infinity.
-"reflector" area could be brushed or better yet stainless like the Inova X1 or Leatherman Serach light.
-Glass window would be nice to protect LED and further enhance water resistance.
-2 O-rings around the tailcap instead of just one to improve water resistance.
-Smaller overall length would be a bonus, its about the size of a AA battery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nHrLU6VfN4

 

[kramer5150]

Hey kramer5150....Would you also end up with a light like the FireFli?

Actually the firefly would come close to my ideal light if it had a glass lens to protect the LED.

 

[CARNAL1]

I carry the ARC AAA-P (CS) on my neck lanyard. It is tough, light, and waterproof. The lanyard I use is this one http://www.brightguy.com/products/Neck_Lanyard.php. It is light and you don't even know that you're wearing it until you need it. Good luck with your search.

H.D.T. = Happy Dark Trails

 

[applevision]

Actually the firefly would come close to my ideal light if it had a glass lens to protect the LED.

Thanks--that's good stuff.

I will add you to the interest list if that is okay. (Not only is it non-binding in any way, there is not even a prototype of a project yet--but let me know if you want me to take your name off.)

 

[kramer5150]

Thanks--that's good stuff.

I will add you to the interest list if that is okay. (Not only is it non-binding in any way, there is not even a prototype of a project yet--but let me know if you want me to take your name off.)

thats just fine... thanks... FWIW I have a Fenix E01 on order too😀

 

[applevision]

I carry the ARC AAA-P (CS) on my neck lanyard. It is tough, light, and waterproof. The lanyard I use is this one http://www.brightguy.com/products/Neck_Lanyard.php. It is light and you don't even know that you're wearing it until you need it. Good luck with your search.

H.D.T. = Happy Dark Trails

Thanks CARNAL1, I've always been a fan of the ARC lights.

Good news update: I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by some kind CPFers! I have a FireFli on the way! I am super-excited and will post some thoughts about it asap. In the meantime... I am still hoping to take this really amazing little idea and move it forward still... so I will keep y'all posted here...

:twothumbs

 

[moeman]

add me to your list applevision, please...

i had a firefli for years, but i ended up sending it to someone in Argentina and have missed it since.

i really dont know why they stopped making them. they were great!

 

[applevision]

add me to your list applevision, please...

i had a firefli for years, but i ended up sending it to someone in Argentina and have missed it since.

i really dont know why they stopped making them. they were great!

Added! Thanks, moeman. The more I walk around wearing a light at all times, the more I am realizing an entire new world of possibility. I don't mean to be melodramatic, but this is pretty awesome stuff! 😀

 

[OrlandoLights]

A worthy quest, interesting to read about and easy to identify with. If you find a maker, count me in.

 

[todo]

I've been wearing a neck light 24/7 for the past 3 years. It started with photon freedoms then a year with a Rex light which is great and perfect size. But a few weeks ago decided that since I'm so acclimated to having a light around my neck why not try for something a bit bigger but also more usefull. Keeping in mind that thin is in when it comes to neck lights, IMO single AAA battery size is max for a light your gonna carry 24/7 under shirt. Anything thicker than that and its gonna show and also be uncomfortable.

So for the last 3 weeks I've been carrying a LODce with a lithium. It took a bit to get used to the bigger than photon size light but I keep it under my shirt and its completly invisisible, and I no longer know its there until I need it. The only time I remove it is in the morning when I shower, yes its waterproof but I dont like the wet lanyard. Other than that its on 24/7... yes I sleep with it on.

The advantages of the LOD are the lithium battery which last for weeks and are light weight. Also the LOD is much more capable light than the photons. But it still has a low enough low to be perfect around the house at night.

I use the very slim lanyard that comes with the photons for my LOD, attach a tiny split ring to the LOD and just double loop the string thru the ring. anything extra like snaps or clips on the light snags cloths and hair.

A neck light MUST be a bite light so in order to make the LOD bitable, a wrap of Tommy Tape (self fusing silicone tape) is wraped
around both ends of the light. This gives a nice firm grip to bite onto and the other wrap being on the head makes for a nice grip to single handidly turn the head. The tape is black and the light is black black lanyard its a nice looking package even though its tucked away under my shirt.

My lanyard is 14inch. Just the right length to quickly snatch from under my shirt, then either hand hold or bite for hands free operation.

I can't count the number of times my neck light has been a very SERIOUS help, and the hundreds of times its been a big help.

Once you get used to having a neck light you will never be without.

 

[applevision]

A worthy quest, interesting to read about and easy to identify with. If you find a maker, count me in.

Thanks OrlandoLights, you are added. 😀

I've been wearing a neck light 24/7 for the past 3 years. It started with photon freedoms then a year with a Rex light which is great and perfect size...
A neck light MUST be a bite light so in order to make the LOD bitable, a wrap of Tommy Tape (self fusing silicone tape) is wraped around both ends of the light. This gives a nice firm grip to bite onto and the other wrap being on the head makes for a nice grip to single handidly turn the head. The tape is black and the light is black black lanyard its a nice looking package even though its tucked away under my shirt...

I can't count the number of times my neck light has been a very SERIOUS help, and the hundreds of times its been a big help.
Once you get used to having a neck light you will never be without.

todo this is fantastic. I am so with you on this. For me, the LOD would be a bit on the big side, but with the Li battery would be very light. I could totally see this as being an incredible 24/7/365 light. I also like the point about the bite light. I'm hoping that the custom light that we/they come up with is easily biteable though it will likely be raw Ti. One thing I like, however, about just turning on the light and letting it dangle from my neck is that it gives a nice area light around you. Not to get too geeky around here, but it reminded me so much of this videogame called Diablo. There, your character has a light radius in these dark dungeons... and it feels like that in a way:

Anyway, super geek-out, I know, but what a neat experience walking around a pitch black basement with a small halo of light!

 

[Uriah]

Add me to your list also
Thanks

 

[applevision]

Add me to your list also
Thanks

Done! Thanks Uriah!

 

[ruriimasu]

apple,
how about this light? it looks smaller than a firefli and does seem waterproof. looks like a twistie too. saw it from kaidomain.

 

[applevision]

apple,
how about this light? it looks smaller than a firefli and does seem waterproof. looks like a twistie too. saw it from kaidomain.

Wow, ruriimasu, a very interesting find!

...............Length..........Diameter........... ........Volume:
Firefli........38mm............7mm................ ......1462mm^3
Eddie........50mm............10mm................. ....3926mm^3
Wee..........34mm............15mm................. ....6007mm^3
Nano.........37mm............13mm................. ....4910mm^3
LaPetit.......23.25mm.......14.25mm............... ..3681mm^3
Mako.........68mm............13mm................. .....9024mm^3
KD............42mm.............10mm....................3299mm^3

This is only 4mm longer and 3mm wider than the FireFli! Holy guacamole. This is a neat light! I am going to order a bunch and check them out...

Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it. Hopefully my FireFli will be here soon and I will do a comparo... Of course, I'm still interested in having a custom light made, but this is a bit of a game-changer... if it is amazing this could be THE light...

:thanks::santa:

 

[matrixshaman]

That KD light is listed in inches as 1.65 x 0.39 -- here is a nicer looking one 1.69 x 0.39 inches - lots of colors even to choose from but I doubt it's waterproof Here complete with gold trim 😀 - and less than a buck a piece in the 4 pack. I'd swear I saw that elusive Firefli somewhere fairly recently but I can't say where at the moment. I think I actually saw one in a store someplace being out in the boonies here but I might just be dreaming. Needless to say I'll grab one or all if I come across them again. Of course there is also this one weighing in at 0.39 in x 1.54 in : here for $1.48 but unfortunately out of stock now. You'd think some of our custom makers could do a run for a fair price in aluminum or even Ti with something this small. Afterall we're just talking a single mode twisty with a 5mm LED most likely. With button cells it's probably just direct drive too so no circuit to add to the cost (not sure on that but I think some of these are direct drive). I found a light in a dollar store a while back that was basically just like an Arc AAA but less than half the length since it used button cells. Nicely chromed metal unit so it's probably waterproof being a twisty. Nice pursuit ...

 

[applevision]

That KD light is listed in inches as 1.65 x 0.39 -- here is a nicer looking one 1.69 x 0.39 inches - lots of colors even to choose from but I doubt it's waterproof Here complete with gold trim 😀 - and less than a buck a piece in the 4 pack. I'd swear I saw that elusive Firefli somewhere fairly recently but I can't say where at the moment. I think I actually saw one in a store someplace being out in the boonies here but I might just be dreaming. Needless to say I'll grab one or all if I come across them again. Of course there is also this one weighing in at 0.39 in x 1.54 in : here for $1.48 but unfortunately out of stock now. You'd think some of our custom makers could do a run for a fair price in aluminum or even Ti with something this small. Afterall we're just talking a single mode twisty with a 5mm LED most likely. With button cells it's probably just direct drive too so no circuit to add to the cost (not sure on that but I think some of these are direct drive). I found a light in a dollar store a while back that was basically just like an Arc AAA but less than half the length since it used button cells. Nicely chromed metal unit so it's probably waterproof being a twisty. Nice pursuit ...

Wow, thanks matrixshaman! I really like the little red one... I will have to watch and see if it comes back in stock. Agreed that this should be a fairly easy project for a custom maker. I emailed him today about possibly using these lights as a prototype and then making a Ti final product... We shall see!

 

[matrixshaman]

You might also check with CPF member neoseikan. He built the Spartanian and is now offering CNC machine work for $20/hour. Great price for CNC but the drawback is he's in China so it could take some shipping time and so on. He's got an ad around here for this. I do think this concept has potential for sales if a custom maker picks up on this concept.