24/7/365 Waterproof Neck Carry Light

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here's a picture of possibly world's first production LED light.

it's got a titanium body with red LED. at the time it came out white LED's were rare indeed.

so this tiny form factor has been around a long time, almost from the beginning of LED lights.

lanyard edc.JPG
 
todo said:
I agree, when I first thought about useing a 24/7 neck light I assumed it would have to be ssuper small. I started with a photon which does suffice MOST of the time. However a light that is used that often, batteries do become an issue, and changing out photon batteries alot can be a bit tedious.

For me the diameter of the light is most critical. 123 cells lights are to FAT. I tried a P1Dce and it was uncomfortable. If I'm dressed up I dont want anything bulging from beneath my shirt, and an LOD is just small enough to not show or feel.

So I guess my point is if you truly want to get hooked on ,wearing a light 24/7 keep it SIMPLE... 1st it must not be a hassle regarding battery life or the ability to find batteries. 2nd it must be comfortable and, 3rd it must have low light and bright light capabilities. For me a black LODce on Energizer lithiums is perfect. I use it all the time and get 3 to 4 weeks on a battery. In the last week of the battery cycle its dimming somewhat but after all a neck light is most used on medium or low.
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I was going to recommend this exact solution myself. Either a Photon, or an L0D/LD01 aluminum body (with a lithium battery), depending on how often you actually use the light. Since lithium batteries are a bit expensive, Li-Ion would also work with the Fenix's while making the light brighter and a little heavier.
 
Holy crap! This is now surely my favorite CPF thread of all time! It just keeps getting more interesting!

Okay, so a lot happened since last night at 2 am! Where to start...
todo, good points, I agree.

cy I think that Lanyard EDC is a cool new term! Now, I do want to stress the point of this thread was the idea that this would be a light that you wear on a chain--a necklace EDC if you will. A bigger, huskier guy could get away with a Titan around his neck, but I'm pretty average build. I'll tell you, for me, even the Wee was too big (diameter is critical, as todo said), so LOD/LD01 (which I keep on my keychain and adore) is still too big for this role.

matrixshaman, that light from DX is cool, but at 19.6mm in diameter, it's a bit on the larger side in that dimension.

ev13wt that promotional light is very sweet! I think that it would be a nice form-factor--looks like a little bullet!

So, in sum, this is an incredible post with all sorts of awesome ideas. I'm going to point the custom maker I'm chatting with to this post... imagine the possibilities!:twothumbs
 
Team,

I am writing with some exciting news! Let the photo speak for itself:
Neck-1.jpg


Yep, I got the FireFli! Thanks to Sigman, one of our wonderful mods, I was able to get one in the original packaging. It is very sweet.

In many ways this ends the quest for the perfect 24/7/365 necklight EDC for me.

Let me do a mini-review, however:

FireFli Likes:
-Perfect size!
-Perfect shape!
-Essentially weightless
-Waterproof (when off)
-Nice beam brightness/color (for what it is)
-Amazing battery life (80+hours!)

FireFli Dislikes:
-Build quality is fine, but compared to a Fenix or a Lummi it's not anywhere near the same level
-The "twisty" mechanism is janky--you have to unscrew the tail cap a bit to let O2 in (apparently), but in practice it is instantaneous, but it just feels like it has to touch the right place to turn on. The problem is that it feels like removing a battery cap a few turns to turn on the light: this is not elegant and not easy to do while on your neck.
-Exposed LED
-Totally waterproof... EXCEPT while on. (I'd like it totally waterproof on or off)
-Impossible to find a replacement!

Some more pics:
IMG_4586.jpg

Yep, that's a AA battery on the left and the Lummi Wee on the right--the FireFli is impossibly small!

IMG_4587.jpg


Summary: Sweet light, got WAY more right than wrong, in dire need of a custom, super-quality, state-of-the-art "remake"... stay tuned!
 
applevision said:
Holy crap! This is now surely my favorite CPF thread of all time! It just keeps getting more interesting!

Okay, so a lot happened since last night at 2 am! Where to start...
todo, good points, I agree.

cy I think that Lanyard EDC is a cool new term! Now, I do want to stress the point of this thread was the idea that this would be a light that you wear on a chain--a necklace EDC if you will. A bigger, huskier guy could get away with a Titan around his neck, but I'm pretty average build. I'll tell you, for me, even the Wee was too big (diameter is critical, as todo said), so LOD/LD01 (which I keep on my keychain and adore) is still too big for this role.

matrixshaman, that light from DX is cool, but at 19.6mm in diameter, it's a bit on the larger side in that dimension.

ev13wt that promotional light is very sweet! I think that it would be a nice form-factor--looks like a little bullet!

So, in sum, this is an incredible post with all sorts of awesome ideas. I'm going to point the custom maker I'm chatting with to this post... imagine the possibilities!:twothumbs
Click to expand...

Apple....I think your necklace looks sweeeet ...I would wear that . Something you could easily wear on the outside and still retain a Cool Dude factor.

Now the 24/7 neck light I and a few others have described is not that at all... the Cool Dude factor that is. My lod hung from a thin black but strong string is meant to stay tucked away, discrete and hidden, to avoid the dreaded Geek factor. It is however very funtional and can be called to duty in a flash.

So we have two different options here and I feel both have their merits and deserve to be discused freely.

One is, come up with a small and STYLISH light and display it proudly. Or as in my case opt for something a bit more utilitarian (LOD) and maybe more useful, but then in all liklyhood you will loose the cool factor, forcing you to be discrete with your neck light. Good stuff....
 
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Sorry for all the pics guys and gals, but I'm bored (snowed in) and thought I'd show my rig.

1st pic is my LODce with lanyard from a Photon. The lanyard is very light weight and stays hidden well. Also shown is the 2 wraps of Tommy Tape on the LOD. You can see the bite marks on the tape, as this is how I generally use the light when I need to work on something, wires, pc, underhood , etc it frees up your hands. The tommy wrap on the front bezel allows for a much better grip on the bezel, helping to operate the light one handed. Also shown are the Energizer batteries, four batteries like this will run the LOD daily for 4 to 5 months. This more than justifies the price of the premium Lithium not to mention they reduce the weight of the light.

2nd pic demonstrates how hidden this rig stays under a shirt.

3rd and 4th pic demonstrates how I deploy the light. I reach in and snag one side of the lanyard and pull the light out.

5th pic shows light in bite mode, bezel turned twice to achieve low light.

6th pic another pic of light and lanyard. Note a minimum of hooks and or snaps to eliminate snagging of cloths or chest hair (sorry ladies)

7th pic shows LOD in bite mode on high illuminating a hallway.

The only thing I didn't show was I often just let the light hang straight down. The LOD has GREAT flood and one can easily navigate house or trail in this way.

No its not pretty, not pretty at all but it works pretty well for me.

Thanks for looking


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0928-16.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0905-16.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0905-52.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0906-11.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0909-28.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0911-32.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb145/jrsue/090109-0912-30.jpg

[Over-size images replaced by links - DM51]
 
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Put the light on a lanyard which releases when you pull on it. That way you won't injure yourself if it gets caught on something. Use a cheap light, so that it doesn't matter if the lanyard unclips and you lose the light.
 
Thanks Apple, I know I love seeing pics of other peoples EDC and yours were great as well . I get a kick out finding tiny little tid bits of gear or information that enhance ones day to day chores. Or to say it another way, its allways great finding an easier way.

And arpit why would you want to bother with a cheap light that can easily pop off.

Were not talking 500 lb test Paracord here. It is strong but its definatly not gonna hold up to hangin me. It is also strong enough that I know its there when I need.

Furthermore, wearing it under your shirt pretty much eliminates the chance of it getting snagged and being drug by the neck :sick2: via a passing vehicle.
 
That lanyard looks like it's strong enough to create a serious problem for you if it gets caught in something that's moving. I would suggest putting a lobster clip on the lanyard and hook the light to that. Then you can easily remove the light from the lanyard when you work under-the-hood, etc.

By the way, that's a sweet set up you have. It's kind of making me jealous because it's so utilitarian. I got the LD01 SS which is perfect for keychain carry but not so perfect for neck carry. Oh, and I hadn't thought about wearing it in-between shirts like you do. That would work very well for me too. And thanks for the pictures. I'm kind of snowed in too, 17 and windy.
 
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LightScene said:
That lanyard looks like it's strong enough to create a serious problem for you if it gets caught in something that's moving. I would suggest putting a lobster clip on the lanyard and hook the light to that. Then you can easily remove the light from the lanyard when you work under-the-hood, etc.

By the way, that's a sweet set up you have. It's kind of making me jealous because it's so utilitarian. I got the LD01 SS which is perfect for keychain carry but not so perfect for neck carry. Oh, and I hadn't thought about wearing it in-between shirts like you do. That would work very well for me too. And thanks for the pictures. I'm kind of snowed in too, 17 and windy.
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Thanks Lightscene...At 50 yrs old you get a pretty good eye for stuff that may do bodily harm LOL. And I see more potential for danger in walking Lucy the dog than I do in my EDC lanyard light, at least in the way I use it..

But seriously I do know what your talking about. If you have some serious cordage loose around your neck it could snag on something and be a problem .

But the fact that it is under shirt, or when its out its in my hand or mouth and when finished it goes back, virtually eliminates any possibility of danger.

I've tried lots of different clips including lobster clips. The simple loop thru the split ring is most comfortable, easiest to bite, doesn't jingle and don't snag.

As with anything else theres risk and reward, the risk here negligible and for my use the reward is great.
 
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OK. I agree with and defer to your assessment of the safety issue since you have lots of experience.
Well now I'm doing it your way. I have an L0p modded with an SSC P4 attached to a lanyard by a thin cord and a split ring. I have to admit, so far I like it. Trouble is, in the end I'll have get an aluminum LD01 because it's twice as bright as this one on NiMh, and 4 times as bright on Li-Ion. And then I'll feel really weird about having 2 of them with me all the time. Such is the life of a flashaholic. And that's why we don't talk about it outside CPF.

Thanks again for the pictures. That's what made it real for me.
 
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todo... excellent pictures!

shows pretty much how it's done. except my preferred lanyard from an Ultra G has a breakaway. Titan no longer has a clip, which to me is worthless if it's not 100% secure.

with lanyard EDC.... light is perfect for teeth hold. you don't want your lanyard too short, limits travel necessary to make it 100% functional. teeth hold is used at least 1/3 of the time for me.

when it's pitch dark, teeth hold frees up both hands to work on something.

Lanyard EDC also protects your nice light from getting all buggered up inside your pocket. for those safe queen type lights that are too nice to use....with Lanyard EDC ... light rides safely inside your shirt... no chance of getting hurt.

again... this feedback is based upon actually lanyard EDC'ing lights, 7x24 for 4+ years. what looks cool may not be so functional. for instance... firefli on a short necklace doesn't look all that useful. your mileage my veri... but any light is better than no light.

when an emergency hits, the best light is the one on your person. that's the beauty of lanyard EDC... it's always on your person.for me lanyard EDC's requirements, except for size... is no different from a standard EDC. for me micro-lights would never make the grade... bottom line is try it..... live with it 7x24 for at least a month and see if it works.
 
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cy said:
todo... excellent pictures!

shows pretty much how it's done. except my preferred lanyard from an Ultra G has a breakaway. Titan no longer has a clip, which to me is worthless if it's not 100% secure.

with lanyard EDC.... light is perfect for teeth hold. you don't want your lanyard too short, limits travel necessary to make it 100% functional. teeth hold is used at least 1/3 of the time for me.

when it's pitch dark, teeth hold frees up both hands to work on something.

Lanyard EDC also protects your nice light from getting all buggered up inside your pocket. for those safe queen type lights that are too nice to use....with Lanyard EDC ... light rides safely inside your shirt... no chance of getting hurt.

again... this feedback is based upon actually lanyard EDC'ing lights, 7x24 for 4+ years. what looks cool may not be so functional. for instance... firefli on a short necklace doesn't look all that useful. your mileage my veri... but any light is better than no light.

when an emergency hits, the best light is the one on your person. that's the beauty of lanyard EDC... it's always on your person.for me lanyard EDC's requirements, except for size... is no different from a standard EDC. for me micro-lights would never make the grade... bottom line is try it..... live with it 7x24 for at least a month and see if it works.
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Great post CY... and I will defer to you with your 4+ yrs of 24/7 lanyard light experience. I am at 3+ years and can easily say I will allways wear one. Actually I just got done using mine, Im sitting here in the wee hrs with few lights on and my mouse batteries died. I pulled out the lod, and put it in "bite mode", walked out to the battery drawer walked back, still in bite mode, illuminated the tiny battery tray, determined the correct battery position.....job done.

couple questions do you sleep with your light? and do you shower with it? LOL I know ..I know.. highly personal stuff here...but I do sleep with mine (and my wife as well) but have as of 6 months ago quite showering with it. And do you use any tape or similar to maximize bite mode? I know for me, metal on tooth is very uncomfortable.

You also mentioned a point I didn't even think about. The light stays in "pristine" condition, tucked away always with a protective layer of fabric over it. My The wear on my lod as shown in the pics all came from the 1/2 yr of pocket duty. At that time I was carrying a photon Freedom (this is where I grew to love their lanyard size and length). I eventually switched to Rex lights. The Rex is a great 24/7 lanyard light and I carried one (actually rotated 2) for nearly a year. The LOD is just better though, more reliable more versatile. Initially because of the LOD's larger size I experimented with a few different lanyards and clips, but quickly went back to my favorite photon lanyard.

The length of the lanyard is important for me.
14inch is just long enough to comfortably hold away from the body and point by hand. Also just long enough to easily slip over my head for removal. The advantages to keeping the lanyard on the SHORT side (14 inch) are.... its more quickly and easily deployed/pulled out..... its short and close to the mouth for "bite mode" ( used 1/3 of the time)...... it illuminates nicely when just left to hang..... and it stays more under control under garment, and also stays undercontrol while sleeping.
 
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Why neck lanyard instead of a wristwatch light? There are a few watches with built in led lights, and a few cpf'ers have made coin cell lights that attach to a regular watchband.
 
LightScene said:
OK. I agree with and defer to your assessment of the safety issue since you have lots of experience.
Well now I'm doing it your way. I have an L0p modded with an SSC P4 attached to a lanyard by a thin cord and a split ring. I have to admit, so far I like it. Trouble is, in the end I'll have get an aluminum LD01 because it's twice as bright as this one on NiMh, and 4 times as bright on Li-Ion. And then I'll feel really weird about having 2 of them with me all the time. Such is the life of a flashaholic. And that's why we don't talk about it outside CPF.

Thanks again for the pictures. That's what made it real for me.
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Thanks Lightscene and your welcome, hope it works for ya. It takes a bit to get used to but you will grow to appreciate its usefulness.

LOL...And don't worry about carrying 2 lights. I was stubborn and did the same thing for more than 2 years. Every day in addition to my lanyard light I also carried a pocket light until I came to realize.... I use ONE light 99.9% of the time and that was my Lanyard Light. So the pocket light is no more...sad but I had to retire it. Haha.
 
paulr said:
Why neck lanyard instead of a wristwatch light? There are a few watches with built in led lights, and a few cpf'ers have made coin cell lights that attach to a regular watchband.
Click to expand...

Absolutely phenomenal thread! Great stuff todo, cy and LightScene--thanks!

arpit, it's a good safety point, but I think we are all trying to use a really nice light in this most intimate role, so that's why we don't use a cheap light. As for a breakaway, I think that there's no doubt it would be safer, and it's important to be aware if you have a non-breakaway necklace on, but I think that in real everyday experience for most of us, the chance of this being the thing that gets us is fairly small. I think if you are in a job like law enforcement or are routinely getting into scuffles, this would be a really bad idea because and enemy can use this against you... but in my office setting I think that the telephone cord is just as dangerous to me.:thumbsup:

paulr: I love ALL mini lights and am already starting to think about wrist-based lights and even ring lights! Lummi has a prototype of a ring that actually looks cool and masculine and has a teeny tiny LED on it!

However, for the times that I need a light like this, I am often not wearing my watch (my beloved Casio G-shock), and that's why I wanted a neck light.

The main difference between my way of using it and todo's, however, is that mine is really for those relatively rare times when all my other lights are not around--just a few min per day at most. Thus the 80+ hour battery life and tiny size of the FireFli makes for a PERFECT companion in this regard. Other folks who want to make it their main EDC will need to think more along the lines of todo's brilliant solution.:twothumbs
 
cy said:
here's a picture of possibly world's first production LED light.

it's got a titanium body with red LED. at the time it came out white LED's were rare indeed.

so this tiny form factor has been around a long time, almost from the beginning of LED lights.

lanyard edc.JPG
Click to expand...


cy, I love the look of that used and loved PD =) It's Ti, right?
 
all three lights in above pic are ti
amazing how world's first production LED light choice of material was ti


mcmc said:
cy, I love the look of that used and loved PD =) It's Ti, right?
Click to expand...
 
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