Top of the day.... just joined the forum, a week ago, and have spent the last week, doing my best to understand the tech side, of this amazing hobby / life...of you bright light wizards....it is still an uphill climb, but a stout challenge is healthy.... and I seam to be getting healthier daily !!! I will get my first chance to read the FAQ on the Aleph lights tomorrow but am leaning toward the "stock" Aleph 3, DB 917, 2X123, 60 ohm with McE2S...for an upcoming 600 miles sea kayak trip.... as I said, I know next to zip, on the tech side, but in the real world, have spent more dark nights, then all the dark nights ... that Israel has spent as a nation.... so I know dark, and I know light !!!! I want to thank Don, and Wayne, for their assistance, and direction....and all the rest of you, for helping me understand a bit more....daily.
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Aleph 3 ..first buy
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Darell
Flashaholic
Not sure what "stock" A-3 means... maybe a turnkey configuration from the Shoppe? If I were taking a huge trip and needed a light to do everything, I'd consider two cells, but a more reasonable drive level - like 500 or so. 700 max. And I'd probably take an A-1 for good throw, decent size and general utility.
Truth be told, If I had to bring just one light, I'd probably go with the A2, but I'm a bit biased toward more flood than throw.
Welcome to the dark side. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif
Truth be told, If I had to bring just one light, I'd probably go with the A2, but I'm a bit biased toward more flood than throw.
Welcome to the dark side. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif
Thanks Darell for the direction, and your correct, the plan is/was a A3, turnkey from the shoppe... but consider, I am walking blind....and something packaged, seamed like a good place to start.... right now, run time, and lux / lumens... is my focus, drive levels, BB's,DB's and all the tech. side seams to be more of everything I read, something on the true use, and application would be VERY helpful...I am here to learn, but plan to USE the unit....again thank you...your helpful post has given me something more to consider....in its actual use.
I'm gonna have to go with Darell on this one. If you are going to be using the light outdoors and will likely need a general purpose light that is capable of some good throw, then the Aleph 1 will do the job. I wouldn't go over 700mA. If runtime is more important that raw output, then go with a 500mA bias.
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Hello Fiatlux,
Welcome to CPF.
I am going to mix things up a bit...
I had Darell build me an Aleph 3 (and he did a great job /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). My goal was to overcome ambient light conditions and be able to light up shadows. Usability and output governed the build. I ended up with the DB917 and I went with a 40 ohm resistor in the tail cap because I wanted a "healthy" low beam. I have other lights for very dim use.
I have only been using the light for a short time, but so far I have been very pleased with it.
One thing I did try was a night kayak outing. I usually carry a UK SL4 for spotting markers and things at night from my kayak, but decided to give the Aleph 3 a try. The SL4 will out throw the Aleph 3, but not by much. The Aleph 3 actually did a better job of identifying objects at the shore because of its better spill/spot ratio.
I am not sure how well the Aleph 3 would handle continuous salt water exposure, but it handled this outing without any problems.
Please understand that I do not have an Aleph 1 or 2 to compare with. I looked at Bernhard's pictures and made my choice on the Aleph 3 from that. I have not been disappointed.
It is my humble opinion that the use of a bright light in a kayak is limited to short bursts when you are trying to figure out what is out there and where you are. I am happy to trade an incremental increase in brightness for run time.
My only complaint is that the Aleph line is not available in bright yellow...
Tom
Welcome to CPF.
I am going to mix things up a bit...
I had Darell build me an Aleph 3 (and he did a great job /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). My goal was to overcome ambient light conditions and be able to light up shadows. Usability and output governed the build. I ended up with the DB917 and I went with a 40 ohm resistor in the tail cap because I wanted a "healthy" low beam. I have other lights for very dim use.
I have only been using the light for a short time, but so far I have been very pleased with it.
One thing I did try was a night kayak outing. I usually carry a UK SL4 for spotting markers and things at night from my kayak, but decided to give the Aleph 3 a try. The SL4 will out throw the Aleph 3, but not by much. The Aleph 3 actually did a better job of identifying objects at the shore because of its better spill/spot ratio.
I am not sure how well the Aleph 3 would handle continuous salt water exposure, but it handled this outing without any problems.
Please understand that I do not have an Aleph 1 or 2 to compare with. I looked at Bernhard's pictures and made my choice on the Aleph 3 from that. I have not been disappointed.
It is my humble opinion that the use of a bright light in a kayak is limited to short bursts when you are trying to figure out what is out there and where you are. I am happy to trade an incremental increase in brightness for run time.
My only complaint is that the Aleph line is not available in bright yellow...
Tom
SilverFox
Flashaholic
Hello Don,
<font color="yellow">Thanks, I'll have to give that a try. </font> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Tom
<font color="yellow">Thanks, I'll have to give that a try. </font> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Tom
Tom ... I don't want to discourage you, but I think you should know that you are about to commit SACRILEGE !!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif
Fiatlux ... welcome /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif !
And you could just buy the Aleph3 and an Aleph1 head without the LE (cheap) and test both units /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif
bernhard
Fiatlux ... welcome /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif !
And you could just buy the Aleph3 and an Aleph1 head without the LE (cheap) and test both units /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif
bernhard
Darell
Flashaholic
If runtime is an important issue, stay below 700mA, and you'll be surprised at how long these things will run on two cells. Also consider how bright you want your low level, and if you can get away with using it more often than the high level, the thing will run seemingly forever. Give us a bit more info on how you'll carry/store/use the light, and we can probably steer you in the most relevant direction.
And if we help enough, you'll have to take us with you!
And if we help enough, you'll have to take us with you!
Good day....finally after all day on the water, testing a new sail rig, for my upcoming kayak trip....I was able to sit down with the long 48 page Aleph-FAQ, print out...and read, and re-read the data... WONDERFUL job of putting a ton of data, in just 48 pages... short pages!!! amazing how the quality of data, makes 48 pages a short read. Considering the needs of this trip, I am still leaning toward the turn key, package, Aleph3,DB917,2x123,McE2S 60 ohm, with another Aleph 2 head...seeing that the 2 hour run time, and close to 5000 lux would be enough to I.D. landing points, or, things that go bump in the night, maybe this is against the grain, for this forum, but I like the darkness on these trips, and try to keep the use of light to the least as possible, keeping my night eyes sharp. I have had a few exchanges with Wayne, at the Shopp, and said, I would order from him, when I knew enough to ask a few questions...so, I must follow threw with my word. I do plan on owning more then one of these wonders, and will be contacting both Chop, and Darell, to rewiew their special skills with these lights, something along the lines of a 1x123 pocket model, Chop and Darell, I appreciate the help !!! Darell, your help, has already given you a invite to any trip !!! And to the wizardly A.K.A. McGizmo... this trip, will be the second leg, of a complete Kodiak Island Alaska to Vancouver British Columbia, via a sleak 19 foot kevlar Australian designed expedition/race sea kayak, and my own designed expedition 22 foot African mahogany sea kayak... both equiped with my custom sail rig. This leg will be from Prince of Wales Islands Alaska, to Vancouver B.C. normally 600 miles would require 15 days@ 40 miles per day....but with sail, we should cut days off this time, and allow for "side adventures" To all who have posted...my thanks, and appreciation for your greetings, direction and assistance... it is rare to find, such bright people, with such great personal, old school nature. Please bear with me, on my uphill learning curve.... I will have more questions.
Fiatlux,
Good Luck on your journey, please tell us about it, when you return! Very good choice, I have the very same combination w/ both heads (haven't used them for a journey like yours, though!!) and very fortunately, some of Chops, Jet's22 and McGizmo's (1) cell creations.............they are sort of like potato chips, can't seem to stop at just one!
jeffb
Good Luck on your journey, please tell us about it, when you return! Very good choice, I have the very same combination w/ both heads (haven't used them for a journey like yours, though!!) and very fortunately, some of Chops, Jet's22 and McGizmo's (1) cell creations.............they are sort of like potato chips, can't seem to stop at just one!
jeffb
