Belt Loop Lamp - Improvised hands free method of using flashlight

[spyderco monkey]

https://i.ibb.co/1nPN3Cj/Hands-Free-Belt-Loop-Light.jpg

[FONT=&quot]Last night I was pondering how to use my standard EDC flashlight as an improvised headlamp.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This lead me to this idea, which I'd call a 'Belt Loop Lamp.'[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Just stick your EDC flashlight through the belt loop on your hip, with the pocket clip over the belt loop, and voila! A very capable hands free light.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]While its not suitable for reading like a headlamp, it works great for walking around at night hands free. On my Levis, I was able to fit a flashlight with up to a 1" diameter body, so it should work with the vast majority of pocket sized lights.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Try it for yourself.[/FONT]

 

[Rancho5]

That's a great idea. With a belt, it would be plenty snug. Thanks.

 

[Kitchen Panda]

A reversible pocket clip or one that allows clipping in both directions is useful for this sort of situation. The problem may be that, for those of us with a beer belly, the light tends to aim down. I've found this sort of arrangement impossible to aim where I need it. I've also tried clipping a single AA light to the brim of a hat; again, aim is a problems. But in a pinch, when having your hands free is more important then exact aim, this can be a useful improvisation.

Bill

 

[The Hawk]

Great idea. Simple, cheap, and it works. Thanks, spyderco monkey.

 

[spyderco monkey]

Playing around with the idea some more, another big advantage the 'belt loop lamp' offers over a headlamp is that its not accidentally blinding when working in a group.

When using a headlamp with a group, when you turn your head to look at someone, the headlamp ends up shining in their face and eyes.

With the 'belt loop lamp', the light is projecting forward from the waist, so much less light is heading towards a partners eyes when you're facing them.

This is especially advantageous if you're running higher lumens; accidentally shining 10lm in someones face is annoying at night, whereas accidentally shining 100-1000lm will have them seeing spots.

 

[spyderco monkey]

Another option is a dedicated horizontal light holster. Mounted at the hip, this will work exactly like the belt loop lamp, but in a more secure, purpose built setup.

https://www.kytexgear.com/products-page/surefire-carriers/horizontal-surefire-carrier/

Not really suitable for EDC, but would be good option for a work / camping setup.

 

[ftumch33]

I have the vertical Kytex holster for my Malkoff and like it.
Didn`t see a use for the other one until now