Calling all Dads! Looking for Dad type input here!

[foxtrot29]

Ok, so I've got my first born coming in June this year! (June 10th is the estimated date of arrival).
( Old thread about that here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=208767 )

Anyone with EXPERIENCE able to recommend a good baby checking light? Colored vs. non-colored? Obviously needs to have a very low-low setting. Incan vs. LED?

I've got a few that could do the job no-doubt, but this is another one of those "seize the opportunity" to buy another!

I don't really have any definite specs for this, but I'm thinking something very floody, very low-low setting, and something that hopefully takes an AA (but not a definite requirement).

 

[Cuso]

I use a Photon Freedom red led covert for tactical baby check-ups. Bright enough , does not disturb your night time vision and its inexpensive... If indeed diaper recon and replacement is needed, I take out the PT EOS on medium, but you need to assess the situation before deciding on the power level. Usually , higher levels of mess will need high-power lighting , or you can call for back-up from the supreme authority (mom) and surrender the situation.:sick2:

 

[r_x]

I use my D10 on the lowest setting to check on my 9 month old. I have been using it for this since he was a newborn. I usually keep it on the lowest setting and bounce the beam off the wall or ceiling and it gives enough light to see him and change a diaper if needed and its not bright enough to wake him up. I sometimes use the home made D10 diffuser made from a water bottle cap too.

Also, congratulations and I hope all goes well.

 

[Egsise]

We have LD10+red lens as night light, tailstanding of course.
The light coming from ceiling bounce is so much better than "normal" nightlights.

 

[PetaBread]

Ok, so I've got my first born coming in June this year! (June 10th is the estimated date of arrival).
( Old thread about that here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=208767 )

Anyone with EXPERIENCE able to recommend a good baby checking light? Colored vs. non-colored? Obviously needs to have a very low-low setting. Incan vs. LED?

I've got a few that could do the job no-doubt, but this is another one of those "seize the opportunity" to buy another!

I don't really have any definite specs for this, but I'm thinking something very floody, very low-low setting, and something that hopefully takes an AA (but not a definite requirement).

Your sig shows that you got the Nitecore D10, you should just use that. It

has everything your asking for except being very floody. I would

recommend the LiteFlux LF3XT but it's priddy much the same as the D10

except that it uses 1 x CR123 or 1 x RCR123.


Peta~

 

[kramer5150]

Aah the joys of babyhood... 1-2-3-4 AM feedings/burpings. Anything under ~6-7 Lumens should be your goal.

Fenix L1T V2, with a ROV sportsman shirt clip. I clip this under my t-shirt collar, for soft diffuse hands free lighting. Its 15 Lumen low turns into a ~8 Lumen flood which might still be too bright for you. Sometimes I fall asleep with it clipped, and it hasn't fallen off yet. You could do the same thing with an E01 and a fenix clip, although I am not sure how securely it stays clipped if you sleep with it like that. You could do the chap-stick cap diffuser mod to the E01 and that would help reduce and flood the output.

I wear a fenix E0 on a surefire neck lanyard, hang it down my neck under my shirt. Its 6 Lumen output drops to ~3 Lumens from behind a hanes t-shirt and is perfect for this.

Actually... in terms of color tint and light output, a good-ol minimag solitaire with some scotch tape over the lens to diffuse its horrid beam is just about right. ~3 Lumens of incan flood, and the orange/amber tint is super easy on night vision. Of course run time and reliability pretty much stink.

My daughter is 4 and a light sleeper, so she still wakes up in the middle of the night.... especially now that shes toilet trained. Sometimes she wants daddy to help so I grab a TOP stryker (2xRCR213) that hosts a DX:17593 drop in. Its a 0-100% ramping module, so At its lowest setting its ~1-2 Lumens and tail stands so its perfect for low lumen ceiling bounce area flood.

Of course theres always the pure-flood zebralight headlamps, which are excellent tail standing candles too.

**edit**
I just read your profile and you already have the D10, E01 and E1B. Any of these at their lowest setting will suffice. The only thing you don't have is a pure-flood type of output. You could easily diffuse the light output of these with some scotch tape... But theres no CPF-fun in that... right? So I suggest one of the zebralight headlamps.

How about a gerber Ultra Infinity or vintage CMG? The gerber model comes in RED. Of course if youre talking about RED to preserve night vision theres the Photon 1AA light and the SF A2.

 

[StinkyButler]

ROP, disintegrate that stinky diaper! Just be careful not to singe anything else down there.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Another nice little light with very low capability is the Photon ReX. Simple glow in the dark clickie, ramps from high or low, weighs almost nothing, unique charging from any 1.5v. or NiMH, and your wife might like it. You could just hang it on a nail outside junior's room.

Congrats on your first born!

Geoff

 

[kramer5150]

... oh and CONGRATS on your latest acquistion!! (the baby... not the light). Get ready for lots of WTF moments....:thinking::twothumbs

 

[jslappa]

As stated above, your D10 is all you need. Get your self a bottled water and a $5 angle light from an Army surplus store and sand the filters down to fit the new D10 diffuser. Here is a great thread with instructions. My filter post is on page 3.http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2927623#post2927623

Have fun!

 

[Zatoichi]

I wish I'd had my D10 when mine were babies. All I had back then were Mags. I still use the D10 to find things in the kids room when they're asleep, or to go in and turn things off. Adjustable brightness (without strobes in the way) and tailstanding would be my priorities. Then there's the various ways to diffuse the light mentioned by others.

 

[foxtrot29]

Lots of good suggestions, thanks guys...

Anyone know if the red diffuser made for the fenix lights will fit on the D10? (or even the D20 which is on sale right now )

https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_38&products_id=338

Says it fits on most of the 1xAA fenix lights.... I know -- I can make one out of a water bottle, but this is just easier -- and nicer looking.

Dang, I wish my Streamlight Microstream came with a red or green LED.

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Anyone with EXPERIENCE able to recommend a good baby checking light?

Depends on what you're checking. If you're checking for posterior deposits, you'd be fine with any low level light, preferably one you can hold in your mouth (so your other hand is free to hold your nose). I'd recommend a Peak AAA or similar. If you're checking to make sure baby's breathing fine and you have to shine a light on his/her face, a Surefire Titan on the lowest setting is as good as it gets. :twothumbs

 

[kramer5150]

Dang, I wish my Streamlight Microstream came with a red or green LED.

for night vision preservation red is what you want... Green AFAIK will do the opposite.

 

[Superdave]

My latest is 6 months old, I use my U2A for about everything at night. The low is very nice.


It also works to blind my 10yr old when he talks back.

 

[GPB]

Take the money you'd spend on a light and start a college fund for the little one. Just about any light you have will work for this application. It's not going to be subjected to extreme temperatures, impacts, or water and you don't need a lot of brightness. Any light you have will work fine. It's crude, but you can close your fist around the light and regulate output by opening your fingers. If you need your hands, just tuck the light under a paper towel or corner of the sheet. You could even just turn the hall light on and regulate the light by opening or closing the bedroom door, or putting a dimming wall switch on the light in the room. It's an exciting time in your life, and lights is a cool hobby....but it's a stretch to say you need a new light to check on the baby. Just remember that your wife will somehow manage to do just fine without even considering a flashlight.

In your planning you should consider the difference between early evening, and early morning. When you are still up and watching the game, or whatever, you'll go from a lighted room into a dark nursery. In the wee hours you'll go from your own dark room to a dark nursery and your light need will be considerably less.

Good luck and enjoy the ride. It's nothing short of magical.

 

[Oddjob]

Congrats! I think your D10 would be fine. Just tailstand it on low and you'll be able to see the whole room and not wake the baby...
...If you want a recommendation though I say get a Ra Clicky. The lowest level is pretty darn low.

 

[Black Rose]

How times have changed.

When our now almost 16 year old was young, we'd just go into her room and turn on a lamp with a 40 watt bulb in it.

Cuso and Kramer nailed it. I can't recall how many times I've gotten up in the middle of the night only to wonder "WTF was that...honey, you want to deal with this?"

 

[prof]

Oh you're going to have so much fun! I love being a Dad.

I use an L1 (Lux 3 version) with beamshaper. Does not wake anyone up. I've also used an infinity ultra and an arc (with CS emitter)--the arc is a hair bright. Also, just turn on the hallway light--works well also.

A few days ago my daughter and I made a couple of lights--one for her, one for my son. I got the draft version...now my daughter wants to make "brighter" lights! My son sleeps with a taplight...

Enjoy! You'll have a blast.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

If you really want a low low, the Ra lights are the lowest I've seen so far.