Caveing lights

[brandxman]

my buddies and I have started to check out old mines and caves during our 4x4 offroad adventures. We've got a good ammount of climbing and protective gear, so i would say thats pretty well covered.

I was wondering where I could get my hands on something like the Skylight Solar Pocket Light and a Nightstar 2. Both look like handy options when all the others die at the bottom of a cave.

Also any sugestions for good solid cave lights is always welcome.

--Brandon

 

[Doug S]

I am not familiar with either of the lights you mention. Here is a link to an online retailer that carries lots of caving lights that might be worth a look:

http://www.caves.org/imo/

 

[paulr]

Um, there's not going to be any sunlight in the cave to charge up the solar light, and by the time you need the Nightstar you'll have starved or something already. Just bring several normal battery powered lights including a long-running LED light like a CMG Infinity.

 

[brandxman]

Found both lights on FlashlightReviews.com. I'm going to go out on a limb and agree that there won’t be any sun light in a cave.

The reason I'm asking about a solar light is for those times when I'm on the surface in sun light, the flashlight can recharge a little before I get to the next cave.

Bringing plenty of batteries is never a problem, but it is when you’re at the bottom of a hole and can’t see them to replace them.

The lights I mentioned would be used for emergency’s, those times when all else has failed. A solar light could be set on a dash board to charge and would always be ready to go. A shake light like the Nightstar 2 needs no attention other than you shaking it when you need it.

Any more help or suggestions would be great.
--Brandon

 

[paulr]

Bring several lights so you can use one when changing batteries of another. Also, practice changing batteries (and bulbs, if you use incandescents) in the dark.

I seriously think the Nightstar isn't worthwhile in a cave. I'd rather carry the same weight in extra food or water instead. If you want a last-ditch emergency light, try a Tek-Tite Trek Lithium, which runs for around 200 hours at reasonable brightness.

The solar light strategy doesn't seem that sound to me. If your light situation is dire enough that charging the solar light outside makes any difference, then don't go into the next cave! Get some more batteries and whatever else you need first.

Standard cave wisdom is carry at least three lights with you. This being a flashaholic site, you may even want to take more than three.

Anyway, if you really want a solar or shake light, www.countycomm.com sells the Swisslight, and www.shakelight.com sells the Nightstar.

 

[LED_ASAP]

I will suggest bringing one DD/resistored light like Reactor 3, InReTech or the alike, and put regular Alkaline batteries in them. The reason is those non-boost converter based lights can last a looooong time at reduced light levels when the batteries run dry. The last trace of usable light from a LS requires only a few mA. Even almost totally dead batteries would be able to supply those current.

 

[brandxman]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll check out the suggested lights.

I hear ya when it comes to bringing extra lights, last time I was in a cave with my buddys there were 5 of us and I think we must have had around 20 different types of light sources. At least half of them failed for one reason or another (dead batteries, dropped, smashed, just wouldn’t work, etc, etc) so I figure the more the better. If they are small enough I can attach them to a shoe lace or off a helmet strap I figure I have that much of a better chance of getting out of the dark.

Thanks again
--Brandon

 

[BlindedByTheLite]

i'll assume you'll be in total darkness in the caves aside from your lights..
so i'm going to try not to mention any blazingly bright lights, since only a moderately bright light would appear alot brighter in total darkness..

the inova x5t

the streamlight propolymer (7 leds)

the princeton tec tec40

the arc ls (lsh-p)

the surefire a2 - this light also has the option of an hour of xenon light instead of 15 hours of bright led light and 30 more hours of useable light.

 

[paulr]

How does this sound for a multi-light setup:

1) Elektrolumens Elektrostar 4aa Luxeon headlamp

2) Princeton Tec PT40 (you want a bright light sometime). Do bring a spare bulb.

3) CMG Infinity Ultra in pocket with belt lanyard

Note that all of these use AA batteries so you don't need multiple types of spares. Also, dead cells from the PT40 and Elektrostar likely have enough residual juice in each cell to run the CMG for several hours.

 

[brightnorm]

Practice changing batteries in the dark

Take waterproof lights

Make sure your buddies are all properly equipped with lights so that it hit the fan each person's lights could support the entire group.

Brightnorm

 

[Rebus]

[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
How does this sound for a multi-light setup:

1) Elektrolumens Elektrostar 4aa Luxeon headlamp

2) Princeton Tec PT40 (you want a bright light sometime). Do bring a spare bulb.

3) CMG Infinity Ultra in pocket with belt lanyard

Note that all of these use AA batteries so you don't need multiple types of spares. Also, dead cells from the PT40 and Elektrostar likely have enough residual juice in each cell to run the CMG for several hours.


[/ QUOTE ]

I have all three of these lights and I also think
this would be a great combination. I've tested my
Elektrostar with batteries that are down to .8 volts
and it is still putting out more light than the
Ultra.

-Rebus

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Re: Caving lights

LEDs would be best for caving, as they won't burn out like incan bulbs do. The Princeton Tec 4AA Impact would do quite well in a cave environment: waterproof, 150 hour runtime, bright and smooth spot.

 

[ChrisA]

Re: Caving lights

I would set aside incandescents since they're prone to break if tossed around or being dragged over rocks and stuff. After all, you're going to be in pitch black conditions, so there's no need for a 'bright' light. A decent headlamp (e.g. like the new Princeton-Tec LS-5mm-LED hybrid 'Yukon HL') and the Streamlight 4AA LED with fresh alkaline cells (and preferably some watertight sealed spares) should be adequate for main lighting needs. I'd choose the 4AA because of the water tightness, longevity and durability. As a backup kit, I'd supply you and all of your buddies with at least two CMG Infinities each, equipped with lithium cells (runtime around 100 hours and bright enough to give a decent light level in those conditions). Like brightnorm stated above - make sure everyone in the team is properly equipped, all gear is working flawlessly and TAKE SPARES... There's a 'What's your biggest fear' thread somewhere around the board and I must admit, getting lost in a cave with zero light comes pretty close for me...

Chris

 

[cave dave]

Re: Caving lights

My suggesting, join a local grotto of the NSS. They will teach you proper and safe caving techniques. You will also learn where some fabulous caves are and have people with similar interest to cave with. Mines are incredibly dangerous, I'll just leave it at that.

http://www.caves.org

as far as lights go you should have at least 3 lights suitable for rugged caving all three should be helmet mountable. After extensive testing I would consider the Aurora or Tikka the absolute minimum in brightness for normal speed caving. Arcs and Ultra are good for emergencies and digging through your pack or sitting around waiting for rescue, travel would be slowed considerably. The single LED Lensed lights like the PT Impact are worthless in a cave. The shake light and the solar light are so dim as to make travel a strugle.

I have been involved in practice rescues and know many who have done real rescues. Caves are dangerous enviornments, as well as fragile ones. Please cave safely and softly.

 

[Crash]

Re: Caving lights

Check out Pelican lights too. Several of them have dual filaments that you can select just by turning the magnetic switch the other way. I know at least one of their diving lights (waterproof to 2,000 feet I think {or deeper than you will ever go})also has two distinct battery supplies as well. In spite of all this, however, you should also have at least one spare light (long running LED's) in case you somehow drop/break/lose your primary light. Being in the bottom of a cave with no light to find your way out would definitely be panic city for me.