Caves + Camcorder + HID Lights = Cool

[stollman]

A group of cavers from the Dayton and Lexington areas visited Pine Hill Cave in Mt. Vernon, KY this month (June, 2010) and video taped some of the more interesting sites using powerful HID flashlights. I thought some of you might be interested in watching.

With the help of my friends, we packing in all my lights:
1. 35W Oracle
2. 35W L35
3. 80W Barn Burner
4. 80W YAO
5. 172W Vector 192 BFL

Part 1 of 2, 10 Minutes Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJvczUjH6o

Part 2 of 2, 10 Minutes Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_On6yTfyH6A

Mike Stoll

 

[steveG]

Great video! That's some fantastic caving you guys have there.

 

[stollman]

Steve,

Thanks for the comment. I really like using the Oralce and L35 in caving.They are powerful, portable, and do a nice job lighting up formations. I really like my BB too, because it is very small (packs into a small hydration back pack) for 80W. My Vector 192 BLF mod was great for lighting up the Canyon, but a real pain to take into the cave due to its bulk.

 

[Locoboy5150]

Wow, those are great videos - thanks for sharing them with everyone!

Your HID spotlights really light up those caves nicely. The size of your BFL probably is its only limitation I imagine. In the future will you be taking it with you or is it just too big?

That caver with the beard and the white hard hat has a huge headlamp. What model is that?

 

[stollman]

To: LocoBoy

The Vector Mod is very bright, and does an awesome job lighting up large caverns and other spaces. It weighs almost 8 lbs and is very bulky. I packed it in a soft backpack I got from Wal-Mart. It is very difficult to manage as you move through tight spaces underground. I only plan on taking it into very large caves, where a huge amount of light is required. The Oracle 35W and L35 are perfect for most caves. The Barn Burner, as mentioned before, is an 80W beast with a small profile. I can back it in a small hydration back pack that bikers use, making it very portable.

Regarding the "big" light on the guys head, he is using an "old school" carbide head lantern. It is a lighting system that has a small water reservoir in the upper section of the light, and a carbide reservoir in the lower section. As water drips onto the carbide, a flammable gas in generated. The light uses an extremely large reflector that is illuminated by a flame. The advantages of this lighting system is its durability, and simplicity - no batteries, wires, or electrical components to fail. Still used in caving, but most people have moved to LEDs like the Princeton Tech Apex, or the Pelzt Myo RXP (130+ lumens). The carbide light puts out a yellow flame, at around 50-60 lumens. Some things I don't like about carbides is they are a little stinky, and you have to pack out the used carbide and dispose of it properly.

 

[IlluminatedOne]

Thanks for posting that, its a great video looks like a lot of fun.

 

[Patriot]

Excellent video's man! Great camera work and use of lights.