Flashlight in a Hayfield..

[D-Dog]

Earlier tonight I decided to go snow tubing with a couple of my friends as Tussey Mountain right outside State College, PA. I also decided it would be a good idea to bring my NEX as my EDC. Anyways, after riding down the slope twice I reached for my light and it just wasn't there :-( I contacted the managers and all the workers and even offered a reward for the people who were there but nothing showed up:sigh:

I don't know what to think right now... just really bummed because I know I can't buy another for another few months and I loved that light.

For those of you wondering... it was in my front left pocket right next to my wallet. Sometime between waiting in line and arriving at the bottom of the slope (where there is thick hay to slow you down), I lost the light. Everyone was really helpful in my 2 hr search, however, it ended with me only going down 3 times (the last just to make sure it wasn't on the slope) and out $104... worst night in a long time :-(

So now I will admire my NiteCore box complete with all spare parts and the warranty card... but no NEX 😢 Maybe it will still turn up... but I personally put the chances at less than 25%. That clip already failed me once about a month ago when it also fell 5ft onto concrete so I guess I shouldn't be too suprised... but still :sigh:

 

[Flying Turtle]

My sympathies, Dog. I cringe at the thought of something like this happening to me. Maybe it'll still turn up when the snow melts.

Geoff

 

[american lockpicker]

Do feel bad I too once lost a Nitecore.

 

[litetube]

When I go tubing or sledding , before I hit the slopes all EDC items go in the glove box of my car . The only thing I keep on me is my car keys and these go in a Zippered inside pocket of my coat. With that type of activity not much will stay clipped to a pocket . If you have to take it make sure you have a lanyard on it and the lanyard is fastened to a belt loop or something. Just hate to see people go thru this. My son just lost his expensive $300 cell phone this week. He is devastated and cannot replace it. He didnt make sure it was secured. I feel for you my friend🙁

Go back when the snow melts and look again though you never know. I bet it will survive the winter and if noone else sees it .......

 

[jzmtl]

Ouch. Always keep things in zippered pockets when undergo physical activity.

 

[Big_Ed]

Go back when the snow melts and look again though you never know. I bet it will survive the winter and if noone else sees it .......

That's a good idea. Back when I was in college, I moved into my dorm room in January, and as I was opening up the window, my class ring got snagged on the window frame. The stone broke off of the ring and fell 5 floors into the snow. I searched and searched, but to no avail. Then in April after the last of the snow melted, I was walking right where it would have fallen, and I saw a reflection of light in the grass. Low and behold, it was the stone to my ring!
Sorry to be off topic, but it just goes to show that all is not lost yet. Do you have access to a metal detector? That might help. Good luck, D-Dog. I hope you find your light.

 

[scottaw]

Definately use the zippered pockets, or xippered camelback pockets whenever you ski or tube. I actually live 10 mins from tussey, if i find a random light there i'll let ya know.

 

[D-Dog]

That's a good idea. Back when I was in college, I moved into my dorm room in January, and as I was opening up the window, my class ring got snagged on the window frame. The stone broke off of the ring and fell 5 floors into the snow. I searched and searched, but to no avail. Then in April after the last of the snow melted, I was walking right where it would have fallen, and I saw a reflection of light in the grass. Low and behold, it was the stone to my ring!
Sorry to be off topic, but it just goes to show that all is not lost yet. Do you have access to a metal detector? That might help. Good luck, D-Dog. I hope you find your light.

I thought about the metal detector idea too and I even have a decent one from my days of looking for quarters on the beach... however, the metal detector and all its glory is at my dumb house over 100 miles away... Hate being so far away from home :-(

I'll probably go back tomorrow, however, a metal detector would probably be the only surefire way to get it back... assuming it's in the hay at all (fairly sure as I had it when I entered the place and after only 2 runs down the same tubing slope it was gone)

 

[trapn1]

Wow, I feel for you don't give up though, it may still turn up. George

 

[Me+Light=Addiction]

That sucks man, hope you find it back!

 

[balou]

I just tied my Nitecore to my pants. Sorry to hear about your loss. I can imagine what it feels like to loose such a light.

 

[D-Dog]

Yea, I woke up still really bummed... never lost a light before. Next time I go (if there is a next time) I will be sure to bring a $0.75 freedom clone or something. I guess I put too much faith in the clip but still... I never went tubing before and there weren't even any signs saying to remove loose stuff from you.

 

[D-Dog]

Just an update... Evidently the guys at the slope searched all day (mainly because I told them whoever found it would make an easy 20 😛 ) however, no one was successful. I don't know if someone picked it up or it got stuck in a tube or whatever... but it doesn't look good. I will head back in a week when most of the snow is gone just to check but...

In the spirit of being a true flashaholic, I've decided to look to the future and start saving for a replacement. Looking back over my 2 short months as a NEX owner, I have a few positive and negative things to say regarding the light.

Positive:

*On high this thing was bright... Maybe not 200 lumens but def 160+

*The heatsinking for the emitter was great and substantial

*Strobe was out of the way unless you needed it

*Light was durable... having survived 1 fall from 6 ft to tile and 2 4 foot falls to concrete with little if any damage.

*runtime on max was impressive.

Bad:

*The clip definitely could have been tighter. I had to tighten it once and if it had been a little more secure, I probably wouldn't be posting this right now

*Strobe starts weak and within 3 cycles reaches full power. This vastly diminishes the "blinding" blast. In a defensive situation, a burst on max would be more effective

*min was still too bright for most tasks.

*DO NOT put too much lube on the threads... otherwise mode switching is very flakey if it works at all


So now my quest for a nice edc continues. I will definitely NOT bring the new one anywhere where there exists a good chance of me losing it... and if I do carry it, I want a much more secure way than some lame clip...lol. After purchasing lights from overseas for a while now, and with the economy the way it is back here, I definitely want to purchase a USA made light. I understand this will up the cost quite a bit, however, I love thinking that my money might go to someone else who is struggling(in the US). I have heard a great deal of positive things about the new Ra lights, however, there is also Surefire to consider. Any thoughts are great 🙂

Edit: New light has to be of the 1 x CR123 form factor.

 

[Big_Ed]

Consider a Surefire E1B or E1L. The L1 is another great choice as well.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

you need someone with a metal detector. I have a whites detector and was called to find someones car keys that got lost in a huge pile of leaves.... I have a bigfoot loop that allows me to search areas 3 times as fast I found the keys in about 15 minutes.

 

[D-Dog]

you need someone with a metal detector. I have a whites detector and was called to find someones car keys that got lost in a huge pile of leaves.... I have a bigfoot loop that allows me to search areas 3 times as fast I found the keys in about 15 minutes.

Yep, I actually have one, however, it's at my house over 100 miles away and I'm stuck here with no car. I'm considering purchasing a cheap one off ebay (like one of the ones securituy ppl sweep over your body) to find the light, as well as asking the college to borrow one (or waiting a month till I can go home and get my one (which would cost over 20 to ship here...and involve telling my parents I lost the light when they ask what the heck i need a metal detector for). I still really hope I get the light back, however, not everyone is as honest as we like to pretend. A light with what looks to be a silver head is sure to attract attention from more than just the people looking for it. I was also dumb in not putting my contact info on the battery. It's better than nothing and a great idea... I just never got around to doing it.

I've already learned a ton from the experience... and who knows... anything it possible. I'm sure the light will survive that long...it's just a matter of whether they blow snow over it or someone else picks it up.

The worst part is that I have to rely on public transportation to get to the place... which severely limits when I can go.

If anyone lives in the state college area and wants to go light hunting 😛

 

[Big_Ed]

Maybe comb the area with a rake. It might just kick it up or clank against the light.

 

[Armed_Forces]

Keep your eye on eBay and Craigslist.

You might get "lucky" and buy it back.
I saw a listing not too long ago and the seller was honest enough to admit he found the item he was selling but was invoking the "finders/keepers" clause and planning to make a windfall. lol You've got to applaud honesty like that!

 

[Lynx_Arc]

look in the phone book for metal detector shops or clubs at the library I bet you could *enlist* someone to find it for a fee

Yep, I actually have one, however, it's at my house over 100 miles away and I'm stuck here with no car. I'm considering purchasing a cheap one off ebay (like one of the ones securituy ppl sweep over your body) to find the light, as well as asking the college to borrow one (or waiting a month till I can go home and get my one (which would cost over 20 to ship here...and involve telling my parents I lost the light when they ask what the heck i need a metal detector for). I still really hope I get the light back, however, not everyone is as honest as we like to pretend. A light with what looks to be a silver head is sure to attract attention from more than just the people looking for it. I was also dumb in not putting my contact info on the battery. It's better than nothing and a great idea... I just never got around to doing it.

I've already learned a ton from the experience... and who knows... anything it possible. I'm sure the light will survive that long...it's just a matter of whether they blow snow over it or someone else picks it up.

The worst part is that I have to rely on public transportation to get to the place... which severely limits when I can go.

If anyone lives in the state college area and wants to go light hunting 😛

 

[Guy's Dropper]

Rent/borrow a metal detector.