Wassernaut
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2007
- Messages
- 195
I'm disabled and must use a power wheelchair. I rarely discuss that fact on forums as it's usually not important. But lately "lights and wheelchairs" have been very important, to me at least.
I hate staying at home, and like to be as mobile as possible. Near our neighborhood is a very busy business area. I often take off in my chair just to get out and break the monotony. Many times it's nighttime when I decide to take off. My wife worries that someone will run over me as I cross busy streets at night, so I have taken some precautions. I ordered some of the little flashing LED lights with red lens like people use on bikes. I have two of these flashing lights on the rear of my chair. I also placed some red reflective tape on each side of the front. But I found it is still dangerous as there are some real boneheads with driver's licenses. And it's even more dangerous in some areas where there are no sidewalks or streetlights, and I have no choice but to use the side of the street.
I've carried a Fenix P3D as my EDC for quite a while. I carry it on my belt with the stock hoster any time I leave the house. I usually don't tuck in my shirt, so it's out of sight but handy. Recently I began using it whenever I'm crossing the street, or in the roadway at night. When I cross a busy street (even at the corner, with the green light and "Walk" sign) I put the P3D on "strobe" and shine it in the direction of the oncoming traffic as an added safety measure.
Lately it has saved my life - twice! It's more effective than fixed lights or reflectors since I have it in my hand, and can quickly point it in the direction of the threat. I often find the most dangerous vehicles are not the ones coming from the left or right on the street I'm crossing, but the ones coming from almost behind me on the cross street, entering the street and turning right on the street I'm trying to cross. They look left and right (some of them), but they're looking for cars, not wheelchairs. Twice lately the only thing that kept me from becoming a statistic was my P3D in strobe mode, aimed at the car . . . one nut sliding up to me with his brakes locked. Even though I had the green light and the "Walk" sign.
So now I have my light in my hand and flashing anytime I cross the street at night. I do my best not to blind anyone, by keeping it moving (sort of sweeping back and forth), and find most drivers are extremely polite and even come to a stop, allowing me to pass, even if they have the light. There's no doubt it makes my passage much safer. I formerly used my EternaLight X-Ray in the "Dazzle" mode for this purpose, but feel much safer with the output of the P3D.
I use my small collection of lights for many things in and around the house just like all of you, this is just one more way they help me. Plus the hobby itself - messing with the lights, charging and recharging, modifying, etc. give me lot's of activity for otherwise boring days.
I'm already putting together some "Light Packages" for gifts this Christmas. I'm customizing the gifts based on each recipient's needs. For example one young man is a UPS driver. He's getting an UltraFire Projection (for reading addresses at night), along with batteries and charger. In his package is also a Pelican VB3 (for use while using the UPS clipboard/computer, and he can also clip it to the bill of his cap while looking for packages in his truck). He's also getting a quality Headlamp (he works on cars a lot), a couple of the little keychain squeeze lights, and batteries for all. I'm putting it all into a Pelican Case, with the foam customized to hold it all as if it came that way. Several others will get their own custom packages, each suited to their work or lifestyle (duck hunters, hikers, campers, etc.). I'm even taking care to only purchase lights that use Li-Ion cells for those I think will take the care to use them safely (the rest get alkaline AA's, etc.) My wife loves it as it takes care of several who are difficult to buy presents for.
I'm new to the hobby, but loving it. Thanks for the warm reception to the forum.
- Larry
I hate staying at home, and like to be as mobile as possible. Near our neighborhood is a very busy business area. I often take off in my chair just to get out and break the monotony. Many times it's nighttime when I decide to take off. My wife worries that someone will run over me as I cross busy streets at night, so I have taken some precautions. I ordered some of the little flashing LED lights with red lens like people use on bikes. I have two of these flashing lights on the rear of my chair. I also placed some red reflective tape on each side of the front. But I found it is still dangerous as there are some real boneheads with driver's licenses. And it's even more dangerous in some areas where there are no sidewalks or streetlights, and I have no choice but to use the side of the street.
I've carried a Fenix P3D as my EDC for quite a while. I carry it on my belt with the stock hoster any time I leave the house. I usually don't tuck in my shirt, so it's out of sight but handy. Recently I began using it whenever I'm crossing the street, or in the roadway at night. When I cross a busy street (even at the corner, with the green light and "Walk" sign) I put the P3D on "strobe" and shine it in the direction of the oncoming traffic as an added safety measure.
Lately it has saved my life - twice! It's more effective than fixed lights or reflectors since I have it in my hand, and can quickly point it in the direction of the threat. I often find the most dangerous vehicles are not the ones coming from the left or right on the street I'm crossing, but the ones coming from almost behind me on the cross street, entering the street and turning right on the street I'm trying to cross. They look left and right (some of them), but they're looking for cars, not wheelchairs. Twice lately the only thing that kept me from becoming a statistic was my P3D in strobe mode, aimed at the car . . . one nut sliding up to me with his brakes locked. Even though I had the green light and the "Walk" sign.
So now I have my light in my hand and flashing anytime I cross the street at night. I do my best not to blind anyone, by keeping it moving (sort of sweeping back and forth), and find most drivers are extremely polite and even come to a stop, allowing me to pass, even if they have the light. There's no doubt it makes my passage much safer. I formerly used my EternaLight X-Ray in the "Dazzle" mode for this purpose, but feel much safer with the output of the P3D.
I use my small collection of lights for many things in and around the house just like all of you, this is just one more way they help me. Plus the hobby itself - messing with the lights, charging and recharging, modifying, etc. give me lot's of activity for otherwise boring days.
I'm already putting together some "Light Packages" for gifts this Christmas. I'm customizing the gifts based on each recipient's needs. For example one young man is a UPS driver. He's getting an UltraFire Projection (for reading addresses at night), along with batteries and charger. In his package is also a Pelican VB3 (for use while using the UPS clipboard/computer, and he can also clip it to the bill of his cap while looking for packages in his truck). He's also getting a quality Headlamp (he works on cars a lot), a couple of the little keychain squeeze lights, and batteries for all. I'm putting it all into a Pelican Case, with the foam customized to hold it all as if it came that way. Several others will get their own custom packages, each suited to their work or lifestyle (duck hunters, hikers, campers, etc.). I'm even taking care to only purchase lights that use Li-Ion cells for those I think will take the care to use them safely (the rest get alkaline AA's, etc.) My wife loves it as it takes care of several who are difficult to buy presents for.
I'm new to the hobby, but loving it. Thanks for the warm reception to the forum.
- Larry
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