Another great meet up in freezing conditions!!!
I arrived early and in some trepidation for the pub was very full! No sign of the snow yet, or the other CPFers!
Soon, though, I was joined in turn by Jay R, Essexman and Blue Led. So we commenced with the old 'getting out of the lights on the table' ploy. I have to confess I was rather distracted by all the chatting and enjoying and I rather forgot to photo many of the torches - In fact this is the only shot I have from the array on the table!
But not a bad one. The Sunwayman V10R Ti (and the XML update on the right) proved the most commonly held light that evening. I think this one's a success, chaps!
Soon we were joined by hemdale (First time!) and his disciplined collection, then by Subwoofer and TX101. The torches spread out over two table by this stage. (No pics! Sorry - just too much to play with and chat about and drinks to be purchased and drunk!).
Before too long we retired to the dining room and ate hearty as the snow fell (Scallops and Black pudding starter followed by Burger n chips - Yumsk!).
So at 8:30PM we hit the Heath. Still snowing and settling.
Now, here's the thing. In the darkest parts of the Heath, at a weekend, away from city lights etc. Snow reflects ALL light. We didn't need the lights. Not at all. Furthermore, if you were to light up a burly 1200 Lumen pocket rocket, the falling snow made you see spots after you turned it off! Instant whiteout.
The only usable torches were the laser like throwers, the Recoils and the Asphericals. Winner by far was BlueLed's DBS V3 ASP with EZ900 cree. Scorched my DBS V3 ASP with XML T6!!!! (I hate it when that happens).
Special mention must go to Subwoofer's budget lights, in particular the Small Sun ZY-A25 Zoom, which with an RCR123A cell in it is brighter and throwier than my DEFT EDC, plus it is a tiny tiny cost.
(I have since this meet equipped myself with the Small Sun and a EZ900 pill for my DBS, imitation is the sincerest form of envy, after all.)
Another thing about the snow - it makes your camera stay in your pocket!! These are all the photo's I have. Even though we walked through this winter wonderland for about an hour and a half - occasionally stopping to try out the dazzlers on distant frozen flora and fauna. Travelling up to the Pond by Jack Straw's Castle, then back down to the Freemason's Arms for hot drinks and loo breaks before clearing off for home.
Jay and TX101 and Essexman braved their cars, the rest of us trudged off to the tube - stopping only to help a poor couple in their expensive car that was travelling sideways a high revs! Thank Gawd the tubes were working that night.
Rising from the underground in Oxford Street, I noticed the clothing of choice for the young ladies were High heels and tiny dresses with bedraggled hair, Blimey O' Riley as they say in France.
Well done to everyone who came, to Jay, Mark, Andrew, Richard, Bruce and Wai, and all your outrageous lights. Next time we must be better with the photos and the Weather!!
Cheers!
:grouphug:
