My backpack lights!

[kelmo]

I just returned from a 3 day backpack trip at Henry Coe State Park in California. For those of you familiar with the park we camped at Mississippi Lake. I took a Tikka+, Aeon, and a 9P w/M60W module. The Tikka+ was the most used light for obvious reasons. The Aeon was great as I could sleep with it in my pocket so I had a light with me when I woke up for those midnight bathroom runs. The battery crapped out when I was showing it off! Murphy, what would we do without you?!

The big surprise was the 9P with the Malkoff. It really had decent color rendition not to mention it put out a very impressive amount of light with decent throw. While not a true incan it comes close enough that you get the best of both worlds, color rendition and superior regulated runtime.

My 9P really wowed the crowd. But in the end it was not a very practical light. I should have brought my beam diffuser.

kelmo

 

[Sgt. LED]

Yeah throw is alot of fun but flood does all the work.

Glad you got to get out there and use your lights!

 

[KRUPPSTAHL]

finally....all this flashlight collecting and knowledge being put to use...

the best way to test your lights.

the diffuser is a great ad on.....and makes great sense....flexibility.

 

[1996alnl]

When i go camping,it's the light with the most flood that i use most.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

i too generally find floody lights more useful moving about in dark environment. a purely spot with little or no spill can be dangerous, like not spotting a steep slope, low branch, etc....

IMPO, but ideally that flood light should light up about 12 feet at least, not just 1-3 steps ahead.

 

[Mdinana]

Isn't Henry Coe the one that's known for it's wild flowers? If it is, that's the ONLY place I've ever camped in CA where I've gotten ticks. Like, a dozen of the little SOB's. Fortunately I got them all before they bit me (I can feel them on my leg and arm hairs).

Anyway, nice review. I've found the diffuser on my E2L works great. It might replace my headlamp... I say "might" because I haven't head-to-head used them while camping.

 

[Backpacker Light]

Thanks for sharing your trip Kelmo!
I'm on the other side of the US, in Upstate NY. Last Wednesday night I (somehow) talked my wife into a overnight trip into Morgan Hill State Forest near Syracuse.
http://www.cnyhiking.com/Morgan Hill State Forest.htm

The weather is finally breaking here, although it did get down to about 30 degrees overnight. There were a few patches of leftover snow in the deep gullies. We hiked in about a mile, and stayed at a lean-to situated at a beautiful spot along a small creek in a deep ravine filled with huge conifer tree's. I found this lean-to last year, and since it was a fairly short hike in, I really was glad I could share it with her.
http://www.cnyhiking.com/HPIM4135.JPG

My Fenix LOD CE is always in my pocket, and in reality, is probably the only light that I would need. But camping is a great opputunity to play with my lights! I also brought my L1D. This is great for short hikes after dark, and for investigating noises in the woods. It also doubles as my lantern, simply by popping the diffuser on the end of it, and hanging it from a nail in the ceiling of the lean-to.

I also had my ROV Sportsman Extreme 1AA headlight, which is great for cooking and reading, and ........everything basically. I brought along my new EO1 clipped to a zipper on my pack as a backup, but it did not see much use.

I gave my wife my L2D Q5 so that she would have something bright. She had fun lighting up a huge area in front of the lean-to, which I think made her feel safer. I also brought her my River Rock 2AAA headlight, but she never used it.

Anyway, it was a great trip. Although it was a little nippy in the morning, it warmed up fast. We had a great camp-fire, and alot of fun playing with the flashlights.

 

[1996alnl]

but ideally that flood light should light up about 12 feet at least, not just 1-3 steps ahead.

I agree.
Most "real" floody lights will light up a 20m X 20m area very clearly which is plenty for camping.
In fact my L4 will light up a complete campsite:thumbsup:

 

[Woods Walker]

These days I pack the Zebralight or Rebel EOS for a headlamp. The flashlight is often my L2D or G2Z with P60L (but going to get a M60L or LL when I can decide what one). At other times I take my EDC Leatherman S2. Heck even pack the E01 at times. In the dark dank woods a little light is a whole bunch more than in the city.

 

[Illum]

throw is fun...but useless.
most flashlights we use has sufficient throw in addition to the flood...so a flashlight designed for throw suddenly lacks a bit...:nana:

 

[kelmo]

Isn't Henry Coe the one that's known for it's wild flowers?...ONLY place I've ever camped in CA where I've gotten ticks...

Lots of wild flowers, ticks, and poison oak!

Everybody had headlamps, Tikka's, Energizers, and I think a Rayovac model. The handhelds were a Cabela A2 knockoff (not a bad light actually), minimag, and a Coast with a 3 AAA battery magazine.

My next trip I will configure my handheld with the following:

6P tube

A19

M60W

FM34

Lanyard

SC1 w/P60L

This will give me the most flexability and repairablility.

 

[Illum]

My next trip I will configure my handheld with the following:

get yourself a few CR2 spares while your at it

 

[kelmo]

I did have a spare Illum!

 

[Illum]

I did have a spare Illum!

good deal, now fetch another if you plan on using your Aeon on high

 

[sORe-EyEz]

I agree.
Most "real" floody lights will light up a 20m X 20m area very clearly which is plenty for camping.
In fact my L4 will light up a complete campsite:thumbsup:

20m x 20m on high? 10m ahead x 5m width-wise is good for most walks. L4 has a good beam profile, so does U2. my current best is SL Argo HP with diffusing film.

headlamps are easily adjustable with hinges less so for handheld lights.