Q: Light for night Bouldering

[guest3]

Hi Everyone,

I came across this forum searching for a light to use for rock climbing at night. I am looking for a portable light (or two) that will light up boulders (approx 20 ft. x 20 ft.)and last at least an hour (the more runtime the better). Does anyone have any recommendations? I am considering one of the "10,000,000 Candle Power" Spotlights but thought the experts here may know of something more ideal. Thank you in advance for any response.

Bill

 

[MaxaBaker]

For rock climbing......DO NOT USE THE 10,000,000 CP THOR!!!!! It is as big as a house. If I know anything about rock climbing, it's that you can't be lugging an 11 pound gigantic spotlight. Also, the Thor (the name) is meant for long distance spotting. If you try to use this at night the light will bounce of the rock and into your eyes blinding you for a good deal of time. 20 ft. x 20 ft. is definetly the flood light teritory. I would suggest some sort of high-powered LED light that will last for over an hour. I am not an expert on flood lights so I will leave a specific brand for some other CPFer to answer.

If you could tell us the price range you wish to purchase a light, we could probably narrow down the list quite a bit /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

O ya, WELCOME TO CPF /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

Later,
Baker

 

[xpitxbullx]

BOF90, I don't think he's going to carry it with him if he is just sport climbing. Place it on the ground and climb up and then down.

If a light is needed to be carried while climbing, the only way to do it would be a headlamp.

 

[MaxaBaker]

[ QUOTE ]
xpitxbullx said:
BOF90, I don't think he's going to carry it with him if he is just sport climbing. Place it on the ground and climb up and then down.

If a light is needed to be carried while climbing, the only way to do it would be a headlamp.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ya, that was pretty stupid of me wasn't it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

My other inqueries still stand though.

 

[beam_me_up]

You need to get yourself a good quality headlamp. There are some nice LED models and even LED/xenon combos that is a good mix of flood and throw.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

If you are going to sit it down to light a wall to climb you may consider a lantern of some sort. Flourescent or gas powered would light up a wall fairly well from a distance and you could use a headlamp to light up the shadows.

 

[guest3]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I will be either setting the light on the ground or rigging it on a tree. I am willing to spend up to $100 or so, but less is always better. Something rechargable that lasts 1-3 hours would be ideal.

Bill

 

[greenLED]

It sounds like you want a spotlight to illuminate the climbing route, right? Can't help you with that part of the question, but for close up-illumination as you are climbing, you might consider a headlamp. Check this thread. Also, check out what Black Diamond has to offer; they're all good lights in a small package, and some have LED/incandescent options.

 

[xpitxbullx]

Thor is only good for about 40 minutes.

 

[Hallis]

[ QUOTE ]
xpitxbullx said:
Thor is only good for about 40 minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would it put out enough light on "low"?

Shane

 

[NewBie]

You might consider using two lights, in case one of the incandescent bulbs die. Or consider a modified Thor and a headlamp. Headlamp will let you see the top side of things on the way back down.

For the Thor, a diffusing lens could always be put on.

The BB Battery HR9-12 should give considerably longer runtime, as the stock is only a 7AH vs. this 9AH. Also, this is a high rate discharge battery, which drops less power due to internal resistance of the battery. I've got a small pile of new batteries to try, but haven't had a chance. I'd figure it should give 55 minutes.

Another option is to replace the really nice stock 100W bulb with a standard 60/55W H4 from the auto store. This would put you at 66 minutes. Adding the HR9-12 would put you at 85 minutes. Running low beam would put you at 93 minutes.

 

[MaxaBaker]

I still think a light diffuser is neccesary for whatever mode the Thor is on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/huh.gif

 

[guest3]

This is great information. One more question; where can I find a diffusing lens and the HR9-12 battery?

Thanks again,

Bill

 

[xpitxbullx]

Perhaps you would do better to order a Nightsearcher WorkBrite. Its lasts 5hours a charge. Uses an 18W compact fluorecent bulb equivelent to a 100W tungston bulb. It's a floodlight, not a spotlight. Probably most suitable for climbing at night. It has a pivoting head, etc, etc, etc.

Price = £49.99 (or about $80 US)

 

[fareast]

I'd recommend adding a headlamp to eliminate the shadows created by the lightsource behind you.

I'd say a zebralight H60W. Or anyother warm tinted flooder. I just like this model.

Also adjusting to darkness first and then use less lumens might also work, depending on the surroundings/location. This way you wil get longer runtimes also if the big flooder supports it.

A really nice setup would be, I think, several zebralights. All H60W and setup in different positions/heights on clamps and what not pointed at the boulder. The different brightness settings would be great to light the boulder evenly and take away shawows as much as possible. 18650's give great runtimes and if anything fails, you have plenty of other to keep going (unless you are really unlucky.... (in this case, get more than three))

edit:
or have everyone in your team get one, since these are not the cheapest lights around.

 

[RepProdigious]

Wow, some serious grave-digging going on here ;)

 

[Walterk]

Use 3 or 4 focusable flashlights on tripods.

 

[Patriot]

Gosh, this would be an easy decision for me. I'd go with propane lanterns, (two in order to cancel out shadows) and a headlamp. The run-time, cost to run, area coverage, and warm light are going to be hard to beat without spending on more sophisticated HID lights with diffusers. You won't be able to use any stock SLA battery light and get the run-time you need. I won't go into HID since they're well above your cost parameters.