Surefire LEDs and Camping

[Surefire_Rocks]

Hey,
I have the L4 and I used it for the first time on my last camping trip. It made a huge ring of light, but did not throw far. Is it an ideal camping light? If not, what else should I invest in?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif
-Ian-

 

[beezaur]

In my opinion, no.

Get a long-running, reasonably bright headlamp. There are hybrid headlamps with both throw and long runtime. Check www.rei.com for a good selection.

Scott

 

[asdalton]

The L4 is too bright and too power-hungry for most purposes if you are camping. And if you need that kind of brightness from time to time, chances are that you will need throw, which the L4 doesn't have.

Small flashlights or headlamps using 1-3 white LEDs are surprisingly useful in a completely dark environment. You can also carry a lightweight, lithium powered incandescent light for occasional use when you need the power.

 

[Cornkid]

How about the L2? Is that a good camping light? Or the L1?

-tom

 

[cognitivefun]

The A2 Aviator might be great. Use the LEDs when you need them for very very long runtimes. Use the incandescent for throw when you need it. Fully regulated incandescent for constant brightness...

I think occasionally for camping you need throw for "what's that over there", and with the A2 you have it, but most of the time you need the LEDs and you have that too.

 

[beezaur]

In my experience, which is mostly backpacking, the L1's high setting is about right for in-camp chores, and a little more than minimum for hiking in the dark, especially off-trail.

The problem I have had with flashlights in general is when you need both hands for something: crossing a stream, setting up a tent in bad weather, etc. Headlamps really shine then.

Another thing, regardless of the type of light, is safety. You might well go for years and never use more than 30 minutes of runtime per trip. Then one time, you or someone in your party might get injured. Try dressing a cut or fixing a splint in the dark with dead batteries. Or you might have to evacuate someone. Walks out to a phone can get pretty long if you are helping someone with a sprained ankle. You might really need a full night's worth of light.

All those SF flashlights are great lights, and would probably be used a lot on a camping trip. I just don't think they do everything that might be required of them.

Scott

 

[X33]

I agree, for camping a headlight is more useful for close up work. Hands free /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif . I have a Petzl Tikka and its great. Just got a Inova 24/7 with the accessory pack. Includes comfy elastic head strap, lanyard. Magnetic mount and 4 mounts with screws or adhesive that you can put anywhere. Runs of 1 CR123. Love the light, it could almost replace the Petzl. 24/7 also has red and yellow LEDs and emergency flash modes galore. Low mode on white is a bit dim but enough so you wont trip over tent lines. Even in bright white mode you get 6 hours runtime according to flashlightreviews.com. Red is nice and bright. Thats what I would get. 101 uses for this baby. On top of that you obviously take all the other light sabers and photon cannons that you've got. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif gotta have fun as well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[xpitxbullx]

A Surefire L4 is more than enough. Now get a 2-stage switch and you can have low setting (practical).

Jeff

 

[greenLED]

For camping and outdoor stuff, you can't beat a headlamp. With the new hybrids (LED/Incan) available, you can't go wrong. My current favorites are the Black Diamond (I used Petzl incans for years before that).

 

[dougmccoy]

IMHO (and it is humble) I'm not convinced that Surefire's are particularly well suited to the uses you've identified for camping. I would agree that the A2 and possibly U2 are/do have some merit in being kept with you, mainly for the reasons that have already been identified. However, camping presents some challenges which Surefire's do not suit. Battery types and battery life being the most obvious things to consider. The lack of versatility for carrying the lights being another as they are not able to be readily clipped to pockets/hats etc. I think the cost of possibly loosing such expensive lights in the wilderness would also be an issue for most folks? OTOH they are incredibly sturdy and reliable and very water reistant, a boon when in the boonies!

My own preferences would be to carry a headlamp and a medium range handheld propolymer which uses AA's along with a Infinity ultra (or similar) as an emergency backup.

Doug

 

[MrBenchmark]

[ QUOTE ]
Surefire_Rocks said:
Hey,
I have the L4 and I used it for the first time on my last camping trip. It made a huge ring of light, but did not throw far. Is it an ideal camping light? If not, what else should I invest in?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif
-Ian-

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely get the McE2S 2 stage switch for it. The lower light level will likely be all the light you need most of the time.

I agree with people about headlamps. I don't use one myself, because my wife will just die from humiliation if I go outdoors looking like a miner. (Some fights are just not worth it.) But they are extremely practical if you are going to be navigating outdoors in the dark for any length of time.

An inova 24/7 might be useful too. It does a whole bunch of different things...

I use a SF L6 while I'm hiking at night, and carry lots of spares. Neither it nor the U2 are exactly cheap, though. The U2 is probably the better of the two for overall utility while camping.

 

[leukos]

I love my L2 for camping because it is such a great navigation light as well as decent runtime. Lithium batteries are a great consideration for camping, especially in colder weather. Those alkalines aren't too good in the middle of the night!
That said, I have a PT Aurora headlamp if needed, as well as a good incandescent like the C3. I lend my alkaline flashlights out to the other guys. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[spacetroll]

Headlamps are great, I have one that I use for extended tasks on camp trips and while out stargazing with one of my telescopes but they do get uncomfortable after a while. I have learned that a small LED that'll fit in your back pocket or on the belt allowing you to sit comfortably is the ticket for evenings around camp. Larger lights have to be set down thus easy to forget and lose, especially if your drinking. For me I have a Pelican M6 on the belt a TriStar Phazer for night hikes and the Thor 10 million for the WOW factor for the Non-flashaholic campers.

Troll

 

[xpitxbullx]

Not too many people like wearing a headlamp for the many hours of night before going to sleep. Something you can pocket works for most people.

I do like the idea of wearing an Inova 24/7 on a necklace, though. Easy access and you aren't wearing headgear for hours.

Since you already own the L4, you only need to spend a few buck for the 2-stage McE2S (15 or 22 ohm). Since low is used most the time, you will get many many hours of useful light. I did a runtime test with a 22 ohm and 1 R123 battery and got bored with the test about 9 hours into it. The battery still had plenty of juice. Imagine 2x123 runtime. You wont be left stranded.

Jeff

 

[Hans]

One point to consider is that when camping you need a fairly bright light and a dim one. In most situations a fairly dim light is all you need. But not many people would be prepared to carry several lights on a trip, at least not when it involves some hiking as well. I certainly don't want to carry a handful of lights in addition to all the stuff I'm likely to take anyway.

At the monent I'm leaning heavily towards the E1e with a 4th gen KL1 and 2-stage tailcap and the UK 2AAA eLED as a backup for a backpacking trip. That would cover my needs quite nicely, and the whole package doesn't weigh much and doesn't take too much space. I'd also have a UK 4AA eLED in the car.

Hans

 

[beezaur]

Here's a list of the things I use a light for while backpacking:

1. walking a trail
2. reading a map
3. walking off-trail
4. checking something in the distance
5. setting up camp:
- filter & treat water for cooking
- make dinner
- set up the tent/hammock/whatever shelter
6. write in my journal, maybe read a bit and watch stars
7. fumble for things in the shelter
8. when "nature calls" louder than my ability to sleep
9. emergency use, technical navigation (ice axe, etc.)

Other performance factors that are important:

a. waterproof
b. adequate runtime in the cold
c. lightweight
d. durable
e. usable with mittens


Those eare probably incomplete lists, but you get the idea.

After revisiting this, I will probably toss in a Surefire the next time I go out. My new A2 will be ideal for a lot of those. I'll still use the headlamp as primary though.

This is how I pick the vast majority of my gear. I make lists of tasks and essential qualities, then I look for something that fills the bill.

Scott

 

[X33]

I would definitely take two lights: one LED headlight for close in hands free stuff and another 'thrower' for seeing things at a distance whilst navigating at night, investigating stuff etc. So I wouldn't necessarily need hours of runtime on the throw light. But the head light would be in continous use for a lot of chores beezaur mentioned. Also its much easier to do a lot of things if you have both hands free. Water resistance is a factor, as is durability and runtime in the cold. I now prefer headlamps that haven't got a seperate battery compartment at the back of the head. Simply because its uncomfortable resting your head reading lying back with a big chunk of plastic between you and the pillow. I had a Petzl Myo 5 this summer, which I bought because it has the Xenon and LEDs. Found the throw on the Xenon useless and the beam shape was terrible and it has a battery compartment. Used my SL Scorpion for throw in the end /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I think Surefire would make a good second light for camping. As backup and for throw. Definitely with two stage switch as well. But a headlamp will be your work horse in camp.

 

[spacetroll]

One thing I think we all have to presume is that the very fact that this question is being asked means that this guy is inexperienced and I would think and hope that backpacking is out of the question. My point, I think that a larger light with a lot of throw would be fun to have and not be a burden as he would be camping out of the truck. Take some binoculars and save some steak and or chicken bones from dinner and leave them out across a canyon etc... a ways away from camp. Take a stand a few hundred yards from the bait and watch the lions, tigers and bears come in for the free meal!

 

[Bright Scouter]

While he may be inexperienced, that doesn't mean you have to not backpack. You just need to keep it fairly easy to start with. And since we all ALWAYS take someone else with use since we are NEVER supposed to backpack alone,,, right? Right?!? Then backpacking is fine.

I always have my scout essentials. That includes an arc aaa or something similar on a "tool chain". An led headlamp with multiple levels. And I take a G2 for throw since it is lighter and better to hold in cold weather. Depending on the length of trip and how much I want to pack, a spares carrier with HOLA and batts.

If I am car camping,,, My toy bag comes along with a bunch o lights!

 

[BlindedByTheLite]

[ QUOTE ]
spacetroll said:
One thing I think we all have to presume is that the very fact that this question is being asked means that this guy is inexperienced and I would think and hope that backpacking is out of the question. My point, I think that a larger light with a lot of throw would be fun to have and not be a burden as he would be camping out of the truck. Take some binoculars and save some steak and or chicken bones from dinner and leave them out across a canyon etc... a ways away from camp. Take a stand a few hundred yards from the bait and watch the lions, tigers and bears come in for the free meal!

[/ QUOTE ]
i'm sorry, but you sound like the inexperienced one in the post after your last statement. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif