Gunner12
Flashaholic
Yes, a good back up light like the Fenix E01 would be a great idea!
Time Critical Suggestions politely requested...
- Thread starter Pummy
- Start date
*Dusty*
Enlightened
I'm a big fan of headlamps but not everyone is especially non-flashaholics. Sometimes it is just more reassuring to have something in your hands too. I do agree there is no need to send them with more than one light and a keychain offering each as long as it is something sturdy.
Keep it simple, reliable and small. Your budget is very tight => romisen or similar from shiningbeam or fenix E01 as general purpose light.
I really second the notion of headlamp, particular zebralight. My favorite is h50b. But this is out of budget bounds. You can buy some dirt cheap 3*AAA headlamps to complement the reliable hand held light.
Any light that attemps to run a cree Q5 as bright as possible should be plenty bright for your "need a bright light NOW" scenarios, including romisen lights If not, then you need a HID light... But running the Q5 at maximum eats batteries, so you either needs more modes or another low output light.
What I would WANT on this trip is neutral/warm white zebralight H50b (ask them if they have any more in stock) and neutral quark 2*AA. With budget constraints, I would settle for the two mode romisen 2*AA light from shiningbeam. ($25, 12 hours run time). And perhaps toss in the perfect backup/utility light (fenix E01, indestructable, small and looong runtime - and cheap) and a cheap 3*AAA headlamp for convenience.
I would avoid DX / KD because you don't know if you're going to be lucky in their quality control lottery.
I really second the notion of headlamp, particular zebralight. My favorite is h50b. But this is out of budget bounds. You can buy some dirt cheap 3*AAA headlamps to complement the reliable hand held light.
Any light that attemps to run a cree Q5 as bright as possible should be plenty bright for your "need a bright light NOW" scenarios, including romisen lights If not, then you need a HID light... But running the Q5 at maximum eats batteries, so you either needs more modes or another low output light.
What I would WANT on this trip is neutral/warm white zebralight H50b (ask them if they have any more in stock) and neutral quark 2*AA. With budget constraints, I would settle for the two mode romisen 2*AA light from shiningbeam. ($25, 12 hours run time). And perhaps toss in the perfect backup/utility light (fenix E01, indestructable, small and looong runtime - and cheap) and a cheap 3*AAA headlamp for convenience.
I would avoid DX / KD because you don't know if you're going to be lucky in their quality control lottery.
The input has been wonderful everyone. It really is appreciated.
The person who is leading the trip WILL take at least one 3D regardless of my input on the matter. Since it is going anyway, and if I cannot convince them to get something that is more efficient than the incan, I will give him my 3D with the 3W terralux dropin. Still does the job reasonably better than the std incan and quick to get the converters from a local electronics store at a push.
As for the DX / KD lights. I am now very much aware of the old addage "You get what you pay for" which is why I came here to figure out options available. I can lay my hands on 3 WF-606A's (P4) and 1 ultrafire A10 Q5, if worst came to the worst. 606's belong a good friend of mine, the other belongs to my father, however that gives me a better chance of forgiveness from the accountant of the house when I go out and indulge in some better quality kit :sssh:.
The trip is not about moving around long distances in the dark, in fact far from it. They will probably end up staynig very near where they were working and use them for no more than 50ft of walking from the tents and back, if that. This is why I suggested some of the cheaper lights initially as they can be thought of as disposable for all intense purposes. When they come back, I will be taking them apart and be my mod hosts, assuming they have not lost / damage beyond repair.
I suppose since I already have the cheap "dip your foot into the hobby" lights already, if I was to give spec up some lights with their requirement of an AA, I would not want them to go down the route of budget and just get them to get the proper gear instead.
After all has been said and done, I would think that at a push, I would need to at least get one decent 1xAA light, and maybe another 2xAA light and leave it at that. If they want more, they can maybe take the 606's?
The person who is leading the trip WILL take at least one 3D regardless of my input on the matter. Since it is going anyway, and if I cannot convince them to get something that is more efficient than the incan, I will give him my 3D with the 3W terralux dropin. Still does the job reasonably better than the std incan and quick to get the converters from a local electronics store at a push.
As for the DX / KD lights. I am now very much aware of the old addage "You get what you pay for" which is why I came here to figure out options available. I can lay my hands on 3 WF-606A's (P4) and 1 ultrafire A10 Q5, if worst came to the worst. 606's belong a good friend of mine, the other belongs to my father, however that gives me a better chance of forgiveness from the accountant of the house when I go out and indulge in some better quality kit :sssh:.
The trip is not about moving around long distances in the dark, in fact far from it. They will probably end up staynig very near where they were working and use them for no more than 50ft of walking from the tents and back, if that. This is why I suggested some of the cheaper lights initially as they can be thought of as disposable for all intense purposes. When they come back, I will be taking them apart and be my mod hosts, assuming they have not lost / damage beyond repair.
I suppose since I already have the cheap "dip your foot into the hobby" lights already, if I was to give spec up some lights with their requirement of an AA, I would not want them to go down the route of budget and just get them to get the proper gear instead.
After all has been said and done, I would think that at a push, I would need to at least get one decent 1xAA light, and maybe another 2xAA light and leave it at that. If they want more, they can maybe take the 606's?
hoongern
Enlightened
imho, if you're going to be using AA cells in D cell flashlights, it kinda defeats the purpose...?
Personally I'd just go for AA flashlights and use the space saved to carry extra batteries.
I'd just carry a bunch of Romisen RC-N3 IIs, except that they're not exactly waterproof (just water resistant).. and really they should have a lower mode to save power / longer runtime (because the RC-N3's medium is still pretty bright)
But if the 3D really has to go... it has to go then, huh?
Anyway, I just got myself a Quark AA Tac =) Nice single AA light. Off the budget though?
Personally I'd just go for AA flashlights and use the space saved to carry extra batteries.
I'd just carry a bunch of Romisen RC-N3 IIs, except that they're not exactly waterproof (just water resistant).. and really they should have a lower mode to save power / longer runtime (because the RC-N3's medium is still pretty bright)
But if the 3D really has to go... it has to go then, huh?
Anyway, I just got myself a Quark AA Tac =) Nice single AA light. Off the budget though?
UpChUcK
Enlightened
If I will be providing these lights to non-flashaholics, then I would buy them the new Maglite Mini MagLED Multi-mode (say that 5 times fast :D ). If my family will be buying them individually, I'd also recommend the new Mini MagLED. As far as the D-sized lights, again, the new Maglite MagLED 2D with Lux Rebel emitter. Good light output and runtimes. Nothing fancy. No crying if lost or stolen.
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After reading the above, 50ft of walking, that is roughly 20m or so, get the ITP AAA light from shiningbeam, $20.50 each + shipping, 3 modes, which will be more than enough light for 50ft of walking. Bryan's service is extremely fast, shipped out within 24 hours of ordering/payment.
Since there is a 3D going along and the possibility of some 606As going too, just get the AAA lights and a box of lithium AAAs and you're all set. I'm trying to travel lighter (no pun intended), got some really strange looks when i went through a security checkpoint when going into the courthouse to use the law library.
The look the cop had when my bag went through the xray was priceless. and when i emptied my pockets it was even funnier.
Bag: 1x SF G2, 1xTA30 (to show my friend later), 8xRCR123s (spares), 4xAAA NiMHs, 2x14500s
Pocket: EX10, Akoray K106, LD01
they told me to leave the TA30 in the locker along with my Gerber Suspension multitool (as if i was going to take down the courthouse with a flashlight and a multitool, but you never know, i might just have had a Macgyver moment) :crackup:
But the point is, seeing as how its just going to be navigating a little bit at night, im thinking the ITP AAA light (3 modes) is the way to go, get lanyards so they can wear them around their neck and make it less likely to lose. Travelling light is better IMHO
Just an update. Have not been told which one they group are buying, but I got a K-106 in the post recently and compared against the A10. Good low modes, but high is visibly less intense than the A10. When they come back with their purchases, I will let you all know
yes, i did see your post in the other thread. but don't get too worried about that, if the use is for walking to and from the tents, there may not be a need for a blazing high mode, in any event, if i recall correctly, a Malkoff in a 3D is going along with them right? that should take care of the need for a higher powered light.
My K106 also pales when compared to my Jetbeams but when i take it out and actually use it for fishing and all that, its perfectly servicable. There will always be something brighter in the same format and size but definitely not the same PRICE :D
Hope everyone in your family has a safe trip and remember to try and get photos of the lights in action :thumbsup:
My K106 also pales when compared to my Jetbeams but when i take it out and actually use it for fishing and all that, its perfectly servicable. There will always be something brighter in the same format and size but definitely not the same PRICE :D
Hope everyone in your family has a safe trip and remember to try and get photos of the lights in action :thumbsup:
Thanks hyperloop. I told them to get some Fenix lights instead and a headstrap for them. I figure instead of loading up with lights, may as well get a few decent ones and make do with that. Plus they will bring them back as they will be decent kit, assuming no loss or damage. The 3D will be going but I suspect it will only the TerraLux Luxeon upgraded one, no Malkoff as I have not been approached to get it back.
I have seen the Nitecore D10 R2 as well, was considering that would be very good also. The lumen chasing behaviour you see is only because this would be their first high power flashlight so they may as well get the brightest they can, despite the difference being an amount not discernable to the average eye.
I have seen the Nitecore D10 R2 as well, was considering that would be very good also. The lumen chasing behaviour you see is only because this would be their first high power flashlight so they may as well get the brightest they can, despite the difference being an amount not discernable to the average eye.
heck, almost every one chases lumens when they start, i did, then i started getting into runtimes, then beam profiles, then lower lows :D
Narcosynthesis
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2008
- Messages
- 105
For carrying, 3d Mag's sound like a fair weight to be carting around when you could probably get off with something a lot smaller and lighter.
My first thought would be a headlight - when camping, if you need light these are invaluable in freeing up your hands, which is a great bonus if you have to do any manual task.
The model I use is a Petzl Tikka XP which has done me brilliantly - more than enough output and has a fair battery life on 3AAA when mainly used at the lower levels (with a decent high as well if you need to spot anything at a distance). check the prices though, as perhaps one of the cheaper models may suffice (looking mainly at runtime - if they are away from artificial lighting, then night adjusted vision does not need too much output to work by)
Beyond that a small 1AA light like a Fenix L1T would be my choice - small, simple to use (just twist for high/low - no faffing about with clicking the tail and an array of different modes) and decent enough runtime on low.
Lastly something like the Fenix e01 makes an excellent backup light, good runtime, adequate output, solid build and all for a decent price. Maybe not a light I would take as my only light camping, but a great backup to keep around and for small tasks in the night.
My first thought would be a headlight - when camping, if you need light these are invaluable in freeing up your hands, which is a great bonus if you have to do any manual task.
The model I use is a Petzl Tikka XP which has done me brilliantly - more than enough output and has a fair battery life on 3AAA when mainly used at the lower levels (with a decent high as well if you need to spot anything at a distance). check the prices though, as perhaps one of the cheaper models may suffice (looking mainly at runtime - if they are away from artificial lighting, then night adjusted vision does not need too much output to work by)
Beyond that a small 1AA light like a Fenix L1T would be my choice - small, simple to use (just twist for high/low - no faffing about with clicking the tail and an array of different modes) and decent enough runtime on low.
Lastly something like the Fenix e01 makes an excellent backup light, good runtime, adequate output, solid build and all for a decent price. Maybe not a light I would take as my only light camping, but a great backup to keep around and for small tasks in the night.
I have not been told what they ended up with in the end. I think they will just end up taking 2 big maglites a AA fenix and a 2AA fenix.
Truth be told I do not know if they have left yet or not. I will see what they are doing before they leave and post up what actually goes out there.
I will try and get a Terralux 2/3D LED upgrade into the maglites before they go, possibly with a modern XRE lamp upgrade if I get the time to get the upgrade delivered and fitted in time before they head out. Not the best but by far the cheapest and quickest mod to get done given our timeframe and that the std bulb is pitiful in comparison.
Truth be told I do not know if they have left yet or not. I will see what they are doing before they leave and post up what actually goes out there.
I will try and get a Terralux 2/3D LED upgrade into the maglites before they go, possibly with a modern XRE lamp upgrade if I get the time to get the upgrade delivered and fitted in time before they head out. Not the best but by far the cheapest and quickest mod to get done given our timeframe and that the std bulb is pitiful in comparison.
As it turns out, they plumped for the 3D or higher maglites in the end. thanks for the input regardless, I will be making sure that next year when they go out again (it is an annual thing their business will be doing) they are more suitably prepared.
