Travel and camping lights of choice
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I have my MD2 M61T Hi/LO in hand (delivered today.) My first MD2. WOW. Just what I'd hoped as it compared to the MD4/ M91T. For it's purpose, tint doesnt really freak me out. But I will still bring a Neutral or 219B M61 in a G3 size light and some neutral Zebralight- either a SC53W if I want AA or a SC62w if I want interchangeability with my MD2/ MD4. If I were camping, probably bring the MD2 and 4 61t/91t and both ZL. For the upcoming trip, to NYC via airplane, leaving the MD4 behind and either bring the G3 or secind ZL to get the AA option rolling.
Life is pretty neat in the flashlight world. I know you can never be "done" but I don't have any big "wants" right now. And I don't see myself going gurdygurds and taking ONE light with me anywhere. Ever.
Life is pretty neat in the flashlight world. I know you can never be "done" but I don't have any big "wants" right now. And I don't see myself going gurdygurds and taking ONE light with me anywhere. Ever.
Since this thread has slowed down, (hope I didn't kill it!) I have worked toward a couple more simple MD series lights. I have L and LL drop ins in W, N and 219 flavor. I have several 2 and 3 cell surefire to use them in in addition to the md2 and md4 hosts (and 4 or 5 Mdc\vme options.)
But I LOVE my MD1 with the WLL and a 16340. Getting my 1.5 as soon as Mr. White gets it to me (should be late this week or next!). Of course now I'm trying not to spend $100+ to get zerorez shorty and z41 style for both.
Think I will take those two (still with the mcclicky), a thrower and a couple ZL car camping in a few weeks to try out before our backpacking the next weekend.
I LOVE the Archimedes graph regarding lumens and figure there should be something similar with other tastes - and battery type! That's the thing that gives me the most grief- deciding on fuel. Lol. it's a struggle being a gear nerd.
But I LOVE my MD1 with the WLL and a 16340. Getting my 1.5 as soon as Mr. White gets it to me (should be late this week or next!). Of course now I'm trying not to spend $100+ to get zerorez shorty and z41 style for both.
Think I will take those two (still with the mcclicky), a thrower and a couple ZL car camping in a few weeks to try out before our backpacking the next weekend.
I LOVE the Archimedes graph regarding lumens and figure there should be something similar with other tastes - and battery type! That's the thing that gives me the most grief- deciding on fuel. Lol. it's a struggle being a gear nerd.
Same here. I love the convienence of AA, the performance of 18650 and environmental tolerance of cr123....
And lion in general- my 16650s and 16340s.... Haven't even plunged into 18350 and 18500 yet!
likethevegetable
Enlightened
Depends on the length of trip and what I'll be doing.
For urban-type trips where I don't expect a lot of night hiking, my Zebralight H53c with a lithium primary inside and 1 spare, no headband, is often enough. I like traveling carry-on only so the weight and size savings is appreciated.
For lightweight camping, the same but with the headband. If I'm going on a canoe trip or extended hike where I'll be taking my XTAR PB2 as a battery bank, the H600Fc is what I use.
For urban-type trips where I don't expect a lot of night hiking, my Zebralight H53c with a lithium primary inside and 1 spare, no headband, is often enough. I like traveling carry-on only so the weight and size savings is appreciated.
For lightweight camping, the same but with the headband. If I'm going on a canoe trip or extended hike where I'll be taking my XTAR PB2 as a battery bank, the H600Fc is what I use.
Charles Chalmers
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Newbie poster here.
For Lightweight backpacking, From my modest collection,
Main light: Fenix HL50 with 123 and spare
Back up: Fenix UC20SS, as a back up
Wife would also carry Fenix HL50R and a backup E01
If I wanted to go a bit heavier, for nighttime wildlife viewing: PD35.
Cheers,
Charles on Borneo
For Lightweight backpacking, From my modest collection,
Main light: Fenix HL50 with 123 and spare
Back up: Fenix UC20SS, as a back up
Wife would also carry Fenix HL50R and a backup E01
If I wanted to go a bit heavier, for nighttime wildlife viewing: PD35.
Cheers,
Charles on Borneo
Nice, kam. On our mini glamp, my daughter used her E-1L and my wife..... well, she brought her L-1 because I packed it. But she used her APPLE WATCH. Ugh.
I discovered that I no longer want my ZLs. I ONCE popped the switch instead of holding and my night adapted eyes were done - and the wife was blinded as she was down range in the tent.
Back to peaks and maybe I'll try the Mdc AA finally.
Otherwise, my md-1 with 61L- 219b and hilo was perfection.
I discovered that I no longer want my ZLs. I ONCE popped the switch instead of holding and my night adapted eyes were done - and the wife was blinded as she was down range in the tent.
Back to peaks and maybe I'll try the Mdc AA finally.
Otherwise, my md-1 with 61L- 219b and hilo was perfection.
I always have my tool on me (600 l), but I'll bring my olight m2r (1300 l) and acebeam ec50 3 (3000 l).
Not that I need more than 600 lumens, the moon mode is more useful.
Though I have made raccoons freeze like deer in the headlights with the acebeam at 3000 lumens.
Not that I need more than 600 lumens, the moon mode is more useful.
Though I have made raccoons freeze like deer in the headlights with the acebeam at 3000 lumens.
One of the reasons I love travel--I get to find out which lights I really like, which ones I really need, and which ones stay at home! For an upcoming 2-week international trip to Central America, with some extended mountain bike rides and some hotels that will have "unreliable" power, I surprised myself a little at what my "traveling light but staying in hotels" 7-light kit included, for my wife and I. They're all warm tint (1 exception for HDS high noon), all flood (1 exception for "tactical" thrower), high CRI (2 exceptions--thrower, and red), and 3 battery types. My wife thinks it's silly to take 7 lights, but I think that 3.5 lights per person is actually very restrained of me! Maybe I'll sneak a BLF GT into her luggage...
CR123--mostly because my UV water purifier runs on CR123, and it's an excuse to bring an HDS
1. HDS high noon 5700K 93 CRI
-- SteriPen water purifier technically has a "flashlight" mode, but I can't count it as a flashlight
AA--mostly as a backup if everything else fails, and these lights are the lightest weight and most comfortable headlamps I own
2. ZL H53Fc AA, 4000K, 93-95 CRI
3. ZL H502pr Photo Red AA Flood for stargazing, maybe the airplane
18650GA's--my primary power source
4. ZL SC64c 4000K 93 CRI--my EDC since 2017
5. Acebeam L16vn 5000K (also runs on 2xCR123)
6. ZL H604c 4000K 93 CRI
7. Noctigon Meteor M43 Nichia 219c 5000K 90 CRI--my favorite floodlight, nightlight, and 4x18650 carrier
Power/chargers
-- (Acebeam L16vn is a backup 18650 charger)
-- 2x Fomolov A1 chargers/powerbanks for charging 18650 and using any 18650 as a power bank
-- Fenix ARE X1+ for 18650/AA charging
-- Nekteck 21W Solar Charger (2 USB Port) that I don't plan on using, but its too small not to take just in case la mierda golpea el ventilador
-- 2x slim "10Ah" USB micro/C LiFePO4 power banks ~35-40 Wh (3x 18650 or 3x phone charges)
Now that this thread is in its second year, how have you guys updated/changed your travel kits?
CR123--mostly because my UV water purifier runs on CR123, and it's an excuse to bring an HDS
1. HDS high noon 5700K 93 CRI
-- SteriPen water purifier technically has a "flashlight" mode, but I can't count it as a flashlight
AA--mostly as a backup if everything else fails, and these lights are the lightest weight and most comfortable headlamps I own
2. ZL H53Fc AA, 4000K, 93-95 CRI
3. ZL H502pr Photo Red AA Flood for stargazing, maybe the airplane
18650GA's--my primary power source
4. ZL SC64c 4000K 93 CRI--my EDC since 2017
5. Acebeam L16vn 5000K (also runs on 2xCR123)
6. ZL H604c 4000K 93 CRI
7. Noctigon Meteor M43 Nichia 219c 5000K 90 CRI--my favorite floodlight, nightlight, and 4x18650 carrier
Power/chargers
-- (Acebeam L16vn is a backup 18650 charger)
-- 2x Fomolov A1 chargers/powerbanks for charging 18650 and using any 18650 as a power bank
-- Fenix ARE X1+ for 18650/AA charging
-- Nekteck 21W Solar Charger (2 USB Port) that I don't plan on using, but its too small not to take just in case la mierda golpea el ventilador
-- 2x slim "10Ah" USB micro/C LiFePO4 power banks ~35-40 Wh (3x 18650 or 3x phone charges)
Now that this thread is in its second year, how have you guys updated/changed your travel kits?
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Well, the EDC keychain light is nnow MUCH brighter with the Thrunite Ti XPL. Sure, only a half hour at max brightness but it'll light up the whole area at night!
Otherwise, despite perfering high cri and warmer tint options my biggest change has been (slowly) accepting 18650 batteries. Currently I have a number of frequently used lights running 18650 such as Armytek, Zebralight and even a Malkoff in a LumensFactory host. I still like to keep 1-2 AA and AAA lights when traveling "just in case" but man those 18650s sure do offer both output AND runtime!
Originally Posted by Charlie Hustle 
Lightweight 18650 lights are probably what I would choose for camping.
I'm curious why an 18650 light would not be as good as AA primaries for an extended stay in a remote area. If you bring extra 18650s, wouldn't they work just as well?
Lightweight 18650 lights are probably what I would choose for camping.I'm curious why an 18650 light would not be as good as AA primaries for an extended stay in a remote area. If you bring extra 18650s, wouldn't they work just as well?
Hooked on Fenix
Flashlight Enthusiast
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- Dec 13, 2007
- Messages
- 3,500
Bare minimum would be a Nitecore HA 23 headlight, a 4sevens Quark Pro 2A and a 4AA Power film solar charger. Likely, I'd take a Nitecore HC60 headlight, a Nitecore MH10 V2 flashlight, and a Luci Lux Pro Lantern instead.
Outdoorsman5
Flashlight Enthusiast
I go camping every month with our scout troop (2 backpacking trips that leave out on Fri late afternoon & into the night, 2 climbing trip involving backpacking 2.5 miles up on a Friday night, caving trip, survival weekend, deep sea fishing trip each year, and various other trips.
My go to lights are:
- Backpacking for extended periods at night - Zebralight H600Fw headlight and a Zebralight SC600w MK IV HI flashlight to see further out. However, on our January cold weather backpacking trip, I take a Zebralight H53Fw headlight instead and run it on a primary Lithium energizer for better cold weather performance plus extra battery (which has never been needed.) I still bring the SC600w MK IV HI since it stays warm in my hand or pocket.
- Climbing trips - same as above except I stick with 18650 for both lights since we go in early November and again in late April (not crazy cold usually.) We usually hit the trail right at dark and it takes us 3-4 hours to hike all of our gear up the 2.5 miles 1500 elevation gain (Mt Yonah in North GA.)
- Caving trip - Same two 18650 lights as above plus a Zebralight SC64w HI as a third source of light that really never gets used while caving all day - PERFECT set up!!
- Survival Weekend - Everyone has to survive the weekend with only what they can fit in a shoebox. They can wear whatever they want, but nothing in their/our pockets. For this I carry my tiny AAA light running on a primary lithium energizer - Olight i3S EOS.
- Deep Sea Fishing Trip - We go for 4 days and fish off of a pear when not on the boat in deep water. For night fishing I use my Olight M2X-UT Javelot for good Throw, plus have my Zebralight SC600w MK IV HI as a mediumish throwy light, plus my headlight Zebra H600w Mk IV to clean fish.....BUT I now have a Noctigon K1, a Noctigon KR1 and a Lumintop GT Mini on the way. I'm betting that K1 will be my go to fishing light moving forward with 4500 lumens and 420k cd.
- The rest of our trips, I mix up what I bring depending on where we go. I prefer a small AA headlight for general use not requiring long runtimes, so my Zebra H53Fw gets the most use on the rest of our trips, plus the Zebra SC600w MK IV HI is always with me.
This was a goofy post. Maybe someone found it interesting
My go to lights are:
- Backpacking for extended periods at night - Zebralight H600Fw headlight and a Zebralight SC600w MK IV HI flashlight to see further out. However, on our January cold weather backpacking trip, I take a Zebralight H53Fw headlight instead and run it on a primary Lithium energizer for better cold weather performance plus extra battery (which has never been needed.) I still bring the SC600w MK IV HI since it stays warm in my hand or pocket.
- Climbing trips - same as above except I stick with 18650 for both lights since we go in early November and again in late April (not crazy cold usually.) We usually hit the trail right at dark and it takes us 3-4 hours to hike all of our gear up the 2.5 miles 1500 elevation gain (Mt Yonah in North GA.)
- Caving trip - Same two 18650 lights as above plus a Zebralight SC64w HI as a third source of light that really never gets used while caving all day - PERFECT set up!!
- Survival Weekend - Everyone has to survive the weekend with only what they can fit in a shoebox. They can wear whatever they want, but nothing in their/our pockets. For this I carry my tiny AAA light running on a primary lithium energizer - Olight i3S EOS.
- Deep Sea Fishing Trip - We go for 4 days and fish off of a pear when not on the boat in deep water. For night fishing I use my Olight M2X-UT Javelot for good Throw, plus have my Zebralight SC600w MK IV HI as a mediumish throwy light, plus my headlight Zebra H600w Mk IV to clean fish.....BUT I now have a Noctigon K1, a Noctigon KR1 and a Lumintop GT Mini on the way. I'm betting that K1 will be my go to fishing light moving forward with 4500 lumens and 420k cd.
- The rest of our trips, I mix up what I bring depending on where we go. I prefer a small AA headlight for general use not requiring long runtimes, so my Zebra H53Fw gets the most use on the rest of our trips, plus the Zebra SC600w MK IV HI is always with me.
This was a goofy post. Maybe someone found it interesting
parang
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- Dec 28, 2020
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Ultra light gear junky here. I carry one, maybe two Petzl e+lites and a Niteize carabiner mini lantern clipped to the hammock ridge line. There is also a tiny light attached to the draw cord of my backpack so I can see what's inside. I need light for 20-ish minutes each night to set up camp and have the fire going.
Including the 2 always in my wife's purse, we're packing 8 lights! Crazy? Or prepared? Trying to keep it to 3 different battery types with a few rechargeables thrown in. I think I'll use my 6 while my wife's stay in her bag.
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Megalamuffin
Enlightened
I keep a couple lights in my camping pack all the time, a preon 2 and fenix e16. The preon uses 2x aaa's and the fenix has a 16340 with charging port, but also runs well on 123's which I take with me. My camping trips usually only last a few days. I take 3-4 other lights with me (counting two edc's) and I just pick whatever strikes me at the time. I do always bring some cr123's and compatible lights.
I have yet to take the zebra sc64c on a trip but that's really the ideal camping light with its loooong runtimes and very low modes. I could take that on an extended trip and not worry at all about a spare battery. The 3500k 519a baton 3 with its charging case is also a favorite for camping.
I have yet to take the zebra sc64c on a trip but that's really the ideal camping light with its loooong runtimes and very low modes. I could take that on an extended trip and not worry at all about a spare battery. The 3500k 519a baton 3 with its charging case is also a favorite for camping.
