Why are we all here?

[ABTOMAT]

As a recent member, I'm curious as to what draws folks to this hobby/site. I'm mainly an everyday use guy, with a little old collection tossed in.

 

[stockwiz]

I am fascinated by the potentials of light emitting diode technology, which got me into buying flashlights on ebay and through some google searches I stumbled upon the LED flashlight review site and eventually this forum.

 

[Prolepsis]

I'm here because CPF is a wealth of information. And, as my better half tells me, I'm here because then I feel "normal" (that there are other flashaholics /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

In addition, I've found that this forum contains some of the most friendly and helpful people that I've ever met online. A lot of good debates happen, and, in general, with a minimal amount of flaming. So, overall, a nice place to spend some time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[BlindedByTheLite]

i voted "Just lights I use/want to".. i really only get lights that i find ideal for the woods around here.. for hiking mostly, and camping.. and they have to be able to take a beating on white water..

 

[spud]

Don't we all look forward to nightime ?

 

[kakster]

All i wanted was a better alternative to an Minimag...
Got a Surefire E2e after doing some reading on here, and a year later, and much money spent, im still here.

 

[stockae92]

toys /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sub_Umbra]

None of the above.

I've been interested in flashlights my whole life. The 'combined mind' that exists here exists nowhere else. In the last couple of months I've gotten answers about lights, batteries, chargers and knives that I could not find anywhere else. I've had some questions answered here that I've been wondering about for decades.

 

[Mrd 74]

Kids are all grown up, no grandkids yet....need something to keep me busy.

 

[Reno]

I'm here on the permanent quest for a better flashlight.

Sounds like a good slogan, doesn't it??

Not really a collector, per se. I go on to the next big (or little) thing, and whatever I carried prior to that finds it's way into storage, or the possession of a loved one.

And, yeah, I feel more 'normal' around you guys /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[tvodrd]

It's nice to be able to belong to and contribute to a community. I made several lights for me and friends long before i found CPF and it was a minor hobby. Now my thinning wallet says otherwise. I'm having fun- what more can anybody ask.

Larry

 

[Wingerr]

We're all here 'cause we're not all there- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Topper]

Everybody gots to be somewhere.
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BentHeadTX]

There I was...
Blasting along on my recumbent bicycle rolling at 35KPH (20+MPH), my helmet light was lighting the way. The beam was showing rice fields on either side that dropped off 2 meters from the narrow road. Pop! No more light and one of those white knuckle moments.
Replaced the bulb and wished I could have LED lighting that would work for the front of the recumbent, maybe a helmet mounted LED would be nice also. My rear 18 red LED flasher always seemed to work...
Jumped the pond in '02 and landed in Texas (again) I was going to find a white LED solution. Surfed the net, ran into the LED museum and started my research. Clicked on the CPF icon and started reading for a few weeks. Then I signed up and was interested in dat2zips Luxeon minimag dropins.
A few months later, my first generation BB500 minimag was mounted on my helmet and the disease spread. Used the light in Iraq and I knew I had to have more.
My wallet thinned but the 2D Mag with madmax+ R2H made a nice, narrow beam frame mounted light. Wayne built a few BB500 R2H drop ins and those were mated with the Fraen LP optics. My next light is waiting for those X3T 5 watters...hey, it can happen.
Now that the bicycle lighting is complete for the most part, it was time for other lights. Since I get the feeling I might be heading to Iraq in a few months, Arc AAA, Gerber Ultras and UKE 4AAA eLED lights are in the spotlight. My plan it to bring my bicycle lighting as the cannons, Arc AAA with red LED for blackout and Arc AA/Gerber Ultras for walking around, reading books etc.
If I go, my plan is to have around 10 lights---with another 25 lights for the other medics. Gerber Ultras and $1.50 keychain lights to backup the unit. My spare BB500 R2H Fraen LP minimag will be lent to whomever co-worker I have. Really, really hate minimag beam quality/color!
It all started as reliable lighting for my recumbent bicycle. The motivation was added when I experienced Luxeon LED goodness in my travels. Now I think of going back to crazy land and I think of others. A true flashaholic must outfit those that are less enlightened.

 

[hideo]

like one of the socal contingent said, "toys" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

or to paraphrase, "it's never too late to have a happy childhood" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

or as I point out to my (very) understanding wife when all those Paypals appear on the charge bill, I could be working thru my mid-life crisis with a bright red Miyata convertible and a bleach-blonde 19 year old with multiple piercings ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

... instead of two '83 Subaru GL 4WD wagons and a drawerful of lights (and one of knives, oh yeah and the gun safe ...) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hideo

 

[Clifton Arnold]

Hey at my age my wife doesn't mind I tell her their tools and she says toys. I say it keeps me out of the bars. I have had this problem for years and didn't notice it till I came here and found out I'm normal everybody else is different.

 

[Jack_Crow]

AB,
In my case it's mostly pratical.

The third world is dark half the day.

I would hate to walk into something hard, like a military truck at night.

I got refered to this by some guys on a gun rights board I post on as well. So far the answers are spot on and the dealers are 'max cool'.

Just wish the Army's mail system was up to delivering the goods I order w/o making them go poof.

Later dude
Jack Crow in Iraq.

 

[jbrett14]

Because no one that I know around here shares my fascination with lights. Not sure why I have this fascination, but I have had it for a long time. Even when I was a kid I found self-contained (no plugs) lights intriguing. I have the same fascination with any small cleverly designed equipment, e.g. handguns, compasses, mechanical pencils, lighters, pocket knives, cordless power tools of course, and just about anything that is uniquely crafted & functional. It's a never-ending addiction that was not helped by this forum. At one point, after comments from my wife, I was beginning to think that there was no one else out there as obsessed as me. Then I find this forum and realize there are plenty of nuts like me.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I think what hideo and jbrett14 said pretty well sums it up for me.

 

[Deleted member 4455]

Because of honest posts such as the above .Also,it's fun to be here.I look forward to being here.Many of you are quite different,and in a good way,than the people I interact with daily.I've heard it often at work,"What,another light?!?"
Practical,tactical,or just because.No explanations needed here.