Nycto,
Thank you, although the lights I use one would not normally think as a "combat light" us medics don't shoot but see the end results of that action. The normal day-to-day stuff such as walking to the shower, sneaking around early in the morning and not waking your tent mates, working in the dark and those sort of things we do. When we go "outside the wire" things get dicey since large Chevy ambulances with huge red crosses on them are very noticable and convoying in one is probably the worst vehicle to be in (been there, done that) Nothing like having a large reflective crosshairs on an unarmored vehicle!
I've found that ultraviolet LED lighting rox! :thumbsup: Blood is everywere and once it gets inside equipment, failure is soon to follow. Checked the digital imaging, CT scanners and other systems with the UV as a "go/no go" light and it saved hours of troubleshooting. When seconds count, hours mean shutting down services and diverting them to another hospital. Many of the troops, civilians and insurgents don't have that kind of time so anything possible to keep operational is used. The last time I went with a $3 keychain plastic UV light, saved a ton of time and kept the digital imaging system going (clean what you have to and tear it apart later) I immediately told my wife to get a Peak Kilamanjaro 5 UV LED light and ship it quickly. It arrived a few weeks later and I could check the inside of the CT scanner for blood quickly and keep the beast running.
How to charge batteries in the field? Well, since medics work in medical areas, we have power generators to keep all that equipment running. A Tripp-Lite Isobar surge/EMI/RFI aluminum suppressor keeps the NiMH chargers happy and those batteries charged. Counted 48 battery changes with my minimag R2H 500mA Luxeon light along with 4 sets of alkalines changed in 4.5 months of use. The giant Mag mods are generally used with the head removed to see oxygen generators, power generators, construction of various things, AC units and general lighting. Yes, it throws 100 meters easily but we don't need that ability (OK, it is a lot of fun!) A portable flood light that gives hours of use while running on NiMH batteries allows 24 hour support for all critical systems.
The thing that really helped me with my deployments to Iraq (Feb-May 03 and Sept thru Jan 05) it was CPF recommended devices. Holsters, lights, batteries, chargers, battery adapters, LED technology, UV, red colors, multi-tools, modding parts, modded flashlights and advice from people in various parts of the world. The first place I went had no CR123A batteries... heck, maybe a few dozen AA batteries but that was it. I hauled in over 100 batteries and used them (had more shipped in). The second time I went with three dozen NiMH cells, 5 dozen AA cells, chargers, shortwave clock radios and a dozen flashlights.
Saw plenty of Surefires on high powered rifles and they work well. Since I don't carry a weapon (except a double-edged Gerber combat folder) have no use for Surefires. That would explain why I like Peaks twistie LED lights so much, they are multi-cofigurable, have that loc-line magnet/clamp to hold the lights in position and are durable with zero failures after months of constant use and daily showers. Fine dust, drops into water, getting run over by hummers and general abuse don't phase them. Don't have to run CR123 lithiums to get a light that won't fail. I'm about to send a Pacific AAA (with AA spare body) to Afghanistan and tell my buddy to wear around his neck on a lanyard. It should be bright enough to save batteries used in his Mediterranean 2AA.
At work I keep a suggested stuff to deploy with listing. Peak for AAA/AA flashlights (UV, red, Pacific AAA/AA and Mediterranean 2AA) loc-line magnet/clamps, countycomm for shortwave clock radios, lanyards, bags etc, Amondotech for TG2800 chargers, Titanium batteries and battery holders and other places for multi-tools, knives, Tripp-lite suppressors, knife sharpeners, holsters, lithium AAA/AA batteries etc.
The only thing I am looking for is a high powered, variable output Mag mod to make a AA NiMH powered, variable output, flood/throw light. Waiting for the BAM! mod drop-in and it should be close enough. Maybe take out the reflectors and it will give a decent flood beam and 4 hours of runtime on 6AA NiMH batteries. I'll tell them to match it with two TG2800 chargers to keep the batteries charged and balanced. (They don't get my nFlex LuxeonV 8AA Mag!)
Another thing people need is battery care and maintenance training. The charge/discharge function of the TG2800 allows for balancing and no-brainer use. Since the heat levels get fairly high in the desert, charging at lower levels is critical to the health of the batteries. I cut and paste some CPF materials to provide the training and ensure that those LED flashlights keep running through the length of their deployment. Yeah, I stole the quote "two equals one--one equals none" law of survival.
Now to get my butt back there after the BAM! becomes available with K2's and I have a fistfull of Pacifics. The L1P's, $1 keychain lights and old Arc AA flashlights are loners... always good to have people owe you a favor
Nyctophiliac said:
BentHeadTX,
You paint a sobering picture of how our trivial pastime becomes a serious life saving operation under extraordinary circumstances.
These may be toys to us but they will always be tools in waiting and we should not forget what is important.
Glad there are lights made for serious and reliable use out there.
Much respect...
P.S. How do you recharge the NiMH's when 'in the field'? Or did you mean you use those at home?
