Gatsby
Enlightened
I'm interested in getting a good multi purpose camping light as my son and I have joined YGuides and I am excited that both of us are going to learn a greater appreciation for the outdoors, as well as develop some useful skills. I have a pretty small range of lights given that I've slimmed down my EDC and general utility lights considerably to a Peak Pacific (mostly on a CR2 body), an HDS B42 (about to get some Seoul) and a Streamlight Strion (my bump in the night "free lumens" choice). I'm very happy with these three lights in their current jobs, but none seems like the ideal camplight. The Pacific maybe, but it seems a bit bright for most camp uses, the HDS is probably perfect but I don't want to risk losing it!, and the Strion is, but for fear of critters perhaps, much too bright from what I've been told in usual campsite uses.
So I'm picking up some inexpensive LED headlamps for both of us since those seem most useful. And perhaps a SafeLite or the like for my 5 yo son to hang on a lanyard, provide a lot of runtime and generally be an inexpensive foolproof light for him.
So that leaves a good multi use light for myself. I like the switch features of the Night Com and the red led version seems like a solid choice, with the option of a bit more oomph with the xenon. It is, however, a bit more expensive. The twintask series also seems practical, particularly the 1L that I can use with slightly discharged outcasts from my HDS, but I'm not as crazy about the switch operation (having to run through modes to get where you want to go).
I'd like to keep this under $50, or as inexpensive as possible, given the risk of losing it and the rough use it will take. I am pretty set on multiple levels as well, in a fairly straightforward configuration. I don't need a ton of levels but easy access to the ones you do have - I really, really like the HDS features and functionality both in the push button operation and the direct access to different levels and the fact that it comes on in the level it was in when turned off. A very low low seems like a necessity along with a reasonably bright beam for when you need it.
Any thoughts on these two lights, or anything else I should consider?
So I'm picking up some inexpensive LED headlamps for both of us since those seem most useful. And perhaps a SafeLite or the like for my 5 yo son to hang on a lanyard, provide a lot of runtime and generally be an inexpensive foolproof light for him.
So that leaves a good multi use light for myself. I like the switch features of the Night Com and the red led version seems like a solid choice, with the option of a bit more oomph with the xenon. It is, however, a bit more expensive. The twintask series also seems practical, particularly the 1L that I can use with slightly discharged outcasts from my HDS, but I'm not as crazy about the switch operation (having to run through modes to get where you want to go).
I'd like to keep this under $50, or as inexpensive as possible, given the risk of losing it and the rough use it will take. I am pretty set on multiple levels as well, in a fairly straightforward configuration. I don't need a ton of levels but easy access to the ones you do have - I really, really like the HDS features and functionality both in the push button operation and the direct access to different levels and the fact that it comes on in the level it was in when turned off. A very low low seems like a necessity along with a reasonably bright beam for when you need it.
Any thoughts on these two lights, or anything else I should consider?
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