Lights you’d go to war with – a Game

In deference to those who must actually "go to war", the phrase, as used here, is a euphemism for "ruggedness, reliability, flexibility (may use different battery types, batteries interchangeable with other lights you carry, etc.), and versatility (multiple levels, flood, throw, signaling, run time, etc.)"

Here's the game. You are about to embark on a month long adventure vacation. Due to unforeseen circumstances, your trip may be extended several weeks.

You will be traveling to your destination(s) via commercial aircraft, taxi, train, bus, boat, and private auto (I've actually made this trip to get to a site for a software install). After you reach your final destination, you will be traveling with the aid of pack animals.

Things you will encounter on your adventure:
- Forests where the tree canopy is so thick it will be dark as night 24/7 for several days

-You will be exploring caves and abandoned mines where you may be lost or get trapped for up to a week or more.

-you may have to ford rivers and endure torrential rainfall

-You will not have access to any external power source

The object of the game is to select 7 lights to trust your life with. 4 of the lights will be pocket lights (single AAA, single AA, single 9V, single CR123, etc.), 2 of the lights will be non-pocket lights (multiple batteries, one or more 18650's, etc), and 1 of the lights will be a head light. Although size and weight are a consideration, this is not a backpacking trip where you need to count ounces. For obvious reasons, something such as a Thor would not be a good choice.

I'll leave it up to you, to keep your spare batteries manageable. Even though recharging batteries is not possible, Li-ion batteries may be a good choice in some situations.

Results updated 2/20/08 through post #75.







The winner of the game will be those who find benefit in the information collected.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Interesting. This scenario somewhat precludes the use of common lights thanks to the torrential rainfall and flooding issue.

Is there a cost limit? You mentioned there's really no weight limit.

-Steve

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Pocket lights:
Fenix P1D-CE, Fenix L0D-CE, Orb Raw Ti, Surefire E1e w/ RCR123 & Lumens Factory 90 lumen bulb.

Non-pocket lights
Surefire M6, Fenix T1

Headlamp
Petzl Myo XP belt

Wouldn't be anywhere without a Raw Ti for absolute dependability


EDIT Surefire A2 replaced with E1e

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Well, here's mine....

Pocket Lights:
Krill EL using AA's or Glotoob 1x123
Novatac 120P
SF E1B
Inova X5 or a Milkyspit Candle as a battery eater

Non-Pocket Lights:
SF UB2 Invictus
Mac Custom HID Mini

Headlight
I can't disagree - Petzl Myo XP

-Steve

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Beastmaster said:

This scenario somewhat precludes the use of common lights thanks to the torrential rainfall and flooding issue.

Click to expand...

Not really. I would expect that most of your lights would, at a minimum, be dunkable. For those that aren't, they should at least be functional after and appropriate drying out period.

Beastmaster said:

Is there a cost limit? You mentioned there's really no weight limit.
-Steve

Click to expand...

No cost limit - remember, you may be betting your life on this gear.

No weight limit, but remember you are going to be lugging all your gear, including lights, through airports, on and off of buses and trains, and up and down boat boarding ladders and ramps. All this before you even get to your destination.

Then you'll be loading up your day pack with your essential gear for exploring mines and caves, where you could get lost or trapped for an extended period.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Sweet!
I'll cook up a list for you shortly.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Well, it looks like there is already some confusion about this "part 1 - game setup"/"part 2 - game on" stuff. So I guess we'll combine the two parts and just call it "a game". I'll edit the first post accordingly.

For those of you who come in after this post, just ignore this post.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Here goes mine...

Pocket Lights:
Fenix L2D CE Q5 (2x AA)
Glotoob 1xCR123 (white color)
Surefire L1 Cree (1x CR123)
Surefire EB1 Backup (1x CR123)

Non Pocket Lights:
Fenix T1
Surefire M6

Headlamp:
Petzl Myo XP (the best!)

And a mule with tons of batteries!

Here are my picks:

Pocket lights:
1. Fenix LOD
2. Fenix P1D Q5
3. Inova 24/7 - run time, versatility, signaling
4. Pak-Lite SUPER with Glow White head - run time: 80 hr on high/1200 hr on low. I don't know if it's waterproof but I'd keep it in the Pelican case with my spare batteries. It could even run inside a case with a clear top.

Non-pocket lights:
1. Surefire U2 - 6 levels
2. Dereelight DBS - super throw (it will turn off the street light in fron of my house)

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Federal LG said:

And a mule with tons of batteries!

Click to expand...

That cracks me up!

Pocket Lights
1- SF L1 cree
2- SF E1E
3- Maxlite AA Lux 3
4- Arc-AAA

Non-Pocket Lights
5- SF M6
6- SF E2L cree

Headlight
7- Petzl Technika with built in red filter

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

MikeSalt said:

Pocket lights:
Fenix P1D-CE, Fenix L0D-CE, Orb Raw Ti, Surefire A2 Aviator

Click to expand...

In post #1, multiple battery lights fall into the non-pocket category. Do you want to replace your A2 Aviator pick or use it to replace one of your non-pocket light picks.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

knightrider said:

Pocket Lights
2- SF E2L cree
3- SF A2 white leds

Click to expand...

see Post #11

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

JimH said:

see Post #11

Click to expand...

Opps! Changed my choices in accordance with rules.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Well, here's mine.

POCKET LIGHTS: L1 Cree, E1B Backup, Titan, L1T V2.0

NON POCKET LIGHTS: U2, M6

HEADLAMP: PT Apex Pro

With this selection I would be ready for War and could be seen from space :thumbsup:

-Evan

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Ok I have few of these lights but I'd trust my life with them, WTH I'm too easy to please

Pocket lights (no doubt in cargo pants aka shoplifters pants lol)

Inova X1 Gen 2
Inova X5 Current version
Arc AAA (DS) - mini tank
SF L1 (must have knurling for those rainy days)

Headlamp (I know I'm out of order, relax lols)

SF E1L - Clipped to Surefire cap (yup that says 'fanboy' alright)
Also note E1L may make a nice hairclip for the ladies

Non pocket lights

SF A2 (white leds)
M@G 7D - To keep the locals in line

This is interesting, people bet thier lives on lights they dont even own yet. :thinking:
dont tell me someone already has an invictus :nana:

anyway..
pocket lights..
P1DCEQ5
P1DCEQ5 with leef body
Safelight (i dont have it yet, but i hope i can trust it)
Arc-P (ds)

Non Pocket..
(I would really like an invictus....but i wont choose it just yet...)
Fenix T1
Some form of submersible Pelican/UK

Headlamp..
Petzl Myo XP (i dont own any, but since so many like this..:shrug

And as many batteries as i can fit into a pelican box.

Crenshaw

PS: I dont trust rechargables, but its not entirely impossible to rig up some kind of solar charger..or hand crank charger..

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Pocket Lights:
Fenix L0D-CE Q4
Fenix P2D-CE Q5
Surefire E1E
Novatac 120P

Non Pocket Lights:
Fenix T1
Surefire G2

Headlamp:
Petzl Myo XP

Additional light-related equipment:
1. 2xAA body for the Fenix P2D + 4x Eneloop AA + AA/AAA Solar charger pack
- for long-term survival, one can hardly ask for more
2. 4 Keep2Go tubes filled with 4 CR123 batteries each. Another 12-pack of CR123s in misc places.
3. 4 Energizer Lithium L92 AAA batteries + 4x Eneloop AAA batteries

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

Pocket Lights :
Novatac 120P (With Tactical Tailcap)
Surefire L1 Cree
ARC-P (AAA)
L1D RB80 (with nichias and crees ... there gotta have one rebel)

Non-Pocket Lights :
Fenix T1
Mac's The Torch (Handy for fire-starting)

Headlamp :
Petzl Myo XP (Don't own it ... But it looks real good on paper)

Additional Equipment:
All Batteries to be encased in Pelican 1060 Boxes. Color coded for Battery types.

Re: Lights you'd go to war with – part 1: Game Setup

meuge said:

Additional light-related equipment:
1. 2xAA body for the Fenix P2D + 4x Eneloop AA + AA/AAA Solar charger pack
- for long-term survival, one can hardly ask for more
2. 4 Keep2Go tubes filled with 4 CR123 batteries each. Another 12-pack of CR123s in misc places.
3. 4 Energizer Lithium L92 AAA batteries + 4x Eneloop AAA batteries

Click to expand...

Although they won't appear in the compilation table, I like your choices of "Additional light-related equipment". I like the use of "Keep2Go tubes" to distribute your battery storage. It is too easy to be separated from any singular piece of gear through whatever misfortune.

Do you have a particular solar charger in mind or is this just a generic "what would be good to have".

Pocket Lights:
1)Surefire L1 Cree
2)Fenix P2D
3)Glowtube (123)
4)Surefire E1L Cree


Non-Pocket Lights :
1)Surefire E2L Cree
2)4D Maglite LED (with nite ize spare in tailcap)

Headlamp :
1)Energizer (trailfinder Series I think)

Additional Equipment:
Several Surefire Spares Carriers, and A Pelican 1060 case full of 123s and a few AAAs.