Camp Lighting and Flashlights
June is quickly becoming the Official OAUSA Camping net topic month. It seems that the urge to get the hell out of our various lock-downs is taking many forms, including camping. From our perspective, any reason is a good reason to get out and explore and enjoy our great country.
So, with the summer camping season just about to hit high gear, we figured that the time was right, again, to explore the many options that are now available for lighting up your campsite at night. Honesty compels us to admit that this topic would not be complete without a discussion of lanterns, flashlights, LEDs, batteries and headlamps. So, those will be the topics for the net this week. If you have more, join the discussion!
OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
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DaveK
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OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
DaveK
K6DTK
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.
Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
K6DTK
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.
Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Product Spotlight: Mag Daddy Cable Tie Mounts
I installed a solar panel on a roof rack and needed a way to hold the 12/2 (two 12 gauge wires) cable on the outside of my vehicle. A found a YouTube video where a fellow had a similar need and mentioned Mag Daddy Cable Tie Mounts.
These are very strong magnets to which a rotating cable tie mount is attached. I zip tied the cable to a handful of these. As best I can tell, it didn’t budge one iota during a trip to Utah which included 80 mph highways, long stretches of washboard gravel roads, and some rough trails. These can provide a relatively clean installation for securing any cable on a steel surface, such as for lights where you don’t want to go through your vehicle’s roof.
https://magdaddyusa.com/
A somewhat related product is UHU tac PROPower, an adhesive putty which I also used to make sure wires stayed where I put them (e.g., down the side of the windshield molding. It doesn’t harden or leave any residue on non-porous materials.
I installed a solar panel on a roof rack and needed a way to hold the 12/2 (two 12 gauge wires) cable on the outside of my vehicle. A found a YouTube video where a fellow had a similar need and mentioned Mag Daddy Cable Tie Mounts.
These are very strong magnets to which a rotating cable tie mount is attached. I zip tied the cable to a handful of these. As best I can tell, it didn’t budge one iota during a trip to Utah which included 80 mph highways, long stretches of washboard gravel roads, and some rough trails. These can provide a relatively clean installation for securing any cable on a steel surface, such as for lights where you don’t want to go through your vehicle’s roof.
https://magdaddyusa.com/
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A somewhat related product is UHU tac PROPower, an adhesive putty which I also used to make sure wires stayed where I put them (e.g., down the side of the windshield molding. It doesn’t harden or leave any residue on non-porous materials.
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Nitecore TIP SE
The flashlight I use most often while outdoors. Carry clipped to a belt loop.
What? Nitecore now makes a 4,000 lumen “keychain” light?
The flashlight I use most often while outdoors. Carry clipped to a belt loop.
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- Modes: Turbo 700 lumens (.25 hours), High 180 lumens (1.5 hours), Mid 30 lumens (8 hours), Low 1 lumen (50 hours)
- 0.92 ounces
- USB C rechargeable battery (but not replaceable)
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What? Nitecore now makes a 4,000 lumen “keychain” light?
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Don’t laugh
We started using these USB-powered “fairy lights” inside our tent for evening lighting, stringing around the loops at the top of the tent walls. Provides very uniform lighting with almost no shadows, sufficient for all but reading fine print.
Got the warm white (instead of cool white) since it’s supposed to be more conducive to sleep. We use a separate dimmer / remote control (which I could no longer find).
Might not have a need for mood colors, but this one comes with a dimmer / remote control / color changer.
We started using these USB-powered “fairy lights” inside our tent for evening lighting, stringing around the loops at the top of the tent walls. Provides very uniform lighting with almost no shadows, sufficient for all but reading fine print.
Got the warm white (instead of cool white) since it’s supposed to be more conducive to sleep. We use a separate dimmer / remote control (which I could no longer find).
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Might not have a need for mood colors, but this one comes with a dimmer / remote control / color changer.
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Olight Baldr Mini
Compact 600 lumen white light with green laser. Good combination for your night handgun, whether outdoors or not.
Uses magnetic charging cable, though battery not replaceable.
Compact 600 lumen white light with green laser. Good combination for your night handgun, whether outdoors or not.
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Uses magnetic charging cable, though battery not replaceable.
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlightsght”
Is there a LEP (laser excited phosphor) flashlight in your future?
Creates a laser-like flashlight beam with little spill and incredible “throw”.
One example: Jetbeam RRT-M1X
About $230 with 2,300 meter throw.
Note that while the lumens appear low, the candela rating is incredible. Lumens measures the total light output in all directions. Candela measures light intensity in a specific direction, essentially measuring the “throw” of a light source.
A YouTube search on “LEP flashlight” will bring up a number of reviews.
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Creates a laser-like flashlight beam with little spill and incredible “throw”.
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One example: Jetbeam RRT-M1X
About $230 with 2,300 meter throw.
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Note that while the lumens appear low, the candela rating is incredible. Lumens measures the total light output in all directions. Candela measures light intensity in a specific direction, essentially measuring the “throw” of a light source.
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A YouTube search on “LEP flashlight” will bring up a number of reviews.
Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Please check us in.
Kevin KK6DGL
Jack KK6WXQ
John KM6FXI
Thanks
I too use the fairy lights. $6 at harbor freight. I mounted them to the ceiling of my Snugtop shell. They are dimable and use batteries so the will work if other power is unavailable. More than enough light for any task.
Kevin KK6DGL
Jack KK6WXQ
John KM6FXI
Thanks
I too use the fairy lights. $6 at harbor freight. I mounted them to the ceiling of my Snugtop shell. They are dimable and use batteries so the will work if other power is unavailable. More than enough light for any task.
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“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects”.
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Favorite headlamp: Streamlight Bandit with white and red
My preferred way to wear, clipped to cap:
- Not the brightest, but bright enough, even on low setting
- Small and very light weight
- Nice even flood beam
- Lasts sufficiently long
- Can be switched to red to preserve night vision
- Recharge off your USB battery pack at night
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My preferred way to wear, clipped to cap:
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
Favorite flashlight: Olight Seeker 2 Pro
Note: Already covered my most used light. This Seeker is too bright for most in-camp use, so it’s rarely used except on night walks.
(Do you remember when Surefire’s 60 lumens was considered a state-of-the-art “tactical” flashlight?
)
Magnetic recharging. The “L” bracket is not required for charging.
Note: Already covered my most used light. This Seeker is too bright for most in-camp use, so it’s rarely used except on night walks.
(Do you remember when Surefire’s 60 lumens was considered a state-of-the-art “tactical” flashlight?
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Magnetic recharging. The “L” bracket is not required for charging.
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Re: OAUSA Net - June 10, 2021 - Camp Lighting and Flashlights
I like to have a variety of types of lights powered and recharged in different ways.
Luci Lights are solar recharged and are a fantastic low to medium brightness area light. Many options are available.
Luci Lights are solar recharged and are a fantastic low to medium brightness area light. Many options are available.
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“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects”.
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
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