One for the gear freaks...Tritium

[Joe]

W, you may be asking yourself, TF is tritium. Its a radioactive isotope similar to Radium. Except that it glows continuously for around 10 years regardless of its environment. So its not reliant on ambient light like Radium. Its one of those things that Ive known about for ages and thought was cool but had no use for. Until today I stumbled on these:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Tritium-Zip-pull ... dZViewItem

Which look to me to be a cracker of a buy for under $15.

Perfect for zippers, torch handles etc. even hang of the iPood!

[tasadam]

Cool!
Parks can buy a shiPload and line the overland track with them... And advertise 24 hour walking... Extra revenue there!
Why walk in the heat of the day when you can follow the trail at night... The huts will have room when you get there and you will be able to travel further, not being interrupted by all those boring views.

Clearly, I need a drink.

[corvus]

Hey!! twf why no PM to me re this gearious thingi, btw is it safe if I use it will I still be fertile and please think of a reason for me to buy one or five

[Cheesypigs]

Corvus, the light stick hanging off my bag I made myself with exopy resin and glow in the darK powder. It's been 16 months and it still glows all night. Cheaper than tritium and no radioactivity.

[tasadam]

Corvus, the light stick hanging off my bag I made myself with exopy resin and glow in the darK powder. It's been 16 months and it still glows all night. Cheaper than tritium and no radioactivity.

Interesting!
Where do you get "glow in the dark powder"??

[Cheesypigs]

I got mine off ebay.

Once you have it you need a length of clear plastic tubing, I use aquarium filter tubing, clear araldite, and fishing tackle swivels like these
.

Cut the tubing into 2 inch lengths and push a swivel into the end.

Then mix up the arldite and stir in GID powder until it won't take anymore. Then get it into the tube. I made 6 in one go and used a syringe to get the stuff into the tubing.

When the araldite/ powder solution goes off it sticks the swivel to the tubing. The swivel provides a ring to attach to a split ring. I have one on my bag and another on my keyring.

Sit these in the sun for half an hour and they will glow brightly all night. You can read by them if you hold the stick on the page, when camping I have had to throw a shirt over the stick to block the glow.

[Joe]

tritium is totally safe, and saves you having sticky glow in the dark fingers for a week

however i love the DIY approach. very cool idea. would make nice cache swaps too i imagine.

[Cheesypigs]

yes there are a few of them out there