Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.

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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
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Fun and actually practical too

Tue 19 Mar, 2013 1:04 pm

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130729298252 ... 1439.l2649

I bought a couple for a laugh, but I can see these being really practical for winter camping as the total combined light output is better spread than a candle lamp or hanging LED and if strung out along a ridge pole or dome want will be both out of the way and the light will be coming from multiple angles and the weight is no greater than a headlite, down side is they are a little fragile so would need protection in the pack.
Twinkly fairy lights in the snow, gotta love it.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Tue 19 Mar, 2013 1:05 pm

Unfortunately, access to this particular item has been blocked due to legal restrictions in some countries. We are blocking your viewing in an effort to prevent restricted items from being displayed.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Tue 19 Mar, 2013 1:52 pm

Guess you got to be over 18 or something.

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Re: Fun and actually practical too

Tue 19 Mar, 2013 2:20 pm

Strange it works from my work computer. Combine this with the backpacker's oven and you're all set for Christmas hiking.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Wed 20 Mar, 2013 12:37 pm

Hi guys, not trying to be a downer, but I'd think twice before buying these. Of course YMMV, just my experience.

I haven't used the one pictured, but bought a mains powered/transformer version of the same thing for a party at home. Within five minutes of setting the lights up, I had two minor electric shocks, which after hunting around I discovered was from exposed soldered connections along the wires. A had a further look and found 6 or 7 points of exposed metal, and three where connections had melted through the plastic coating, with small burn marks. I'm not sure if they arrived like this, or they melted after I had turned them on. I wasn't keen to find out so the whole string went in the bin. eBay seller refunded quickly, and said it would be nice if we didn't leave any eBay feedback.

A low voltage version running off AA batteries would be less of a risk, but maybe run them at home for a bit just to make sure.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Wed 20 Mar, 2013 1:32 pm

They work a treat.....
These bad boys only have about 12 LED lights and run on 2 AA batteries. They work great in huts and only weigh 25 grams. For me they are a functional novilty as my GPS runs on AA's so I have the power source anyway.
Plenty of flood light in a tent to see around in the dark without the direct beam of a headlight.
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Re: Fun and actually practical too

Wed 20 Mar, 2013 3:04 pm

Would be better off with LED strip lights...

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Wed 20 Mar, 2013 4:04 pm

I had a real good look at these when they arrived. They are quite well made, not hand made, no exposed connections [ actually a machine would have to be very badly set-up to leave naked connections] use 3 AA cells, weigh 55 grams and take up little room.
An LED strip light weighs a heck of a lot more and not as much fun.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Wed 20 Mar, 2013 8:07 pm

I've no experience with these whatsoever. But the ... inlawswhodobigtentcarcamping ... swear by them specially round camps and if the kids have to get up in the middle of the night. Apparently, horses for courses, everyone they know now use them too.

Lot of guys run them round under the gunnel of their boats so they can see whats around their feet and on the floor when fishing at night.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 5:55 am

I'd been meaning to buy some of these, good find. They work well with large tarp shelters. I'm guessing 2/3 hrs on the batteries m'dog?
Yes, a real warning in buying 240v xmas lights, there was some mention that they were behind this unfortunate event: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-28/f ... ne/3750030 (I wonder if you can actually buy good quality xmas lights..)

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 7:08 am

I have a few of these little 3 AA battery light strings for parties outside, in the trees, as well as in the lids rooms at Xmas. Not had any problems with them except one got pulled apart by a cat.
Glad you took up my suggesiton Moondog! They are nice and atmospheric - will look very pretty in the snow I imagine :)

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 1:50 pm

Onestepmore wrote:I have a few of these little 3 AA battery light strings for parties outside, in the trees, as well as in the lids rooms at Xmas. Not had any problems with them except one got pulled apart by a cat.
Glad you took up my suggesiton Moondog! They are nice and atmospheric - will look very pretty in the snow I imagine :)


Yes I should say "Thank-you" I would not have looked at them otherwise.
If my pocket money holds up I may get a few more, a separate set for my Paddymade and the swag set-up

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 4:00 pm

Just purchased a set to add to the evening meal ambiance on our forthcoming six day stroll :lol:
Thanks for the heads up.
corvus

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 4:17 pm

We will expect pictures

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Thu 21 Mar, 2013 5:05 pm

Will speak to our photographers and ensure they have pictures suitable for this forum,the six day stroll is not till June however we do have a one nighter planned for the Tyndalls in late April and if we use the Huntley "cave" some nice pics may eventuate. :)
corvus

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Sat 23 Mar, 2013 9:16 am

Depending on battery life these may be a good way to mark and locate the thunder box when camping with groups of younger adults and teenagers. I know of many group leaders who use glowstix for this purpose.
Question Do LED lights use more power or less in flash mode???
In my large first aid kit I have a very large LED bike tail light I keep on flash mode if I ever need to work beside the road after dark and in my "Emergency" kit I have a much smaller version for the possibility of being caught out with a broken leg. and I have no idea on the time these will work for

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Sat 23 Mar, 2013 9:39 am

I've spent a few weeks under a tarp with these this season. They're great.

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Sun 24 Mar, 2013 4:19 pm

Very cool. I'm getting some to try. Thanks!

Re: Fun and actually practical too

Mon 25 Mar, 2013 10:00 am

Alright I'm sold, just bought 4 sets for my scout troop.
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