hiking lights but not headlamps

[rogo]

I was just wondering what kind of lighting you carry for table use/ tents. More the throw pools of light kind of lights.

I have used a tealights, tealights with mirrors to reflect,candles and the most recent a LED (that is light emitting diode for you JOE ) from bunnings that has 3 or 5 leds and is fairly flat. Whilst the light is good it is one directional. I am looking for a light that diffuses into something we can sit around a table and play games etc.

Could I have brands and web addresses and if you thought they are worth the money.

Ro

[ollster]

I was just wondering what kind of lighting you carry for table use/ tents. More the throw pools of light kind of lights.
...
Could I have brands and web addresses and if you thought they are worth the money.

Couple of guys I know use lantern attachments for gas cannisters (ie: Kovea/MSR type cannisters). Not too expensive, work well, and light.

[rogo]

is the lantern glass? I worry about having to carry out broken glass cause I use my bag as a cushion at times.

[ollster]

is the lantern glass? I worry about having to carry out broken glass cause I use my bag as a cushion at times.

Quite possibly. Not sure how they deal with that aspect. Maybe they come in a hard case? I don't use them myself, I was just throwing the idea out there.

[Nuts]

This: http://www.basegear.com/black-diamond-a ... ntern.html

Last edited by Nuts on Thu 17 Feb, 2011 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[rogo]

anything smaller and lighter? I was looking at these. He V = heavy?

[Nuts]

Sorry, yer, a bit heavy, good performance. Perhaps the new model goes longer but we definitely didn't get '80hrs' from them..
they may be talking lithium batteries, mid summer, still doubt it?
The Brunton glorb is smaller though doesn't create much more general lighting than a headlamp.
You really need the size and power to do much general lighting with LED's...

[Jellybean]

Hi,

I think one of these might be worth a try - http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... light.html - they seem that they do a reasonable job and are cheap and light (20g), I'm going to buy one next time I make an order with these guys - they seem like a great back up if you have a problem with your main torch.

Cheers,

JB

[rogo]

that looks great! Thanks JB

[sthughes]

I use an 24 (i think) LED light from Super Cheap Auto, about $7-$8. Takes 3 AAA's and works well. Not as good as that Black Diamond thing Nuts uses - they are fantastic.

[Liamy77]

what about THIS?
tiny, lightweight and NO batteries!


i have a slightly bigger version with also a mini usb charger built in ...... for the phone / gps.... not quite as wide angle but a bit of loo paper or similar works well as a diffuser for the light in the tent...{edit} here's my one - of course it's on special now i already have one

[rogo]

Thanks every one I have a few to look at in the flesh (plastic) now over the weekend.

I had a little wind up light and it was a toy. Bought as a joke and lasted about 5 minutes in my kids' hands. Good thing it was under $5.

[Liamy77]

yeah you gotta be careful what you get - particularly the crrank arm for weak points...
bunbury surplas has army torches that shine at 90 degrees to the battery compartment you might wanna peek at too btw.

[andrewbish]

I use a headtorch mostly. I also have a small Primus SuperNova lantern. Excellent lighting and 210gm. Got it at Anaconda.

[mountnman]

I use the same Black Diamond Lantern that nuts has

[ninjapuppet]

I have the smaller BD version, the orbit. Kind of regret it and should have gone for the Apollo. Light output for the orbit is only really useful for solo use, but then the headlamp would be more handy. If going with BD for group use, then go the Apollo

[abowen]

I use a UCO Candle Lamp which is discussed on another thread in this forum. A search would find it.
It throws out enough light. Isn't super light in weight, but does have the advantage of making your tent a little warmer. You can also get candles with Citronella to keep the mossies down.
On the downside though. I found it hard to get candles, but have noticed a local retailer in Hobart now sells a unbranded equivalent that works.

[Bluegum Mic]

Hi Rogo.

I just picked a good one up today from my local hiking shop. It's called the puck light (it's shaped like a hockey puck), has 24 very bright LEDs and is light. It also has a little fold away hook to hang it from the tent roof. The hook folds into the back where there is also a small magnet to clip it to a tent pole (see pics I took below). I paid $14 for it. The brand is xstreem. I'll let you know how it performs when I use in a couple of weeks down the snowies. But so far I'm impressed with the at home performance.

Cheers

Mic

[rogo]

I like the look of the puck. Was the store you bought it from an national chain or a locally owned shop with the best kind of finds?
Ro

[Bluegum Mic]

Local store with best finds

That being said they've got an online store for the shop so they would be able to send it (mind you I'm not sure they would have it listed on the website being such a small item). PM me if not as I'm up the local shops all the time so I could grab one and post. Mind you Greg is the guy who runs the shop and I'm sure if you emailed him he'd send one in a flash.

The shop is http://www.camphikeclimb.com.au

I'm also happy to report I switched it on last night in a dark room and it's uber bright. Brighter than the globe in that room. My little yellow shangri-la will look like a beacon in the snowies in a few weeks.

I don't have any personal connection with this store by the way (other than spending waaay to much time and money in there. Great shop, great people running it

Cheers

Mic

[corvus]

If you have an Autobarn store near you they have un branded versions on sale for $9.99 they are excellent little lights , a mate gave one a long bath last weekend and it was still working afterwards.
corvus

[Troy]

Those 24 LED lights can sometimes be bought from Super Cheap Auto for less than $10-11 but can fluctuate, mine was $8.99 sometime ago. Would be good in a tent with a reflective surface to bounce off but not so good outside unless you direct the light down or at an angle. I have used them in the backyard but no where near as good as a headlamp. Also not bad in a blackout. You can get ones with three LEDS usually superbright from $2 shops or more expensively from Bunnings if one is near in a set of three-the 24 puts out more light. They don't have that long a life with their batteries like say a Princeton Tech Headlamp.

Last edited by Troy on Tue 15 Mar, 2011 11:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[juju]

I use tea lights. I quarter fill a wide zip lock bag with sand or gravel (whatever's around) and set the tea light in it so it's wind proof.

[BlueyAu]

Re the Puck, could you please let us know of battery life in the field. I was also wandering if you can take the magnet off the back? any info is greatly appreciated, cheers.

[Bluegum Mic]

Re the Puck, could you please let us know of battery life in the field. I was also wandering if you can take the magnet off the back? any info is greatly appreciated, cheers.

Sure thing. I'll see how it goes when I'm down in a couple of weeks. As for the magnet I'll check. It's currently packed so I'll get it out later and look into it for you.

Cheers

Mic

[corvus]

Re the Puck, could you please let us know of battery life in the field. I was also wandering if you can take the magnet off the back? any info is greatly appreciated, cheers.

G'day BlueyAu,
The magnet could be prised off without much trouble however I have found it ( the magnet) to be very useful in huts where you can normally find something metallic to stick it to,battery life in the field is subjective to many variables and I have had better success with disposables rather than rechargeables and my guess is that 6 hours would be a fair estimate.
corvus

[ULWalkingPhil]

I use the same Black Diamond Lantern that nuts has

I purchased one of these lights yesterday on sale, I noticed on the packaging it reads 50 Lumens, I thought these are 80 Lumens. On this link posted here it indicates 80 Lumens. Am I missing something here?

[Nuts]

I believe there are two versions; Apollo 1 and 11?

[ULWalkingPhil]

I believe there are two versions; Apollo 1 and 11?

I did not know that, if I had of known this, I don't think I would have purchased the light. I better do more research next time.

[rogo]

does the apollo 11 (eleven) come with voice over saying...one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?
I can't find anything about the 2 models, but on BD's site apollo is 80 lumens.