markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
Posts: 651
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Post by markskor on Apr 13, 2016 5:30:56 GMT -8
Just get one that's dimmable. Problem solved. Absolutely, indeed problem solved. I wonder why so many others Sierra haven't figured out that simple solution? (Insert something here about being unselfish... consideration of others nearby.)
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Apr 13, 2016 9:40:18 GMT -8
Just get one that's dimmable. Problem solved. Absolutely, indeed problem solved. I wonder why so many others Sierra haven't figured out that simple solution? (Insert something here about being unselfish... consideration of others nearby.) I've no doubt the same reason people don't dim their high beams when approaching oncoming traffic. Hey their eyes are fine....
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Apr 13, 2016 10:34:00 GMT -8
Back some years ago when Target still sold River Rock lights, I bought a few of them. On a car camping trip a bit later, someone in the group suggested that I bring a "lantern". I did, but I also tucked this little gem into my pack: You should have seen the faces when I pulled this tiny light out and put it in the middle of the picnic table - completely worth it (IMO). It's barely 2 inches in height. But then, they weren't happy with the size of my BD Apollo either. Oh well...I guess they were expecting one of those huge Coleman thingies. (Sadly, River Rock no longer makes the little micro, which is just right for hanging inside a tent on a loop, should you have a humorous turn of mind. Not that I ever use it, but I do have a red micro X-Light that flashes at a slow rate for those times when I leave the tent in the dark to "forage about".)
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Apr 13, 2016 10:47:24 GMT -8
I bought the Black Diamond Orbit Lantern as a spare battery holder for my headlamp and as an emergency light source. I have since found it useful as a tent light and camp light Same for me. I mostly use it in scout camp where I have a permanent tent, but I've also used it for tent illumination on overnights and weekends. Provides a much nicer light than the old headlamp.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Apr 13, 2016 13:58:32 GMT -8
Some nights I forget to get out the headlamp before it gets dark. The Princeton Tech LED that rides around on the front of a pack strap works. I've started leaving the headlamp at home, unless there is a likelihood of night hiking.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 13, 2016 22:08:51 GMT -8
... The Princeton Tech LED that rides around on the front of a pack strap works. ... That's my backup, too. I've grown a lot more cautious about preparing for darkness, ever since the night I had not only to find my headlamp in the dark, but also change batteries by feel. It wasn't all that hard, really, but it convinced me to bring a little backup. I'm not much for tent lights except maybe for car camping. When backpacking, I'm usually out of gas at the end of the day, so I tend to fall asleep pretty quickly after crawling into the tent.
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grace
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Post by grace on Apr 14, 2016 7:18:27 GMT -8
I picked this one, for a variety of reasons. lightweight, both flashlight and lantern. I also have a LuminAID solar light, and string lights inside the tent (taken from the Big Agnes MTNGLO idea, mostly for fun).
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Apr 14, 2016 8:25:55 GMT -8
I have a small BD Orbit. It's a nice, small, versatile, dimmable, lantern, but I only use it at home when the power goes out, or if I'm camping. I'd use it at HOTB or PG, but not when truly backpacking.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 14, 2016 9:17:38 GMT -8
I have one of those BD lantern things, and use it car-camping. Backpacking, the headlamp is fine. And no, I don't wear it around my neck, and certainly wouldn't try to sleep with anything around my neck. That actually sounds like a bad idea. I don't shine it at people because I mostly use it only in the tent, for reading. And I don't carry a backup because a) I'm seldom camped where it is truly dark (think alpine or desert), and b) I haven't gone alone in years, which means that other members of the group can shine a light on it if I need to change the batteries (which I won't, because my little micro headlamp runs for weeks on one set of batteries).
My spouse used the red setting for almost everything, but I can't read comfortably by it.
I can always lay a hand on it in the middle of the night, because I always put it in the same place.
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Post by trinity on Apr 15, 2016 6:48:31 GMT -8
Just from looking at the specs, I'd say they're all huge by backpacking standards, the lightest weighs in at over a quarter of a pound. If I want a handheld flashlight in the backcountry with me I take a Fenix LD02, not rechargeable but runs off a single AAA battery. There are other much smaller and lighter options, but I have found this to be a pretty good compromise on size, convenience, light output, durability, and battery-life.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Apr 15, 2016 6:52:55 GMT -8
What are your views on the flashlights suggested here ? I don't even own a flashlight anymore. I only use headlamps. Secondly, I would not recommend a rechargeable flashlight for backpacking. Carrying a few spare batteries is much easier (and lighter) than hauling a solar panel or portable charger.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 15, 2016 7:17:53 GMT -8
I agree with Tigger.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2016 7:27:38 GMT -8
Thanks all for the responses. The preferred suggestion looks like to have a headlamp and in case of no flashlight, have a headlamp. BTW here is an article on rechargeable led flash lights. What are your views on the flashlights suggested here ? My view. I tend to base what gear I carry around the 10E's. I have my 10E's in their own stuff sack and is at the top of my equipment list. When I went through learning about the 10E's, the minimum was to carry a flashlight with batteries and spare batteries. I opted to go with a set of spare batteries stored in a spare flashlight. The spare flashlight used the same batteries as my primary light source, a headlamp. To me, the design of my lighting is based around supporting the 10E's. My primary lighting source is a headlamp. Over the years the headlamp has proved its worth. Making sure the headlamp is fully supported is a primary. Yes, those rechargeable led flash lights are nice, Cool go ahead and get one. But. You should still carry spare batteries for your headlamp. Hiking at night, with a flashlight in one hand, climbing over boulders, covered with seaweed and or other slime, needing both hands to support yourself is not a situation I would not want to be in. I would much prefer to have both of my hands free and to know I have spare batteries for such a crossing. The above is a shot of a small part of Cape Johnson, which my wife and I crossed at night. I hope this makes sense.
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crick
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Post by crick on Apr 15, 2016 17:55:54 GMT -8
Thanks trinity, Ohm, tigger !!.
What you mentioned makes sense.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Apr 15, 2016 19:05:44 GMT -8
I don't even own a flashlight anymore. I only use headlamps. Secondly, I would not recommend a rechargeable flashlight for backpacking. Carrying a few spare batteries is much easier (and lighter) than hauling a solar panel or portable charger. As I mentioned earlier, I like to take one of each. It doesn't really matter, though, as long as you've covered your bases. Hailing back to the original question, I find it worthwhile to always have one light (my penlight) hanging in the tent. One thing I've learned is that on midnight bio-breaks, it's more important to leave a light on in the tent than it is to take one with you to the loo. It's never happened to me, but I've heard of people having to spend the night out there when they couldn't find their way back to the tent.
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