My current "pocket PFD" light you ask about Peter isn't designed specifically for a saltwater environment. While doing research I discovered than many of the "Special Forces" type small, high-lumen output lights are typically aluminum construction and therefore subject to maintenance needs after saltwater exposure. They are also not rated for deep submersion. However, they are used regularly for marine infiltration/exfiltration. So, like all my aluminum-content gear, I rinse it in fresh water after use. I've had a few Mag Lites "corrode" over the years. It isn't a rust issue, obviously, but the thread and switch housings tend to go if left to their own devices (pardon the pun) and things sieze up. As for O-ring seals, all my gear with O-rings get some routine care, aluminum or plastic housings. My favorite light for many years with 100% reliability was the four-cell UNDERWATER KINETICS MINI Q40 DIVE LIGHT pre-2004 upgrade in yellow. The light output is three times brighter than many flashlights much larger with polycarbonate construction, waterproof, and shares AA batteries in common with all my electronic gear (2008 and prior). It is now my backup light, kept in my day-locker hatch. http://www.divesports.com/Underwater-Kinetics-Mini-Q40-Dive-Light-p/uk-14010.htm My newer PFD instantly-accessible flashlight with tailcap switch is the INOVA T1-MP aircraft-grade aluminum model. I prefer the Surefire brand but the INOVA was the right price, and at 4.56 X 1.00" and 3.65 ounces, a perfect fit for the PFD narrow strap sleeve-pocket. With 200 foot range, 2-mile visibility and 4 hour burn time the INOVA T1 met my operational requirements as a light source for warning approaching vessels. I'd originally spec'ed out the T2, but fell in love with the smaller T1 as at the time I was on a lightweight weenie trip. (I was down to160 pounds, actually listening to Kirk anout his feather-light Surfskiis; my Nordkapp was being decommissioned, and I was even buying lightweight bikes and gear. I'm now 215 again - and on a heavy winter bike, oh well...). The INOVA was a big change for me away from my od AAA's and typical AA powered items. It uses 2 lithium 123A'a which I get cheap. http://www.brightguy.com/products/Inova_T1_MP_LED_Flashlight.php My PFD is river kayakers lifevest in theory (an ASTRAL AQUAVEST) and isn't rigged with pockets the same way as a touring vest, but as my "creek game" is always almost "on" in constricted marine waterways and open ocean, the whitewater PFD works best for me: low profile, pull-over, hand-warming fleece compartment (hols PENTAX W30 scratch-free), hydration bladder compatible (meaning I can insert my SeaSeat in the back pouch), with quick-release belt and fantastic 5-point adjustable shoulder straps; plus it has the daisychain shoulder loops for said tethering of flashlights, etc. http://www.desperate-measures.co.uk/product.aspx?prodid=934 I got one before they were discontinued. Lower on each shoulderstrap are narrow sleeves, right over where my nipples are when I'm wearing it. The left sleeve fits the INOVA T1 perfectly in the Cordura sleeve. In the right sleeve (pocket) fits my GREATLAND RESCUE LAZER, giving me excellent signaling options dual-abreast, as it were. In the right zippered side pocket I have the ASTRAL Spectra-line and carabineer towline. In the pouch under that I have a PELICAN MityLite 1900 with red lens cover, on lanyard. It's an on-body backup light and also allows map reading and has advantages for other clandestine activities. On the shoulder-strap lash-down tap I have a black bodied PRINCETON TEC ultra-compact Aqua Strobe attached to a deployable lanyard which allows the strobe to be easily freed (but secure in surf) and sits at waterlevel when deployed. I moved away from shoulder mounted strobes and difficult to reach back-shoulder located strobe mounting options. http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=5980 The left side of the ASTRAL Aquavest has another medium-sized pocket sleeve in which I keep a special short-lanyard, fairly simple SOG multitool. It is a small, stainless steel model with a multiple-angled plier head the fold back into the multitool body, making for a compact unit. It doesn't have the legendary SOG compound leverage assist, but typically I don't cut through BC Ferries' fences when exfiltrating. SOG is military-quality all the way. I wont go into the knives I carry. http://www.multitool.org/sog-tools/medium-tools/sog-paratool.html My SOG Paratool fits in a waterproof flat-bag with the lanyard and a one hand brass latch to release the tool and bag for rapid deployment. On the back of the QR belt I have a Northwater pigtail set-up. My chore flashlight and reading-in-tent flashlight of choice is the PRINCETON TEC 4-Mode EOS headlamp with a 2 to 60 hour burn time, 1 meter depth rating, and lightweight at 2.4 ounces. It goes with me everywhere and in my bailout bag. I do want to eventually get a high-lumen output shore-duty flashlight and one than can power-up to daylight a landing zone (kayak landing zone, that is). SeaKayaker mag did a review sometime ago on some reasonable units: http://www.seakayakermag.com/2006/Oct06/Gear_Reviews01.htm Not powerful enough for me though. I still want a really, really high output flashlight. Prices approach $1000.00 or more in the 1000 lumen range. I may end up with a Mag-Lite again -- with attendant maintenance issues. You can get conversion kits for $200.00 to $300.00 which make these cheap lights into really good, bad badboys, such as this example of a conversion posibilities: http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/ Don't believe me (don't think the conversion is a badboy)? You gotta check this out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Aw8nH9IrM My preacher always tells me to move toward the light. Now, if I can just get my wife onboard for the budget part. I've spent $2000.00 on lights already in the last two years (cycling included). Doug Lloyd > Doug wrote >>Does anyone else carry a SureFire or similar quality >light for these >>purposes? > > G'Day Doug, > > I used to carry a 'waterproof' PFD strobe that ran off a couple of AA > cells and was claimed to be visible to 3km. The same company made a > "constant" light of similar size and shape and with the same claimed > visibility. > Nearly all our trips have us in the water at some point so the major > problem with them and with other lights was water leakage. I've had to > throw away three so far. > > These days I keep a strobe in my emergency bag in the day hatch, but I'd > much rather carry it as you do. > > It would be good to hear more about the quality of your light and your > experiences with its care maintenance and durability. I imagine your trips > would put it though some quite tough testing. > > All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Yes, Doug is always well set for signaling devices on the ocean. For anyone who'd like to see how he looks with all that gear, here's a picture I took on the only paddle I got to make with him: http://www.sandmarks.net/DougLloyd.jpg Mark (Off to San FranCISco -----Original Message----- From: Doug Lloyd Subject: [Paddlewise] PFD and Lights My favorite light for many years with 100% reliability was the four-cell UNDERWATER KINETICS MINI Q40 DIVE LIGHT pre-2004 upgrade in yellow. The light output is three times brighter than many flashlights much larger with polycarbonate construction, waterproof, and shares AA batteries in common with all my electronic gear (2008 and prior). It is now my backup light, kept in my day-locker hatch. http://www.divesports.com/Underwater-Kinetics-Mini-Q40-Dive-Light-p/uk-14010 .htm My newer PFD instantly-accessible flashlight with tailcap switch is the INOVA T1-MP aircraft-grade aluminum model. http://www.brightguy.com/products/Inova_T1_MP_LED_Flashlight.php My PFD is river kayakers lifevest in theory (an ASTRAL AQUAVEST) and isn't rigged with pockets the same way as a touring vest, but as my "creek game" is always almost "on" in constricted marine waterways and open ocean, the whitewater PFD works best for me: http://www.desperate-measures.co.uk/product.aspx?prodid=934 I got one before they were discontinued. Lower on each shoulderstrap are narrow sleeves, right over where my nipples are when I'm wearing it. The left sleeve fits the INOVA T1 perfectly in the Cordura sleeve. http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=5980 The left side of the ASTRAL Aquavest has another medium-sized pocket sleeve in which I keep a special short-lanyard, fairly simple SOG multitool. http://www.multitool.org/sog-tools/medium-tools/sog-paratool.html My SOG Paratool fits in a waterproof flat-bag with the lanyard and a one hand brass latch to release the tool and bag for rapid deployment. On the back of the QR belt I have a Northwater pigtail set-up. My chore flashlight and reading-in-tent flashlight of choice is the PRINCETON TEC 4-Mode EOS headlamp with a 2 to 60 hour burn time, 1 meter depth rating, and lightweight at 2.4 ounces. It goes with me everywhere and in my bailout bag. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Brilliant mark, just brilliant. > Yes, Doug is always well set for signaling devices on the ocean. For > anyone > who'd like to see how he looks with all that gear, here's a picture I took > on the only paddle I got to make with him: > > http://www.sandmarks.net/DougLloyd.jpg > > Mark (Off to San FranCISco > ****************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day Doug' Thanks for that wonderfully detailed information. Its going to be a good reference. We have an event in Sydney calle Dawn Chorus which involves getting up at 4 am and paddling over to hear a local choir sing on various beaches as the sun rises. I'm off to one of these next week so your lighting information was timely. Remember the tether article you wrote? Thats one of my valued references, if you ever wrote an article on the gear you can carry on a lifevest it would be another! Certainly looks as if you have enough material. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hey Mr. Peter Pumpkin Eater, way too kind you are, as always... There was a time when I wanted a superb daylight-producing waterproof headlamp for rough-water night paddling. I found that each headlamp I subsequently purchased, while brighter, often meant a heavier feel on the head or helmet (more uncomfortable to wear), harder to turn on quickly, was lost off the head easier, and returned too much light in front of my face if there was any mist, fog, or light rain/sleet present in the atmosphere -- or even heavy surface-water turbulence, even heavy breathing in the cold. The more powerful the light, not only did the light reflect back into my eyes more intensely, it also killed any remaining night vision in exponential degrees (it seemed). My 500 lumen cycling helmet light does the same thing making fast descents dangerous in any kind of adverse weather (I've mounted it low on bike now). I did like my various kayaking headlamps I've tried over the years for the simple convenience factor involved with the practical aspects of launching, landing, dealing with deck gear and such task oriented endeavors. One light, on the head, did it all. Signaling? Well, yes, though not 360, and not as easily aimed astern. And for night rock garden paddling and night paddling tidal rapids, it was nice to "look and point" at rock obstacles and nascent whirlpools quickly becoming an issue, respectively, with a strong headlamp. The trouble was, items of interest further ahead weren't visible without more torch power; and even with the limited reach of the candlepower I had, that was enough to not be able to see anything beyond but powerful enough to rob night vision for detecting upcoming hazards. In essence, strong light produced diminishing returns. While this type of nightpaddling is rather risky, especially alone, it is nevertheless the ultimate way to enlightenment along the pathway of discovering one's commingled inner and outer limits, while developing that all important boat control while still abetting all the important aspects of sensing and responding to forces brought to bear upon your hull in the absence of visual cues. In the end I opted for as little light as possible, instead developing keener senses of tactile proactivity using, sound, minute visual clues from sighting imminent danger (white frothy eddylines, broken white water over rocks -- which can all just be made out on a moonless, lumen-deprived night). By trusting instincts and finding a deep commitment to the pursuit of something quasi-metaphysical -- albeit abstrusely hidden from those avoiding these activities, you do one better than the instructors coaching their students to shut their eyes and "feel" their way through for practising baoy control. On a dark night, you can't open your eyes when your comfort zone bursts. And neither can you flick on your headlamp heeding that same call to perceived sanity when that light simply isn't available. However, there are times when gaining egress through an inhospitable shoreline does dictate maximum candlepower. I'd still love to have something small, not too expensive, handheld okay, at 1000 lumens minimum. Yes, I can think of times past when that would have been a nice option. Having said all this, my on-water experience of late has indicated far less need for bright light and continued need for superlative light values (sorry Mark). If anything, I'm usually running in stalth mode when I do get out. Therefore, 100 to 150 lumen makes a great output range for collision avoidance and signaling. Just give me that tailcap please. That lumen range is also enough to light up the shoreline enough for moderate forced landing. 300 to 500 lumens are possible in a price-compliant, compact package if one shops around. I'm still on a bit of a lightweight, ultracompact, none-complicated gear development phase. I probably can't go over 500 lumens and retain a small, reliable light. I don't feel I'm overly equipped at this juncture. I do feel my gear is my life out there. Balls and bravado are great when you are 20-something. At 50 and on the downhill slide now, I can finally paddle in just about any condition I want with confidence and a sense of security, even alone -- perhaps more so -- but I _have_ earned the right to enjoy, appreciate, and practice my perception of gear reliance as I please and to the degree I wish to. And I know where the balance is. When all my gear is working correctly, performing optimally, and intrinsically matrixed with body and organic movement --while the backup gear is properly available for tasking, I truly sense a compelling liberty I didn't enjoy in decades ago. No, it's not a perfect union of man, machine and gadgetry, but it succeeds with me to the level I want right now. Doug Lloyd > G'Day Doug' > > Thanks for that wonderfully detailed information. Its going to be a good > reference. We have an event in Sydney calle Dawn Chorus which involves > getting up at 4 am and paddling over to hear a local choir sing on various > beaches as the sun rises. I'm off to one of these next week so your > lighting information was timely. > Remember the tether article you wrote? Thats one of my valued references, > if you ever wrote an article on the gear you can carry on a lifevest it > would be another! Certainly looks as if you have enough material. > All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
One of the problems with winter is the long night. All that dark. It just makes it so darn difficult to see rocks, anchored boats, defective buoys and such. At first I tried no lights at all but my eyes aren't what they were when I was younger so, like Doug, I started searching for something that would make night paddling more enjoyable. But there was really nothing suitable. So I came up with a better idea. THE SURPLUS LIGHTSHIP I figured that the current economic conditions might have affected more than just private boat owners desperately trying to dump their 1970s boats using craigslist. There might be one or two governmental organizations or museums or such. And boy did I strike gold! Craigslist in Washington, D.C. turned out to be a wellspring of government issued but no longer in service equipment. The battleship Missouri was, I felt, a bit too conspicuous to anchor in Deception Pass so I found the old Lightship Relief moored in a disused basin just off the Columbia River near Astoria. There needs to be some simple alterations. I'm going to have to disable the rotating mechanism and set up a system to aim the light at exactly the places I want to paddle. But in general I think that the lightship idea is, like the mothership idea, going to really take off. I'll keep ya posted. :) Craig Jungers Don't worry... you'll see me *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> One of the problems with winter is the long night. All that dark. It > just > makes it so darn difficult to see rocks, anchored boats, defective > buoys and > such. At first I tried no lights at all but my eyes aren't what they > were > when I was younger so, like Doug, I started searching for something > that > would make night paddling more enjoyable. But there was really > nothing > suitable. So I came up with a better idea. > > THE SURPLUS LIGHTSHIP > > I figured that the current economic conditions might have affected > more than > just private boat owners desperately trying to dump their 1970s > boats using > craigslist. There might be one or two governmental organizations or > museums > or such. And boy did I strike gold! > > Craigslist in Washington, D.C. turned out to be a wellspring of > government > issued but no longer in service equipment. The battleship Missouri > was, I > felt, a bit too conspicuous to anchor in Deception Pass so I found > the old > Lightship Relief moored in a disused basin just off the Columbia > River near > Astoria. > > There needs to be some simple alterations. I'm going to have to > disable the > rotating mechanism and set up a system to aim the light at exactly > the > places I want to paddle. But in general I think that the lightship > idea is, > like the mothership idea, going to really take off. > > I'll keep ya posted. :) > > Craig Jungers > Don't worry... you'll see me I suspect you'll find, Craig, that the main problem is finding -- and keeping -- crew for this lightship. If you've ever moved furniture for your wife, you'll know what I mean. Could you just move that (really heavy) full-sized couch over to the left a few inches? Now, back an couple of inches. No. Left. More. More.... Add in the complexities of getting a light aimed just where you want it. Over here! Not where I'm pointing: up a few feet and more to the left. OK. Now over here. Here! You numbskull. No, THERE! Can't you do *anything* right? About now, I'm going to be trying to run you over with the lightship and then I'm going into town for a stiff drink. (But perhaps I have less patience and ability to follow instruction than most.) -- Darryl (keeping his money under the mattress for now) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Now I'm really getting confused, even more than usual. Do you have to be named Craig to use Craigslist? How does Craig find the time to maintain all those lists? And why isn't there any Bobslist or Fredslist? On another note, did anybody paddle I-5 in Washington during the past week's flooding event? What a golden brown opportunity that was. Apparently the skiers were out during the snow storm, but the paddlers not so much. This is so ironic, as the roads are plowed and graveled, but not the waterways. Panic Stricken in Portland Quoting Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>: > One of the problems with winter is the long night. All that dark. It just > makes it so darn difficult to see rocks, anchored boats, defective buoys and > such. > THE SURPLUS LIGHTSHIP > > I figured that the current economic conditions might have affected more than > just private boat owners desperately trying to dump their 1970s boats using > craigslist. There might be one or two governmental organizations or museums > or such. And boy did I strike gold! > > Craigslist in Washington, D.C. turned out to be a wellspring of government > issued but no longer in service equipment. The battleship Missouri was, I > felt, a bit too conspicuous to anchor in Deception Pass so I found the old > Lightship Relief moored in a disused basin just off the Columbia River near > Astoria. > I'll keep ya posted. :) > > Craig Jungers > Don't worry... you'll see me *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
What's the candlepower on your average lightship? If you get one, I was wanting to do the Columbia River Bar in winter, at night. So let me know when you are ready to rent it out and/or lease at cheap kayak rates. :-) As for the substantive issue of loss of night vision, it is real and does impact night activities (well, all those outside of the bedroom). Once I had determined that bright headlamps were counterproductive to rougher waters night paddling, I picked full-moon nights and eventually worked up to moonless nights. For rock garden night work you must have some ambient light in anything over a meter - half a meter for an unknown portion of coast. For routine night paddling, non of this is an issue for me - not that I can remember the last night paddle I went out on that wasn't rough. It's that old ascending order of fascination thing which really is my nemesis, ergo, backing off paddling in 2008. However, it's a new year... Doug Lloyd One of the problems with winter is the long night. All that dark. It just makes it so darn difficult to see rocks, anchored boats, defective buoys and such. At first I tried no lights at all but my eyes aren't what they were when I was younger so, like Doug, I started searching for something that would make night paddling more enjoyable. But there was really nothing suitable. So I came up with a better idea. THE SURPLUS LIGHTSHIP I figured that the current economic conditions might have affected more than just private boat owners desperately trying to dump their 1970s boats using craigslist. There might be one or two governmental organizations or museums or such. And boy did I strike gold! Craigslist in Washington, D.C. turned out to be a wellspring of government issued but no longer in service equipment. The battleship Missouri was, I felt, a bit too conspicuous to anchor in Deception Pass so I found the old Lightship Relief moored in a disused basin just off the Columbia River near Astoria. There needs to be some simple alterations. I'm going to have to disable the rotating mechanism and set up a system to aim the light at exactly the places I want to paddle. But in general I think that the lightship idea is, like the mothership idea, going to really take off. I'll keep ya posted. :) Craig Jungers Don't worry... you'll see me *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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