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- Mar 26, 2004
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My dad's birthday is coming up, and I want to get him a LED light. The problem is that his needs are very specific.
He's an astonomy nut, so red lights are standard for star gazing, because they don't hurt your night vision. He goes through Mini Mag-Lights (with red filter) like crazy, and he's worn out a few cheap plastic ones (that weren't very bright anyway).
I'm looking mostly at a Peak LED Solutions Kilimanjaro, but I'm wondering if it's right, and if there's something more appropriate.
It needs to be:
Bright, enough that he can find his way around without walking into a cholla or yucca.
But not too bright, because he'll be looking at maps and telescope components up close, and shouldn't have to worry about blinding himself (even red leds can hurt your eyes).
Needs good throw, and good flood. I realize that throw and red LEDs usually don't mix, but it shouldn't be useless beyond 10 feet like a Mini-Mag.
AA or AAA powered, preferably AA, and will run off rechargables (NiMH) if necessary. 1 or 2 batteries, but not too big, and not too small so he won't lose it. An Inova X5T would be a great light I'm sure, but I don't think he's going to want to deal with expensive CR123As.
Extremely durable. It'll get dropped on rocks/gravel, thrown in toolboxes, etc.
Long, good warranty. At least a year, preferably lifetime. If it can break, he'll break it.
Again, the Peak Kilimanjaro looks like an ideal light, but I have a couple concerns. The warranty is "only" a year, which is OK, and I'm sure it's durable, but other companies offer lifetime warranties for similar prices. Secondly, it's not regulated in any way, so rechargables (1.2v) will be dimmer than regular batteries (1.5v). If the light is bright enough at 1.2v though, this shouldn't be a problem. Can anyone confirm this? Finally, it's a 5 LED light. Does this mean when used up close (1-2") that it'll make 5 red spots instead of a more even flood?
Ideally, the light I'd want to get my dad would use 1-2AA batteries, be regulated, provide an even flood at all ranges, have enough throw to navigate a desert mountain, and last long enough that it won't need replacement in a long time (but easily serviced by the factory if needed).
And cost around $50 or less.
Thanks.
And yes, I know candlepowerforums would be a better place to ask, but I don't feel like registering just to ask one question.
He's an astonomy nut, so red lights are standard for star gazing, because they don't hurt your night vision. He goes through Mini Mag-Lights (with red filter) like crazy, and he's worn out a few cheap plastic ones (that weren't very bright anyway).
I'm looking mostly at a Peak LED Solutions Kilimanjaro, but I'm wondering if it's right, and if there's something more appropriate.
It needs to be:
Bright, enough that he can find his way around without walking into a cholla or yucca.
But not too bright, because he'll be looking at maps and telescope components up close, and shouldn't have to worry about blinding himself (even red leds can hurt your eyes).
Needs good throw, and good flood. I realize that throw and red LEDs usually don't mix, but it shouldn't be useless beyond 10 feet like a Mini-Mag.
AA or AAA powered, preferably AA, and will run off rechargables (NiMH) if necessary. 1 or 2 batteries, but not too big, and not too small so he won't lose it. An Inova X5T would be a great light I'm sure, but I don't think he's going to want to deal with expensive CR123As.
Extremely durable. It'll get dropped on rocks/gravel, thrown in toolboxes, etc.
Long, good warranty. At least a year, preferably lifetime. If it can break, he'll break it.
Again, the Peak Kilimanjaro looks like an ideal light, but I have a couple concerns. The warranty is "only" a year, which is OK, and I'm sure it's durable, but other companies offer lifetime warranties for similar prices. Secondly, it's not regulated in any way, so rechargables (1.2v) will be dimmer than regular batteries (1.5v). If the light is bright enough at 1.2v though, this shouldn't be a problem. Can anyone confirm this? Finally, it's a 5 LED light. Does this mean when used up close (1-2") that it'll make 5 red spots instead of a more even flood?
Ideally, the light I'd want to get my dad would use 1-2AA batteries, be regulated, provide an even flood at all ranges, have enough throw to navigate a desert mountain, and last long enough that it won't need replacement in a long time (but easily serviced by the factory if needed).
And cost around $50 or less.
Thanks.
And yes, I know candlepowerforums would be a better place to ask, but I don't feel like registering just to ask one question.
