LCD flashlight

-m2-

Anyone tried one? There has been a couple of models shown in the Mt Equipment Coop (Canada) and REI (US) catalogues for a couple of years now, but on my one day visa run to Vancouver they have been out of stock both times. Basically, it is a three led unit that runs for 100+ hours on a couple of AAA batteries. A headlight, with retractable cord can also be used on wrist. Seems like it would be great for getting around on moonless nights in the coconut grove, or camping, or reading when light is dim but haven't actually seen one.

I've had an led key-chain light for years now and it's red light is still working on the original watch battery (works great for finding a key-hole in a dark hallway) -- I think I paid a dollar for it -- so it qualifies as a great 'cheap but useful' gadget. Don't know about this new unit though, looks a little pricey.


edit: dawned on me after I got home that I meant LED (light emitting diode) and not LCD (liquid crystal display), and rushed back this morning to find I had already been 'caught out' by IVAN and vistet. corrected the above to avoid confusion -- but sheepishly acknowledge my dumb error. m

IVAN

You mean LED, right?
I have my eye fixated on this one, that doesn't need batteries:
http://www.excaliburelectronics.com/foreverflashl.html
but I would also like to know if the brightness can compare with, say a Mini Maglite flashlight.

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vistet

I used a really small LED lamp on my last trip and and found it indispensable. Strong enough not just for finding things in the pack but also finding my way.
Sturdy, too - used it for three weeks in monsoon rain. Changed batteries once in ten weeks. My only complaint is the colour of the light - it`s good for all practical purposes but not for looking at temple paintings and other art. The size is amazing - you will barely notice it hanging from the zipper in your jacket or inner tent.

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escher

Yes I have an LED headtorch and it is fantastic. They weigh nothing and the bulbs don't blow so no need to carry a spare. The batteries last forever too. The light it gives out is perfect for reading, it gives a much more uniform pool of white than a standard bulb would, also perfect for walking in the dark or when looking for the toilet. I have a Lucido T66 which is tad expensive but has six leds and a halogen bulb. There are three modes: 2 leds, 4 leds or just the halogen. 3 AA batteries will last 300, 150 and 3 hours respectively with the halogen really sucking up the juice. The halogen is only needed when navigating at night (i.e reading a map and picking out features and landmarks) or when trying to follow a route when climbing.

However if you don't need those features as you won't be climbing or reading a map then the less expensive models with just a few LED's and no halogen bulb are fine. In fact models like the Petzl Zipka or Tikka weigh about 60 grams with batteries included! The Princeton and Black Diamond headtorches available at MEC are all pretty good too. To be honest with you LED's are so good that it makes ordinary torch bulbs about as useful as a naked flame in a gale, unless you need to see a very long way in the dark. Everyone I know who has bought one will never go back to an ordinary one so go and buy one now. You really won't be disappointed. Oh yeah and a headtorch is much more useful than a handheld torch/flashlight. They make Maglites look pretty silly too.

Escher

Ps I don't work for MEC by the way. I am just a bit sad and I seem to know a lot about headtorches (yawn).

-m2-

thanks for the report, Escher, and welcome to the board! nice to have some user experience as it is kind of pricey item and it is good to know how well it works. really sounds like LED's are the way of the future with the incredible lightness, efficiency, and the durability of the diode. I'm a MEC catalogue junky, but don't ever order from it, preferring to check things out, try things on, and ogle the goods in the store but only get over to Vancouver a couple of times a year. probably this saves me some $ as they always seem to be out of stock in colour or size of something I'm interested in -- or hot items like the Zipka and Tikka lights.

IVAN: that looks like an interesting item for an emergency kit so you'd never have to worry about dead batteries, but it seems pretty bulky and thereby missing half the point of an LED light -- a pair of AAA's would last most people a couple of years, so it's not like savings on batteries would be a big deal. nifty, nevertheless

mike