Personal Equipment - Torch

[Gomer Pylot]

I also like the Inova. The lithium batteries last a long time, and don't discharge when not being used. You can get them in bulk, by the dozen or so, from several places online, at a very reasonable price. They last for 6 months or more for me, though. I would recommend an LED light no matter the brand, though. They use less power, and produce a lot of light. You can get bulbs up to 5 watts if you want, and there are drop-in models available for most popular flashlights, including all the MagLite models, even the big multi-D cell models. The white LED light is great for preflighting, and I can see oil levels much easier in it than in the yellow incandescent light from regular bulbs. I don't much like focused beams like MagLites, though, preferring a more diffused, unfocused light from the Inova. The more spread-out light lets me see more than a tightly focused beam which only lights a small area.

[blave]

Here in the States, the Energizer brand makes at least two inexpensive head-mounted LED flashlights. They have adjustable headbands and adjustable hinges so you can set the light angle. Both have red and white light modes; the less-expensive one (about $15) has only one brightness setting for the white side while the more expensive ($20?) has three.

There are much more expensive alternatives - and I do like that mic-mounted one - but these get the job done for minimal $.

Dave Blevins

[Khaosai]

Hi,

I opted for the ORB RAW.

It is very bright, 3 watt LED, 47mm long, 20mm wide and weighs in at 3grams.

It also has an option to go for rechargeable batteries, which i would recommend.

My only complaint is that on the high power setting, battery life is limited.

Rgds.

[2FLY]

recently received a new head torch (Petzl tactikka plus) that seems as ideal as it gets for flying, lightweight, comfortable, handsfree operation and the light goes where look, 4 LED's with 3 brightness settings and a flip up/down red lense cover for use in the cockpit.

[CopterD]

New torch: Green/yellow or red leds?

Hi everyone,

Looking for a new torch. Found one that has a bright white light and 3 LEDS in the colours red or green/yellow for reading @ night. Which one would you recommend in favour of night vision?

Its the Surefire Aviator btw

Thanks,
CopterD

[the beater]

Good grief!
You broke your Maglite sometime preceding 24 October 2006! That was when you first reported that you needed a new torch (flashlight (or should that be flashlite) for our American friends). How on earth do you break a Maglite?
Never mind - just buy another. Forget about LEDs. You can't get the focus that you need to complete a night inspection. Forget about trying to read maps at night. If you don't have the means to navigate without recourse to map reading (except in extremis) you will struggle, whatever light you have.
I find that the storm light is invaluable when struggling with the Sudoku.

[HELOFAN]

Search for lip light on the forums, I just went through something similar & there are more links in that.

I just bought a lip light that uses a white only light.

Fantastic & no night vision loss.

HF

[serf]

Using red means you cant see red stuff, using green means you cant see green stuff - so white it is.

[AB139engineer]

Hey guys try the pelican 2 x D cell divers light, The warranty specificaly says garranteed for everything except bear attack, shark attack and children under 5. I have had 2 of them for over 20 years and they are both working great.

[STL206]

I got a Streamlight Night Com. It has the same features as the Surefire Aviator but is not nearly as expensive. I have been happy with it so far.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=90

[bugalugs123]

Hi All,

For all that have the surefire...I have been looking on their website and you can select the LED colour.(red, green, white, yellow and blue) Is this the colour of the actual torch light or does it have the white light as well? Sorry to be confused but their website is not very clear!
Thanks guys

[ShyTorque]

The warranty specificaly says garranteed for everything except bear attack, shark attack and children under 5. I have had 2 of them for over 20 years and they are both working great.

Had which - bears, sharks, or children under 5?

I'm "all LEDs" these days. I use a mini Maglite with an LED conversion for pre-flighting. I also have an Osram "Dot-it" 3 LED surface light fixed on velcro on the cockpit overhead panel (great for sitting in my seat doing pre, or after-flight paperwork etc without wasting the aircraft battery). I also use a little single LED clip-on light which goes on my shoulder harness.

Just noticed today that Dremel (mini-drill people) do a nice little miniature clip-on adjustable flexy stem light, (£13.95 from B &Q) which might be of use to some pilots whilst reading under the sheets .

[SASless]

Knowing my penchant for storing dead (flat) batteries in my flashlight (torch)....I reckon the cure is one of those new fangled "Shaka-lights". The way a 212 bounces around it would be fully charged without a lot of human interface being required.

I would think if your electrical systems died one night while flogging about the Bounding Blue, one's hands would be shaking so bad you would not have to devote any mental capacity to keep the thing lit.

[Backward Blade]

I personally love LED's for leak checking when required, but since I live in the bush and have to pack everything willy nilly hither and yon on a moments notice I tend to stick with ye ole Maglite. Reason being since I fill out of barrels for the most part it is far more accurate in determining proper color of the fuel and the focus of the beam is very handy in determining the quality of the barrel lining...very important issues w/ barrels especially in the cold.

At 15$ a piece it doesn't hurt so much when you lose one, and trust me, if you live in a tent on occasion...you will.

As for the Color thing I wouldn't have a clue. I fly Day VFR in Northern Canada....Why the HELL would I want to do it at night? LOL

BWB

[Ioan]

Petzl tactikka plus. Three lighting levels (plus strobe - lowest setting ideal for cockpit use - 150 hours on a set of batteries), flip up / down red filter, handsfree, light-where-you-look, small, light weight, reliable and the light frequency doesn't affect NVGs.
Downside: they cost a bit

[EN48]

Aviation "torches"

Best overall (price no object): Surefire "Kroma." three color LED's (white, red, blue), mil spec construction, lithium batteries with 10 year shelf life. Beautifully made - a serious "instrument." About $300 U.S.

Best value (price considered): Streamlight Twin Task combination LED & Krypton incandescent. About $35 U.S. via discount Web dealers. There are a number of other Streamlight models well suited for aviation use, and all well priced.

[helicfii]

I use an NVG compatible mike lite (white). I have found that the NVG green LED lights are just to dim.

When I flew 2 pilot IFR, we wore the white/red lights that tilt down that are mounted to an elastic headband- by far the best thing I ever used when I was the PNF. I got it at Walmart for about $5 US. When I switched to flying with a helmet, I tossed the elastic headband and put some velcro on the back of the light, then stuck it to the side of my helmet- if I need it I just fold it down.

For walk around, I use a generic version of the surefire.

[g-mady]

Anyone use the "LED Lenser V² Squared Aviator"

http://www.shop4torches.co.uk/acatal..._LED_Torch.php

Especially as its designed for this sort of use???

Any good?

MADY

[Helikopter]

Used couple of them, the best light so far: Fenix P1D Q5.

http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=35

[bugalugs123]

Hi CopterD...
Which surefire have you found that has white AND green light?...Is it this one....
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/.../900/sesent/00

The reason I ask is that I emailed surefire about this and they said that when you select 'green LED' as an option then it is only a green light and not white as well...

So basically, I need to know whether I can get a white light AND green (for night) in the same torch? Does such a product exist?
Thanks!