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Personal Equipment - Torch
Anyone have any recommendations / preferences on small torches for dailies & cockpit.
I've had too many miserable experiences with maglights had a look at the Surefire Aviator A2 xenon white bulb with 3 x colour LED for cockpit emergency low-level illumination, but it is a pretty pricy bit of kit. for those who use mic lights & have a torch purley for Daily Inspections, what is your light source of choice what have you found better for brightness & clarity of beam, battery longevity etc., ruggedness thanks in advance |
Funny that you mention Maglights as I use a little AA Maglight and have never had a problem other than the occasional bulb replacement. Have heard that the Surefire is good. You can never have too many toys, gadgets, bits of kit!!
BM |
I'd love to know the answer to this one.
I need a bright white light for pre flight, a dim red light for the cockpit and a clip to keep it on your jacket . No torch I've seen combines all of these. The search continues. |
red vs green
18g
the surefire mentioned above does what you want - but at a hell of a price http://www.surefire.com/surefire/con...2ha_full01.jpg curious are there any arguments for red vs. green low-light illumination in the cockpit most NVG compatible mike lights are green or infrared LEDs is red optimum, or is green also adequate in regards to adequate illumination whilst low enough not to detriment night vision capabilities of the Mk1 eyeball, nvfr manual mentioned red only, but no other colour. (you can't read contour lines on a map with red, but granted that might be a stretch between requirements to look at contours) but red or green the T's & P's are just as difficult to interpret without some white light (white finger light or white led in mike lights. for the price difference I am considering a Pelican M6 LED for external http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...m6led_size.jpg & compliment that with a seitzinc Mike Lite (ML-22) (2x standard green & 1x white LED) http://www.seitzinc.com/shop/media/Ml-8m162s.jpg this brings me well under the aviator A2 with arguably better application |
I use a maglight for walk rounds, but use an old fashioned bycicle front lamp in flight. My instructor had one and bought me one. The old style have a clip on the back to mount to the bike. put a piece of string through the clip, hang it round your neck and it will sit flat against your chest shining in the right direction. He also got me to paint the lense with red nail polish wish gives a perfect level of light at night. I have kept this light since it was given to me and it now has around 9000 hours as well as an important place in my bag.:ok:
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I like the surefire but for inspections and it is a bit pricey. None the less I own one. Got it on www.ebay.com and saved a few dollars.
In the cockpit(sic) I prefer using something already attached. I use the Seitz Lip lights and if really necessary a Finger light, they sell all kinds of things and the company was formed by a former Army Pilot. www.seitzinc.com Their prices are good and I have been using their product for at least 15 years. It attaches easy to my Gentex skidlid and on my David Clarks. The liplight is somehwat hard to turn on and off with the DC flexible Mike Boom, but a minor inconvenience considering how useful it is. I also agree on one white Xenon and two Green LEDs. GadgetGuru above mentioned Pelican www.pelican.com I also fly over water a lot and use a couple of their small locator lights attached to my vest. Cheap and hopefully never used, but if used worth every Penny. Pilots never can have enough toys... I also love my Colt CAR-15 but thats another story on toys. |
CAR-15?! Do passengers in Las Vegas get a bit out of hand?
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For daily's I use a white LED torch (although it has a bit of a problem sometimes illuminating the gearbox oil).
For night flight I have a Mike Lite (green) and a maglight with orange lense. To me this is not as harsh on the eyes and allows for map reading. Hope this helps. |
Like watches and PDA's, the torch sets the pilot apart from the ground-hugging mortals, at least according to the adverts.
Actually, in 7500 hours of flight, I have never felt the need to buy other than a nice mortal wrist watch (with push buttons), a normal small pocket torch goosenecked, and a normal calculator. Those who fly NVG's need specialized kit, of course, but the rest of us buy the fancy stuff to set us apart, I think. Am I guilty of this in some ways? Of course, I wear my flight jacket, with patches, to every inappropriate occasion! Here is a $4 one that fits the bill: http://www.airsoftarms.com/viewprodu...hp?ProdID=6030 Every imaginable type is here (vive free enterprise!): http://www.myles-rec.com/12%20Volt%2...12/lights.html |
For preflights there is no better than a German Made LedLenser V2 is the best I've had, and I have had many since its kind a sick obsession I have with flashlights. These flashlights use common AAA batteries that last a LONG time, single very powerfull led, brighter than a Surefire A2 that costs almost 4 times as much, smaller too. You won't regret having one of these. Just make sure you buy the AAA battery single led model not the AAAA single led model, since AAAA are more difficult to find.
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I carry a number of different "torches" or whatever you call'em. You guys in the old country still using burning sticks?
For preflight, a headlight is the way to go. I have both hands available for tasks, it points where I'm looking, and I don't drop it. I'me using a "Streamlight Clipmate"- just clip it to my cap- and monkey all over the helo. Lip light in the cockpit, helmet and headset. Put an inline switch on it after they turned on in the bag, the cell's ruptured, and split the battery clip. I use a Streamlight Twintask for general stuff. Employer equips aircraft with a D-cell Maglight. And, I keep a PALight with a clip in my pocket. The rubberized rectangular case means it doesn't roll around and I'm not biting down on metal when I need both hands, selectable light levels for whatever- it does everything pretty well, except bludgeon- which, I guess, is why I have the Maglight. |
LED all the way!
Cheap, cheerful and plenty on ebay.;) |
many thanks
feedback much appreciated
cheers |
I use a heavily-modified mini-maglite. I have a 2-watt LED bulb and a diffusion lens installed, and it puts out more light than a 4-D cell maglite. I also have an Inova w/ 5 LEDs, which puts out about the same amount of light, but it takes Lithium 123 batteries, which are expensive. The Maglite uses standard AA batteries. I also use an LED headlamp, with white LEDs for preflights, starting, etc, and a green LED (it came with red, and I replaced it) for use when flying, when the white lights are too bright. It comes in handy for doing paperwork, reading approach plates, etc without blinding my copilot. It puts the light wherever I look. I had an LED liplight mounted on my mike, but the headlight is cheaper and more useful.
Like Nick, I use a standard watch, no buttons, though. I do like a watch with dual display, both analog and digital. Timex et al sell these cheaply, and they are as accurate as a Rolex, if not more. |
The "streamlight " from Stylus with LED bulb is definately a good product. They are the size & shape of a pen & are available in red,green & white for around USD20. You can clip all three in your pocket if you want to without the weight tearing your shirt off & the 3 x AAAA batteries last a long time.
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I use a single red LED key ring light attached to the back of my sunglasses strap with a tiny s.s d-shackle. During the day I have my sunnies to the front( which is only right).
Come night time I spin them to the back of my neck which puts my small LED light on the strap to the front. Its powerful enough to illuminate the cockpit and read/ write by without affecting my night vision. And, I've always got a light as long as I'm wearing my Sunnies.For pre-flights I have a Pelican clip light with a swivelling neck which clips to either cap or pocket and is small enough to hold between my teeth if necessary. |
Yup still using the stick, tightly wrapped straw & burning oil trick.
Its a bitch on fuel dips but great on cold nights. |
Coast TAC Torch 4 Color LED Recon Light
If you're a torch/flashlight geek then this one is for you! It has 4 LED colours - red,green, blue and regular white, so it's good for preflight and cockpit. It has buttons for on/off, so you're not fumbling around trying to twist/turn the thing on with one hand, like a Maglite. It takes 3 AAA batteries and they last for ages. It's plenty bright. You can hang it around your neck and best of all ....... If you feel the need, you can turn all four colours on at once! ....... DISCO! Coast TAC Torch 4 Color LED Recon Light |
Heliduck
The "streamlight " from Stylus with LED bulb is definately a good product. They are the size & shape of a pen & are available in red,green & white for around USD20. You can clip all three in your pocket if you want to without the weight tearing your shirt off & the 3 x AAAA batteries last a long time. I have one of the LED Streamlights, nice and slim and sits nicely in my pen pocket or in the spring on a clipboard. And if ever you need new AAAA batteries, rip open a square 9v battery and there are 6 of them inside :ok: |
Wonder how it would be to fly with these.. light gloves has anyone tried them??
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Interesting on the light gloves but as I mentioned www.seitzinc.com has a finger light. Take a look, you can get it in White or Green LED. Very lightweight and velcros on whatever finger necessary. Works for me.
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an interesting article on night adaptation
I was hunting for info on red vs. green & came across this article.
points of interest for those who want the abreviated version COCKPIT ILLUMINATION Red light was used for illumination of the cockpit in post-World War II aircraft because it, like red goggles, did not degrade dark adaptation. The intent was to maintain the greatest rod sensitivity possible, while still providing some illumination for central foveal vision. However, red cockpit lights interfered with reading maps and log books, especially for pre-presbyopic and presbyopic aviators. With the increased use of electronic and electro-optical devices for navigation the importance of the pilot's visual efficiency in the cockpit has increased and new concerns have arisen. Low intensity, white cockpit lights are often used now because they afford a more natural visual environment within the aircraft, without degrading the color of objects. .... ENHANCING AND MAINTAINING DARK ADAPTATION Red Goggles or Spectacles For maximum utilization of scotopic vision, 20 to 30 minutes in total darkness are required to attain satisfactory retinal dark adaptation. An alternative is to have the aircrew member wear red goggles for 20 to 30 minutes before flying. When worn in normal illumination, red goggles will not interfere significantly with the ability to read most maps, charts, manuals, etc., as long as the printing is not in red ink. Red goggles block all light except red, which enhances rod dark adaptation because red light does not stimulate the scotopic system. There are some drawbacks to wearing red goggles or using red cockpit lighting. When reading maps, markings in red on a white background may be invisible. Red light also creates or worsens near-point blur in older far-sighted, presbyopic (decreased near focusing ability due to age), and pre-presbyopic aircrew. Under red light or using red goggles in normal light, red light is focused behind the retina due to the optics of the eye and more "near focusing" than average must be used to provide a clear image when reading at near. ..... RECOMMENDATIONS The following are some ways for aviators to protect, improve, or maintain their operational night vision. 1. Complete a training course that emphasizes the inherent limitations of night vision 2. Keep spectacles, visors, and windscreens clean 3. Wear proper spectacle correction. 4. When practical, dark-adapt or use red goggles before night flying 5. Avoid bright lights, or at least protect one eye. 6. Do not fixate centrally, but scan and look 15-20 degrees to the side of the visual target. 7. Regularly wear sunglasses on sunny days, especially on days of night missions. 8. Eat an adequate diet that includes vitamin A. 9. Do not smoke. 10. Consider use of 100% oxygen at night, even at low altitudes. and another titled the red myth cheers |
Could I suggest the Inova 24/7 which I have found very useful. It has white, red and flashing lights together with a number of clip/head options. (Not cheap though)
http://www.inovalight.com/images/247-hand.jpg See: http://www.inovalight.com/site.html?XO-ov EG |
Ref the article on red light in the cockpit. Some years ago in a simulator of an aircraft that had red lighting on the instruments, the captain complained of feeling dizzy and could not focus. We stopped the session and the next day he went to the the eye specialists.
After about a week of tests they diagnosed "red light pre-focussing" where the brain does not know whether to focus at the red end or the white end of the spectrum, and does neither. We were all told to restrict the use of red light at night, and these days it is rare to see a red light fitted in an airliner flightdeck for this reason. For some reason, after a flight, pilots are attracted to bars with red lights and further research is needed in this area. FWIW |
pilots are attracted to bars with red lights and further research is needed in this area. |
The torch of choice for the serious professional
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs...oductId=169589 |
Anyone know of a UK dealer for Pelican torches?
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Wallace & Gromit Carrot Torch |
Freight Mate
Ask them: http://www.pelican.com/ |
Watches with push buttons?
Rolex GMT Master II has no "push buttons" and is the mark of a real Aviator. Nick....fighter pilots wear flashy jackets and big watches with push buttons! REAL helicopter pilots would never be seen wearing a Flight Jacket with patches (beyond those found on the elbows).:E |
Rolex GMT Master II has no "push buttons" and is the mark of a real Aviator. Since you brought that up. Mine is getting a few years on it. The price for these things has gone through the roof, not because they are worth anything, but because us morons will pay the price. Service via Rolex, NY ONLY every few years is not cheap either. I find the cheapest still seems to be the Virgin Islands. Anybody get one cheaper. Stainless and Gold at about $5800 Flight jackets from www.flightsuits.com , good prices and good quality Push buttons and dials on watches were great, back when I could read them......... |
The best thing I have used is a Petzel headtorch. Get the one that has 3 x led's in it. Powered by 2 AAA's lasts for about 120 hours plus. It gives enough light to check the outside. Inside it is great, all you have to do is slip it over your head and guess what you have both hands free. I always wear it ( switched off ) when night flying just in case. Incidentally it is that small that you can hold it in your fist.
It costs about £ 20 from mountainering shops |
SASless,
You don't like push buttons because you cant fly and push the buttons at the same time. I understand your frustration. |
ouch................
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Well now Nick ol' buddy....for once you are entirely correct. The key is I know when to fly and when to push the buttons. There comes a time when one must revert to flying....and it helps if one can.
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Thats an Ouch........Back
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Best flashlight (torch) to use for night flying
Hi everyone,
the winter is coming and that means nightflying again. I broke my personal small maglite, so I'm looking for a new flashlight. Does anyone have some recommendations? My old one had a reddish light, but I heard the new ones have green/yellowish light and that should be better. Any ideas? Regards, CopterD |
All depends on what you use it for. All around versatility, the Minimag is hard to beat. I've got an LED conversion in, better battery and bulb life. Doesn't cast the long focused beam the quartz-halogen did.
I also carry a PALight in my flight suit pocket, (because too much light is an issue)- http://www.palights.com/ And, a little Inova X1 on my belt- compact, bright, and projects a spot as well as the 2-D cell Maglite all our aircraft are equipped with. I bought mine at a Target store, but here's link- http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...318&sk=MC51419 Finally, headset and helmet both have Seitz mike lights, lightstick also in in a pocket- Kind of a lot? |
For in-flight I find it hard to beat my lip light, not too bright, hands free, and always shines where I look. For preflight, and general use I use a small flexible LED light from streamlight. Great for hard to see spots, and you can mount it on your kneeboard for in-flight use, though it's really too bright for dark night flying.
Plus there's always my mandated crappy pt. 135 flashlight. |
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