Re: New tent light

Thank you Eric for the great review.  

I had been looking at this light and wondering about the output around camp for those times when fire restrictions are up and I cannot use my butane lantern.

I ultimately found a solution with this light:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/290715034674?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 at 100+ lumens it is a good flashlight and a decent in tent lantern when extended.

After removing the top, lens and associated bits, I covered the lower reflector that holds the cree emitter with HVAC chrome tape,  I also cut a round of aluminum flashing to fit in the top on the outside of the lens, drilled a small hole for a cord, and covered that with chrome tape as well.  

Light output is roughly 50% better than stock when the lantern is extended.  The beam can be focused by sliding the lantern back down and removing the outer lens reflector.

Total weight with 1AA is 3.6oz.  I do consider this a luxury item.

Brian H
Folsom, CA

>________________________________
> From: Eric Green <[email protected]>
>To: [email protected] 
>Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 10:24 AM
>Subject: [BackpackingLight] New tent light
> 
>On my recent trip I used a new light, the eGear Splashflash.  This flashlight was actually designed for snorkelers and other diving uses, but has some attributes that make it serve well as an ultralight camp area light or tent light. It is lightweight (1 ounce), has a diffuser globe over the LED to spread the light over an area rather than create a beam, and lasts a reasonable amount of time.
>
>Weight: 1 ounce, including the single AAA battery that powers it and the carabiner on its tail.
>
>LED type: Unknown.
>
>Battery: single AAA alkaline. Unknown if would work with lithium or NiMH rechargeable.
>
>Battery life: Unknown. I used it approximately 12 hours total this trip, and it was still plenty bright for its intended purpose at the end of the trip. A replacement single AAA battery is easy enough to carry for longer trips. (this was a five day / four night trip). 
>
>Brightness: Lights up a tent (when hung from the center loop) well enough to see your gear and read a book. Lights up a cabin or shelter (when hung from a lantern hook in the center top of the cabin or shelter) sufficiently well to see your gear and get around, but not quite bright enough to read a book by (at least not for me), I needed to turn on the GlowLight on my Nook SimpleTouch to its lowest setting to read my book. Plenty bright when hung from a tree branch or hat beak to cook your meal and pitch / prepare your tent. 
>
>Price: $12 from REI, maybe a couple $ cheaper at Amazon.com.
>
>Other attributes: Waterproof with double-O-ring seal. Single brightness setting, or a couple of twists will make it flash "SOS" at that single brightness setting. 
>
>Only thing to note: This is *not* a beam-type flashlight. If you hung it from the beak of your hat (perhaps by punching a hole to clip its carabiner through), it'd light up the area around you well enough, but for trailfinding in the dark you'll need something that can cast a beam. Still, for 1 ounce total weight, I find it useful enough that I intend to carry it on my next trip also. I don't *need* it, my headlamp is really all the light I need, but the splash of light that it makes, and the ease of hanging it to light up an area, combined with the miniscule size and weight make it a nice trail luxury for these long winter nights that we have right now where you're spending way too much time in your tent or in a shelter entertaining yourself while waiting to become sleepy or waiting for it to become light enough outside to be worth moving around.
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