backup light

I have a Rovyvon A5, and I have to say it is an incredible little light.  Works well clipped onto a ballcap, the luminous shell makes it easy to find in a dark tent, and I actually like the sidelight feature, which has a lantern-like effect, nice for ambiance, for reading, or to set in the gear loft as a tent light.  I can’t compare the two front LEDs, but I got the warmer nichia 219c and am very happy with it.  I’m surprised zpacks doesn’t offer this as an option, as I think there is a general preference for warmer lights.  I very highly recommend this light.  I have owned various handhelds and headlamps from Nitecore, Zebralight, Fenix, Princeton Tec, Black Diamond, and Petzl.  The A5 is my all around fave.

Thanks David! It is good to hear about your direct experience with the light.

Also good to hear perspectives about the strengths of warmer emitters.

I will probably try out an A5 soon.

Matthew for ” I’ll probably keep my tiny loop of thin shock cord too. Options!” have you tried wrapping the shockcord and making a finger light with the tube?  I tried it, but have not found a combination I like.

You can twist the cord into a figure 8 shape with the one end through the metal loop and the other over the front of the light. Then you put your finger under the X in the middle. Hope that makes sense.

I don’t use it that way much but I do put it around my wrist or around my trekking pole in my shelter frequently.

I just picked up an Armytek Zippy.  I got the non-WR version (found it for $12 shipped), but just ordered another with the WR (white and red light).  0.43oz with clip, so a 0.1oz heavier than the Nitecore Tube

If you get the extended set you get a mount and headband.  Not really needed for my use, as this light can just be clipped to your shirt or hung from a neck-lanyard.  It is a mostly right angle light; almost 100% flood (couple artifacts), and so hung from the clip it illuminates out and down.  No head mount required.

The lowest brightness is a bit bright for my taste (4-5 lumens, depending if you get the WR or non-WR model).   It has a lock out and mode memory.

EDIT: After reading SAR submissions to this Yosemite blog, a reoccurring issue is not have a light.  They recommend having 2, with extra batteries.  That blog is a good read; does anyone know of any others along the same lines?

The red light would be a nice feature in bug season, one thing I really miss on the Tube.

I searched but couldn’t find a light in this form factor supporting red and white in a spot beam, that would be the holy grail

I got a couple of short LED strips that plug straight into my battery pack. A piece of Gorilla tape on the back overhanging the sides and the top with foil on the overhang for a reflector. They come in various colors.

This thread got me to thinking; if Petzl would reissue the e+lite with the old retractible cord headband and make it rechargeable, I would probably buy 10 of them.  That would be my perfect backpacking headlamp.