backup light

[David Sugeno]

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.

[Matthew / BPL]

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.

[tkkn c]

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.

[Matthew / BPL]

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.

[Steve B]

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?

[David D]

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

[Terran Terran]

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.

[David Sugeno]

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.

[Author]

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