5.0TA flashlight

[LynnB]

I don't know about the other models, but my 5.0TA has a small 12 volt electrical panel on the side of the cabinet by the door. It includes what we used to call a 'cigarette lighter socket'. I bought a Harbor Freight rechargeable LED light that fits into the socket. When it is in the socket the on/off button is lit which makes it easy to locate in the dark. This gives you a readily available light in a handy place. Such a deal!


https://www.harborfreight.com/lighti...ght-57497.html

[cpaharley2008]

Regardless of Escape model, what type/model of flashlight do others use with success? Thanks..

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Regardless of Escape model, what type/model of flashlight do others use with success? Thanks..

Others might want to add to this thread, but I just wanted to link back to an old thread I remembered seeing on this topic before:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/s...ferrerid=15603

[cpaharley2008]

Thanks for the link....

[UncleTim]

Hi Lynn:

Congrats.

I use a Monster Flashlight. Anything on this page will be great. Their batteries are in a class by themselves. Others may disagree. Everyone in my family has one. All three ladies and my wife's sister have one. She lives on a very dark street. I wanted her to be safe. These are the best I have ever seen.

https://shop.monsterflashlight.com/p...v=7516fd43adaa

Instead of fumbling for a light as I leave the sleeper, I have two of these installed. One on the stairs as I leave the sleeper and another in the bathroom. This is a great idea.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G1LFS08...roduct_details

Good lights are important. We have several for different reasons. Here is another great one. You need to construct a base for this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B8F42CD...roduct_details

Tim -out

[kavm]

Really depends upon what you use them for. We do a fair bit of night hiking and after dinner walks. So, we have a collection of headlamps. Petzl Actik Core are the best of the lot. They are light, small and rechargeable. They do double duty in our camping trips as well.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by kavm

They are light, small and rechargeable.

If you run out of power out in the bush, can you replace the battery, or do you have to plug it in for a charge?

[kavm]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

If you run out of power out in the bush, can you replace the battery, or do you have to plug it in for a charge?

You have to plug it in. But, the charge at low setting (not great but serviceable) is supposed to last 130 hrs and at standard (good for most purposes) lasts 8 hours and at max is 2 hrs. Those specs cover our need spectrum. The USB port on the camper is good enough to charge them, so we don’t need to turn the inverter on.

[gbaglo]

I best check the AAAs in my ancient Petzl.
All's right with the world.

[Iowa Dave]

Good point Glenn. We usually have several flashlights that run on AA or AAA batteries. And at the beginning of the camping season I buy a 16 or 20 pack of each size. I also have a rechargeable system and a weather radio with a hand crank charger. The main thing I’ve gotten away from are the big D cells and C cells, although those 4 D cell maglites back in the day were my go to when I had night calls in the parks.
Iowa Dave

[Doug & Betty]

Another flashlight just for fun.

If you enjoy camping in desert regions consider adding a UV flashlight to your collection. After dark walks can be fun when you add looking for scorpions and other creatures, and minerals, that are fluorescent. Also fun and educational for the grandkids. There are many lights available from the usual sources in various qualities and prices.

Stay healthy and safe travels,
Doug

[kavm]

Doug - Interesting observation! I did not know what a UV flashlight is. Just yesterday I saw a coyote as I was returning from a hike. It’s eyes lit up like headlights from the reflection of my headlamp. Is that what you mean? Or, do the UV lights illuminate the whole body? We live in the rattlesnake country and what keeps me away from night hiking in the summer is the worry that I might not see a snake in the dark and step on it…

[gbaglo]

The snake will feel the vibration of your steps and boogy off.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

The snake will feel the vibration of your steps and boogy off.

Yes, but… we live in an area with a fair number of snakes. I see a couple of dozen a season. They are indeed shy and look to avoid humans, but it’s never too swift. You would easily step on one if you are not looking out. We do that OK in our regular walks. But, it’s harder to do at night if one is moving swiftly down a steep slope with a headlamp. Days can get hot, so during the week I like to go out hiking in the evening which involves descending at night.

Anyway, that was the context of my post.

[Iowa Dave]

You haven’t lived until you step on a big Northern Water Snake sunning himself in the cross ties on a railroad trestle as you’re hurrying back to the vehicle and priding yourself on not having to look down because you’ve adjusted your stride to hit the center of each tie. Wowser.
Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

I killed a Green Mamba that was keeping cool on the concrete floor of our house in Tanzania. I was first in the house and thought it was a piece of garden hose.

I used a hoe to do the deed, resulting in a number of divots in the floor.

[Iowa Dave]

I can’t top that. I was always fascinated with reptiles and amphibians and it was probably partially because we didn’t have poisonous things where we lived in those two categories and no scorpions either. my dad did not like snakes at all having taken basic training in Louisiana where several varieties of poisonous snakes were common.
Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

One more snake, about 60 years ago.

[UncleTim]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I killed a Green Mamba that was keeping cool on the concrete floor of our house in Tanzania. I was first in the house and thought it was a piece of garden hose.

Do they taste like chicken?

[Doug & Betty]

Hi Kaym, Having spent my first 50 years in the Sonoran Desert in Southern AZ (not the Sonoran Desert in Southern BC) (I still have a problem with a Sonoran Desert in BC) I got quite familiar with the critters of the area. Unfortunately, snakes avoid the heat of the day so they are out and about during your evening hiking hours. With their excellent camouflage, and the fact they don’t always announce their presence, we found that snake gaiters were a good solution if you’re concerned. We usually just used a good white light, made a little noise along the ground as we walked and kept an eye on where we stepped. If you did hear one go off near you the usual protocol was to jump high in the air, locate where it was, and come down someplace else.

UV (ultraviolet) lights only put a dull purple light on the ground so are not good for hiking. They do cause anything that fluoresce, like scorpions, to suddenly light up as a bright off-white object. If you’re into rocks and minerals they are also useful and interesting to cause some of them to fluoresce.

We enjoy taking an evening walk with whatever light we need to see and use a UV light to look around rocks and bushes for a bright off-white object. With a careful closer look these usually become a scorpion, or trash needing to be picked up. Scorpions are frequently tucked into a crack or crevice when you first see them and won’t show their familiar shape until you get them to move out of where they are. This is a great educational and interesting activity to do with kids of any age, Just be careful and safe with the scorpions.

Stay healthy and safe travels,
Doug