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torch question: |
Author | Message |
will Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 330 ![]() View other posts by will |
Posted: 23 Jun 2009 Ok, so it's not photography but I couldn't figure out where to put this question: Can anyone suggest if there is a better option than Maglite-type torches for amphibian survey work ? I'm not talking about those big jobs that run off car batteries and blind the animals in the pond, but small 2,3,4 cell cylindrical type torches with ability to focus to a fine point, good for penetrating fairly turbid water but not alerting newts etc a few metres away that you're surveying the pond. What about the LED type ones ? What do people use ? I've been using Maglites for a fair few years now and want to know if there's a new toy available ! Cheers Will |
Vicar Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 1181 ![]() View other posts by Vicar |
Posted: 23 Jun 2009 YES Fenix LD20 is awesome. They're pricey, but worth every penny. They use 2xAA rechargeable batteries. I keep a pair in the torch and a pair on charge and swap every night. I suggest you use Hama 2700mAh batteries as they are the only make which hold their charge well over extended periods. I bought it as a back-up torch, but have found myself using it for pond survey too, as the light colour is more effective at penetrating turbid water than the Clulite, and as it's 100% waterproof you can even hold it underwater to prevent blinding reflections. Best buy I've done in years! Steve Langham - Chairman ![]() Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG). |
will Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 No. of posts: 330 ![]() View other posts by will |
Posted: 24 Jun 2009 Thanks Steve - sounds just the job |
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 ![]() View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 23 Feb 2011 Oldies?! I want to buy a back-up torch incase I smash mine whilst out frogging but dunno where to get it from. Uncle Derek bought me one with AA batteries for about a fiver from Aldi once but that was sh*t. I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents. ![]() |
tim-f Senior Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 60 ![]() View other posts by tim-f |
Posted: 23 Feb 2011 Hi Will and Sue. I'm a scuba diver and (ex-) caver and so have waterproof torches, which may well be useful for shining underwater on amphibians, so you don't get reflections from the water surface. As back-up lights for both pursuits I use Underwater Kinetics mini-Q40s, which now come with LED bulbs. They run off 4 AAs, but there are plenty of larger models by UK or similar firms (Princeton Tec etc). There are plenty of places that sell these on-line, so you can check prices. Seems they're ú40 for the LED version or ú24 for incandescent bulb. Just in case you get carried away, be aware that larger (expensive!) diving torches get hot, so can only be used underwater. Hope this helps. Tim. |
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 ![]() View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 24 Feb 2011 Thanks for trying but it donÆt help, I donÆt wanna go diving or caving. Hang on, I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents. ![]() |
tim-f Senior Member Joined: 13 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 60 ![]() View other posts by tim-f |
Posted: 24 Feb 2011 Hello Sue, Sorry if my post wasn't helpful. Have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcEzVqbMF1M It would be an ideal back-up, due to its low cost and very low battery consumption. Regards, Tim. |
Scale Senior Member Joined: 05 Dec 2010 No. of posts: 83 ![]() View other posts by Scale |
Posted: 25 Feb 2011 Flippin' heck the Fenix LD20 looks like it was designed to seduce the boys, doesn't it? |
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 ![]() View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 25 Feb 2011 [QUOTE=tim-f]Hello Sue, No it wouldnÆt. I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents. ![]() |
AndyS Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2007 No. of posts: 95 ![]() View other posts by AndyS |
Posted: 25 Feb 2011 Baby Sue Argos do a range of torches, some waterproof, some windup or for when your Frogging one's that sit on your head, leaving both hands free for catching ![]() Argos Head Torch that one's a bit more than you want to pay, but look at the others |
Baby Sue Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 No. of posts: 412 ![]() View other posts by Baby Sue |
Posted: 28 Feb 2011 Thanks Andy. Bad Dad phoned on Friday and said heÆs dug out two torches he donÆt use that I can have, one takes 4 AA batteries which might be good as I can use my rechargeable batteries that I already have, and the other donÆt have a battery in it and he told me to look at battery prices whilst at Skipton market on Saturday. It takes big batteries, about 10cm x 6cm x 5cm ish, I found them for ú2 but then I went into the Yorkshire Trading Company which is a bargain store in Skipton and they did big torches for ú5 with the same kind of battery included. Kind of big shaped like this one but look far more basic and cheap. ThatÆs the shape Bad DadÆs gonna give me, he sayÆs itÆll work for what I want. PS. AinÆt ArgosÆ torches a bit pricey? I wanted presents from lots of you. Snot fair that Ben Rigsby was the only one to send me Xmas & birthday presents. ![]() |
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