Headlight with red light

[ruurdjan]

Just bought this at Bunnings:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/energizer-3-led-universal-headlight-torch_p4410866

It's got a red light and a white light with a simple selector switch so you can choose red without having to 'go through' white.
It's cheap and ideal for astronomy. The single red LED isn't too bright. I suspect it'll last for days on 3 AAA cells too.

[iborg]

Hi

Looks good to me, I think I'll try and get one.

A question, how bright is the red?

I understand that head mounted torches are often not popular at astro gatherings, as people have a habit of flashing them around too much.

Philip

[Allan_L]

Welcome to IceInSpace RJ :welcome:
Yes,
that looks to be the same model I have been using for years.
No One has complained yet.
But I keep it pointed down when walking about,
and keep it switched off when not necessary.
The only problem can occur when you switch it too far.
That is, if you go past the central OFF position, into the White light on position.
OOPS! Sorry! Is all you can say. I now cap a hand over it when switching off, just in case.
But that's a great price. Mine was 3 times that.
It may be a "Clearance" price, so don't hesitate. :thumbsup:
Thanks for posting

[Wussell]

Just been to Bunnings and picked one up. They feel quite sturdy and robust.

[luka]

Got one as well. The best price elsewhere is at least twice the Bunnings price so this is a good deal.

The housing opens easily (3 screws). If you are handy with the soldering iron, there are two surface mounted resistors that can be replaced to adjust the brightness. Alternatively the white LEDs (there are two of them) or their resistor can be removed, turning the headlight into a red headlight only.

Or for a simpler "almost"-red-only version, cover the front white LEDs with black electrical tape to reduce the white light in case of accidental switching to white.

[ruurdjan]

Hi, it isn’t that bright but in the pitch dark, anything can be too bright I guess. If you’re handy. With a soldering iron I guess you could replace the two white leds and the resistors to create a dual brightness light.

[ruurdjan]

Thanks for the welcome!
I’ve got a day off today so might see if I can mod the light for red only, dual brightness...

[SkyWatch]

This is one of my pet peeves at an astro camp! People seem to think that just because it is red it doesn't affect your night vision...
True, it doesn't affect it as much as (say) green or white because our eyes aren't as sensitive to red, but when someone comes up to have a look through your scope and shines the (bright!) red head-light in your eyes it is not shall I politely say "helpful" for our night vision.

So please folks, when you use one be considerate like Allan_L: keep it pointed down, and switch it off when it isn't necessary. (... and it certainly isn't "necessary" when you are looking through someone else's eyepiece!)

Plus, for your own sake, make sure it is as dim as possible: just bright enough to read that chart. Otherwise your own night vision will suffer.

That's enough rant for one day. ;)

- Dean

[Kunama]

Not a fan of them, too often people forget that they have them on and then insist on looking right at you to talk to you......

I prefer a red torch on a lanyard, hanging from my neck with the light pointing at the ground, it would only disturb someone who's had too much to drink during the evening....

[jimmyh1555]

I just got a cheapo torch from Woolies which takes 3 x AAA, and put a couple of thicknesses of red tissue paper stickey taped over it. Works well and lasts ages! Wear it around my neck.:D:D