Red LED light

[ThunderStorm]

Does this one do the job as you guys think:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2000LM-CREE-Red-LED-Tactical-Flashlight-Torch-Hunting-Lamp-Camping-Light-Lamp-AU-/272249030396?hash=item3f634e86fc:g: LNEAAOSw9N1VxWp5

Also this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Portable-UV-Ultra-Red-LED-Flashlight-Zoomable-Focus-Blacklight-Torch-Light-Lamp-/281675885692?hash=item419530ec7c:g: RDcAAOSwkNZUo6Mx

[inertia8]

I don't believe either of those are suitable. They will be too bright even with a red led. That said 2000lm is a ridiculous claim...

Be aware that both use lithium battieries, the first used an 18650 and the 2nd uses a 14500.. These add to the expense as you really only want quality cells and chargers otherwise the risk of a battery venting or exploding leading to harmful gas and liquid exposure is very real.

I'd recommend you look for a simple aaa or aa powered light with multiple brightness levels and then use red cellophane, you can keep adding layers till you are happy with the result.

I'm working with a manufacturer at the moment on a new version of their head torch which has both white and red emitters to make their red have multiple brightness levels and the white to have a sub lumen mode too (and start on that mode so you don't blind your night vision or that of others)

[bojan]

What is the job?

I am using something like this (mine has 2 white and one red LED):
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Super-Bright-500LM-Mini-Headlight-3x-CREE-R3-2-Red-LED-Headlamp-Head-Torch-Lamp-/281563834786?hash=item418e8329a2:g: LN8AAOSwYGFUt2ud
It is more than bright enough ..

[BeanerSA]

After much investigation I just forked out the extra bucks for the Orion model with the adjustable brightness.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Torches/Orion-RedBeam-II-Red-LED-Torch/1300/productview.aspx

[dreamstation]

Some manufacturers make coloured filters for their flashlights if you want a more durable option. I picked up a 40mm red filter to use on my Nitecore EA41 which works really well. It has a rubber housing which slips over the end of the flashlight, creating a pretty neat seal. It wasn't all that expensive and it fits perfectly. I use it on the lowest brightness setting.

I already had the flashlight so buying a removable filter made more sense than having a separate red led flashlight for me. Certainly something to think about as the flashlight can be used for multiple tasks (with or without the filter) where a red led flashlight is limited in that regard.

[geolindon]

"I'd recommend you look for a simple aaa or aa powered light with multiple brightness levels and then use red cellophane, you can keep adding layers till you are happy with the result. "

Or red nail polish onto the glass/plastic, multiple coats to achieve required result, keep unused portion in case of fading . . . or for party nights out?

L

[inertia8]

I see a number of those red filter caps on eBay so you could find a light that has an appropriate diameter bezel and away you go.

Or.. One of these brings me back to my childhood. Lol

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261679296798

I have a rigel starlite which has red and white led and variable brightness. Not a bad thing but needed the edges of the lens blacked out, would be better with a diffuser type lends to stop the eye a seeing the naked leds

[ZeroID]

Cheap small led torch, one of those ones that take 3 AAA batteries, several coats of red nail varnish from the $2 shop. Bingo ..
Probably both available from the $2 shop ...

[ThunderStorm]

To "polish" with red nail varnish but the light bulk is still in "yellow"/"white"?

Like this can be done?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-mini-Super-9-LED-Bright-Torch-Flashlight-Lamp-Blue-/390551860577?tfrom=391140503728&tpos=top&ttype=price&talgo=undefined

[ZeroID]

You just want a cheap single or 3 led torch. 'Super 9 Led Bright' is NOT what you need. You need it very dim to preserve your night vision. Two coats of red nail varnish is about right, YMMV.

[ThunderStorm]

Oh...I think this one should be fine as it use 1xAA battery only so will not be too bright.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Waterproof-Led-Flashlight-Torch-Lamp-White-Light-Camping-Fishing-climbing-/231548017219?hash=item35e9565a43:g: psAAAOSwPgxVN0Vs

[janoskiss]

Best thing I've found is a head torch. Far more versatile than anything hand held. For visual astronomy they are best with somewhat flat batteries. Energizer has had a red/white head torch out for ages (one like inertia8 describes, sold at major supermarkets) but it costs $30+. I also have a near identical Varta branded one that cost just $5 at an electrical clearance store. My spouse also has a waterproof one, different design, marketed for bush walking at night. I think she got it at Kathmandu outlet store during one of their annual clearance sales.

The one Bojan linked looks good too. Use half-flat AAAs in it, and it's probably going to be just right. Alkaline batteries will last you years.

[julianh72]

You can't judge the brightness of the new super-bright LEDs by the number or size of the batteries. For example, I've got a super-bright LED pocket flood-light that I bought at Bunnings for about $5 which runs on 2 AAA batteries, and puts out about the same overall light to illuminate a room as a 60W incandescent bulb. The LED strip is as intensely bright to look at as looking directly at a halogen globe from the same distance - truly dazzling, even in broad daylight!

The rated lumens is the only measure of overall brightness. While the cheap Chimes LED torches on eBay are often over-hyped, anything that claims 300 lumens will be way too bright to use as an aid for your night-time astronomy.

As others have said - you want a low-power torch, not high power. Some of the headsets that have both white and red LEDs can be ideal - only use the red "night vision" LED lights around your telescope, and keep the white LEDs for camping and car maintenance. I've got a cheap LED headset which i just painted over the lens with several coats of red permanent marker pen, and it does the job for me.

[ZeroID]

I picked one of those up half price about a year ago. It's still going on the original batteries and I use it a bit at night to take the rubbish bin out or searching the garden or under the house etc quite a bit. It's perfect for lots of things..

[ThunderStorm]

So 30 lumens (0.5W) should be right?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ajustable-5-LED-3-Modes-Head-Light-Headlight-For-Cycling-Fishing-Headlamp-Torch-/172070763480?hash=item2810377bd8:g: qLwAAOSwUV9WoKv5

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Headlamp-3-Modes-Camping-3-LED-White-Red-Hands-Free-Headlight-Head-Torch-/131685443883?hash=item1ea910692b:g: 1IUAAOSwk1JWfoSi

[SkyWatch]

I don't think the first one you reference has a red mode, and the second is still pretty bright. I have been to astro camps where people have walked around using these (even coming up to the scope and shining them in your face!), and they are still way too bright to preserve night vision! You also have to cover them when you turn them on as you usually have to cycle through the white modes before you get to the red. This can be a real pain if you forget!

They are good for use in setting up or packing up when you don't want to disturb others too much (as long as you don't shine them at people...), but they still really need another piece of red plastic or cellophane (or Brent's red nail varnish! ;)) over the front if you want to keep your night vision.

- Dean

[AEAJR]

Head torches? I avoid the people who use these when I am at an observation event. They frequently forget they are on and shine them in your face. They don't mean to be rude, but they are.

Hopefully you remember to turn yours off.

I have one of these. A little bright but works.
http://www.amazon.com/WOODLAND-CAMO-9-LED-Flashlight-RED/dp/B005S4PEWC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

This goes on the clipboard where I keep my observation notes. Or I clip it to the hatch of my car when I am pulling stuff out and setting up at a dark site. You can light one stalk or both and you can point them in different directions. Works well.
http://www.amazon.com/Stage-LED202R-Clip-LED-Light/dp/B0075DNRUA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00