Red led headlight

[mangrovedutch (Dutch)]

G'day, I was thumbling around the other night, using my British Army red light torch, and continualy found myself short a hand whilst messing around with the scope and cameras. I thought to myself that I should convert my current head light with some red celophane. I had a bit of a look on you beaut EBay to see if they are available and I found this one here http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It has 12 LEDs, with 4 settings (4, 8 and 12 lights and also 12 flashing), and it runs on 3 AAA batteries. I bought one originally to see what they are like, and was quite impressed with it, so I bought another for the other halve. Good set up for under $20 to my front door. There are only two left, but I asked if there are more available, and he replied that there were more on the way. Get in while they are still available. It's worth it to have two hands to muck around with.

Regards, Dutch

[koputai (Jason)]

I have a Petzl Tactikka LED head torch that has a flip down red filter built in. It's fab, and great quality as you would expect from Petzl.

Cheers,
Jason.

[mangrovedutch (Dutch)]

G'day Jason, Petzl is a great brand, I have two myself and was going to modify one of these. At less than $20 for a red light one, which is quite well built with weather seals, it wasn't worth messing up a quality Petzl - they're not cheap, as you know. I haven't seen the one with red flip down filter.

Regards, Dutch

[dcalleja]

Thanks - I just ordered one

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Jaycar has them in white LED for $9.95, add 3 or 4 layers of red cellophane and they work great.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Hi Trevor,

Due to Iceinspace thread T&C I was unable to post here originally but this is my Ebay listing and why I have listed there. I do know like Wildcard Innovations I can provide support on the forum.

There is a couple of reasons why I made these up and in this batch I ordered 10 units from the same wholesaler to Jaycar. The extra dollar is to cover a couple of things.

- To carry out further Quality Control - To check for any problems that usually happen with low cost devices. Of the batch of 10 units 6 required minor attention while 1 is on my bench never to be sold. Soldering is one of the major issues and I rectify these issues before sending them out. It is likely some people might get a good one and they produce a good result and that is fine. I actually as a standard procedure re-enforce the soldering.

- Warranty is not going to much of an issue, I am implementing on such a low cost item no need to send a unit back but to take a quick photo of the damaged items. Usually breakage is not covered though but there maybe some extenuating circumstances that may arise from the damage viewed. The warranty replaced item second time around may need to be sent back though. The only time i will change this is if the system gets abused.

I aim to bring back the old days of electronics, instead of the cheap imports and the poor support they offer, to do that the cost maybe higher but I feel the extra for these are very little hassle. I am alway open to suggestions for improvements and already received a request and will be trialling another torch shortly. I will still be getting in more of these, just this stock went down a lot quicker than I expected.

The filter is actual Rubylith not Red, Red does cover a large portion of the visible white light spectrum (130nm compared to next highest 75nm for Green) and it can still affect the vision. I don't know the current value of the spectrum of Rubylith but it is specialised filter that I received.

I am not worried about DIY, I do it myself but leaving an opportunity for confidence in purchasing and for those who couldn't be bothered.

[jamespierce (James)]

We have 2 x the Petzl model with the single red LED - it's still FAR too bright - about 20 layers of red cellophane works well at very dark sites. Just enough to read maps etc... and yet still maintains the white modpackupe for and general use.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

I use this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Energizer-4-L...item45f8743ca4
Dual mode - red (1 LED) and strong white (3 LED)

Cheap and cheerful!!
Doug

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I have one of these white/red lights for testing, but am concerned about switch on white light first before red light. The one I am testing is about same price including delivery but I still need to test it before ordering more. I do have a separate rechargeable white light for clean up which I will be listing shortly as well.

I now have another model of the head-worn that is a bit more in price but better built. I hope to get this one ready by tonight. This one can also have the front lens unscrewed for white light use during cleanup. I have had comments from my DSO about this as handy as it produces an extremely bright white light over almost a semi circle 160 deg pattern. I prefer to only implement one unit at a time, it allows a small business like mine to provide the best quality of support with minimum of fuss. This is important for any Australian supplier as I have no chance at all competing against a lot internet sellers. If I introduce too many products too quickly I may not be able to provide the support I would expect.

On another note, I am currently part way through prototyping an Aluminium EQ platform. I also hope to design one with multiple latitude control too talking to my supplier about this issue. If it is viable then will look at selling these if not, a least I will get a good one

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

The light I linked to goes clicks red first, then white, then off.
I have to cover the white light to save being blinded!

[firstlight (Tony)]

The one I use is the Energiser 1 red LED and 2 white. the switch moves left or right for one comour or the other, but there are a few issues at crowded venues such as the Queensland Astrofest and the like. There can be a few problems with a person walking about with one of these lights as the red LED is quite bright and it is often directed outwards and can shine done the tube of your neighbouring observer/imager. The committee might seem like a killjoy as the tool is very helpful, but we were approached by many people about this subject.

Our policy had been:- That the white light switch needed to be prevented from operating (a bit of tape solves that problem); One of the batteries should be substituted for either plain wire or a resistor to mute the glow; The light needs to be directed downwards where at all
practicable.
I find that one good solution has been to turn the torch to white and put it in my kit for a few days. The 2 LEDs drain the batteries until it no longer operates, but switching to red works and at a muted level, which is still bright enough to tinker about without inflaming your neighbour. The other solution I have implemented with a couple of my lamps is to cut the white LEDs and remove them. I don't have white but the red LED on three batteries is more than ample for anything but brain surgery .
I hope this hasn't been too much of a red herring to this thread.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Thanks Tony, that is the kind of information that lets me decide what I prefer to supply, this would in my opinion be like me providing higher end application to serious observers while attempting to provide a low cost solution to those entering the market. For what you have mention it is highly likely I will not provide the dual light system for that reason whether it is switched on before or after. Most system incorporate a single button so it is not possible to deactivate most torches. Some do though but action like placing your hand over might be useful to some but not to others and if everyone was to buy a dual light then someone is likely to forget to cover up.

Our club has a similar policy and even I when I first joined made this very mistake of turning a white light on and not covering up. But it ended up purchasing a $50.00 Celestron torch a waste as I felt not confident enough to remember to find the right switch.

I think it would be like provide a SEBEN telescope to an advanced user. great on paper but application may vary to the negative on occasions.

I am in a fortunate position that the difference in cost is only marginal and that would be the ultimate plus.

[erick (Eric)]

I'd love to have adjustment on the brightness of my Red LED headlight - not cheap to add, however, for a commercial unit?

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

The cheap unit I sold out on can vary by activating the number of LED's, the only issue even with this is the Rubylith filter seems to lessen the effect of brightness. For me it is not worth making changes to something like this in a torch. I would leave this to the DIY.

[Exfso (Peter)]

I have one of the energizer headlights which has both the white and red Leds, decided to unsolder the white Leds and replaced with red ones, now I have two red brightness levels, works a treat.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Exfso

I have one of the energizer headlights which has both the white and red Leds, decided to unsolder the white Leds and replaced with red ones, now I have two red brightness levels, works a treat.

You're a smart cookie Pete!
Good Idea
Doug

[dcalleja]

I just got the one i ordered off ebay. Works a treat. At the low setting its just fine

[kustard (Simon)]

If you ever find yourself in need of a multipurpose headset with a superbright white and night vision red LEDs then this might be a good choice...

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...lighting/storm