Author Topic: LED Torches (Read 16171 times)

Camo · « **on:** November 28, 2006, 02:17:36 PM »

Gday,

What LED torches are people using?

I did have one (its now somewhere in the Dergholm Forest) that was a small clip on plastic thing from fire & rescue - seemed pretty good. Thought i would ask the question before rushing out and buying another one.

Just wondering what experiance people have had with certain models.

bajdas · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2006, 02:26:28 PM »

I use an older style headlamp which is waterproof to a certain depth. It is bright yellow with yellow elastic straps.

It is fitted with a Krypton bulb and runs on two AA or AAA batteries (I cannot remember which). The focusing ring enables the light beam to be adjusted to myself to ride a puchbike or have a spot light on a object. A spare bulb is held within the torch, so I only need to carry extra batteries if required.

With a cost of $20 from Rays Outdoors it works well because I keep leaving my torches somewhere. Thus the more expensive LED torches are too expensive to loose.

bittenyakka · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2006, 04:39:41 PM »

Personally I have found LED torches and headlamps somewhat disappointing. this is due to the blue light and the way it is very unfocused. if you are needing a new small torch I prefer the one that the CFS uses standard with structure helmets. I have used them camping and also found it hard to tell when BBQ meat is cooked due to the color of the light

Of course LED torches have the advantage of often having many LEDs and using little power.

medevac · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2006, 04:47:31 PM »

Quote from: bittenyakka on November 28, 2006, 04:39:41 PM

I prefer the one that the CFS uses standard with structure helmets.

and which one would that be?

the LEd one you had camo, is the same as my entire group uses... there a fantastic torch for the minimal weight that they are... u dont even notice they are there, whereas the larger yellow ones weigh a helluva lot more although they are brighter...

5271rescue · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2006, 09:02:03 PM »

Hope you made a claim to CFS to get it replaced...

Mike · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2006, 06:10:54 AM »

Question.... are these LED torches actually rated as being intrinsically safe?

?

If not..... should we really be using them?

5271rescue · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:23:47 AM »

could say the same about GRN/VHf hand helds

SA Firey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:37:21 AM »

Quote from: 5271rescue on November 29, 2006, 09:23:47 AM

could say the same about GRN/VHf hand helds

They are not intrinsically safe

Mike · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:47:57 AM »

Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find an intrinsically safe transceiver...

However, if the option is available (and at reasonable cost) why not limit the potential for an issue?

SA Firey · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2006, 09:58:07 AM »

Quote from: Mike on November 29, 2006, 09:47:57 AM

Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find an intrinsically safe transceiver...

However, if the option is available (and at reasonable cost) why not limit the potential for an issue?

Motorola manufacture several radios which are intrinsically safe,however are no longer making the MTS2000 portable which we have currently in service.
With the contract for the GRN expiring soon it will be interesting to see what they unleash on us next

Mike · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2006, 10:02:24 AM »

key phrase..... 'at a reasonable cost'... they are definitely out there, no denying that!

Anyways....back to the torches.....

Camo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:59:37 PM »

Quote from: 5271rescue on November 28, 2006, 09:02:03 PM

Hope you made a claim to CFS to get it replaced...

Bought it myself for my own use...i doubt cfs would come to the party.

I find the LED torches with the blue light penetrate smoke alot better then a white light. Put it to the test next time your in a mock house fire with smoke - regular BA torch against an LED torch.

Darius · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:02:57 PM »

do you have a pic, or link, to the small LED torches you are talking about? I find the yellow non-LED torches that are common make my helmet too "unbalanced" (or maybe I just have a lopsided head).

Camo · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:04:12 PM »

Quote from: Darius on November 29, 2006, 01:02:57 PM

do you have a pic, or link, to the small LED torches you are talking about? I find the yellow non-LED torches that are common make my helmet too "unbalanced" (or maybe I just have a lopsided head).

If i had it to take a pic of it i wouldnt be asking

Medevac might be able to help?

Darius · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:08:39 PM »

like any of these?
http://www.fireandrescueaustralia.com/?page=shop/browse&category_id=0c5fc635987c6aeadf3160dfc92483e8

Camo · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:09:55 PM »

Dont see it there.

SA Firey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:22:13 PM »

Under Helmet Torches Camo

The other type of Helmet Torch is available from Emergency Safety and cost about $85.00

Camo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:23:21 PM »

oh yeah thats the one...although when you press the link it says no products available?

Pixie · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2006, 07:27:26 PM »

The standard issue torches in our brigade are UK4AA Dive Torches AKA. Mini Q , with a helmet clip. If you really wanted to you can buy conversion kits to turn them into LED powered torches from dive shops.

Mike · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2006, 01:49:24 PM »

have always prefered the pelican torches myself. *mini-lite - various models around the place.

And you've gotta love the warranty.

SA Firey · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2006, 04:12:42 PM »

Quote from: Pixie on November 29, 2006, 07:27:26 PM

The standard issue torches in our brigade are UK4AA Dive Torches AKA. Mini Q , with a helmet clip. If you really wanted to you can buy conversion kits to turn them into LED powered torches from dive shops.

Since when did CFS have a standard issue torch as part of PPE

5271rescue · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2006, 04:49:23 AM »

Cam,you can make a claim as it was being used while you where doing firefighting duty.....

Pixie · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2006, 05:54:17 PM »

by "standard issue in our brigade" I mean that all members have been issued with them as part of their PPE... they are the only torches i have seen in use on the fire ground so far....apart form the Dolphin torches or maglights off the trucks.

medevac · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2006, 07:08:29 AM »

saFIREY - my brigade also issues one of those LED torches standard with everyones PPE

SA Firey · « **Reply #24 on:** December 03, 2006, 09:12:11 AM »

Quote from: medevac on December 02, 2006, 07:08:29 AM

saFIREY - my brigade also issues one of those LED torches standard with everyones PPE

Your lucky we have to buy our own