Bushcraft Kit...

[Carcajou Garou]

TheViking, I think Andy is right in going to a different (power) for your light source. We have had really poor results in all types of "AAA" batteries as far as any long term endurance whether on or on standby. The small LED's have real staying power and are good for local lighting, we also carry a small light powered by 2 "C" cells that is just over 7" long and they really last and are bright (krypton bulb). We carry small radios that are powered by either "AAA" or "AA" and again we don't trust the smaller batteries.
just a thought

 

[Douglas]

Thanks Martyn, that's cleared up my confusion :biggthump

Carcajou Garou : are those C cell lamps the maglight type?

 

[TheViking]

Hi...

Right now there is no money in my wallet, so I can't afford to replace right now I find the maglite good and durable. :biggthump And waterproof.

 

[alick]

Aqua-Mira (also known as Pristine in the US and Canada) is a better alternative to both iodine and chlorine. It's a chlorine dioxide system as used (as part of) European water treatment for the last 60odd years, I took it to Egypt a few weeks back and didn't have any problems. It kills cryptosproridium as well as all the usual nasties that iodine and chlorine do, plus it doesn't leave an after-taste. It costs £12 from Cotswold Outdoor and treats 200-odd litres of water. It doesn't do anything about particulates obviously...

Nick, thanks for your comments here - I picked up an MSR miniworks filter specifically because it didn't include iodine purification. I've always planned on using aqua mira drops with it when I need a chemical stage. I haven't needed to so far but it sounds like my plan should work. I have noticed that it's worth checking the expiry date. Bottles on sale in some outlets have barely 12 months shelf life remaining.

Cheers

 

[Carcajou Garou]

Douglas, the light 2-"C" cell is a Browning Submersible and I correct my self it is just over 6" long. Mine is OD green with a black rubber bezel head, I bought it some time ago probably in the 30-45$ range depending where you access it. Might be able to access more if you need one. In my basic kit that stays with me is a folding lock knife, a hunters compass, ferro rod & striker, and a whistle
(FOX 40), disposable poncho with aluminum foil insert.
just a thought

 

[Douglas]

Thanks for that info

What power will that size of lamp give? Will it light up 100m away? If so a 2C cell lamp could compliment my LED light quite well.

 

[Martyn]

Hi...

Right now there is no money in my wallet, so I can't afford to replace right now I find the maglite good and durable. :biggthump And waterproof.

The ARC AA or AAA is a good swap for the mag solitaire. Both are about the same size, waterproof but LED powered and run for a heluva lot longer. I'd go for the AA version, as this size battery is more readily avaiolable than AAA and you can now get AA lithiums if you really want them to last an age.

Alternatively, there is a drop in LED module for the Mini-Mag (2xAA), made by a company called Opalec. The Opalec Newbeam is a drop in replacement for the mag bulb and reflector and the unit has full regulation circuitry. That means that the light output is constant for as long as the battery is able to provide enough juice for the circuitry, rather than the normal dimming over time sort of thing. The light provides good output continuously for at least 12 hours from one set of batteries (in practice, my Opalec ran for over 72 hours with useable light output from one pair of Alkaline AA's). I think the module is about £15.
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?keywords=newbeam

 

[Carcajou Garou]

Douglas, it will show a diffused light 100yds, not really a spotlight but it is a good companion to the LED, brighter than the Mini-Maglite(AA), but heavier. Batteries here are easier to get after a power outage as everyone either gets "AA", "D", they leave "C" on the shelves so!!!
just a thought

 

[Strider]

Douglas: Only 50 or 60 degreese...
Well i guess that explains the bloody eggs.
Wasn't fun as there were 20 odd people wanting their breakfast!!

 

[RovingArcher]

Oh yeah, the smaller the battery the faster it goes dead at the wrong time. Especially in cold weather. Our smallest is AA for my minimaglites, radios, a walkman cassette player and a small battery lamp for potty runs while camping.

Everything else is D, which includes 2 maglites and a larger CD boombox type of stereo. Gotta have my music while camping with the wife. ):

I'd like to pick up a couple C cell maglites because the batteries are always in stock and from what I've seen at one of the local pharmacy/variety outlets in town they go on sale a lot too.

 

[Adi007]

I have to go on the record (again) and say that I wouldn't recommend Maglites ... I have severa (AAA, AA, C and D cell varieties) and think that by today's standards they are overrated and their performance and reliability is poor.

There are better, cheaper flashlights available.

 

[Martyn]

I have to go on the record (again) and say that I wouldn't recommend Maglites ... I have severa (AAA, AA, C and D cell varieties) and think that by today's standards they are overrated and their performance and reliability is poor.

There are better, cheaper flashlights available.

I wholly agree.

Maglites dont factor into my kit at all - I do have the opalec mod and it isnt bad, just that I have a lot better.

1. photon microlites (3 of em), one round my neck at all times, one as an area light for tents/bivvi's and a backup.

2. petzel tikka plus is superb as a "doing stuff round camp" light as well as nighttime trail walking. As soon as I'm settled, the photon takes over as an area light (if I need a light at all).

3. Surefire L4, high power, long life emergency lamp.

The Surefire is a bit on the pricey side, but it could easily be replaced by something a lot cheaper and possibly equally effective (though it surely wouldn't be as well made).

 

[ANDYLASER]

For a small 1xAA torch, look at either Arc AA or CMG Infinity Ultra. Both of these use LED's and will give approx 12 hours of usefull light output. The Inova X! is also good, but has a very tight beam.

 

[TheViking]

(When I can persuade my dad to buy me a digital camera, i'll take a picture)

He ordered the camera yesterday so it should arrive tomorrow or monday or so. :biggthump Then i'll take a picture of all the kit. ):

 

[mark wood]

I bought a 'homemade' maglite conversion kit for 5 quid on ebay. It uses 3 white LEDs but doesn't have any fancy circuitry. It is best run at 4.5V rather than 3V and is a bit dim with 2AAs (useable, probaly quite long life but not as bright as the old bulb). I bough 3 LR1s and made a spacer out of card and foil. At 4.5V its brighter than the original but I haven't yet tested the battery life. I'd expect about 10 hours though.

Mark

 

[ScottC]

TheViking, I would also reccommend you add a millbank bag to your kit for water filtration. I believe these are used by the army ( i could be wrong) and are very efficient for their purpose.

Also, If you are going to be travelling in Danish Wilderness i would also suggest you take a couple of survival blankets with you just in case, even though you say your kit is for living comfortably you should always be prepared for a dramatic change in the weather etc whilst out.

 

[TheViking]

Hi...

I don't know id you can get the Millbank bag over here. But I shall do a search!

Well, I don't travel that much in Denmark. We're a very small country and there's only a few hours walk before you get to civilisation again. Most of our water in lakes, streams and springs are fairly clean so it's usually enough to boil. :biggthump

 

[leon-1]

The Swedish Army's survival manual was printed in 1988 and research in this area has come a long way since then. Nowadays the army say 5 minutes just because that they should be sure the soldiers really let it boil.

hi guys, i have been away for a while, I have done water purification courses with the military post 1988, they still qoute that you will have to boil water for on average 10mins (bearing in mind this is an average time).

On the flashlight issue I like ADI am a fan of the LED lights, I use a lucido lightwave and after the scottish trip have finally changed my batteries (almost three years of use), it is not the brightest of torches, but on the economy side of life you will not do better. It is bright enough to signal and work by at night and this is all I require of it. ):

 

[TheViking]

Hi...

Well, check the gallery! Pics uploaded of my kit.... :biggthump