Lights: SF L1-R, Ra Clicky 100wwCT (17670), Ra Clicky 140Cgt, Princeton Tec Apex.
Went for a walk on the ranch with Joe and Teresa. Used the red SF L1 for much of my walk out, then handed it off to Teresa to use for most of the rest of the trip. I used Apex and warm Clicky after that, but I think both started blinking to indicate battery depletion. Think I mostly used the other Clicky for walk home. Joe used his Fenix P2D and a generic 7x5mm light. While out there, we discovered a gas leak from a pipe next to the upper fire road trail, now noticeable due to the saturated ground it was bubbling out of. Joe called it in and Cambria was saved.
Showing posts with label Joe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe. Show all posts
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Headlamp vs. Torch: A discussion of proper light usage
Contributed by Joe (yes, not-contributed by Joe)
Joe: last night i was coming down from El Cajon Mountain at night.
we started at dusk and before we got to the road it was stargazing dark.
two of us had headlamps, one had a dim hand light, and i had the P2D.
(one hapless guy had nothing. he walked in the middle of the pack.)
(to be fair none of us expected to be out that late. i would have brought Streamlight if i had.)
(by "none of us expected to be out that late" i mean "we arrived at the foot of the mountain at 8:30 AM.)
Me: "In our defense, it was unexpected, so it was ok that we were unprepared for it."
Joe: uh huh.
but.
anyway.
we were walking over uneven terrain. not treacherous, just with lots of little rises and dips, and there were bits of light scrambling.
so
i discovered that
when i held the P2D low, basically just holding it in my hand as i left my arm swinging like normal walking, the bumpy ground was full of shadows and hilights.
i could see the 3d-ness of it.
relief might be the right word?
Me: relief.
Joe: but basically i could see the terrain,
the topography of it.
if i held the P2D at my temple like a headlamp,
the shadows all disappeared,
because the light and my eyes were inline.
Me: yeah that's a thing, and a part of using a light; that's one reason I often don't care for headlamps.
holding it away allows you to see relief on the ground better and you can see farther because you get less backscatter from atmosphere, holding it in line with your eyes allows you to check for reflections like eyes.
so what did you conclude?
Joe: i concluded that a headlight will never be my only (or even primary) source of light when covering rough terrain
*that i will never plan for a headlight to be my only.
Me: good lad.
and that's an important lesson.
if you go on an Online Forum,
you'll find that it's full of lots of Opinions.
lots of People have an Opinion, and they really like the one they have,
and many say, I have a Torch, I don't need a geeky headlamp. others will say, once I tried a Headlamp I never bought another torch because they're pointless.
as is usual with such Opinions, both are Wrong.
both do good things, both are necessary at different times, and having and respecting both is the only correct answer.
Joe: yeah a headlamp is nice for close work
in fact it is nice for work that needs a hand and then another hand, where neither of those hands is holding a torch.
Me: yep, if you're, like, carrying stuff and doing ... hand stuff, a headlamp is great.
Joe: and if i were serious about crossing some ground and didn't mind being a bright obvious target (and annoyance to sleeping animals), i could easily see using one of each.
headlamp for the basic business of one foot in front of the other, walking on the mud not the three inch deep puddles; torch for finding a path, terrain relief, and mid-range looking & seeing.
Joe: last night i was coming down from El Cajon Mountain at night.
we started at dusk and before we got to the road it was stargazing dark.
two of us had headlamps, one had a dim hand light, and i had the P2D.
(one hapless guy had nothing. he walked in the middle of the pack.)
(to be fair none of us expected to be out that late. i would have brought Streamlight if i had.)
(by "none of us expected to be out that late" i mean "we arrived at the foot of the mountain at 8:30 AM.)
Me: "In our defense, it was unexpected, so it was ok that we were unprepared for it."
Joe: uh huh.
but.
anyway.
we were walking over uneven terrain. not treacherous, just with lots of little rises and dips, and there were bits of light scrambling.
so
i discovered that
when i held the P2D low, basically just holding it in my hand as i left my arm swinging like normal walking, the bumpy ground was full of shadows and hilights.
i could see the 3d-ness of it.
relief might be the right word?
Me: relief.
Joe: but basically i could see the terrain,
the topography of it.
if i held the P2D at my temple like a headlamp,
the shadows all disappeared,
because the light and my eyes were inline.
Me: yeah that's a thing, and a part of using a light; that's one reason I often don't care for headlamps.
holding it away allows you to see relief on the ground better and you can see farther because you get less backscatter from atmosphere, holding it in line with your eyes allows you to check for reflections like eyes.
so what did you conclude?
Joe: i concluded that a headlight will never be my only (or even primary) source of light when covering rough terrain
*that i will never plan for a headlight to be my only.
Me: good lad.
and that's an important lesson.
if you go on an Online Forum,
you'll find that it's full of lots of Opinions.
lots of People have an Opinion, and they really like the one they have,
and many say, I have a Torch, I don't need a geeky headlamp. others will say, once I tried a Headlamp I never bought another torch because they're pointless.
as is usual with such Opinions, both are Wrong.
both do good things, both are necessary at different times, and having and respecting both is the only correct answer.
Joe: yeah a headlamp is nice for close work
in fact it is nice for work that needs a hand and then another hand, where neither of those hands is holding a torch.
Me: yep, if you're, like, carrying stuff and doing ... hand stuff, a headlamp is great.
Joe: and if i were serious about crossing some ground and didn't mind being a bright obvious target (and annoyance to sleeping animals), i could easily see using one of each.
headlamp for the basic business of one foot in front of the other, walking on the mud not the three inch deep puddles; torch for finding a path, terrain relief, and mid-range looking & seeing.
Friday, February 12, 2010
ProPoly Revived!
Contributed by Joe (or more like not contributed, because he's a jerk about it).
Joe:
Joe:
ok NEWS FROM TODAY
i went to the streamlight repair place
Emergency Equipment Engineering
they have *the [worst]* website, don't even bother. actually do. it's amusing.
inside it was all uniforms and holsters
this is apparently where police officers *actually* get uniforms?
and like, such as "tactical equipment"
they don't repair Propolys at all
they repair "some models"
(Stingers ha. ha.)
so it'd be: accept from me. at the end of the month, sent off with the batch to Streamlight Central. at the end of the month it comes back. so like 2 months of waiting.
suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck
so he recommends just calling lady at Streamlight Central. he gave me her direct line. apparently she is the repairs lady.
that'll take 2 weeks plus i pay shipping. : /
ok.
so i leave
i call the other authorized repair place int he county, 15 minutes east in El Cajon
he says the only thing he can repair on a Propoly is the tailcap switch, but their shipment to the factory is going out next tuesday, and it'll be returned in 2-3 weeks after that.
so, hey, i'll save shipping.
so i go over there
he says, you know what, let's put a new switch in. just in case.
he disappears into a backroom for a while
i look around at the various things in what is basically the lobby
he comes back and it works!!
so somehow
when alkalines explode
tarnish the reflector
get all kinds of powdery gunk all over the contacts and the emitter itself
... they actually only ruin the switch.
so
I WON!
streamlight is totally working again. free of charge.
it was only the outside of the reflector that got mesed up
the reflecty part is great.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A new convert
Years ago, I got the first Spyderco of anyone I knew and started telling everyone how great it was. When Joe lost his fiddly little Kershaw Chive, I told him to upgrade to a Spyderco and he ended up getting a Dragonfly, which he still carries probably four or five years later. I had a few years where I stopped buying or carrying them because I couldn't find a design that really fit me, so I ended up carrying a yellow Benchmade Mini-Grip because it was the only knife that did work for me and completely satisfy me at the time, but I never stopped recommending Spyderco above all others. At some point, Ian followed me and started buying Spydercos instead of the cheaper stuff he'd been carrying for years. Then, recently, Samy needed a small but capable knife that would be school friendly and stand up to his use, which was perfect since Spyderco does small knives better than anyone. I gave some suggestions, he looked through the options, and eventually he ended up with a Lava. Now, a few months later, he wanted something bigger and with teeth for more serious uses, so he got his second Spyderco, a Scorpius. Yes, I'm proud of him.
Here's his initial report when he received it:
Here's his initial report when he received it:
Hey..:)
Well, you're not online and I wanted to tell you that the Scorpius came... It's one hell of a knife!
The handle is pretty comfortable, and mine has the lanyard hole at the 'snout' of the handle, and not where an eye would be for a dolphin.. Maybe mine's an old version? [It's actually a newer version.]
It's big! Fits in my hand pretty well, and the handle shape allows for two different holding positions, which I like.
The blade is a bit stiff, and while playing with it, I gave my self a little nick of the skin... Got some blood on the blade already...Gotta be careful with this one.. The lava is child's play comparatively.
Anyway, hope you're having fun, wherever you are.
-Sam
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
ProPoly down!
Contributed by Joe
Light: StreamLight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon
Tonight, we lost a flashlight.
In preparation for tomorrow's night hike, I prepared to replace the batteries in my Propoly. I'd brought it on my recent Joshua Tree trip, but it inexplicably failed to light. I assumed those pesky rechargeables had run themselves down again, and threw it back in my bag. Now a month later it was time to recharge.
But there weren't rechargeables in it.
There were alkalines.
Leaking alkalines.
The reflector is crusted and tarnished; the diode looks intact; and the lens has a bunch of hydroxide dust on it.
After cleaning with a bit of vinegar (staying away from the contacts) it still won't light. That's right, the indefuckingstructible
Streamlight was done in by its own treacherous batteries.
Tonight, we lost a friend.
But I'll see about that "If you can break it show us because we won't believe you" Streamlight warranty.
Light: StreamLight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon
Tonight, we lost a flashlight.
In preparation for tomorrow's night hike, I prepared to replace the batteries in my Propoly. I'd brought it on my recent Joshua Tree trip, but it inexplicably failed to light. I assumed those pesky rechargeables had run themselves down again, and threw it back in my bag. Now a month later it was time to recharge.
But there weren't rechargeables in it.
There were alkalines.
Leaking alkalines.
The reflector is crusted and tarnished; the diode looks intact; and the lens has a bunch of hydroxide dust on it.
After cleaning with a bit of vinegar (staying away from the contacts) it still won't light. That's right, the indefuckingstructible
Streamlight was done in by its own treacherous batteries.
Tonight, we lost a friend.
But I'll see about that "If you can break it show us because we won't believe you" Streamlight warranty.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Van lighting promotes sharing.
Light: HDS B42XRGT
Joe and I decided to hang out with Van in the back of Nessie for a couple hours. While there, Van wanted to ignite some shrubbery to give to Joe, which proved to be a difficult task in the dark. Fortunately, I had my HDS to help with the task and he had no further difficulty in achieving the desired combustion. The light also helped Van to diagram (using the Pilot Neogel I'd brought as a gift for Joe) the difficult staging situation at the previous night's show in Redwood City. Later, I used it to dole out what I'd brought to share: a few fine selections from my collection of dark chocolates, which we all enjoyed immensely, though my companions seemed to be themselves consumed by a hunger of almost unnatural proportions. I was also using the light in a tactical grip as camera lighting at times. A good time was had by all, and we all shared and received delightful treasures. Except I didn't really receive anything, except some good stories. And Joe didn't really give anything, except his Nalgene for a couple days. And I left with much less chocolate.
Joe and I decided to hang out with Van in the back of Nessie for a couple hours. While there, Van wanted to ignite some shrubbery to give to Joe, which proved to be a difficult task in the dark. Fortunately, I had my HDS to help with the task and he had no further difficulty in achieving the desired combustion. The light also helped Van to diagram (using the Pilot Neogel I'd brought as a gift for Joe) the difficult staging situation at the previous night's show in Redwood City. Later, I used it to dole out what I'd brought to share: a few fine selections from my collection of dark chocolates, which we all enjoyed immensely, though my companions seemed to be themselves consumed by a hunger of almost unnatural proportions. I was also using the light in a tactical grip as camera lighting at times. A good time was had by all, and we all shared and received delightful treasures. Except I didn't really receive anything, except some good stories. And Joe didn't really give anything, except his Nalgene for a couple days. And I left with much less chocolate.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Rookie Mistake #1: The Meaning of EDC
Joe Auricchio
Lights: Fenix P2D-RB85, Nite Hawk Raptor 10w halogen bike headlamp
Joe: I was riding home from work
and I shifted into top gear
And the chain popped off the front chainring
Stopped to take a look
I was wearing my shorts, so I opened my backpack to get out my Fenix which was in pants pocket
Fished around... couldn't find it
Then I remembered that I'd used it last night and put it down on my desk
And this morning I'd seen it on my way out, thought about grabbing it, and decided, Nahhhh, what am I gonna need a light for
If I were in a movie there would have been a shot from the tabletop, with the Fenix very close in foreground and me in the back looking at it. The focus would start on the Fenix, then quickly shift to me contemplating, before I turn away
Then the camera would linger just long enough that the audience is told this was a mistake
Anyway
What I *do* have is my bike headlamp
10 watts of halogen fury
15? I never remember
'Sbright
So I detach it and aim it back at the chain
Reattach, get back on, ride back home.
The Moral Of The Story Is: The first two letters in EDC stand for Everyday, Dammit!
Me: oh geez, you made rookie error number one
thinking about taking a light and deciding not to
that guarantees needing it
Lights: Fenix P2D-RB85, Nite Hawk Raptor 10w halogen bike headlamp
Joe: I was riding home from work
and I shifted into top gear
And the chain popped off the front chainring
Stopped to take a look
I was wearing my shorts, so I opened my backpack to get out my Fenix which was in pants pocket
Fished around... couldn't find it
Then I remembered that I'd used it last night and put it down on my desk
And this morning I'd seen it on my way out, thought about grabbing it, and decided, Nahhhh, what am I gonna need a light for
If I were in a movie there would have been a shot from the tabletop, with the Fenix very close in foreground and me in the back looking at it. The focus would start on the Fenix, then quickly shift to me contemplating, before I turn away
Then the camera would linger just long enough that the audience is told this was a mistake
Anyway
What I *do* have is my bike headlamp
10 watts of halogen fury
15? I never remember
'Sbright
So I detach it and aim it back at the chain
Reattach, get back on, ride back home.
The Moral Of The Story Is: The first two letters in EDC stand for Everyday, Dammit!
Me: oh geez, you made rookie error number one
thinking about taking a light and deciding not to
that guarantees needing it
Monday, July 28, 2008
Joe's First Camping Trip
Joe Auricchio
Lights: Red Inova X5, Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon, Peak Kilimanjaro AA (3 led, black HA), Fenix P2D Lux Rebel 80, Fenix L1P (in reserve)
Joe:
I joined Rushi and his girlfriend Sheenika, as well as his cousin and cousin's wife, for four days of camping and hiking at Twin Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes.
This was my first camping trip, and one of my best opportunities to date to put torches to serious use.
Light report:
None needed battery replacement. I've had the X5 since mid 2006 and it's still on its original CR cell.
Red is absolutely fantastic.
P2 got quite a lot of use, since it was in my pocket.
Rushi really likes streamlight. He should get one.
Peak is about the right brightness for a general use light hanging from the apex of a tent. Unfortunately, its beam is a narrow spot.
Highlight: Folks in the spot next to us were rummaging around for something in their trailer, with some abysmally dim incandescent. I bet it was a minimag. Rushi asks if he should give them more light and I exhort him to. He pulls out Streamlight and illuminates the trailer and all its contents. Absolutely no contest. They got streamlighted real good. Distance probably twenty yards.
Lowlight: One of the hookah coals fell off the grill into the fire pit and, being partly black and partly glowing red, became immediately invisible among the black and glowing red embers. I grabbed the nearest torch and shone it on the fire and picked up the tongs to find it and pull it back out. But I couldn't see anything, since now the entire fire pit was glowing red. I was holding the Inova.
The Bottom Line: Despite teasing from streamlight-wielding Rushi, in my book the red Inova was the star of the show. I used it to find things in my backpack, get food and drinks from the bear locker, guide my match to the coleman burner, get another log for the fire, and navigate to and from the restroom. The only place I found a white light indispensable was carrying the night's trash and recyclables to and from the receptacles on the far side of the camp. This is bear country: we went in pairs, with strong lights, and didn't dawdle.
Lights: Red Inova X5, Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA Luxeon, Peak Kilimanjaro AA (3 led, black HA), Fenix P2D Lux Rebel 80, Fenix L1P (in reserve)
Joe:
I joined Rushi and his girlfriend Sheenika, as well as his cousin and cousin's wife, for four days of camping and hiking at Twin Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes.
This was my first camping trip, and one of my best opportunities to date to put torches to serious use.
Light report:
None needed battery replacement. I've had the X5 since mid 2006 and it's still on its original CR cell.
Red is absolutely fantastic.
P2 got quite a lot of use, since it was in my pocket.
Rushi really likes streamlight. He should get one.
Peak is about the right brightness for a general use light hanging from the apex of a tent. Unfortunately, its beam is a narrow spot.
Highlight: Folks in the spot next to us were rummaging around for something in their trailer, with some abysmally dim incandescent. I bet it was a minimag. Rushi asks if he should give them more light and I exhort him to. He pulls out Streamlight and illuminates the trailer and all its contents. Absolutely no contest. They got streamlighted real good. Distance probably twenty yards.
Lowlight: One of the hookah coals fell off the grill into the fire pit and, being partly black and partly glowing red, became immediately invisible among the black and glowing red embers. I grabbed the nearest torch and shone it on the fire and picked up the tongs to find it and pull it back out. But I couldn't see anything, since now the entire fire pit was glowing red. I was holding the Inova.
The Bottom Line: Despite teasing from streamlight-wielding Rushi, in my book the red Inova was the star of the show. I used it to find things in my backpack, get food and drinks from the bear locker, guide my match to the coleman burner, get another log for the fire, and navigate to and from the restroom. The only place I found a white light indispensable was carrying the night's trash and recyclables to and from the receptacles on the far side of the camp. This is bear country: we went in pairs, with strong lights, and didn't dawdle.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Fenix at San Diego house fire
Joe Auricchio
Lights: Fenix P2D RB85(?)
Joe:
So there was a structure fire up the street
Same kind of house as ours: four units in one building
Started in one unit, spread to the others, mostly through the roof and attic (which might be shared??)
No injuries, but the building and all its contents are gone.
At least three units completely and totally wiped out, and the other one didn't look too good either.
Fire was at night. It was dark.
Rushi grabbed his Rebel and I got Ricoh [cameras] and we went out
Watched from the hill.
He ran out of battery, because he sucks
I got mostly poor photos, because my camera sucks
But there were a few times when I used Fenix on full to supplement the lighting
No flash - we didn't want to bother the firefighters
Who did a damn fine job
A few firefighters came through the fence from the school at the top of the hill we were on
one firefighter came down the hill past us
this hill is a solid 30 degrees, and full of slippery ice plants
he had some small light to watch his step but it was pitifully dim
So I illuminated his path with [Fenix on full power, ~130lm]
He shouted a quick thanks and went off to do his job
The firefighting was impressive at a few points.
Hoses shattering windows
The tall ladder trucks, which have hoses and lights at the top, and a fellow can climb up and direct the hose, which they did.
Shooting down from fourth-story height into the open roof...
One thing I wish I'd caught on camera or video was the big downstairs bay window...
The window has got to be eight feet by four
A few moments after we got set up on the hill, about 35 feet back
It explosively burst
We actually felt the compression wave and heat
Lights: Fenix P2D RB85(?)
Joe:
So there was a structure fire up the street
Same kind of house as ours: four units in one building
Started in one unit, spread to the others, mostly through the roof and attic (which might be shared??)
No injuries, but the building and all its contents are gone.
At least three units completely and totally wiped out, and the other one didn't look too good either.
Fire was at night. It was dark.
Rushi grabbed his Rebel and I got Ricoh [cameras] and we went out
Watched from the hill.
He ran out of battery, because he sucks
I got mostly poor photos, because my camera sucks
But there were a few times when I used Fenix on full to supplement the lighting
No flash - we didn't want to bother the firefighters
Who did a damn fine job
A few firefighters came through the fence from the school at the top of the hill we were on
one firefighter came down the hill past us
this hill is a solid 30 degrees, and full of slippery ice plants
he had some small light to watch his step but it was pitifully dim
So I illuminated his path with [Fenix on full power, ~130lm]
He shouted a quick thanks and went off to do his job
The firefighting was impressive at a few points.
Hoses shattering windows
The tall ladder trucks, which have hoses and lights at the top, and a fellow can climb up and direct the hose, which they did.
Shooting down from fourth-story height into the open roof...
One thing I wish I'd caught on camera or video was the big downstairs bay window...
The window has got to be eight feet by four
A few moments after we got set up on the hill, about 35 feet back
It explosively burst
We actually felt the compression wave and heat
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