T&T: A useful flashlight

[Rich Gano]

I admit it - I'm a flashlight geek.  The new LED units offer endless
options, and I have found a version useful during my Navy work.

I occasionally (about once every month or so) have the job of acting as
guide/pilot for U.S. Atlantic Fleet surface units (from carrier on down to
frigate-sized ships) during acoustic tests conducted in the Tongue of the
Ocean off Andros Island, Bahamas.  Most of the tests are carried out either
wholly or partially during the hours of darkness, and coming aboard to spend
8-10 hours on the bridge without a red-lensed flashlight is simply NOT an
option.  I carry a tiny pendant red LED on a chain around my neck and a
pencil-thin red LED key chain light in my pocket in case my main light goes
out, as the mini-mag bulbs often used to do.

I know what Larry says about dimmed white light being a better way to go,
but I have yet to find a flashlight that would give the proper dimmed white
lighting suitable to illuminate not only close up but also at a distance of
10-20 feet, nor have I found ANY acceptance whatsoever for dimmed white
lighting on Navy bridges.  So I am always on the lookout for a good light.

The longest running lights useful over the last 11 years of doing this work
have been various incarnations of the venerable mini-maglights.  I have them
with red LED conversion kits, white bulbs with red lenses, and one with a
removable red lens.  And why the mini-mag?  Simple - it fits in my mouth
when I need both hands free for the tracking computer or for setting up and
taking down our gear.

While wandering through Lowes a couple of months ago, I came upon a Coast
LED Lenser, model LL7736D which has been working quite well for me afloat in
destroyers and in my own boat.  It has a very bright white beam of five LEDs
and a single red beam of one LED.  The whole light is just under 4 inches
long with a tubular cross-section the size of a quarter (still fits in my
mouth :)).  The beams are switched by independent buttons with the red one
smooth and the white one knurled.  The white beam is blindingly bright and
served well to help remove a tiny splinter from a restrained four-year old's
foot.  The red is a little bright for use against printed white paper.  It
does not focus to a thin beam like the mini-mag does, but I don't need that
in these applications.

So far, I give it my unqualified stamp of approval.

Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42-295)
Southport, FL