Solution for reading charts in the dark

This is almost certainly old news, but it's still a wonderful item for
anyone who hasn't yet discovered it. Also, I don't recall seeing it
mentioned here.

For ~$25, you can buy headlamps at sporting goods stores, in the
hunting/camping section. These are lamps which, as you'd expect, fit
onto your head with elastic bands. I found one with a three-way
switch that cycles between red, conventional and tungsten (?) flood.
It runs off of 3 AA batteries which last about eight hours, and the
light is adjustable in the up-down direction.

You just put it on your head, position the lamp for comfortable
reading, then forget about it. The batteries can last all night, and
the lamp doesn't get in the way when you go to the eyepiece. There's
no more groping in the dark or stumbling over your equipment when you
get back from taking a pee (there's also no more peeing on your
equipment).

Just thought I'd mention it. I cut out a section of my lens case for
my lamp; it takes about the same space as two eyepieces.


-------------
Beady's 11th Law of Social Harmonics: "Your spouse is precisely the kind of person someone like you would choose to marry."

I have been wearing a headlamp for astronomy activites for years. It
leaves both hands free. I cannot understand the people that grip
flashlights in their teeth.

Matthew Ota

John Beaderstadt wrote:

This is almost certainly old news, but it's still a wonderful item for
anyone who hasn't yet discovered it. Also, I don't recall seeing it
mentioned here.

For ~$25, you can buy headlamps at sporting goods stores, in the
hunting/camping section. These are lamps which, as you'd expect, fit
onto your head with elastic bands. I found one with a three-way
switch that cycles between red, conventional and tungsten (?) flood.
It runs off of 3 AA batteries which last about eight hours, and the
light is adjustable in the up-down direction.

You just put it on your head, position the lamp for comfortable
reading, then forget about it. The batteries can last all night, and
the lamp doesn't get in the way when you go to the eyepiece. There's
no more groping in the dark or stumbling over your equipment when you
get back from taking a pee (there's also no more peeing on your
equipment).

Just thought I'd mention it. I cut out a section of my lens case for
my lamp; it takes about the same space as two eyepieces.


-------------
Beady's 11th Law of Social Harmonics: "Your spouse is precisely the kind of person someone like you would choose to marry."

For ~$25, you can buy headlamps at sporting goods stores, in the
hunting/camping section.


I think mine was about $12 at Target. Has two white LEDs and one red =
LED.=20
I find it quite handy when setting up, or taking down, the scope in the =
dark.=20
It's too bright for me to use to read charts however. On the other hand, =
i=20
did use it one nice for charts when i had forgotten to pack my regular=20
adjustable light. Always good to have a spare red light.

-Florian

Always good to have a spare red light.

Yes it is!
You can mute it with fingers over the front.

john

John Beaderstadt wrote in message . ..
This is almost certainly old news, but it's still a wonderful item for
anyone who hasn't yet discovered it. Also, I don't recall seeing it
mentioned here.

For ~$25, you can buy headlamps at sporting goods stores, in the
hunting/camping section. These are lamps which, as you'd expect, fit
onto your head with elastic bands. I found one with a three-way
switch that cycles between red, conventional and tungsten (?) flood.
It runs off of 3 AA batteries which last about eight hours, and the
light is adjustable in the up-down direction.

You just put it on your head, position the lamp for comfortable
reading, then forget about it. The batteries can last all night, and
the lamp doesn't get in the way when you go to the eyepiece. There's
no more groping in the dark or stumbling over your equipment when you
get back from taking a pee (there's also no more peeing on your
equipment).

Just thought I'd mention it. I cut out a section of my lens case for
my lamp; it takes about the same space as two eyepieces.


One problem with those are the battery life, IMO (OK, I'm cheap).
I use a jogging safety light. It has red LEDs, runs for weeks
worth of observing on 2 AA of batteries, and has a belt clip which
I attach to a strap around my neck. It hangs in such a way that
it points down at charts I'm holding or at my lap if I'm sitting
down writing observing notes. One disadvantage: it has choices
of steady on or flashing patterns which one has to click through
to go from on to off.

Regards,
Russell

I like the part about not peeing on your equipment..there's worse: peeing on
somebody else's equipment
Alex

You can mute it with fingers over the front.

That's exactly what i did the night i had to use the headlamp to read =
charts.=20
I gripped my hand over the front and let just a bit of light escape from =

between two fingers. Worked pretty good actually and when i wanted more=20
light i just had to open my fist. ;-)

-Florian

F
From: "Florian"
F
Subject: Solution for reading charts in the dark
F
Organization: Stargazing.com
F
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 22:43:42 GMT

An other old old trick when the bulb is small is to cover it with
your finger. The light filters thru your finger and is tinted red from
your blood! You finger has an 'x-ray' look but the light is red and
sfot to read by.

F You can mute it with fingers over the front.
F That's exactly what i did the night i had to use the headlamp to read charts. I
F gripped my hand over the front and let just a bit of light escape from
F between two fingers. Worked pretty good actually and when i wanted more light i
F just had to open my fist. ;-)
F -Florian
F

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