Not more gear???

“Went there to pick up my son's Christmas present. Got that, plus a Princeton Tec Imact II LED light and Pulsar II keychain light ($5 off on all LED lights there). I also got a tube of leather waterproofing compound and an now a proud owner of a titanium spork. (Yea, finally a chunk of titanium)

The spork is light as a feather (1/2 oz.). It should come in handy when using the Swedish chef's recipes, bork bork. I think it doubles as a signal mirror and deflects harmful radiation.

The Impact uses four AAA batteries, weighs 2.85 oz. with batteries, has a burn time of 75+ hours, and throws a beam 50 yards (that's what it says, we shall see).

Gotta stay away from these stores or get a job there.”

“I just got back from Marshall's and Academy sports. I returned my camelback to Academy and bought some waterproof breathable/windstopper gloves for 12 bucks and then went to Marshalls and scored a Rockport waterproof/breathable rain jacket for 15 bucks normally 150 bucks and then bought a Timberland packable down vest for 24 bucks normally 79 bucks...good day out shopping.”

“bbinkley, you are the gear shopping maven. My hat's off to you.

The Impact II does not carry 50 yards as advertised, at least not usuable light. But it does get out a good 30-35 yards easily. It's a bright, focused, magnified light.

The light with batteries is about the same weight as a mini-Mag, twice as bright. I'm hooked.

The spork is a revelation. It worked fine as a fork on steak tonight, and as a spoon for corn and tapioca pudding. It's definitely a keeper and is going into the pack!

This gear review is fun. I'll be champing at the bit when the weather breaks.”

“The Pulsar II (like the Photon II or III) will light up a tent nicely. That is the keychain size light.

The Impact would be handy for walking a trail at night, but there is no way to clip it onto something for hands free operation. The clip faces forward!

The Black Diamond Ion headlamp is fine for use around camp, but I would not want to have to rely on it for walking a trail at night. I will know more when I field test it one weekend. I'm thinking of getting a stronger headlamp and using this Ion for backup. It's so light it would be good for that.”

“Birch and I went shoppin' today...got our white elephant gifts for the MI TTers' Xmas party. Wish I could tell you all what we got, but that'd spoil the surprise. Some cool stuff.

A princton tech ledII, in red, for me. I also get Birch's Gerber LST knife, (just like the one I left behind at Zaleski), because he got a new Gerber AR 3.0. It's fancy.”

“that's cool sass.

geobeet...i clip mine to like the attic of the tent or to a clip on the inside of my hammock. i have it attached to a keychain and then attack that to a plastic hook.”

“Oh, the little Photon III I ordered will go on a key loop and a snap hook to be clipped to something or other.

The Impact is the larger light that uses four AAA batteries. I would like to be able to clip it to some article of clothing as a headlight. I might try one of those NiteEyz headbands and see if it will slip into that. Otherwise I'll just use it as a handlight and get a stronger headlamp.”

“princeton tec aurora”

“i have the black diamond headlamp that has 4 led lights on the front..this works great....as afr as the photon 3 ..if my daughter is using my balck diamond...i take the ph3 and put it between my teeth. i hiked a mile with it last weekend in the dark and it worked fine..so you have a ph3 and a pulsar 2...also why did ph3 cost 30 bucks..if you go to the photon website the are 21 bucks with free shipping”

“Came out about the same for the light itself:

Photon III - $14.25
Battery kit- $12
Shipping - $ 7
Total - $33.25

They gotcha no matter what. Free isn't free and a bargain ain't a bargain when you pay shipping. I think it's called coming and going.

I had the cost you mentioned in mind and thought, what the he11, I'm at this site so go for it.”

“how tough is taht titanium spork?”

“More than tough enough for backpacking food. As I said, it speared steak handily. I have not field tested it on the skeery woof bare yet.”