reading in a blackout

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 21 Jan 2009, 18:09

Rather than take another thread off-topic, I've started another one.

Amongst the best things to do in a power cut is to curl up in front of a wood-burning stove and read a good book.

So does anyone have experience of decent headsets using rechargeables? Most I've used have too narrow a beam, meaning a fast reader would seem to be shaking her head constantly.

Other simple solutions welcome.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 21 Jan 2009, 18:42

I assume you used lower case in the title to avoid confusion with blackouts in the county town of Berkshire

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 21 Jan 2009, 21:46

Try the "SILVERPOINT OZONE2 wind up LED Head Torch"

e.g.

http://www.sporttek.co.uk/SILVERPOINT+O ... Torch.html

Post by **adam2** » 22 Jan 2009, 08:41

I have never found head torches very suitable for reading, they are certainly handy for walking around with both hands free, but not ideal for sitting reading.

I would favour either a Tilley lamp, placed suitably so as to avoid glare, or an anglepoise type lamp fitted with a 12 volt CFL and worked from a battery.

A battery operated flourescent lantern might be worth considering.

It is of course possible to read instructions etc by a headlight in an emergency, but they are not IMHO very suited for reading for pleasure.

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 22 Jan 2009, 08:45

Just because it's a head torch, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to wear it on your head......

Along the same lines, there's a wind-up bike light available too:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Benex ... 360034648/

Post by **clv101** » 03 Feb 2009, 00:39

Has anyone found a windup torch made tough? Made of metal that doesn't feel like it's going to break within a year? These days I think it's smart to buy solid, long lasting things as in a few years replacements might simply not be readily available.

Any properly robust windups?

GD · Post by GD » 03 Feb 2009, 12:43

How robust do you mean?
I've got one of these, it's fairly sturdy:

http://www.windup-products.com/wind-up- ... prod_8.php

Edit (I haven't really, mine's an older model)

Cran · Post by **Cran** » 03 Feb 2009, 13:47

surely the best thing to do in a power cut (if it's dark) is to go to bed and get up again when it's light and then read your book...?

Ben · Post by **Ben** » 03 Feb 2009, 14:30

Cran wrote:surely the best thing to do in a power cut (if it's dark) is to go to bed and get up again when it's light and then read your book...?

Not so good if you get a teatime (5-6pm) powercut though.

There's a lot to be said for keeping more to daylight hours.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 03 Feb 2009, 17:38

When we had power cuts in the 1970s we used to play cards or Scrabble. I hadn't thought of this before, but both are a lot easier to see in reduced lighting than text in a book!

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 03 Feb 2009, 20:36

Learn Braille.

Post by **adam2** » 04 Feb 2009, 08:32

GD wrote:How robust do you mean?
I've got one of these, it's fairly sturdy:

http://www.windup-products.com/wind-up- ... prod_8.php

Edit (I haven't really, mine's an older model)

I have a couple of the earlier version of the Sherpa wind up torches linked to above.
They seem to be well made, though I have a general distrust of anything wind up owing to the many moving parts liable to breakage.

The version that I have uses a special twin filament incandescent bulb which is a decided drawback, the LED version linked to above would be superior in that respect.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 05 Feb 2009, 00:04

GD wrote:How robust do you mean?
I've got one of these, it's fairly sturdy:

http://www.windup-products.com/wind-up- ... prod_8.php

Edit (I haven't really, mine's an older model)

I've had one of these for a few years and it has been dropped on our ceramic tiled floor a number of times and survived. Both case and works seem fairly robust.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 05 Feb 2009, 08:06

Looking for a head torch? Don't forget the dreaded Argos:

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... mit=GO+%3E

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 05 Feb 2009, 09:57

Just because it's a head torch, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to wear it on your head......

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