Wisdom Lamp 4 A accessories explained in the above video presentation.
Friday, 28 May 2021
Wednesday, 26 May 2021
Saturday, 22 May 2021
FKMD FX-601 SHERPA D2 Review
FKMD FX-601 SHERPA D2
Breakdown by BCT
A 5" DUAL GRIND DROP POINT made with K110 (D2) tool steel, black Idroglider coating (PTFE) on a stone washed blade. Micarta scales, generous finger choil, a FOX knives design.
For those who prefer their outdoor knives to made with D2, a long proven tool steel of considerable toughness and hardness and enough corrosion resistance not to be constantly wiping the blade dry.
HRC 59-61
Made in Italy
Thumb gimping can easily strike a fire steel (note fire steel oxidation marks (above image) on blade).
5mm thick spine easy to prepare food with.
Full leather scabbard last construction, featuring both vertical and horizontal carry options.
See full video review here:
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
WISDOM LAMP4 Plus Optional Accessories Serious outdoor Adventure lighting solution
WISDOM LAMP 4 (showing charging status-Red light indicates charging)
I've been a caver for over 35 years, led and co-led an expedition, been a trip leader for a University club and gone underground on both hemispheres. Dived with various brands and makes and models of diving lights. Used underwater specific video lights (for work), so I think after all of that, I've learnt something about flashlights/Torches/Miner's lights/Caver's lights. And just lights in general.
Today more than ever there is an absolute plethora of both named and unnamed manufacturers of supposed lighting equipment for outdoor usage (in those categories, I include all UW usage as well from the Petroleum industry (saturation diver's lighting systems and ROV lighting), mining, recreational diving, and technical recreational diving (eg from video lighting to just simply flashlights for UW navigation and or viewing). There is also a plethora of the "EDC" and or "tactical" lights as well.
At a quick glance one may consider this a "minefield" to negotiate in order to try and find a "decent lighting solution" for outdoor pursuits. BUT no.
A great too many manufacturers offer a huge range of gimmicky lighting modes (exceptions being those for the Oil and gas industry) from some crazy give me brain bursting headache stroboscopic functions, pseudo police and or ambulance flashing colours, UV wavelengths etc etc. the list is almost endless or so it appears.
I'm going to now tell you the only things to truly look for in good outdoor lighting system.
Not necessarily in this order:
1) Only consider a brandname attached to a real physical manufacturer with a warranty.
2) If the light of choice is not one of the following, then forget it and mark it up to lack of experience in judgement:
Totally waterproof
Water proof/Water resistant to a depth greater than or equal to 2m for 30 minutes or more.
3) Crush proof design.
4) Charging/ battery replacement
Easily charged, ie via USB, the most most common form today.
If batteries are replaceable, then batteries must be easily obtained worldwide.
5) Must have a good burn time.. For serious outdoor pursuits that means at least 24 hour constant lighting of a LUX/Lumen intensity to see one's way in total darkness. That is the light will enable one to successfully negotiate two nights of walking incase of emergency.
6) For rescue purposes, any additional function of the light should be an automatic SOS function with a duration sufficient to signal for help.
7) Quality LEDs and construction, charging circuitry, quality (if built in) batteries and optically optimised reflector/s
8) Must be able to be secured in a positive way to a lanyard, head mount, helmet, to prevent accidental loss and allow two hands operation. Note I said TWO hands. Flashlights are great but you can't climb or negotiate tricky terrain with just one hand in reality. You can not beat a head mount system.
OK I believe the LAMP4 from WISDOM (link opens company profile-worth reading) satisfies these criteria.
Often we can fall prey to "funky colors" the word "tactical" and abbreviation "EDC" only to find that in reality these are essentially marketing gimmicks at best.
I want to use this example of the WISDOM Lamp 4 as an example to explain the following:
"Mission Critical"
It must turn on first time and not fail whilst caving, end of story, in other words your life may depend upon it functioning correctly as the manufacturer states.
But first, who are WISDOM?
Wisdom is a Chinese company who specialise in the production of Miner's lights and associated charging equipment. They hold the highest of standards for mine safety when it comes to the manufacture of lighting equipment needed to make the stringent requirements of mine safety; ie the following ratings
ATEX group II, Explosion proof.
MSHA (Wise lite 2)
IPX 68 still functional to 50m!!
Their products are sold all around the globe for the mining industry. That's a pretty good standard if you ask me.
They also manufacture the cordless LAMP 4 (versions A, B, C and D), the version being reviewed and discussed here is the LAMP 4 A version.
The LAMP 4 A has the following characteristics:
Waterproof to 50m!
Body made fully of polycarbonate (they say bullet proof! figuratively speaking LOL) and stainless steel fittings (including bracket , socket head bolts and washers).
Standard accessories is an included magnetic USB charing cable and there are many "optional accessories"
Supplied to me were the following optional accessories specific to the LAMP 4A:
Waterproof head strap (enabling the user to wear the light mounted on their head during diving activities and caving. The head strap also features reflective banding, is elastic and padded on the forehead region.
Multi-purpose lens group1# Lucency, 4# Red and 6# Lucency. The first and last filters permit a diffused lighting pattern.
Also included optional accessory was a bicycle mounting bracket (polycarbonate and rubber) and 2 rubber fixing rings for a handle bar or seat post mounting.
A magnetic charging cable for an Android phone
and a magnetic connector/ USB extender.
Gold plated contacts on strong magnetic connectors. This type of charing does not require (there are no internal user serviceable parts) a case or structure to be open, hence the 50m waterproof resistance.
Magnetic USB charging cable
Magnetic charging plate enabling seamless charging (note gold coated brass contacts and stainless steel construction for excellent corrosion resistance.
Obviously an Instruction booklet (dual language- English and Spanish). The only omitted optional extra was a magnetic bracket, which would enable one to attach the LAMP 4A to any magnetic surface.
A lanyard/belt and finally, a USB charging mains adaptor.
Mains adaptors are available for all countries.
The LAMP 4 A FEATURES the following:
Batteries are Panasonic and are capable of 1200 cycles!
Total ampere hour capacity of the Wisdom LAMP 4A is 7000mAh!
316 m beam reach!
2m drop resistance
Explosion proof!
Gold plated brass power connectors on the magnetic USB charging plate and accompanying charging plugs!
Waterproof to 50m
A Large reflector (1.5"/37mm in diameter) which creates a defined spot with a diffuse border, easy to delineate objects.
Power levels
There are 3 Power levels, it's that simple! Low Med and High, no funky settings just 3 dead simple levels with great burn times and lumen output:
1) Level 1: 60 hr continuous at 50Lm (0.24W) (for example: 10 lumens caving is way bright enough for general manoeuvring within a cave)
2) Level 2: 13 hr at 265 Lm (1.71W)- difficult manoeuvring within a cave (climbing)
3) Level 3: 533 Lumens at 4.2W output power! (blinding power more than suitable for tricky manoeuvring within a cave and highlighting distance features/speleothems within a cave. 5 hours duration.
SOS mode.
<320 microsecond short circuit protection!
Power indicator showing approx 30% 60% and approx. 100% remaining power.
Charging status, Green indicates fully charged!
Low battery alarm 2 STAGE (visual indicator) when only one hour of lighting remains.
(an important feature too!).
THE WISDOM LAMP 4 A CAN BE LOCKED INTO A SPECIFIC LIGHTING MODE BY A SIMPLE DOUBLE PRESS FROM WITHIN WHATEVER LIGHTING MODE YOU WANT. THE LAMP 4A WILL RETURN IMMEDIATELY TO THAT LOCKED SETTING WHEN THE LIGHT IS AGAIN TURNED ON.
Weight lamp 4A ONLY:
ONLY 125 GRAMS!
UL certification, CE, PSE, IP68
-20 to 60C operating range.
Components
USA made CREE LEDs, polycarbonate and stainless steel, and TPE. Panasonic batteries.
Single button operation. Button is prevented from accidental activation by a removable polycarbonate cap (my only criticism so far as this cap can be easily lost, more on this in the video review
One thing I noted on the model I received was the presence of gas bubbles in the joined halves. I emailed this image to WISDOM and they assured me this would not compromise the function of the light in anyway. I will of course perform my own tests (plunging the lamp into the depths of a cave sump with cameras!
I like the idea that the Lamp 4 (it is the only model) can be used as a charging bank. I'm a real believer in the benefits of charging banks for camera's phones etc.
Ok, that's enough for now as I will be reviewing the WISDOM LAMP 4A in the field as per all of my reviews and what better place to show off it's features than in a cave!
The LAMP 4A looks pretty good to me and I'm pretty choosey when it comes to what lamps I take underground with me.
BCT
Friday, 19 March 2021
Maximal Archery Gear What to look for in a good bow quiver for hunting
MAXIMAL ARCHERY GEAR
BOW QUIVER, MODEL "EDGE"
Maximal Archery is part of the "archersgear" organisation.
Or what to look for in a good bow quiver
by BushCampingTools*
I got this quiver because I know from previous experience it is not necessary to spend mega bucks (one can spend over 200USD!) on a hunting quiver in order to have an effective hunt.
What one wants is a quiver which can carry broadheads safely and is also safely secured to the riser and will not accidentally come loose should it be banged on a tree branch etc whilst crawling through the undergrowth. My first bow quiver met these criteria, however it suffered from a really "el cheapo" QR (quick release) mechanism of plastic against plastic instead of (like in this bow quiver) plastic against metal. The combination of plastic against plastic (unless one of those plastics is PTFE, is that they will have a tendency to "bind" to one another). That was, I guess a minor point because as I said it met the safety aspects which, in reality are the most important, to avoid any chance of an accident.
The Maximal Gear EDGE bow quiver is well made, light weight and provides good coverage of the business end of your arrows. The rubber grippers also appear to be made from just the right stickiness and hardness (flexibility, also more accurately known as "SHORE HARDNESS) in order to securely hold one's arrows and continue to do so for many years to come and not suffer from perishing due to interactions with chemicals or Ozone. Actually, that was another reason why my first quiver didn't last more than 2 seasons because the rubber gripper was very small in thickness and it succumbed to UV and or Ozone and hardened over time, hence it was not capable of properly gripping the shafts after a couple of years continual usage.
The EDGE bow quiver (model number PKJ-M-TP715-BLK), the "BLK" means the black version, as it also comes in a camouflage coloration (just the business end of it though); is a well- thought out bow quiver that is easily mounted via a quick release system that stays attached to the riser.
The Edge bow quiver from Maximal Archery accepts 5 arrows of either carbon or Aluminium shafts. The first thing I noted was the rubber compound of the grippers. It is very good. In fact it appears much better than the rubber compound and elasticity of a bow quiver which comes with an expensive BEAR hunting compound (model SPECIES LD package).
The main shaft gripper is also made from the same rubber compound. This gripper can be moved up and down the main frame (the frame is made from carbon fibre tubes). The shaft gripper is held in place by friction (presumably from the rubber on the carbon shafts). This gripper also has a metal frame partially surrounding the gripper as shown above and below.
The main frame of the Maximal Archery EDGE bow quiver is made from Carbon Fibre tubing. These tubes offer good rigidity, which is important for safety.
The main attachment point for the quiver to the riser is via a die cast metal quick release plate. This plate could also be moved if desired by loosening an Allen bolt as indicated above. On that point, the quiver is supplied with 2 Allen keys, a set of Allen bolts (socket heads) of various lengths, some spacers (to move the quiver further out away from the riser and a spare riser plate. Not too shabby eh?!
Quality Allen bolt fixtures secure the end gripper on this Bow quiver.
Now here (above and below) is a very cool feature, the inclusion of a carry loop at the business end of the quiver. This allows one to easily carry the quiver loaded with arrows via this nylon cordage loop. One can put there own paracord loop here or any other color they desire if that's what turns them on!
Now to the business end of a bow quiver. I say this because the end (the hood) which encloses one's broadheads needs to be rigid and basically unbreakable in construction for maximal and obvious safety reasons. The inner "lining" also needs to be of such material which will not blunt the broadhead and also at the same time prevent any rattle and aid to help keep the arrows secure at all times prior to removal.
Side view of mounted quick release (QR) plate on riser ( you can see the two cylindrical standoffs I used-optional, this depends upon how much space one has underneath the sight bracket).
To fit the quiver, place it onto the QR platte (by engaging the "v" shaped metal notch on the quiver) on the riser and simply move the rubber gripper in an arc motion (shown closest to my hand) towards the bow riser and it will lock in place, felt and heard by an audible click.
Quiver in place ready for arrows!
OK so there you have it, a bow quiver suitable for hunting and the target range that won't cost you the earth but has all of the necessary features I believe to safely carry your hunting arrows.
Finally, as mentioned earlier on, the quiver is also available in a camouflage coloration but the camouflage is only on the arrow head covering, the rest of the quiver is still black and for the added cost, there is, I believe little benefit from this small amount of camouflaging.
You can also see this product here:
https://archersgear.com/products.php?page=2&brand=maximal
About the author's bow hunting experience:
BCT has over a decade of serious bowhunting experience in serious Australian wilderness (hunting from small game to wild pigs) without the use of: glass and baiting, hides and or dogs, using the traditional stalking and field craft techniques, on foot.
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