Lightie - Cool Lighting for Camping

[Dallara]

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Now here's an interesting piece of kit that looks tailor-made for motorcycle camping enthusiasts - The "Lightie":

http://www.gizmag.com/the-lightie-solar-light-soda-bottle/31111/

http://thelightie.com/

Solar-powered. 8 hours of charging in even overcast sunlight nets up to 40 hours of light. Only a few inches long. Rugged. Self contained. Up to 300 lumens. Only $13.

Pretty cool, IMHO.

Dallara



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[Don in Lodi]

Did you read anywhere what the purpose of the water filled soda bottle was?

 

[tomatocity]

Did you read anywhere what the purpose of the water filled soda bottle was?

Illumination.

 

[Dallara]

Did you read anywhere what the purpose of the water filled soda bottle was?

It is my understanding that you use an *empty* soda or water bottle, and it serves the same purpose as the glass around a oil or gas mantle lantern, or even the glass around a light bulb - to diffuse and better scatter the light, providing for more even and complete illumination.

In other words, you end up with near the light output of many kerosene, gas fuel, or oil burning lanterns with a ton less weight, no fire hazard, and you can dispose of the water bottle diffuser for travel or storage of the main lighting element. And being solar-powered means it needs no fuel and pretty much lasts forever.

I'm gonna' buy a few... One for each car and one (or maybe two) for the bike. Seems like prior to a trip you could leave 'em outside for eight hours, then pack away with the juice stored in the batteries, and then pull 'em out if needed for roadside repairs, camp illumination, etc. I've always got a bottle or two of water onboard, so with that I've got a lantern.

Dallara




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[20valves]

Well dang, I was gonna get all the info on the lightie but got sidetracked reading up on the fart filtering underwear. Lots of clever folks out there.

My son in law got me one of these for Christmas, costs a bit more but the same kind of deal: http://www.luminaid.com/

 

[sportsguy]

~

Now here's an interesting piece of kit that looks tailor-made for motorcycle camping enthusiasts - The "Lightie":

http://www.gizmag.com/the-lightie-solar-light-soda-bottle/31111/

http://thelightie.com/

Solar-powered. 8 hours of charging in even overcast sunlight nets up to 40 hours of light. Only a few inches long. Rugged. Self contained. Up to 300 lumens. Only $13.

Pretty cool, IMHO.

Dallara



~

Couple things worth noting...

It says 8 hours in the sun... so charging in cloudy conditions will not likely net the same full charge in 8 hours.
There plenty of odd sized soda bottles on the market these days, so while the 22mm standard they speak of exists, it might not work if you buy, say, an Arizona Iced Tea, with the much wider top. Small thing, IMO.
Notice they have an image of it immersed in water, but wrapped in plastic first... would have thought the acrylic body would make it water resistant at that end. Again, no biggie but noticed it.

Love the idea, but currently only for preorder.

Love that these technologies have come so far, though. Huge power reserves for relatively little charge time. Simply amazing! Great finds guys.

 

[SuperJimbo]

Interesting device, I will investigate this further.

 

[Buster452]

The problem I've always seen with solar powered gizmos for motorcycle camping is when to charge them. Typically I'm riding to the next campsite during daylight when it should be charging. I just charge stuff off the bike power then.

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