SA Firefighter

Equipment => All Equipment discussion => Topic started by: Camo on November 28, 2006, 02:17:36 PM

Title: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on November 28, 2006, 02:17:36 PM
Gday,

What LED torches are people using?

I did have one (its now somewhere in the Dergholm Forest) that was a small clip on plastic thing from fire & rescue - seemed pretty good.  Thought i would ask the question before rushing out and buying another one.

Just wondering what experiance people have had with certain models.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: bajdas on November 28, 2006, 02:26:28 PM
I use an older style headlamp which is waterproof to a certain depth. It is bright yellow with yellow elastic straps.

It is fitted with a Krypton bulb and runs on two AA or AAA batteries (I cannot remember which). The focusing ring enables the light beam to be adjusted to myself to ride a puchbike or have a spot light on a object. A spare bulb is held within the torch, so I only need to carry extra batteries if required.

With a cost of $20 from Rays Outdoors it works well because I keep leaving my torches somewhere. Thus the more expensive LED torches are too expensive to loose.

Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: bittenyakka on November 28, 2006, 04:39:41 PM
Personally I have found LED torches and headlamps somewhat disappointing. this is due to the blue light and the way it is very unfocused. if you are needing a new small torch I prefer the one that the CFS uses standard with structure helmets. I have used them camping and also found it hard to tell when BBQ meat is cooked due to the color of the light

Of course LED torches have the advantage of often having many LEDs and using little power.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on November 28, 2006, 04:47:31 PM
I prefer the one that the CFS uses standard with structure helmets.

and which one would that be?

the LEd one you had camo, is the same as my entire group uses... there a fantastic torch for the minimal weight that they are... u dont even notice they are there, whereas the larger yellow ones weigh a helluva lot more although they are brighter...
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: 5271rescue on November 28, 2006, 09:02:03 PM
Hope you made a claim to CFS to get it replaced...
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Mike on November 29, 2006, 06:10:54 AM
Question.... are these LED torches actually rated as being intrinsically safe?????

If not..... should we really be using them?
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: 5271rescue on November 29, 2006, 09:23:47 AM
could say the same about GRN/VHf hand helds
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on November 29, 2006, 09:37:21 AM
could say the same about GRN/VHf hand helds

They are not intrinsically safe :wink:
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Mike on November 29, 2006, 09:47:57 AM
Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find an intrinsically safe transceiver...

However, if the option is available (and at reasonable cost) why not limit the potential for an issue?
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on November 29, 2006, 09:58:07 AM
Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find an intrinsically safe transceiver...

However, if the option is available (and at reasonable cost) why not limit the potential for an issue?

Motorola manufacture several radios which are intrinsically safe,however are no longer making the MTS2000 portable which we have currently in service.
With the contract for the GRN expiring soon it will be interesting to see what they unleash on us next :-D
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Mike on November 29, 2006, 10:02:24 AM
key phrase..... 'at a reasonable cost'... they are definitely out there, no denying that!  :wink:

Anyways....back to the torches.....
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on November 29, 2006, 12:59:37 PM
Hope you made a claim to CFS to get it replaced...

Bought it myself for my own use...i doubt cfs would come to the party.

I find the LED torches with the blue light penetrate smoke alot better then a white light.  Put it to the test next time your in a mock house fire with smoke - regular BA torch against an LED torch.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Darius on November 29, 2006, 01:02:57 PM

do you have a pic, or link, to the small LED torches you are talking about?  I find the yellow non-LED torches that are common make my helmet too "unbalanced" (or maybe I just have a lopsided head).
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on November 29, 2006, 01:04:12 PM

do you have a pic, or link, to the small LED torches you are talking about?  I find the yellow non-LED torches that are common make my helmet too "unbalanced" (or maybe I just have a lopsided head).


If i had it to take a pic of it i wouldnt be asking  :-D

Medevac might be able to help?
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Darius on November 29, 2006, 01:08:39 PM
like any of these?
http://www.fireandrescueaustralia.com/?page=shop/browse&category_id=0c5fc635987c6aeadf3160dfc92483e8 (http://www.fireandrescueaustralia.com/?page=shop/browse&category_id=0c5fc635987c6aeadf3160dfc92483e8)
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on November 29, 2006, 01:09:55 PM
Dont see it there.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on November 29, 2006, 01:22:13 PM
Under Helmet Torches Camo :-D

The other type of Helmet Torch is available from Emergency Safety and cost about $85.00 :wink:
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on November 29, 2006, 01:23:21 PM
oh yeah thats the one...although when you press the link it says no products available?
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Pixie on November 29, 2006, 07:27:26 PM
The standard issue torches in our brigade are UK4AA Dive Torches AKA. Mini Q , with a helmet clip. If you really wanted to you can buy conversion kits to turn them into LED powered torches from dive shops.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Mike on November 30, 2006, 01:49:24 PM
have always prefered the pelican torches myself. *mini-lite - various models around the place.

And you've gotta love the warranty.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on November 30, 2006, 04:12:42 PM
The standard issue torches in our brigade are UK4AA Dive Torches AKA. Mini Q , with a helmet clip. If you really wanted to you can buy conversion kits to turn them into LED powered torches from dive shops.

Since when did CFS have a standard issue torch as part of PPE :?
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: 5271rescue on December 01, 2006, 04:49:23 AM
Cam,you can make a claim as it was being used while you where doing firefighting duty.....
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Pixie on December 01, 2006, 05:54:17 PM
by "standard issue in our brigade" I mean that all members have been issued with them as part of their PPE... they are the only torches i have seen in use on the fire ground so far....apart form the Dolphin torches or maglights off the trucks.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 02, 2006, 07:08:29 AM
saFIREY - my brigade also issues one of those LED torches standard with everyones PPE
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on December 03, 2006, 09:12:11 AM
saFIREY - my brigade also issues one of those LED torches standard with everyones PPE

Your lucky we have to buy our own :evil:
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 03, 2006, 06:48:16 PM
lucky ducks indeed.


still havent seen my PBI i ordered four or so months ago, although i know exactly where it is  :wink:
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on December 07, 2006, 06:12:33 PM
lucky ducks indeed.


still havent seen my PBI i ordered four or so months ago, although i know exactly where it is  :wink:

In a bag with your name on it :-D
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 07, 2006, 09:00:28 PM
in a nearby store room  :roll:


been there a couple of months now
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: SA Firey on December 08, 2006, 04:54:44 PM
in a nearby store room  :roll:


been there a couple of months now

That's outrageous so much for looking after the troops :-o
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Ryan on December 08, 2006, 05:13:50 PM
Have you spoken to thenm about asked politely and enforcibly, informed GO, RO, captain someone.  If this doesnt all work follow Fiji's idea, political coup mutiny!
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Firefrog on December 11, 2006, 12:25:20 PM
in a nearby store room  :roll:


been there a couple of months now

I would be raising this at the highest level! A coroner would be most interested in the person who is preventing the appropriate level of protection for fire fighters.

This is crazy stuff!!!!!

And wildy off topic :|
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 11, 2006, 07:21:32 PM
last off topic post.. but;

im sure the coroner would be most interested should somehting go awry, i have just recently raised the issue following a recent job with our OH&S rep, so im sure that will put a rocket up there donkey
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Ryan on December 11, 2006, 08:45:32 PM
okay to get things back on the railroad tracks, IM lookin for a helmet torch.

Can someone give me a definete brand name and price on the one to get, ie one that doesnt lop side the helmet and has a good light but not too expensive.  Preferably from FARA at Blackwood.  Cheers.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 11, 2006, 09:25:11 PM
geee......


walk in the door at FARA, go to the wall with helmet torches on it... pick up the 3LED clip on torch and go to the cash register...


there, it is that easy.
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Ryan on December 11, 2006, 09:27:56 PM
Just helping get things back on track mate   :wink:
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: medevac on December 11, 2006, 09:32:05 PM
Preferably from FARA at Blackwood. 

im just going by this ryan, i mean it doesnt take much (if you are local, which presumably you aresince u stated this) to go in and have a look...

then just get this torch, which is aht several ppl have reccomended
Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: Camo on December 12, 2006, 03:51:14 AM
Buy me one while your there  :-D


Seen an LED torch from repco the other day that is similar in size to the mini mags that are used in the BA sets.  Seem liked a good replacement for them if anyone wanted to go down that track.  It was a bit shorter, metal case and had like 9 leds.

Title: Re: LED Torches
Post by: firetrader on February 22, 2007, 07:31:12 PM
Gday,

What LED torches are people using?

I did have one (its now somewhere in the Dergholm Forest) that was a small clip on plastic thing from fire & rescue - seemed pretty good.  Thought i would ask the question before rushing out and buying another one.

Just wondering what experiance people have had with certain models.
Hi all,
1st post, what helmet are you using ?
It depends on waht you need the torch for, Pelican have a great unit, although heavy, its both xenon and LED's in the same head. Foxfury make a great unit, but expensive

Andy