"cold light" torch for bat work

[eekoh]

Hi folks, I need to buy a high powered torch and I've been told there are some that don't emit large amounts of heat like traditional torches do and therefore are much more suitable for bat work, particularly when looking for hibernating animals.
Are these "cold" torches just LED ones or is it something different?
Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by eekoh

Hi folks, I need to buy a high powered torch and I've been told there are some that don't emit large amounts of heat like traditional torches do and therefore are much more suitable for bat work, particularly when looking for hibernating animals.
Are these "cold" torches just LED ones or is it something different?
Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

The torches you're probably thinking of use a 'Luxeon', 'Cree' or similar emitter and are _very_ bright. These emitters are a type of high powered LED. Do a search on ebay for 'Ultrafire', but there are lots of others. Tescos often have them, but make sure the emitter is of the type above (I think they do a Cree torch).

I love torches and have lost count of the ones I have!

Don't pay too much for a fancy torch described as 'tactical'! You should be able to get one for around a tenner.

If you've not experienced these torches, you'll be amazed at their brightness - you can't look into (and are warned against) looking directly at the emitter!

Jim

[ollyk]

Does the heat (should that be infra-red energy?) really bother the bats? If so yes white led's are actually blue led's with a phosphor coating so the light output is very is cool (as in colour temperature) although you can get 'warmer' leds. Obviously being more efficient means less heat is released for equivalent light output compared to standard incandescent.

Unless there is a specific recommended torch by bat societies or something I would go to candlepower forums for advice

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ollyk

Does the heat (should that be infra-red energy?) really bother the bats?

The heat generated by a torch probably makes little difference to the bats, considering the amount of heat given off by the person holding it! But such torches will presumably be more efficient, and the batteries will last longer, which has to be a good thing

henrya

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The torches you're probably thinking of use a 'Luxeon', 'Cree' or similar emitter and are _very_ bright. These emitters are a type of high powered LED. Do a search on ebay for 'Ultrafire', but there are lots of others. Tescos often have them, but make sure the emitter is of the type above (I think they do a Cree torch).

I love torches and have lost count of the ones I have!

Don't pay too much for a fancy torch described as 'tactical'! You should be able to get one for around a tenner.

If you've not experienced these torches, you'll be amazed at their brightness - you can't look into (and are warned against) looking directly at the emitter!

Jim

Oh finally, I can admit my secret vice! I am constantly buying torches, (where I have a wonderful time pondering over which one for ages) one for the car, one for the house in case of powercut, one for dog walking & checking odd noises In the garden, one for the bedroom so I can see if there's any creature (making odd noises). I (well, hubbie) even used to have a proper lamping light (hubbie used to lamp rabbits on one farm, didn't really approve but what a light....ah marvellous) etc, you get the picture It's got to be the right size shape & type!

Unfortunately I have a torch drain. My hubbie who works on a farm thinks it's great that there is a torch handy for him to take to work in the winter & of course it is soon borrowed by someone else or run over by a tractor (don't ask!), basically I never get them back. He calls me for wasting money on unecessary items but he's the first to make use of them, grrrrr

I'm off to investigate Luxeon or Cree now

[The Woodman]

Have a look at my review of Police Tech torches.

I use one almost daily for bat work including bat photography - some of the results can be seen in my Gallery.

I also use clusters of Surface Mounted Diodes either as white light or behind IR filters.

Recommend LED Fantastic for components and bits. "Smiley" Dave Brooks is a great source of info and help.

LED fantastic - workshops, installation, LEDs, electronic parts,sustainable lighting, teaching, learning, festivals, travelling, economical, ecological, green, efficient, transition, future, off grid

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

one for the car

Only one? I keep 2 in the car and always carry at least one on my person - summer and winter - so sometimes there's 4 in the car!

As I mentioned earlier, I'd keep away from ones described as 'tactical' or indeed 'Police Tech'. The fancy names are just an excuse to command fancy prices!

A 6 'D' cell Maglite is useful in the car, not just a a torch, but for defence. If you need to use it for such, remember to hold it at the head end so it can't be easily pulled from your grip!

Jim

[The Woodman]

Maglite 6 D cell £25.00
6 D Duracell £ 5.19
Total £30.19 and hardly pocketable

Police tech £27.98
4 AAA Duracell £ 1.99 uses 3 AAA's so one spare from pack of four
Total £ 29.97 including belt pouch

My advice - keep away from expensive battery hungry old technology (incandescent bulbs, plastic lense that'll get covered in scratches, carbon hungry)

If you feel the need to keep a defensive device - get a kubaton.

[eekoh]

Cheers for the replies, I'll check out the links and suggestions. The company is paying for the torch so I'm free (within reason) to get whatever is best for the job rather than just what is cheapest.

I'm sure the heat from a torch isn't going to make a huge difference to bats in summer, but my big newt torch is hot enough to warm my hands up quickly on cold nights so thats got to have an impact on a hibernating bat. I'd rather be over-cautious than warm it up unnecessarily and risk disturbing it from torpor.

And just to join in the torch fetish, I love my petzl tikka.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by eekoh

I'm sure the heat from a torch isn't going to make a huge difference to bats in summer, but my big newt torch is hot enough to warm my hands up quickly on cold nights so thats got to have an impact on a hibernating bat. I'd rather be over-cautious than warm it up unnecessarily and risk disturbing it from torpor.

Just by going into a hibernaculum you rouse the bats from torpor - so the heat of your torch makes little difference!

henrya