Orion red LED flashlight


Image: Orion red LED flashlight
This will enable me to see my books, read my eyepieces, and adjust the scope in the dark. At least, that was the plan

It takes a long time for your eyes to fully adjust to the light. Red light doesn't ruin your night vison as white light does, so many backyard astronomers get themselves a little LED flashlight like this one. The nice people at Rivers Camera suggested I get the Rigel Skyfinder™ instead, but that one had both red and white/blue LEDs, and I was afraid of accidentally flashing white light into people's eyes at star parties. This is not the way to make friends.

So, I opted for a red-only flashlight. The trouble was, I couldn't operate it with my gloves on. It's still pretty cold here in Southern New Hampshire, USA, and my hands were getting chapped taking the gloves off every time I needed to see something. Plus, there are times when I need both hands free, and this flashlight was difficult to hold with my teeth. So, back to the store it went.

Posted: Tue - February 17, 2004 at 12:35 AM             |

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