Thursday, April 2, 2009

Surefire G2 LED Review: Long Term Report

Well, it's official, I'm in love with an inanimate object. I have found myself to be almost inseparable from this flashlight. I take it with me EVERYWHERE! It's brightness never ceases to amaze me and it has survived several close encounters with concrete and come away with only some minor cosmetic damage.

I am really beginning to recognize the usefulness of having a powerful yet compact flashlight lying around. In situations where I used to sneer in frustration over not having sufficient light, I am now dutifully equipped with a superior piece of gear. The G2 has accompanied me on countless night hikes, low-light paddles, and after-dark shooting sessions. It even helped me when I had a mechanical emergency on a local highway at dusk. As the temperature dropped below freezing, the light provided some much-needed illumination to the damaged undercarriage of my vehicle while the tow-truck driver was attempting to load and secure it on his flatbed hauler (you'd think a tow-truck driver would have a good flashlight!). Needless to say, my initial interest in an recreational light for kayaking has evolved into a broader fascination with performance LED devices.

Stay tuned for more reviews and information about flashlights and other gear for kayakers. I have a lot more in works.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Surefire G2 LED Review: Preview and Initial Field Report






The Surefire Revolution


In years past, I have seen Surefire flashlights in the hands of many police, military, fire, and medical professionals who have repeatedly extolled the countless virtues of these devices. Often noted was their ability to perform under the most adverse conditions as well as an overall attention to quality in both the design, and the manufacturing process. Even though they already sported a stellar reputation, I still often wondered what these lights had to offer that others could not. I have also been curious as to how useful they would be for the average kayaker, particularly in a touring/expedition scenario. Well, the nice folks at Surefire kindly sent me a test subject in order to help determine the potential of their products in this constantly evolving sport.

Construction:

The G2 LED flashlight is composed of a heavy-duty Nitrolon polymer body with a removable aluminum bezel/lamp housing. It is powered by two lithium CR123 batteries which are accessed through a threaded, push-button tailcap that provides momentary-on, or may be twisted clockwise to provide constant light. Both the bezel and tailcap are sealed with lubricated O-rings for water-resistance. My initial impression of the light when I first pulled it from it's package was that it was very well made. There was nothing out of place or unfinished which would indicate poor craftsmanship or quality control. Everything about it exuded perfection.

Performance:

This little powerhouse, as with many of Surefire's products, is deceptively small considering the overwhelming amount of output it can produce. LED technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, and the G2 LED is an excellent example of what you get when this exponential growth is harnessed in a durable, waterproof housing. At 80 lumens, the G2 LED is actually brighter than its incandescent counterpart and predecessor, the G2. The beam cast by the LED, however, is noticeably more diffused (as is typically the nature of LED lights) than the crisp punch of a Xenon bulb. Overall, however, I found the beam size and throw to be absolutely ideal for my needs.

Field Testing:

During a recent backpacking trip, on a moonless, mist-soaked night along the Northern California coast, the G2 pierced through the moisture surprisingly well to illuminate a pair of foxes playing in a ravine about 30 yards below our campsite. They actually seemed a bit distracted by how bright the light was that shined down upon them. Impressive, to say the least. Thus far the light output has been exceptionally bright and useful.

After proving itself in the brightness category, the robustness and waterproof integrity of the housing also needed to be taken into consideration. Now, as some of you may know, I am a big fan of things that are not only water resistant, but are capable of being submerged, without any ill effects. I have tested many "waterproof" items and found that some manufacturers are a bit optimistic when it comes to their product's ability to survive underwater environments. To see how it would hold up, I turned the light on, and tossed it from a standing position into a small stream where it bounced off a few rocks and landed in about 6 inches of water. After inspecting it for any damage, I did it again. It didn't even flinch. There weren't even any noticeable scratches or dings. I must admit that my test pales in comparison to those which I have seen on Youtube where they blow one up with several pounds of C-4. Needless to say I am satisfied in knowing that the G2 is both durable and waterproof.

For me, perhaps the biggest bonus of this light is the runtime: up to 12 hours on one set of batteries! The fact that it uses lithium 123a batteries is icing on the proverbial cake, as it also means less power drainage from extreme temperature fluctuations and a long-term shelf storage capability that is far superior to that of alkaline batteries. After about 2 hours of continuous use, there was a very perceptible drop in brightness. The light output decreased quite noticeably, to a level that was still useful, but only about half the intensity as before. This is to be expected with many regulated LED lights and is designed to provide predictable performance (versus a steady decline with unregulated LED's or incandescent bulbs) as the batteries are slowly discharged. It was a bit of disappointment, however, that I was no longer able to turn night into day with the simple press of a button.

Practicality:

OK, so we've pretty much established the reliability and performance of Surfire products, now comes the final question: Is this light useful for kayaking and kayak touring? Well, it's difficult for most handheld flashlights to compete with the versatility of a good headlamp. However, there is really no substitute for the power offered in a small package, such as the G2 LED, when it comes to the ability to illuminate things that are too far away to be reached with a conventional headlamp. Or the ability to signal other watercraft (or even aircraft in a rescue situation) when visibility is hampered by foul weather. Accordingly, I see considerable potential for this sort of tool when it comes to multi-day tours and expeditions. For me, it's reliability alone makes a convincing enough case to consider Surefire a mandatory piece of adventure equipment. Unreliable lighting products are responsible for taking large portions of my sanity in years past.

Unfortunately, thus far I have not had the opportunity to test this light on a multi-day tour. I have several trips planned over the winter, about which I will certainly write on this blog. Be sure to check back and look for updates on new product evaluations in upcoming articles.

Final Notes:

As with most quality outdoor gear, the payoff is really in the long-term viability of these lights. Beyond the initial investment, they will pay for themselves quickly as you find yourself going for months or even years without buying new batteries. Also, it's quite a comfort to know that you won't be stuck trying to change a bulb in the dark (try it sometime, you'll see what I mean). In addition, I think it would be wise to invest in the lanyard system (available as an accessory) as an extra measure of convenience and safety if you plan to take any handheld flashlight on the water.



I'd really like to get some feedback from anyone out there on Surefire products and whether or not you'd be interested in these lights for yourself. Please use the comment feature at the bottom of this post, or the store contact email on our website: http://www.penguinpaddlers.com/ and let me know your thoughts.


See you on the water!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Our New Home!




We are finally moved into our new location, just a few hundred yards from our original store, and we couldn't be happier! Thanks to all who joined us for our "march of the penguins" last Saturday and helped us move the last of our stuff. We enjoyed your company, and your participation, immensly.

Penguin Paddlers is officially open for business and we have a very good selection of kayaks in stock right now. The holiday season is quickly approaching and we are gearing up to provide everyone with not only the best boats and gear, but also to get everyone connected with the paddling community. We've made some significant changes to our website including: Clinics, Tours, and Club Information. And we have LOTS of events and club activites coming up in the next 3 months. Take a look at the calendar:
as often as possible so you can stay up-to-date as new events are posted.

Thanks again for all of your support and we look forward to paddling with you soon! See you on the water!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Kayak Clothing Clinic (with perks!)

Hello everyone. Just wanted to let you know about a little shindig we're having at the Redding store this Thursday the 11th, @ 6:30 pm. We'll have some of our good friends here from the outdoor clothing industry to teach us about layering techniques, performance fabric properties, and everything else you ever wanted to know about dressing for success in the great outdoors. I recommend bringing a notepad and pen because this is going to be the best information available from the people who manufacture and wear this stuff every day. We will be offering special promotions on some of our new clothing lines so be sure to sign up as seating is limited. See you there!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Preview: Eureka Backcountry 1 Tent




This tent was designed as a lightweight, free-standing, solo with a small footprint and minimal rain fly.  Compared to a bivy, it has a very generous amount of headroom plus a bit of additional floor space for gear.

Initial Impressions:

What I like:

1) Very compact
2) Factory stakes are very light
3) Fast set-up and takedown
4) Small footprint
5) Free-Standing (my old solo tent was not)
6) Pleasant color (light green)

Possible Drawbacks:

1) No vestibule (though it would not be difficult to rig one with a small Silnylon tarp)
2) No storm flap on door

I just spent my first bag-night in this tent on a short backpacking trip and I can truly say that I have never slept better in the outdoors, EVER!  I hit the hay around 9:30pm, and aside from a bit of tossing and turning, I slept for a solid 9 hours!  In all honesty, I cannot attribute this restful night completely to my tent, but it is a very promising sign of things to come.  Temperatures made it down to perhaps the upper 40's.  I kept the tent sealed up tight the whole night, but there was not a hint of condensation in the morning.

I'll have a more comprehensive review on the Backcountry 1 after I've had the chance to really put it through its paces.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Mirazyme: Fighting the world's stink problem one dirty flop at a time

I've already sent this review to many of you penguins out there via e-mail. For anyone who may have missed it, I'm reposting it here for easy access. I am currently working on several more gear reviews and I will publish them here as soon as I can. Enjoy!






"Do people flee in terror, holding their noses when you enter the room wearing your favorite paddling jacket? Does the thought of pulling out your old, moldy spray-skirt for the winter turn your stomach? Well, there may be a solution. Literally, a "solution". I have recently discovered a product called Mirazyme that was designed to eliminate odors caused by mold, mildew, and bacteria with an ingenious mixture of enzymes and microbes.


Naturally, the first thing I thought was "This stuff would make a great personal deodorant!" After reading the instructions more carefully, I realized that it is not intended to be used directly on people. Most everything else, however, is fair game.

To test the effectiveness of this stuff I went for the stinkyest thing I could think of: my flip flops. They smelled more like a botched science project than footwear. I sincerely believed that there was no hope for them and that they were destined to offend every nostril they encountered for the rest of their life here on earth. They were especially gamey in the summer months when sweat and grime would build up very quickly. As socially crippling as they were, I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away. Enter Mirazyme.

I am happy to report that the infamous flops are now stench-free. I know, it surprised the heck out of me too! The impossible is now possible! Since all my sandals are now essentially retired for the season in favor of more well-insulated footwear, I cannot yet report on the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. However, we here at Penguin Paddlers have an abundance of smelly paddling gear waiting to be "de-stinkified". We invite you to bring in your own gear as well if you want to try it out. Boats are no exception. A rancid cockpit can be the difference between a pleasant paddling experience and your boat being mistaken for road kill.

A few tips: There are two ways in which one may dilute Mirazyme in preparation for use. You may mix it with a container of water and dip the offending items for a short period then allow them to air-dry, or you may mix a slightly more concentrated solution in a spray bottle. In the testing I have conducted thus far, the "spray" method seems to be the most efficient. For the best results, be sure to thoroughly saturate the item being deodorized and allow it dry completely before using."

Friday, May 16, 2008

Still Alive

Sorry everyone.  I know I haven't been updating much lately.  I also had to take down my Englebright Trip report post because something went awry with pictures (they were working fine when I posted it, strange).  Anyway, I'm still working on several product reviews, a trip report, and some tutorials, I just haven't had the time to finish them.  Even though my young son is now 5 1/2 months old and should (according to the "professionals") be sleeping through the night, apparently nobody has informed him of this reality as he continues to wake up every couple of hours.  Things are, in fact, getting better though.  I must say that I am very thankful to have such a healthy child.  Please be patient, new content is not far away.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Englebright

I know its a bit late, but I wanted to give a brief trip report on our February outing this year for all of those who missed out.

I really wish I had had more time to explore! This place is a treasure trove of coves, inlets, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out on the lake until late Sunday morning, so I missed out on a good full day of paddling on Saturday. After meeting Charlie and Steve at camp on Boston Bar, we paddled up to Point Defiance where the south fork of the Yuba River joins the main body of the reservoir.

The north end of the lake is a beautiful canyon; a stark contrast to the south end that is rather mundane with its grassy hills and sparse oak trees. At the mouth of the South Fork the water is very shallow and it is easy to get stuck. I actually kind of enjoyed the challenge. Paddling up the current in the main channel in about 6" of water was quite fun. This area is also a "no-wake" zone making it very kayak-friendly.

The campsites at this lake were surprisingly well-maintained and very picturesque. All were equipped with generous tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits and had easy access to the water. The weather was perfect! Temperatures dropped into the upper 30's at night, but as soon as the sun came up it was very pleasant (upper 60's).

This is definitely a place that I would like to visit again. From what I understand, the lake gets overrun with tourists (speedboats & PWC) in the summer. I think early spring and late fall will be our best options in the future. Sorry about the lack of pictures, for some reason they refuse to upload. I'll get some more next time I visit this hidden California gem.


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Deep See Bomber Boot: Preview

Initial Impressions:

Call me shallow, but the first thing that appealed to me about these boots was the overall asthetics of the design. I found it reminiscent of the "flats wading boot" that has gained such popularity with the fly fishing crowd in recent years. Of course, what I consider asthetically pleasing is primarily determined by the practical aspects of the item at hand, and not necessarily current trends. The characteristics that most appealed to my senses were:

(1) A thick outsole which appears to be well vulcanized to the neoprene upper and sports an unusually aggressive tread pattern, combined with a reassuringly soft rubber compound (soft generally denotes good wet traction when properly manufactured)
(2) Generous rubber toe and heel caps which I suspect will provide effective protection from my careless and abusive attitude towards paddling gear
(3) Stitching that is very well thought-out (i.e. no annoying seam up the center of the heel, and a double-stitched gusset and zipper trim)

Despite the fact that the weather is warming up at the moment, I know of plenty of cold-water environments in which I can test the insulative capabilities of these booties well into the summer. Though I normally wear a size 9 1/2 shoe, typically with neoprene footwear that I intend to wear without socks I opt for a size 9, as it is likely that the neoprene will stretch to some degree during use. I found the fit of this pair to be perfect so far (in and out of the water).

Maiden Voyage:

So far, so good.  These boots are proving to be very comfortable and warm.  When inside my boat, I don't even notice them.  On a recent trip to a cold stream I got out and walked around on the slick, rocky bottom to see just what I could get away with.  The traction was very predictable and protected me well from the cold, hard reality outside.  I stood in the icy water for several minutes just to push my luck.  I was rewarded with warm toes and a renewed sense of freedom.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Kuhl Stuff

I'm the first one to admit that people who insist on buying outdoor clothing based on the latest fashion trends tend to irritate me. Well I am also open-minded enough to know when performance apparel is not only tip-top in design and function, but it also possesses the rare quality of looking REALLY GOOD. We here at Penguin Paddlers are big fans of Kuhl products and I would like to tell you my honest opinion about a few of their goodies that I have tried so far.

Skull cap

No ordinary beanie, the skull cap is, without a doubt, the most comfortable and functional cold weather hat that I have ever used. I have tried somewhere in the neighorhood of 20 or so beanies over the past 15 years and have been consistently disappointed with each and every one. Why has this been such a difficult thing for the outdoor industry to perfect? I suppose people just don't typically put a lot of thought into this type of headwear. The most common problem I've had to deal with the fact that I have sensitive skin on my forehead, and the materials that all my hats were made of would make my forehead itch like crazy! Manufacturers would make all kinds of claims about the comfort of their materials, but none were even close to satisfactory. Proper fit was another issue that seemed to elude every design. Some beanies would fit like the Pope's hat, towering above my head in a comical waste of material, while others would barely cover my ears. Alas, the whining and complaining is finally over. I have found true hat-love and I shall search no more. I'll let you know if I find any drawbacks to this cap, but don't hold your breath.

Stovepipe Sweater

Once again, I am surprised by the comfort and functionality of a relatively simple design. The first thing I noticed about this fleece was how warm it is. Granted, it's no full-blown windstopper, but I have found it to be a very effective midlayer when used with almost any shell, (as well as a dang fine looking sweater to wear around town!). It recently accompanied me on a February kayak-camping trip where, under a lightweight rain shell, it kept me quite comfortable on a 38 degree morning. The only area where I see room for improvement would be a full circumferential stitch where the collar trim material is fastened on the inside of neck (it has a tendency to fold upward when pulling the garment over my fat head). Definitely, though, my new favorite piece of cold-weather gear! If you see me in the shop this winter/spring, chances are I'll be wearing it (incidentally, I'm wearing it right now!).

Hike Short (Now called the "Treck" Short)

I bought these last summer and I must say that, once again, I am impressed by the practical simplicity of the design. A very low-profile layout in conjunction with a quick-drying (and VERY durable) fabric makes for a winning combination. I found the inseam length to be just right, which is a constant battle for me and my freakishly long legs. And although I must wear a belt with the size medium waist (I'm about a 31"-32"), they appear to run true-to-size. I really tried to destroy these on a little trip last fall in which I waded through endless seas of blackberry vines, manzanita, sharp rocks, and poison oak. The shorts held up just fine through Mother Nature's torture chamber. My lower legs, on the other hand, did not fair so well. They have also seen heavy use at work, as well as numerous, not-so-gentle, walk/wade fly fishing excursions into the brush-choked canyon of a local stream. My one complaint about this garment is the rather noisy zipper-pulls on the lower pockets that jingle and jangle whenever I take a step. The good news is that the new style "Treck" shorts have eliminated this problem by placing a cover flap over the zippers.

I'm am very anxious to try Kuhl's Convertible Guide Pants this season. I have always been a fan of convertible pants for use in all of my outdoor pursuits, but have yet to find one that really stands out from the rest. I'll post a review as soon as I feel that they have been sufficiently used and abused to prove themselves worthy.

If you want to see this stuff for yourself, check out: