CAP Talk

Operations => Tools of the trade => Topic started by: NM SAR on August 02, 2011, 06:13:12 PM

Title: the glowsticks
Post by: NM SAR on August 02, 2011, 06:13:12 PM
Has anybody on a GT ever actually USED a chemlight? If so, for what?
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: PA Guy on August 02, 2011, 06:29:20 PM
Sure, plenty of times.  Saves flashlight batteries.  Helps preserve night vision.  Mark vehicles, trails etc.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Cadet Sleuth on August 02, 2011, 06:31:10 PM
Not often, I've mainly had cadets use them for visibility after dark at some non GT events.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Eclipse on August 02, 2011, 06:57:51 PM
As said, marking trails, people, tent lines and other hazards.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Major Lord on August 02, 2011, 08:34:50 PM
Ditto- Long burn 12 hour Cyalume sticks and super-bright "short burn" Orange Cyalume sticks. I also have them with me any time I go Scuba diving, day or night.

Major Lord
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: davidsinn on August 02, 2011, 09:08:20 PM
I use 12" long red ones on the flight-line at night. It works pretty good and the pilots seem to appreciate it.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: MIKE on August 02, 2011, 09:25:15 PM
Field Raves.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: davidsinn on August 02, 2011, 09:39:49 PM
Quote from: MIKE on August 02, 2011, 09:25:15 PM
Field Raves.

Mike really knows how to liven things up.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: MIKE on August 02, 2011, 09:52:00 PM
Just think what it could be like in the CGAux with actual pyro under the auspices of an approved VDS training.  ;D
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: titanII on August 02, 2011, 10:03:54 PM
Quote from: MIKE on August 02, 2011, 09:25:15 PM
Field Raves.
pfffff  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: jeders on August 02, 2011, 10:29:30 PM
Quote from: MIKE on August 02, 2011, 09:25:15 PM
Field Raves.

You beat me to it.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: NIN on August 02, 2011, 11:11:28 PM
Well, they go great on my helmet during night jumps.. Oh, wait, you said GROUND TEAM.

They make great targets for night compass work.  Especially if you're doing long distance compass work.  I'll equip my compass guys with a light stick on their LBE (one green, one red, one one blue or white) and let 'em leapfrog each other. Interestingly, they get pretty good at it when you separate them by color.


Line searches in low-light conditions are another endeavor where a couple glow sticks are handy.    One or two in the middle of the line, one at each end. It gets really easy really quickly to see how the line is doing. (Factoid: I think I did 2 "night" line searches in 28 years in CAP, so take it for what its worth)

Obviously, they make great tent illuminators, etc.

Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Eclipse on August 02, 2011, 11:21:41 PM
Sinn's flight line!

(http://www.bonniecarol.com/images/MoonsandTunesImage/MTGroup/expIMG_3110.jpg)
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: davidsinn on August 02, 2011, 11:39:29 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 02, 2011, 11:21:41 PM
Sinn's flight line!

(http://www.bonniecarol.com/images/MoonsandTunesImage/MTGroup/expIMG_3110.jpg)

Naw, that's the ranger corps night ops.  >:D

I don't use those crappy flimsy ones either.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on August 03, 2011, 12:26:57 AM
Some of the teams around here wear orange hardhats in the field.  Throw a glowstick under there and they give off a soft glow; enough to see your teammates, not enough to kill night vision.

They're also good night signalling devices.  Put one of the "short burn" intense ones on the end of five feet of paracord, get it swinging above your head, and you've got a dandy signal.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on August 03, 2011, 04:38:11 AM
Of course its always fun when you take a rookie and tell them that you have to "kick start" the chem light to activate them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHA0qItc06Q [PG-13 for language]
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Spaceman3750 on August 04, 2011, 12:00:49 AM
Night GT... Tell all of your team members to tie one to the back of their packs and then follow the team. Great for making sure C/Snuffy doesn't disappear in the dark.

Also handy for marking where your tent or tent lines are.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Major Lord on August 04, 2011, 12:27:33 AM
Also available in Infrared for those who might have NVD gear.....

Major Lord
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: w7sar on August 04, 2011, 04:45:30 PM
At NESA last week I saw a "LazerBrite" device that several CAP folks were pleased with. It is like a glowstick, but LED and battery powered.  They sold them in the PX at Camp Atterberry.  I didn't want to carry additional stuff home and found the website, www.lazerbrite.com when I got home.  My order came yesterday and I'm pretty impressed with the durability and design.  Apparently they're made for a lot of military applications.  I believe that I'll come out ahead in cost by using these vs. buying the chemsticks.

But, YMMV.

JW, W7SAR
Utah Wing
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: jks19714 on August 04, 2011, 04:50:56 PM
When I used to do my 2 week summer thing (Signal), I used the "long burn" lightsticks to mark antenna guy lines and their anchor stakes. 

Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: lordmonar on August 04, 2011, 04:56:51 PM
Got a bunch of those little tiny ones about 2" long.  The are great for marking where you tent line is or where the trail to the latrine is.

For ES...as in keeping them in your SURVIVAL GEAR.....it provides a verliable light source that will light in the rain, in the snow, underwater.  It does not rely on batteries nor will the parts ever get lost.

So long as you have not accidently crushed it....it should last years.

And if all goes well....it will never get used.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Eclipse on August 04, 2011, 04:58:29 PM
Cool idea, but a little pricey (starts at $29.99) their homepage "buy now" is 404, but you can find them on Amazon.

Takes 2032 batteries which are also going to be more expensive and harder to find than your typical AAA's or AA's, but for anything short
of Zombie Apocalypse, is manageable.

BTW - how come they never show anyone at a Bass Pro Shops in the Zombie movies?  That's where I would go!  Food, Ammo, boats, clothes, everything you need!
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: w7sar on August 04, 2011, 05:00:51 PM
Look in the closeout section.  Those are the ones I bought.  I get my 2032 batteries in bulk on eBay for pennies (have several other devices that use them).

jw
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Skydude61 on August 04, 2011, 05:40:15 PM
I don't see much use for them, besides ,as already said marking things (cars, trails, tents, people), and small lights... maybe for reading maps and compasses?

Good idea for night compass training, but i'm still sticking with the lensed flashlights
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: lordmonar on August 04, 2011, 05:50:35 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 04, 2011, 04:58:29 PMBTW - how come they never show anyone at a Bass Pro Shops in the Zombie movies?  That's where I would go!  Food, Ammo, boats, clothes, everything you need!
Because the movie would be 5 minutes long.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: NIN on August 04, 2011, 06:06:21 PM
Quote from: lordmonar on August 04, 2011, 04:56:51 PM
Got a bunch of those little tiny ones about 2" long.  The are great for marking where you tent line is or where the trail to the latrine is.

For ES...as in keeping them in your SURVIVAL GEAR.....it provides a verliable light source that will light in the rain, in the snow, underwater.  It does not rely on batteries nor will the parts ever get lost.

Those little ones are used for fishing bobbers (night fishing, if there is such a thing), and paired with a piece of gaffer tape, they are fantastic for lighting up your altimeter for night jumps.

Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: titanII on August 04, 2011, 06:24:04 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on August 04, 2011, 04:58:29 PMBTW - how come they never show anyone at a Bass Pro Shops in the Zombie movies?  That's where I would go!  Food, Ammo, boats, clothes, everything you need!
Or Walmart  :D
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Al Sayre on August 04, 2011, 06:54:37 PM
I like these - they come in red, blue and green: http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Safety-Security-Flashlights/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarr0/R-202050843/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&superSkuId=202896946

They also give you free lifetime battery replacements.

I carry a couple of red ones in my flight bag and they make great wands for directing aircraft traffic at night.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: lordmonar on August 04, 2011, 07:20:50 PM
Quote from: NIN on August 04, 2011, 06:06:21 PM
Quote from: lordmonar on August 04, 2011, 04:56:51 PM
Got a bunch of those little tiny ones about 2" long.  The are great for marking where you tent line is or where the trail to the latrine is.

For ES...as in keeping them in your SURVIVAL GEAR.....it provides a verliable light source that will light in the rain, in the snow, underwater.  It does not rely on batteries nor will the parts ever get lost.

Those little ones are used for fishing bobbers (night fishing, if there is such a thing), and paired with a piece of gaffer tape, they are fantastic for lighting up your altimeter for night jumps.
I have heard of people putting them on their sliders and on their break toggles as well.

Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Spaceman3750 on August 04, 2011, 11:12:17 PM
Quote from: w7sar on August 04, 2011, 04:45:30 PM
At NESA last week I saw a "LazerBrite" device that several CAP folks were pleased with. It is like a glowstick, but LED and battery powered.  They sold them in the PX at Camp Atterberry.  I didn't want to carry additional stuff home and found the website, www.lazerbrite.com when I got home.  My order came yesterday and I'm pretty impressed with the durability and design.  Apparently they're made for a lot of military applications.  I believe that I'll come out ahead in cost by using these vs. buying the chemsticks.

But, YMMV.

JW, W7SAR
Utah Wing

I've seen those - a buddy of mine owns one. He seems to like it, I would rather crack a chem stick and call it a day.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: titanII on August 05, 2011, 02:21:14 AM
Quote from: Al Sayre on August 04, 2011, 06:54:37 PM
I like these - they come in red, blue and green: http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Safety-Security-Flashlights/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarr0/R-202050843/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&superSkuId=202896946

They also give you free lifetime battery replacements.

I carry a couple of red ones in my flight bag and they make great wands for directing aircraft traffic at night.
I have one of these in red, I use it while camping. It's pretty practical, although I can't speak fkr it's durability and dependability. I'm not so sure how well it'd survive a drop down a rocky hillside or into a stream. Al might be able to give more details on that. But like Spaceman, I'd rather just crack a glow stick and not worry about batteries/dependability/durability.
Title: Re: the glowsticks
Post by: Huey Driver on August 05, 2011, 02:35:22 AM
Quote from: w7sar on August 04, 2011, 04:45:30 PM
At NESA last week I saw a "LazerBrite" device that several CAP folks were pleased with. It is like a glowstick, but LED and battery powered.  They sold them in the PX at Camp Atterberry.  I didn't want to carry additional stuff home and found the website, www.lazerbrite.com when I got home.  My order came yesterday and I'm pretty impressed with the durability and design.  Apparently they're made for a lot of military applications.  I believe that I'll come out ahead in cost by using these vs. buying the chemsticks.

But, YMMV.

JW, W7SAR
Utah Wing

I ordered one the other day with some new GT gear I needed and received my order today...very cool. I think it will save quite a few bucks over time. When the sortie is over, just turn it off.