All posts by Tony Cataldo

Streamlight Siege AA

Equipment, Illumination, Review

The Streamlight Siege AA is not flashy and does not appear particularly interesting when displayed on a retail shelf. However, this product should grab your attention. This is a solid product that works very well and is well constructed. The Siege AA sells for about $25-$40 and runs on three AA batteries.

Key features include:

  • Rugged and can withstand 2 meter drops to concrete
  • IPX7 Waterproof, floats, and can be submersed 1 meter for 30 minutes
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Uses readily available AA batteries
  • Red light to preserve night vision and 3-blink distress signal
  • Optional magnetic base is especially nice for vehicle kit lanterns

Lighting Modes

It has three white light modes and two red light modes:

  • Low white light: 50 lumens runs for 37 hours
  • Medium white light: 100 lumens runs for 15.5 hours
  • High white light: 200 lumens runs for 7 hours
  • High red light: 0.7 lumens runs for 192 hours (8 days)
  • Red flashing SOS mode for emergency signaling: 0.7 lumens runs 288 hours (12 days)

Press the power button to activate the light, and press again to move through the lighting modes. Press and hold the button to toggle between white light and red light modes. The lantern can be hung right-side up or upside down. The handle allows the lantern to be hung on the edge of tables, cords, or branches. You can remove the diffuser cover and hang the Siege upside down to provide more even lighting (works well inside tents).

Power

The Siege AA can operate using disposable or rechargeable batteries. If you need to operate off-gird then consider using the Goal Zero Guide 10 to charge NiMh AA batteries for the Siege. The power fail voltage is about 1.12v.

Recommendations

The selling points for me with this lantern are the durability and the red light. The Siege is very durable and can easily withstand 2-meter drops. It is IPX7 waterproof, floats, and can be submerged for 30 minutes. The red light can be used for emergency signaling. If you have car trouble you can put the Siege in red blinking mode to alert others. The flat areas on the main body help eliminate rolling and the square rubber feet on the base help it to not slip. An optional magnetic base is also available.

I recommend having at least one Siege AA in your house in case the power fails. For home use you might consider the larger Siege that uses D-cell batteries and has a very long runtime. I have one Siege AA in my car and one in the house. The one in my car has the optional magnetic base to secure it if I need to use it as a distress beacon. Since it is waterproof it would be an effective signal lantern even in adverse weather conditions.

Conclusion

The Siege AA is not flashy or gimmicky. It is just a good basic, extremely durable, effective, and affordable lantern. This product does one job and does it very well. If you want a larger lantern with more light output then consider the Streamlight Siege which is the big brother to the Siege AA. Streamlight also makes a Magnetic Base for the Siege AA.

Big Storm Coming

Miscellaneous

This article applies to a “normal” large storm. That is, a nasty storm but not a potentially devastating storm such as a hurricane. You hear that a major storm is on the way. It will bring heavy winds and rain and may last a few days. You expect trees and branches to fall, roads my be blocked, and power lines could be affected. You will probably get power outages. How do you prepare?

You could lose power which means losing the ability to heat your house and cook. If you have gas then you may have heat or limited heat and you may not be able to cook. If you in an all electric house (like me) then you will have NO heat and NO stove. Here is a list of simple things that you can do to prepare for a storm.

  • Charge Devices: Charge your portable devices such as mobile phones, tablet, spare rechargeable batteries, etc. If you have power NOW then charge these devices NOW.
  • Clean: You have power NOW and you may need things like clean clothes and dishes when there is no power. If you have a pile of laundry and a sink of dirty dishes then clean them NOW. If you lose power you may not have hot water and you may need these. Cleaning takes very little time so do it NOW!
  • Vehicle: Fill your vehicle with fuel. Large scale power outages can affect gas stations. While doing other chores be sure to fill your tank as a precaution.
  • Warmth: Be sure that you can stay warm if your home heating system is off. Do you have warm clothes, blankets, and/or sleeping bags? If the temperature in your house were the same as the outside temperature could you stay warm? Be prepared to stay warm.
  • Illumination: Do you have ways to generate light for several days? You can use battery powered lanterns and candles. Do you have enough spare batteries and ways to light candles? Before a major storm these items fly off store shelves. Make sure that these items are easily accessible. I worked in a retail store when we were threatened with a storm. We sold ALL of our lanterns and we had a very large lantern section. Do not wait until threatened with a storm to purchase illumination devices.
  • Flashlight: Have a few good, bright, water-tight flashlights. You may have to examine your yard or home exterior at night. Test the flashlights and have plenty of spare batteries.
  • Food: Be sure to have some emergency food ready. This can include ready-to-eat food (jerky, nuts, bars, fruit, etc.), canned food, camp food, etc. If the food requires cooking do you have a working stove and ample fuel? Test your stove before the storm strikes.
  • Water: Have some emergency water ready. You should have at least one gallon of water per person per day. FEMA recommends having a three day supply of water per person.
  • Secure: Secure any outside items that could blow in the wind or cause damage.
  • Batteries: Before a storm was due I went to different stores as research. At our local outdoors store and the dollar store all D-cell batteries were gone. At a local supermarket they only had a few packages of D batteries left. The small 9v batteries, AA, and AAA batteries were in stock in all three places. If you have larger lanterns or other devices that use D-cells then be sure to have a supply of fully charged batteries.

Be prepared before the storm hits. Remember that coming storms can cause stores to sell-out of emergency items quickly. The first things to go are generators, battery powered lanterns, candles, and flashlights. You should have the basics in your emergency kit but, if not, them act quickly to get the supplies that you need. These items tend to disappear from store shelves very quickly in advance of a storm.

During the Storm

The storm hits and you are in the middle of it. What do you do? Here are some suggestions:

  • Unplug devices that are sensitive such as computers, audio/visual equipment, etc. You could get voltage spikes in the power lines so unplug them to protect them. Large voltage spikes can pass through some of the less capable surge protectors so do NOT trust surge protectors in these situations.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible. There may be bad road conditions, falling branches, and other dangers. In one windstorm I was driving down our major freeway and there were no trees close to the road. Without warning I heard what sounded like a large rock being dropped on my roof. It was a branch from a far away tree that hit my back windshield. The windshield was gone – not cracked or damaged but simply gone. The branch must have come from a tree hundreds of feet away.
  • Do not use your mobile phone unless you have to. Preserve the battery power in your phone and keep the airways clear. There may be emergencies going on so save the airwaves for those emergency calls. If you have an emergency then, by all means, use your phone.
  • If you have venture outside then choose roads that are less prone to falling debris.
  • Heed the words of emergency and law enforcement personnel. If they tell you that a road is closed or dangerous then heed their warning. Nature does not discriminate and will kill or injure people equally and without prejudice.
  • If the power is out avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. The cold air trapped inside can preserve your food and opening the door allows some of that cold air to escape.

Choose the side of safety and error on the side of caution. Above all, stay safe.

Review: Streamlight ProTac HL

Equipment, Illumination, Review

The Streamlight ProTac HL is a really nice, durable, and high-power flashlight. It is on the larger side and sells for $70-$100. The machined aluminum body of the light fits in the palm of my hand and the larger head extends past my palm. This is an extremely rugged tactical light that generates a 750 beam with 18,300 candelas. This light output is sufficient to temporarily blind an attacker using either the high-beam or strobe modes. The front and read caps have a semi-aggressive pattern that would be effective if it was used as a striking weapon. The grip areas of the light was knurled to make it easy to grip.

  • Construction: The light is machined from aircraft grade aluminum and it has a fairly aggressive striking pattern on both the head and tail. The threads are tight and very smooth and an O-ring provides additional water sealing.
  • Size: 5.43″ (13.8cm) long, 1″ (2.54cm) barrel diameter, 1.44″ (3.7cm) head diameter. The ProTac HL is a bit large to carry in a pocket but easy to carry on a belt. The body diameter is large enough to provide a good grip and the head protrudes enough to provide a good striking surface.
  • Waterproof: IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
  • Durability: Withstands 1-meter drop.
  • Features: High, strobe, low modes, and Ten-Tap programming.
  • Light Output: (high) 750 lumens at 18,300 candelas for 1.25 hours, (low) 35 lumens at 900 candelas for 18 hours.
  • Beam Pattern: 50″ x 7″ at 3′ (Beam Scale)
  • Power Fail: No low battery indicator and the flashlight will fail when the CR-123 battery gets to 2.5v.

At my job we are routinely warned to walk to our cars in pairs late at night. When I walk to my car I always have this light in my hand. The diameter of the light is just the right size for my grip, it is lightweight, but substantial enough to be effective should the need arise.

Additional Reviews & Information

Review: Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA

Equipment, Illumination, Review

The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA is one of my favorite flashlights because it does so many things well. This small light fits well in the palm of my hand and is just long enough to protract slightly when gripped. It sells for between about $40-$60 and generates a 350 lumen beam with 6,500 candelas. The dual fuel option was a huge factor in my decision to purchase this light. The front and read caps have a semi-aggressive pattern that would be effective if it was used as a striking weapon. The grip areas of the light was knurled to make it easy to grip.

  • Construction: The 1L-1AA is machined from aircraft grade aluminum and has a fairly aggressive striking pattern on both the head and tail. The threads are tight and very smooth and an O-ring provides additional water sealing.
  • Size: At 4.5″ long and 0.95″ diameter (head, 0.85″ barrel) it is small enough to fit in my pants pocket but large enough to fit with width of my palm. The diameter is just large enough for my fingers to wrap around the body of the light.
  • Batteries: A HUGE advantage of the 1L-1AA is it can use either a CR123 battery to produce 350 lumens or a AA to produce 150 lumens. I use the CR123 but it is nice to know that I could use a AA as a backup. The lower battery contact is spring loaded to accommodate the larger AA battery directly. This feature distinguishes this light from all others that I have seen.
  • Battery Life: CR-123 (high) 350 lumens for 1.5 hours, (low) 40 lumens for 14 hours
    AA Alkaline (high) 150 lumens for 1 hour 20 minutes, (low) 40 lumens for 7.5 hours
    AA Lithium (high) 350 lumens for 4.25 hours, (low) 40 lumens for 14 hours
  • Waterproof: IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
  • Durability: Withstands 1-meter drop.
  • Price: $40-$60 which is a very fair price for a flashlight of this quality.
  • Features: High/strobe/low modes and Ten-Tap Programming to switch to High/Low or Low/High mode.
  • Beam Pattern: 40″ x 7″ at 3′ (Beam Scale)
  • Power Fail: No low battery indicator and the flashlight will fail when the AA battery gets to 1.18v, or the CR-123 battery gets to 2.83v.

If you want an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight then this is normally the one that I recommend. It is a good size for most people, generates a bright beam, and uses duel fuel. If you have larger hands then consider the Streamlight 2L or one of the longer flashlights.

Advantages

This is my personal everyday carry (EDC) light. I took months deciding which flashlight to purchase and this was my choice. I keep trying to find a better light and I keep coming back to this one. Some of the reasons I really like this flashlight:

  • 350 lumens on high and 40 lumens on low
  • Aluminum construction with tactical bezels on the front and back
  • Small size allows me to easily conceal it in my pants pocket
  • Large enough to fit all the way across my palm
  • Double sided clip
  • Dual battery so I can use an AA if necessary

Disadvantages

This is still my favorite flashlight but there are a few minor flaws in this product.

  • No low battery indicator: This light will work fine until the batteries get low and then it will stop working with very little warning. If you needed to light in a tactical situation and the batteries were low you may have a completely non-working light.
  • Others have reported that the clip will easily lose its shape and not grip the body of the light over time. I have not experienced these issues and have been carrying the flashlight daily for well over a year.
  • The light does not tail-stand easily. While this is a disadvantage if you want to tail-stand the light it means that the button is easier to press use to less material on the back of the light.

These are minor disadvantages and should NOT dissuade you from purchasing this light. This is still my favorite everyday carry flashlight.

Additional Reviews & Information

Lumens & Candelas

Miscellaneous

When dealing with flashlights and lanterns you will see ratings for lumens and candelas. These are measurements of the light output of the device.

  • Lumens measure total light output. This can seem a bit deceiving at first. For example, two flashlights may have the same lumen output but one will throw a beam four times farther than the other. In this case both lights output the same amount of light but one has a wider beam pattern that extends for a much shorter distance. When considering the lumen output you must also consider the spread of the beam. Do you need a light that covers a wider area or do you need the light to extend for a greater distance in a more narrow beam pattern? Do NOT judge a light by lumen output only but also consider the beam pattern and candela rating.
  • Candelas measure the light intensity at the “hotspot” or brightest area of the light. Some lights have a very bright hotspot and others will have a more even light pattern. If you want to illuminate a general area you may want lower candela power. Higher candela power means the center of the beam is more intense and the light will illuminate a greater distance.

The beam pattern defines the shape of the light beam from wide (flood pattern) to narrow (spot pattern). Some flashlights have an adjustable beam. With these lights you normally twist a ring on the front lens to adjust the beam from wider to narrower. Some lights illuminate a wide area and others generate a more focused beam.

The light distribution is how the flashlight distributes the beam. Is the light smooth and even or does it have a more intense hotspot or much brighter area within the beam pattern? Again, it is important to access your needs and choose the appropriate flashlight.

Examples

  • High Lumens, Low Candelas: This type of light produces a more even beam with less of a hotspot. Choose this type of light if you need to evenly illuminate an area and NOT project the beam for a greater distance.
  • High Lumens, High Candelas: This type of light normally has a more intense center hotspot for illuminating a greater distance. The light outside of the center will not be nearly as intense as the center hotspot of the beam.
  • Low Lumens, High Candelas: This type of light will normally generate a more focused but long distance beam. A laser would be the ultimate example with very low lumen output but high candela beam intensity. Spotlights are generally 100,000 candelas and higher.

Recommendations

In this case I have no recommendations because you must select the light that generates the type of light that you need for your situation. There is no “best” light just as there is no “best” vehicle. Different lights are designed for different needs and your job is to find the best device that satisfies your particular needs.

Click here for my current list of flashlight reviews.

Year-Old Apples

Food

A Thrive Life representative stated that the average age of an apple in a typical grocery is about 12 months. This sounded a bit hard to believe so I thought I would do a little research. I did a quick Internet search and found no shortage of articles.

Foodrenegade.com: Your Apples are a Year Old/

The author of this article found that the average age of a grocery store apple is 14 months. The article also documents how “apples are a rich source of polyphenols.” Polyphenols are “antioxidants that can help fight cancer and improve post-workout recovery by reducing muscle fatigue.” The author sites this study that concludes that “antioxidant activity in apples gradually drops off after three months of storage” and that antioxidants will be nearly gone after a year.

That apple you just bought might be a year old – but does it matter?

This article also claims that the antioxidant properties of apples are nearly gone after being in cold storage for long periods of time. I found a number of other articles that reiterate this same theme. The points that I got from my brief research into apples was that:

  • Retail apples are picked too early to increase their shelf life
  • Most apples from grocery stores are not fresh
  • The older apples have far less nutritional value
  • Most apples have been treated with various chemicals to preserve them

The Thrive apples are picked at their peak and flash frozen within 2-6 hours of harvesting. Freeze-drying locks in flavor and nutrients. With Thrive there is about 0-2% nutrition loss. Do your own research. Use google.com and search for “age of apples in grocery store” and read the articles for yourself.