Archive for December, 2011

LED Flashlights and Your Eyes: Why More Lumens isn’t Always Better

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Blinded by the lightA bright LED flashlight can be one of your greatest assets in the wilderness. Used inconsiderately, however, it can also be a huge nuisance to those around you. Because flashlights and headlamps are such an integral part of the outdoor experience, every hiking, camping, hunting and fishing enthusiast can benefit from having a basic understanding of how our eyes interact with the light from an LED flashlight.

The following is a look at how the eye operates, as well as an overview of some of the different functions of LED flashlights and headlamps with eye science in mind. You may just learn a better way to use your LED flashlight on your next outdoor adventure. (more…)

What Could You Create With An LED Flashlight?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

LED flashlight lampThe young are known to be great innovators. A student at Union College in New York, for instance, has created an LED flashlight in an Altoids tin! Freshman Nicholas Brenn’s invention turns a single LED, a resistor, a coin cell battery, a push-button switch, some wire and an Altoids Minis tin into a fully functional flashlight. (The Altoids tin acts as the housing for the LED flashlight.)

Brenn’s company, NGB Enterprises, has sold hundreds of Altoids tin LED flashlight kits, mainly to educational toy distributor Edmunds Scientific. Moreover, Brenn was recently featured in an upcycling segment on CNN reporter Anderson Cooper’s daytime talk show.

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COAST Recommendations: Eight Gift Ideas for your Hanukkah Celebration

Monday, December 12th, 2011

As hard as it may be to believe, Hanukkah’s not too far off. The year is drawing to a close, lessons have been learned, and now it’s time to celebrate the impending new year. Here are eight practical and useful gifts your loved ones are sure to appreciate during this festival of lights:

HP7 LED Flashlight1. HP7 LED Flashlight.

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Coast’s Top 3 Stocking Stuffer Recommendations

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Stocking Stuffed With Flashlight, Multi Tool, and KnifeThe clock’s ticking down toward Christmas, and holiday shoppers everywhere will soon find themselves in crunch time as they scramble to complete their to-do lists. For those who are having trouble coming up with stocking stuffer ideas this year, our website is loaded with practical gift ideas, from flashlights to knives to multi-tools, that are the perfect size for slipping into a stocking.

Here are three great stocking stuffer ideas that will provide plenty of utility all year: (more…)

A Holiday Homecoming: Gifts for Your Returning Military Loved One

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

1-171st GSAB returns to U.S.Recently, President Obama announced that troops stationed in Iraq will be brought home in time for the holidays. Moreover, the 33,000 additional “surge” of troops sent to Afghanistan in 2009 will be coming home by September of 2012. Military families across the country rejoiced at this news. Just imagine: Rather than having quality time with Daddy or Mommy squeezed into the span of a short leave, these kids would have their parents home for good – or at least for a good, long while.

However, the transition from military deployment to civilian life can be extremely challenging, both for military personnel and for their family members. Spouses may feel mixed feelings – elation at the prospect of enjoying time with their loved ones, but sometimes also resentment at losing the freedom deployment can provide. As in any marriage, money problems, rumors of infidelity and unrealistic expectations add stress to military reunions. And children face their own challenges when it comes to welcoming home their veteran parents. For instance, kids might openly express anger that Mom or Dad had to leave in the first place.

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LED Headlamps for Winter Running Safety

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Fog at Dog ParkWinter is quickly approaching, and that means the days are getting shorter – not to mention the weather changes, including snow, rain and fog. Your normal running time might have fallen during daylight hours in the summer months, but now it’s likely to be dark and therefore more dangerous when you go for a run.

When running at night, you have decreased depth perception, less secure footing and often little motivation to run in the first place. Fortunately, many runners have found headlamps to be an effective method of combating these common winter running hazards. (more…)

LED Bulb Innovator, Cree, Unveils New Cutting Edge Prototype

Monday, December 5th, 2011

LED lights are already on the cutting edge of technology. But LED technology at its highest level of performance is innovative and forward-looking – as demonstrated by the latest LED light by Cree. Announced in August, this new LED light prototype exceeds the U.S. Department of Energy’s standards for both output and efficiency.

A traditional 75-watt incandescent bulb produces 1,100 lumens at only 14.6 lumens per watt (LPW). Using Cree TrueWhite Technology, the new LED light delivers more than 1,300 lumens while consuming a mere 8.7 watts – that’s 152 lumens per watt. Third-party testing has confirmed that this bulb is both brighter and more energy efficient than other LED lights – not to mention traditional bulbs. Plus, the new LED technology produces a high-quality, warm white light.

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Why You Want to Win a Coast HP21 LED Flashlight

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

HP21 LED FlashlightWhen it comes to LED flashlights, the Coast HP21 is top of the line. This high-performance LED flashlight offers ultimate brightness and functionality; its unparalleled performance is the result of our more than 90 years of experience with lighting technology and is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.

Don’t get us wrong; we’re not trying to sell you this LED flashlight. We’re offering to give it to you for free.

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