Archive for February, 2012

Show Your Multi-Tool Some Love: Maintenance Tips for Your Multi-Purpose Friend

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Relationships take work. You’ve heard all the metaphors – love is a two-way street; it takes two to tango; love begets love. The point is that you can’t just expect that special someone to cherish and nurture you without showing them some love, as well.

That rule is as true for your favorite stainless steel multi-tool as it is for your fiancé. Without regular attention, a multi-tool will begin to malfunction, just as a human in a rocky relationship might start “acting out.” Fortunately, both tools and human relationships can be improved with a little time and tender care.

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Let’s Get the Gear: COAST LED Headlamp Featured on Recent ‘Portlandia’ Episode

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Get the Gear! Here at COAST, we’ve found that our LED headlamps and flashlights have a tendency to turn up in the oddest places. Our favorite so far is the recent episode of Portlandia, in which the uber-prepared super-couple, Kath and Dave, decide to go hiking. But even a quick jaunt through Forest Park is no simple matter, they realize, once you factor in all of the safety gear required for a walk in the woods.

Anyone who has ever taken a stroll through innocuous Forest Park has to laugh as Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein continue to pile on the outdoor gear, even going out shopping for LED headlamps and flashlights – because “you never know, with the lumens, how many lumens you’re going to need” – and baking their own energy bars. By the time these two outdoorsmen head for the trail (on matching segues), they have only 15 minutes of daylight left.

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Comparing LED Flashlights: What to Look for as You Shop

Monday, February 27th, 2012

LED Flashlight FeaturesWouldn’t it be wonderful if we could put on a pair of special glasses and see the world through the eyes of an expert? For instance, a trip to the art museum would look very different if we could slip into the viewpoint of Jackson Pollack or Vincent Van Gogh. In many ways, the Internet is the modern equivalent of those magical glasses. Shopping is an entirely different experience today than it was a decade ago, because today we can automatically pull up advice from product experts.

Below is a list important flashlight characteristics that flashaholics tend to list in their LED flashlight reviews, to help make it easier for you to choose between LED flashlights. (more…)

Night Skiing Safety Precautions

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Mt Hood Skibowl WarmhutImagine gliding among the stars with a sharp, invigorating wind on your face, and you’ll come near the wonder of night skiing. Many people prefer night skiing because the slopes are generally less crowded after sundown. Furthermore, a night skiing lift ticket is usually less expensive than a day pass. However, the colder temperatures and icier conditions of night skiing require special safety precautions, such as bringing a high-quality LED headlamp, as outlined below.

 How to Prepare for Night Skiing: Your Safety Checklist

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The Best LED Flashlights for Gloved Hands

Monday, February 20th, 2012

G30 LED FlashlightDuring the cold winter months, we tend to keep our hands covered with gloves when we’re outside. Of course, this keeps our hands warm, but it can also make it difficult to handle certain objects. For instance, using a cell phone, flashlight or even just holding a cup of coffee with gloves on can prove challenging. However, in the case of LED flashlights, some of these glove-induced difficulties can be avoided if you choose the right type flashlight – or opt for an LED headlamp instead.

With that in mind, the following is a look at some of the more glove-friendly LED flashlights and headlamps for winter weather:

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Why Every Winter Storm Emergency Kit Needs a Flashlight

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Power OutageYou can never have enough LED flashlights, even if you’re not an avid spelunker, hiker or camper. A trusty LED flashlight comes in handy in many different situations, even if you’re just looking for lost items around the house. This is especially true when it comes to emergency situations; for example, during a winter storm or flood.

Now that winter is in full swing, the following are a few reasons you should not underrate the importance of keeping a few LED flashlights in your storm emergency kit. Even if you already have a flashlight in the garage or kitchen drawer, it’s a good idea to keep a couple of LED light sources with your emergency supplies so you’ll always have one close at hand. It is better to be well prepared ahead of time than have to scramble in the dark for a light source when you really need it!

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Factors that Affect an LED Flashlight’s Run Time

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Reactor by Kristoffer M.C.When you’re on an extended trip in the backcountry or facing an emergency, rationing becomes an essential survival practice. This means rationing food, water and even the battery life on your LED flashlight. Without the ability to carefully control and monitor how much precious light you’re using, you could end up in the dark before help – or the next town on your journey – arrives.

Battery life, also known as run time, can vary widely between LED flashlight models. Thanks to the relatively new ANSI FL1 flashlight standards, many manufacturers now use standardized testing methods to accurately determine the run times of their LED flashlights. However, there are other factors – some external – that can influence an LED flashlight’s battery life. It’s important to consider these conditions when you’re in a situation that requires careful rationing of your resources.

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How to Say Happy Valentine’s Day to Your Outdoor Enthusiast

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Multi-Tool LoveJust because Valentine’s Day occurs during the heart of the winter season doesn’t mean you can’t start looking forward to hiking and camping again when those warmer spring and summer days return. Indeed, in some parts of the world, Valentine’s Day is considered the first sign of spring.

This year, consider some helpful gadgets for your outdoor-loving significant other – such as an LED flashlight, folding knives or multi-tools. An LED flashlight may not sound like a romantic gift, but keep in mind that the gesture is a way of honoring your loved one’s hobby and letting him or her know you understand how important it is.

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