Product Spotlight: Reviews of the HP7 LED Flashlight

March 9th, 2012

HP7 LED Flashlight TitaniumAs our new LED flashlight line  makes its way around the globe, reviews are popping up all over the internet. Most recently, there have been a number of reviews of the Coast HP7 LED flashlight.

Available at Lowes.com, among other retailers, the HP7 is considered the mainstay of the Coast LED flashlight product line. As a high-end flashlight – selling for around $50 – the HP7 offers a remarkably high value for its price; online reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. The following is a look at what some reviewers are saying about the HP7 LED flashlight. Read the rest of this entry »

All about Wildland Fire Fighting

March 8th, 2012

Using fire to fight fireOne of the things we at COAST are most proud of is that firefighters (among other public service personnel) often choose our tactical LED flashlight models for use in the field. Because firefighting is such a demanding job, an LED flashlight for tactical use must meet much higher standards in terms of power, utility and durability than a flashlight intended for general use.

Of the different types of firefighters out there, wildland firefighters have one of the most rugged and potentially dangerous jobs in existence. Wildland firefighters battle uncontrolled wildfires, often located in the middle of nowhere; their job requires different equipment, training and techniques than firefighting in more populated areas. For example, an urban firefighter will use a powerful tactical LED flashlight for searching burning buildings, whereas a wildland firefighter will more commonly need illumination for navigating outdoor areas at night. Read the rest of this entry »

COAST Product Reviews: Gear Guide Calls c5899 ‘One Sweet Multi-Tool’

March 7th, 2012

LED Pro Pocket Pliers Multi ToolThe multi-tool market today is filled with flimsy models boasting frivolous bells and whistles. With the c5899 LED Pro Pocket Pliers, we wanted to get back to the basics by producing a rugged, hefty tool that offers maximum utility without all that fluff.

If a recent Gear Guide review of this multi-tool is any indication, it sounds like we hit our target. This concise and well-written review does a great job highlighting the main features of the c5899, describing it as “one sweet multi-tool.” Here’s a breakdown of what makes this tool special:

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How COAST is Continually Innovating Its LED Flashlight Technology

March 6th, 2012

RBG LEDAs the LED flashlight market continues to grow, the disparity between high-quality and low-end models is widening. When it comes to finding a cutting-edge LED flashlight, savvy consumers these days look for LED innovation, including new features developed through quality research and design.

We’re an industry leader in LED innovation, combining superior optics with other innovative technology to help improve the performance of every LED flashlight we produce. Here’s a look at some of the new design features you’ll see on COAST flashlights:

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Save Your Vision Week Highlights Need for Eye Care around the World

March 5th, 2012

According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, 37 million people are blind worldwide, and 90 percent live in poor nations where eye care is inaccessible. One of the major crisis regions for this problem is Africa. There, millions remain blind without the assistance of modern medicine or eye care. To highlight this problem, the first week in March has been dubbed “Save Your Vision Week.”

Here at COAST, we spend a lot of time researching, studying and developing optics systems for our LED flashlights, so we have a deep appreciation for how the human eye works. That’s why we jumped at the chance to partner with Mercy Ships – an international charity founded in 1978 – to help bring mobile eye care centers to Sierra Leone in Africa.

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Packing for a High Mountain Lake Fishing Trip

March 1st, 2012

Crooked River Burning MountainNearly 350,000 fish. About 500 lakes. And just $33 for an annual resident angling license. The numbers don’t lie: This is going to be a great year for those who enjoy high mountain fishing. The state of Oregon stocked about 500 lakes in the Cascade Range with 345,000 fish last July, and many of those meals-on-fins are now large enough to keep. Of course, many anglers practice catch and release – it seems the chase (and the breathtaking scenery) is enough for them.

Still, there’s nothing quite like hiking into a remote area, fishing for a while, and then frying your catch over an open fire, having cleaned it with your ever-present folding knife. No wonder 25 percent of Oregon anglers prefer to fish in the state’s high-altitude lakes – there are fewer people around and no noisy jet skis or boats, making for a very relaxing, rewarding experience.

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

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

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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