Hello all,

I'm wondering if anyone has long term experience with Krill lights, the electronic lightstick.

So far I'm very satisfied with the extreme 360 green one I have; adequate light thrown off for my needs, convenient on/off, and doesn't have to be thrown away after using it once. (I'm not that pleased with the red extreme 180 I bought...they weren't kidding when they put it on the low end of brightness on their web site.)

So far the only negative I see with the light is that if put on paracord and swung around, the battery loses contact with the terminals and the light goes off.

Does anyone have any negative experience, ie, "There I was when the stupid thing...."?

Any recommendations as to storage, your experience with specific battery types, etc?

...but why are you trying to swing it around on the end of a cord??

Maybe to light up the perimeter?

Bountyhunter

Signaling or attracting attention? Light + movement = "Look over here"

For signaling : then you get kind of a "ring" of red light, whose diameter depend of the length of paracord you use.
Should be seen from farther on, than if you simply hold the stick.


I use/store mine with lithium AA batteries.


Alain

Guess it just goes to show ya, there ain't no stupid question.

Troy

It makes a larger "surface area"of light.It is a common way to signal helos at night in the military.

Now I'm kicking myself for not considering that, though I never really thought in terms of using a chemstick for signaling purposes. The ones I've seen have never looked all that bright, and I've always thought of them more as a quick source of low-level illumination for close up work. Having said that, I must admit to never having seen a Krill light in action. How do they compare brightness-wise to a regular chemstick? (In other words, are they worth the money?)

At the Brigade Quartermaster web site they say about the Krill light, "has the same amount of light as a chem light after it has been activated for two hours."
Makes me believe the Krill light gives off less glow than the chem light, but obviously lasts longer and can be re-used.

I concur, the Krill light has a softer glow compared to the cyalume stick when it's activated.

The only negative part of the Krill light right now is the cost factor.

What I like about the Krill light, coupled with AA lithium batteries, is that they still work after a long storage time.
Of all the chem lights I had, only a few were still usable after some time.
So, even if the Krill lights are a bit weaker, they are much better than a non fonctioning chem light !!


Alain

Cost factor for Krills? Hmmmm... I wouldn't be so sure. Krill is basically a light stick on demand, waterproof and longer lasting than chem lights. I don't want to bring out their statistics and tell you that you are saving $10000 over a period of 5 years but I will use my example. I go camping 3 days at the time. On average I would use markers for kayaks and soft light for tent, if hiking I would strap two lights to my person. I would need 2-3 chem lights a night which is about $5. So in one camping trip I blow about $15 on throw away lighting. I go about 10 times a year. My Krill lights will pay for themselves in no time. I have 5 of them (white, green, orange and two reds) and planning on buying more. They are perfect to finish up dying batteries and because you can shut them off they really last forever. But initial cost is expensive that's why I've got into Krills one year behind my friends. I didn't feel like spending $23 for one light when I could have bought about 12 chemical lights for same amount. But if you used them once in the field than you will be hooked. I considered these lights an investment.

Matt

I use them frequently as a marker lights on nighttime rescues. They now make a 2-AAA version of the light, making it a bit smaller than the regular 2-AA. I have been in contact with the manufacturer and they hope to come out with a 1-AA or 1-AAA soon. This should make for a more compact marker light. Pete

Are they worth the money?

From my experience, I'd say yes.

While a 'fresh' chem stick is brighter, you'll see that the brightness fades away. The Krill light is always the same intensity; after a few hours, it will still be as visible as when first activated.

The 180 model is the brightest; after all, the batteries are 'charging' the lightstick over only 180 degrees. This type is best used as a personal indicator. Slap the included velcro on the 'dark' side of the light, put its mate on your jacket or cap, and you're visible at night. If you're getting into the 'darker colors'...check the website for list of brightness...they're really only good, IMHO, for marking individuals who may have to be identified at distance by sight only. (the red one I have is a 180; it's darker than the 360 green. I use the red when tasked as the search leader or OIC of a crime scene. This way if officers are coming in to sign up for the detail, they don't have to crowd the airwaves or yell out...they just look for the red line bouncing in the dark. Use green for your officers, yellow for your sergeants, and red for whoever the HMFIC is.)

Is it bright enough for your needs? Well, if you're happy with a chemlight after a couple of hours, you'll be happy with the Krill. And even happier when you don't have to buy a new one every night. That said, it never hurts to have a chem light or two in your OSK (the Oh $h!t Kit...what you grab when you're headed out in a hurry and can only mutter, "Oh $h!t....)

The other down side to the Krill, other than the no swing problem I mentioned, is that if you lose it, you won't be all that happy with yourself.

And the swingy light...another idea is to pop a Photon 3 on a dog tag chain, set for fast or medium strobe, and start swinging...you'll get attention from a long way away. (If nothing else, people will be curious as to what the heck is going on...)

I don't know what Krill lights are, but I saw a battery operated "chemlite" at the local walmart recently. About $3 I think. What do you know about them?

I have not seen a "Krill" light in action, but for the price it has to be better than the regular chem lights. I have found the "mini" chem sticks to be great for marking trails, although not a cheep way to do so. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I own and have used a number of Krills over recent years and found them reliable. I think it is important to note that they are really 'glow' sticks and as such are restricted in their effective use to providing a safe, highly efficient low glow.
The only downside I have found is that their circuitry will affect radio reception if placed near a receiver. I don't know if they affect GPS receiver or electronic compass operation, or other electronics operations. I need to check with Krill on this...

]Jkisnotapoet[

We use cyalume straw to mark the trail. Cut the straw to the length that you want, then insert a small amout of cotton ball into the straw and seal both ends using fire.

Cut open the cyalume stick then use a syringe to suck out the cyalume fluid. Use the syringe to inject the cyalume fluid to the straw with the cotton ball.

HTH.

You can check out this thread on CPF regarding these light sticks. Pete
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthre...ll&vc=1