Sketching Light for Astronomy: Black Diamond Spot, Rigel Starlite or Photon Freedom II

As a sketcher, I am always in search of a better lighting source that will preserve my dark vision while allowing me to sketch. So of late I have gathered three items to help do so. I am going to present them here and discuss their pro's and con's.

First come an image of all three together. They are on the bottom: 1. The Rigel adjusting red light; also called the Starlite here.  2. To the top the BlackDiamond Spot Headlamp.  3. The Photo Freedom Light which is on the right.

1. We'll start with the Rigel Starlite as seen below (with a Lego Darth Vader Key Chain).

This light is about four inches long by about 1 1/2 inches wide. It has a wheel that turns on and off the two LEDS inside the clear plastic on the front. I question in the build if the wheel will endure but some people on some of the forums like CloudyNights swear by them. One guy reinforces his with duck tape.  I would use the red lanyard to make sure it isn't dropped or better yet, I'll probably make a wrist loop so it stays on my wrist for sketching. The light varies in intensity and here is an image in a darken hall during the day of the dimmest setting of this light. The hallway was darken, no flash went off but it sure seems bright there! Here is the Rigel Starlite a couple of inches from the door to the garage. It's dimmest setting is workable for sketching but not something to float around. I would keep my observing eye closed on this one.

Here is the Rigel Starlite in the dark with a clipboard and an actual sketch.  The first is at the brightest setting. This is way too bright for sketching and for keep dark adaptation.

Here is the Rigel Starlite at its dimmest setting. The light is spread out more evenly on the sketch and allows one to see the two galaxies that are close to each other here, along with the bright core. It didn't really allow for me to see the mottling on the galaxy with the bright core. Not bad, but you need something to hold it in position over your sketch.

2. Here is a headlamp made by BlackDiamond and it is called Spot. It puts out 130 lumen on the white light, and if your the last one cleaning up at the end of an observing session, it is bright, very, very bright.The build quality is good to very good, it is built more sturdy in my opinion than the green Energizer headlamps I have and it swivels into 3 positions; straight on, 45 degrees and near 90 degrees, more like 75 degree probably. Adjustable headband. The only thing I do NOT like about this is when you go to change the batterys' it is REALLY flimsly on the piece of plastic that connects the two parts. It would be easy to break. So I would watch the battery meter and change it at home before going into the field or you'll need white light to change the batteries.  Better to change these ones out at home.
Both the red and white light have a variable in how bright they are. Depending on the mode, you simply push down the button and the light dims down to its lowest levels.You can view a lot of the details to this product at this Black Diamond video at YouTube: LINK. Again, it doesn't show the red light dimming which it does. This is a workable headlamp for me.

Here is the dimmest setting for the red light. The light from the Spot at its lowest setting was low enough that the DSLR I was using would not register the light, so I had to move to the wall next to the door. It was very dim, so dim that at night I cannot leave it on my head at the lowest setting an illuminate the clipboards I use for sketching.

Here is the Black Diamond Spot in the dark on its highest setting. Again, this is too bright to maintain dark adaptation and to not bother others around you. It does show the 3 galaxies and the stars I had put in place though .

Here is the Black Diamond Spot at its lowest red setting. Still a little brighter than the Rigel, but it does light up the paper but the two rings from the two LED's do show up on the paper in the dark, even visually. This one would work if one had to use it.

3. Photon Freedom

The Photon Freedom is about the size of a fifty cent piece though in the shape in the middle of the picture above.It comes with a clip, a tie on clip, and I ordered a finger clip. You can see those above on the packaging. I also ordered mine in red as they do come in many colors. This one like the Rigel, is red only.
I also have a regular lanyard that it will clip on to if I want to use it that way.

The Photon has the following items to it. A pulse, that flashes red. A safety mode, actually 5 of them, 4.5 lumens,  about 18 to 20 hours of battery life; waterproof, and variable brightness. I love the size, the ease to use it, and the ease of use. It's build is okay, I'll see how it holds up over time. My only worry on he build is how enduring is the switch in it.  At the price though, I can't beat it, and I love the size, the light it puts out and the ease of changing the battery. It is the lightest of the three and as such, after a few moments, no matter where I am wearing it, I cannot tell it is on my finger, around my neck, or clipped to my sketching clipboard.  Here is a link to the WebSite and there are two videos you can watch in the lower right. In terms of brightness here it is at the end of the hall during the day.

Dim, and what I like is a nice even oval of light.  Here is another in the dark of the Photon at its highest setting. Again, it is way to bright but it does show the galaxy and the stars though with enough bright red light to make your night vision running away for around 30 to 60 minutes.

Here is the Photon at its dimmest setting. I love how it is an even light, spread out on the black paper and it feels comfortable to my eyes. Out of all three, I like this one the best as long as it holds up and I surely hope it will.

So the winner for me is the Photo Freedom II followed by the Rigel, then the Black Diamond Spot. Don't take me wrong, the Black Diamond Spot will be the headlamp I use for observing when I need one. The Rigel will work on some big projects but I simply love that I can clip the Photo Freedom II to my clipboard, use the magnets to attach it, or put it on my finger and give the perfect illumination to my sketching. Lastly I can hang it from my lanyard and it illuminates the paper quite well. Here it is on my finger. I'll do a follow up post to this in a few months when I get some good time observing to ensure these play out well with intensive use. I like all three, but so far prefer them in the order I have listed. We'll see if that holds up with time.

Sketching Light Set Up Cell Phone Holder

Well, once in a while I get a good idea . . . and that happen just a week or so ago when I was looking for something to hold my phone while in bed (I read books on it and get tired of holding it. Yep, lazy). I came across some cell phone holders and the light bulb went off!

Above you can see my sketch pad on my messy table, and on it is a cell phone holder.  The arm is stiff but flexible and holds whatever light I want to put in it or clamped to it there.  Here I have an adjustable Photon Red Light at full brightness to show the level of light at maximum you can have here.  I have the cell phone clamped on to the sketching pad as it comes with a clamp to do that, and I am using two children blocks (green) to clamp down on the sketching pad. The blocks allow me to have a firmer clamp on the sketching board.  I like the Photon the best since I can use a eye patch on my left eye to keep it dark adapted, and then use the right eye to sketch. In addition I usually have it at its lower to lowest setting.  You can see the diamond shape photon lamp clamped on the bottom of the cell phone holder above. I like that it clamps also unto the cell phone holder.

Here are some more pictures.

This image shows the clamp and the block I am using to secure it to the sketching pad. I also have one on the bottom clamp under the sketching pad. These just provide a stronger grip. I actually use yellow ones now just in case they fall. Yellow is easy to see where I observe.

A Rigel StarLite Light at full brightness, not adjusted down.  This light held find in the clamps. 

A modified and much darker Black and Decker red flashlight that you cannot see the light (yes it is on in the first shot). A good choice to use at a dark site as it will not light up the entire area! 

A red light flashlight I got off Amazon and darkened myself. Again you cannot see the red glow and the flashlight is turned on.  Another viable option that holds well in the clamps. 

Above is the back view of a Agena LED Dual Beam Astronomy Flashlight which held in the holder wonderfully after an adjustment or two to secure it. 

My favorite flashlights were the Photon 3 Freedom mini light and my old adjusted Black and Decker light.  I like that with the stiff but flexible arm, I can adjust the light exactly where I want it when sitting on my observing chair.  I guess I am rather happy with this and I have to state I found another arm that instead of two clips, only has one, and I like that one even better! Hope this helps some of you with how to illuminate your sketching pad at the eyepiece. Remember, not too bright, just enough to see to sketch. 

Light Options for Observing

 I've posted on this way back in 2014 LINK. However, I thought I would update my recommendations on red lights to use while observing. 

1. Photon Freedom Micro

My first choice is the Photon Freedom Micro LED keychain flashlight, Black w/ Covert LINK. I own 8 of these, 4 in red light, 2 in green and 2 in orange. They have never failed me in the field and I find the adjustable light perfect for helping me keep my night vision in tack. The one's I have own I have had for 10 years and yes, I have had to replace the batteries but that is all. Replacing the battery is tricky the first time but my backs have never fallen off after replacing them. I LOVE this item! 

2. Rigel Starlite Mini Compact Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own two of these and I like them a lot. I have modified them with a piece of red plastic put over the light to dim it just a little bit. The light is adjustable. The only compliant is the 9 volt battery is replaced by removing the front of the light and sometimes it doesn't want to fit on nicely.  I haven't had mine fall off as some have in the field, but I am careful when I change out the battery. 

3. Rigel Starlite Water-Resistant Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own one of these and I prefer this one over the Min Compact ones I have. Adjustable and the dimmest light allows you to see your charts without impacting your night vision. The brightest setting is two bright but good for take down after observing. However, I usually use a white light when I break down. 

4. BlackDiamond Spot 400 headlamp 

I still own 3 BlackDiamond Spot Headlamps that are 10 years old and still work outstanding! This is what they look like: 

I recently purchased an updated Spot 400 and like it ab out the same. 

The Spot 400 gives you the option for white light or red light. White LED outputs up to 400 lumens on max setting, 200 lumens on medium and 6 lumens on low. Red LED night vision has dimming and strobe modes, and is quickly activated without cycling through the white mode. All I have to do is hit the button and it changes over to red and stays on red until I hit the button and move it to white. It is a go to and you'll usually find it on my head or nearby.  

I haven't purchased update red lights for over 10 years now as mine are still going strong. I invested and my investment keeps on going (except for the Spot 400).  Having a good and dim red light is critical for sketching and for observing.  

Astronomy Christmas 2016 and New Moon Bust November 2016

     Well, the best observing day was Thanksgiving Night for me, but of course, I did not go out. Sorry, family is first for me. I had my Mom who will be 78 in December, my wife and two adult kids home for Thanksgiving so that is the most important of course, to spend time with them.

I may get out this coming week IF the weather turns, but for now the forecast is not good. We are getting an inch of snow on Sunday and another inch of snow on Monday. New Moon is Tuesday and as you can see from the National Weather Service Forecast for my home and observing area:

I might get out on Sunday, December 4th, or maybe Wednesday November 30th through Friday December 2nd but I am not counting on it. It may be this month I miss new moon and will have to do some observing from my back porch or take my 4" refractor for a short drive during the early waxing crescent moon phase.  Oh well, can't control the weather. I hope December opens up for me.

I know many will be wondering what to get for the Holiday's so I am going to offer some suggestions from across the board and with a wide range of prices. I will state up front I am not going to get anything astronomy related this Christmas. There is nothing I need.

1. Red Light. LRI FMR Photon Freedom LED Keychain Micro-Light, Red Beam Cost $11.35 at Amazon LINK.  This is what I use to sketch with and I like it because I can darken it with its adjustable brightness, put on some red brake repair tape on it to darken it more and it is small and easy to use. I keep one on a lanyard around my neck for use at the scope and another on a cell phone holder over my sketching pad.  Combine with with an eye patch and it works great!

2. Lenovo - IdeaPad 100s 11.6" Laptop / Intel Atom Z3735F/ 2GB Memory / 32GB eMMC Flash Memory / Webcam / Windows 10- Red Amazon LINK. Cost: $176.   Earlier this year I purchased 5 different laptops or ThinkPads as I call this item to see which would load up Sky Tools 3, which allowed me to darken them to the put to use in the field so I could stop printing off charts from Sky Tools 3.  This item, the Lenovo 100s IdeaPad has been the best. I have two of them and the work wonderfully. Sky Tools 3 runs terrific with them and I use a SD Card to store my data on.  I don't put any other products on them and they are dedicated for field use. I did purchase a clear red acrylic cover from Scopestuff to go over each screen, and several layers of rubylith from Scopestuff. Between using them on their lowest brightest setting, turning on red night mode on Sky Tools 3, and using the material from Scopestuff and an eye patch over my observing eye, maintaining night vision is not an issue. These are small enough, light enough that I often pull my observing chair over, put the IdeaPad on the chair to use while on my step ladder. Works nicely, or I can hold it while observing also.
Note, if you put the items from Scopestuff on using their thick, black rubber bands the IdeaPad will tilt over so the screen is laying down if you don't prop it up. Oh, these have a 9 hour battery life and in the field I have run them for 7 hours in the summer and in the fall (down to 15 degrees F) and gotten that battery life out of them.

3. Dew Heater Power and material.

I use a Thousand Oaks Dew Heater controller with connecting items for the Telrad, Focuser, Eyepiece (either 1 1/4" or 2") and my secondary heater. I use to use a portable battery jumper with a 9 volt but I have traded it in for the following.

a) First thing you need is a battery. I will use this one from Amazon but any that match the characteristics will work.

 ML35-12 - 12V 35AH U1 Deep Cycle AGM Solar Battery LINK. I have two similar batteries that I use to run my CPAP for one of them, and this battery will run my CPAP for 3 to 4 days in the field and then in the fall and winter is the only time dew my come up so then I will put the other battery in to run my dew control.

With the battery you need a battery tender to charge it. Here is the one I own and it has worked wonderfully.

Battery Tender 021-0156 Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger True Gel Cell Model
LINK to Amazon.

You will also need this to hook up to the charged battery.

Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug
Link to Amazon. This lets you power your items off the battery.

To run your 12v items you will need this to adapt in to the cord I posted for the Ring Terminal.
Battery Tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect
LINK to Amazon.

Prices are around $5 to $10 for the cords, $60 for the battery.  You can also power USB devices or other devices by buying this cord:
NOCO ISCC2 5-Way SAE Adapter Connector LINK to Amazon and then buying another 8 Female Cigarette lighter or this device:
Battery Tender 081-0158 Black Quick Disconnect Plug with USB Charger LINK to Amazon.

For Dew Strips and Controls you can go to Agena Astro and look over their selection at this LINK.

I will be upfront that on my CPAP I have a 12V that fits from the power adapter in the back of the unit to the 12V Lighter and that is all I need to run my machine when camping.  Like I said I can also run my Dew Control System on this with no problem and it works better for me than a battery jumper. 

4. Hand Warmer for Cold Nights. This goes to Zippo Hand Warmer and you can get them at Aamzon, I've seen them at Walmart also.  Here is the Amazon LINK. You'll need Zippo Lighter Fluid with them also but these work extremely well if you get cold hands or want to keep them warm during the winter. 

5. Telrad 2" or 4" riser. Use a Telrad? Ever have neck strain? This is a simply and wonderful tool you can purchase to end that neck strain from using a Telrad. Most go for the 2" though some of us, myself included, prefer the 4". Your choice. 

6. Far Point UHC Filter. LINK.  I have both the 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch UHC filter and I have to say, I REALLY like this filter. I own the DGM, and 1000 Oaks equivalent filters, and the Far Point really seems to provide just a touch more contrast over the other two. However, I think the 1000 Oaks and the DGM UHC filters are really really close. So if your looking for a premium or near premium UHC filter, give FarPoint or DGM or 1000 Oaks a try. 

7. Want something different? How about a meteorite? Yep, you can buy them from around $20 to over $100 or more at Meteorites for Sale LINK. It provides whoever you give it to as a gift the opportunity to own something that came from above! For example you can own or gift a piece of the Chelyabinsk Meteorite that exploded in Russia on February 15th, 2013.  Here is a LINK to that. Prices are from around $35 to $115 for these small pieces. 

8. Finally, have a reader? I recommend the Willmann-Bell site for books. The Annuals of the Deep Sky are new books that are excellent reading and great for planning observing sessions in a given constellation. Need an all encompassing deep sky atlas? I highly recommend the Uranometria 2000.0, Atlas from Willmann-Bell. There are other selections so perhaps ask the person you want to gift or who will buy you a gift what they would want or what you would want and write it down. 

There are some suggestions. It's snowing tonight, on Monday November 28th, 2016 so I am sure I am not getting out observing! Oh well, perhaps later in the week or later in the month.