Alternative to head torches

johnnyd · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:58 am Post subject: Alternative to head torches

Just a thought but i noticed a post recently about a member not being happy about other anglers using bright head torches or tilley lamps as they scare the fish away- in light of this (excuse the pun) I was thinking about buying a pair of Passive Night Vision Goggles- have any others tried using these? Can't see any reason they wouldnt work

johnnyd · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/search/passive+night+visions+goggles

These were the things i was thinking of... nobody got any views?

MJB · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

There's nothing wrong with a head lamp used sensibly. It's the dumb buggers who never switch the things off. Realistically, what do you need them switched on for. Baiting up and that's about it. Get accustomed to doing stuff in the dark. I rarely need any light source when flyfishing in the dark, even changing flies with no light.

johnnyd · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

I cant see my rod tips on a pitch black beach without light sources nor can i walk over rocks safely in the dark- well I could- but not without potentially fatal consequences.

manic_muppet · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hi, Its only my opinion, but from what i know about night vision goggles, they would be useless for fishing. All they do is gather ambient light and magnify it, So are dependant on the amount of light already available, which on a beach could be very little. Im doubtful you would be able to see enough to set up rigs, sort out a birdsnest, or even see where your casting. As for headlights scaring fish, i seriously doubt that, unless you were pier fishing, and shining your light directly down on your line. As light falls off by a factor of 4 for each doubling of the distance, the light wouldnt reach far enough to shine on the water, and as for a fish seeing the light source, it would be a pin prick of light, and very distorted due to the sea never being still. So without waffling too much, i would save my money and buy a lantern to work by, If you think movement of a light might scare fish off. Good luck whatever you decide. .....Mick

mudlark · Occasional Joined: Jun 29, 2008 Posts: 136

manic_muppet · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

I dont even know where france is, Honest suprise

While i agree Military goggles perform well, im doubtful £200s worth would be worth the money. Its far easier to just use a headlamp to bait up etc, then switch off when approaching the chosen casting area. I would suggest trying them out first,

mudlark · Occasional Joined: Jun 29, 2008 Posts: 136

gallagher08 · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:36 am Post subject:

i disagree i use to use headlights and tilley lamps ages ago and still caught fish by the amount of bites i had i would of said they were more hungry not scared big grin

justluckyiguess · Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Sunny Suffolk

mudlark · Occasional Joined: Jun 29, 2008 Posts: 136

You'll find that a very different story in shallow depths in clear water conditions - if you are fishing close in with coloured water or a surf running then sure enough the light doesn't make a difference but in clear water at a spot where the are no other lights then putting a headlamp on the water is a receipe for a blank!

Just out of interest what was the pb bass and the weather conditions?

rabbi2 · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

My tuppence worth is, save your money or spend it on other fishing gear. Cheers keith big grin

AH · Regular Joined: Oct 14, 2005 Posts: 297 Location: Holyhead

I use a Tiga for safety and comfort when fishing rocks. Fair enough if your fishing a beach a small LED would do the trick.

stroodsue · Regular Joined: Mar 10, 2008 Posts: 428 Location: Strood

we use the wee head lamps at night and switch them on only for baiting up, and have a tilly lamp for when i am on coffee dty by the stove!!

but yes seeing bright lights all around takes the lovelyness lol out of it being night fishing!!
also we have those wee glow lights that we tape onto rod tips at night! they work to see it wobble enough..

i also agree with rabbi.. head lamps are only about a fiver.. save money for rods n bait!!
cos i cant dig em up for peanuts i just cant find em lol

Sue

kopitecol · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject:

i have a night vision monocular which is top notch in the pitch black as previously stated.............however they are big and bulky and totally impractical for this kind of use. ok if you want to sneak up on an angler but no good for usual bits and bobs. lol