Bedding, and headlamp January 25, 2005, 09:21:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 49858I am wondering why a "travel sack"-type of covering is better than just using a down quilt? There are different levels of warmth in down items, and you don't lie on the half of it that you aren't using.When it is really, really cold, we just toss our sleeping bags ON TOP of our down quilt to keep the warmth in. Even megawussy me was warm enough IN THE OVERHEAD BUNK when the outside temperature was well below freezing. AND we had the (larger-sized) vent open to keep down the condensation. This combination allows complete freedom of movement.If you find cold seeping up from below, put down a sheet of the Mylar windstopping material (Coleman Emergency Blanket - $2. at Target) below your bedding.REI has a slightly more expensive plastic/mylar model . . .http://www.rei.com/product/57703.htm?>that is easier to handle than just the thin Mylar on its own. It's also six times as costly. Mine was $8. about ten years ago, but it is $12. now.While on the REI page, check out the headlamp:http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47671182&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=407106-703601&ext_cat=undefined> .My husband finds this to be a wonderful "tool" to visually assist in fixing things that go wrong, particularly at inopportune and dark times. It is even helpful during daylight hours when the area into which you are peering is darker than you would like. One that has a swivel headlamp gives more freedom of movement of your head. Combined with his knee pads . . . well, he looks a bit strange, but these two items sure make his tasks a lot easier and more comfortable.Virtual hugs,Judie SKP #17907
Re: Bedding, and headlamp Reply #1 – January 25, 2005, 10:02:57 am Yahoo Message Number: 49863wrote: "I am wondering why a "travel sack"-type of covering is better than just using a down quilt? There are different levels of warmth in down items..."I've used a "LaCrosse" down comforter (in the motorhome and the house) from The Company Store for a *long* time; the quality is excellent, the is price very competitive, and the service is very good:http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=cf99x&dept% 5Fid=1310Company Store comforters come with corner "attachment points" for cloth tape ties; I made a duvet-type cover and sewed ties into the corners to hold the comforter in place inside the cover. Re: the headlamp! These are available from L.L. Bean, REI, Cabela's, and plenty of other places. Those miners had the right idea; the headlamp offers focused, hands-free light, and is the best thing going for hooking up in the dark! (Aside from hooking up in the daylight, which is always a better idea, but ...!) I suggest getting the smaller lamp size with the over-the-top-of-the-head strap; it's not a fashion accessory, but it does work!Joan
Re: Bedding, and headlamp Reply #2 – January 25, 2005, 10:13:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 49864"I am wondering why a 'travel sack'-type of covering is better than just using a down quilt?"Here's my reason: drafts. A conventional residential bed (or an RV's island bed) allows the covers to hang over by 6"-12" on three sides, preventing cold drafts from getting under the covers. But with either the overcab bed or a "wall-to-wall" rear bed such as in the twin/king models, there is no overhang. If body movement lifts the edge of the blanket or comforter even slightly, cold air can easily find its way into your nice warm bed. This is what a Travasak or sleeping bag prevents: because the top and bottom are joined at three sides, you don't get drafts. If you're sleeping in an island bed, you won't care, because you don't have this problem, thanks to overhang. But if, like me, you sleep over the cab--or in the back of a T/K--those sewn-together edges make a BIG difference in coziness! On the topic of head-mounted flashlights: I find them indispensable for hands-free trouble-shooting. I have a three-LED Petzl model that's ultra-lightweight, but I wish the head swiveled (the flashlight's, not mine ;-) ...I recommend getting one that does.Andy Baird
Re: Bedding, and headlamp Reply #3 – January 25, 2005, 11:19:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 49866QuoteOn the topic of head-mounted flashlights: I find them indispensable for hands-free Quotetrouble-shooting. I have a three-LED Petzl model that's ultra- lightweight, but I wish theQuotehead swiveled (the flashlight's, not mine ;-) ...I recommend getting one that does.Quote Andy Baird We have two Black Diamond Gemini headlamps that swivel up and down. Also, you have the choice between a normal, bright bulb and a blue'ish LED bulb {hence, Gemini}.On four AAA batteries, the expected battery life is 1,000 hours on the LED setting, AMAZING!! {100 hours on the incand bulb}. Both bulbs are in the lamp and you can switch between the two at any time. The LED is fine for most camp chores but if you drop something on the ground, the incand is necessary.We've had these for awhile and love 'em.DaveRuby the red 04 RK
Re: Bedding, and headlamp Reply #4 – January 25, 2005, 12:31:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49871"While on the REI page, check out the headlamp: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay? productId=47671182&storeId=8000&\ catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=407106- 703601&ext_cat=undefined>.My husband finds this to be a wonderful "tool" to visually assist in fixing things that go wrong,"Julie Being a long-term graveyard worker, I have been using LED headlights for several years now and they are the greatest. The long battery life and the variety of lamp arrangements are impressive. The worse thing about going to REI, to look at the headlights, is choosing which one; there are now dozens of choices. I have mounted four separate LED light fixtures around the perimeter of LD. They draw so little power that I leave them on most nights. See http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lw5315us/album?.dir=3ec4&.src=ph&store=& prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lw5315us/my_photos Or http://tinyurl.com/5txvrLarry
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Topic: Bedding, and headlamp (Read 4 times)
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