ETAV8R's build: Gini and some wanderings

Let there be light!

Well I went a little crazy during the recent black Friday sale...I want to make a video about the lights next time I go camping.

The small headlamp Perun is pretty cool but weighs more than my Nitecore. Plus it doesn't have a soft white flood or low setting for the red but it does have a magnetic base and pocket clip which gives it different uses. I have hopes to maybe use it on my telescoping pole up high above camp...but I also don't like a super lit up campsite. If it works though it would prove again to me that all the broverlanding nick-nacks aren't necessary.





Regarding the Arkfeld Pro Zombie edition, (which started this shopping spree) it is a nice camp/edc light. The multifunction is great. It has white light with strobe, a laser, and UV. But if all one wants is a nice UV light the Nitecore UV Tiki 1000 has the same output for much less money.



https://www.nitecorestore.com/TIKI-...Cq3wpcHfdCEWs70n7roIR0GJcVqpKsiEaAhNaEALw_wcB

The Oclip is pretty neat and very small. I tried it out for my truck kitchen and it seems to be a good use. It has a magnet and clip.

 

Oh - Black Friday, Cyber Week, Turn Wallet Over And Shake It Month has been really bad for me! Not going to even mention some of the stuff. Downright embarrassing “aspirational hobby” purchases.

But for lights, I was going to need to read a number of actual physical books on an upcoming work trip and so picked up an old school clip on book light:

$12 Gritin 9 LED Rechargeable Book Light for Reading in Bed - Eye Caring 3 Color Temperatures,Stepless Dimming Brightness,80 Hrs Runtime Small Lightweight Clip On Book Reading Light for Studying

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GG42WXY?ie=UTF8&th=1

Actually pretty slick with USB chargeable internal battery, dual color temperature and dimmable. The clip base has a flat back and is wide enough to be set on a flat surface like a mini desk lamp. No magnet though.

I picked up a second one to leave with the truck (sale price was $8.70) as it seemed it could be very handy. For the truck/camping I wish it would go even dimmer and have a red LED as well. I suppose I could make a red filter sleeve for it… hmmm…

EDIT: Just to add there are a bunch of nearly identical versions on Amazon. Nothing very special about the one I got other than it was on sale and was continuously dimmable. I did just notice some that are switchable between amber and red which might be better for camping. Amber probably to low color temperature for monitoring cooking though (can’t see browning).

 

Well, my experiment worked. I got the Olight bike mount and used it with the Perun 2 Mini to use as a area light/camp light for my setup.
Total cost for my bougie setup is $70. For that cost I have my light which was $45 during an Olight sale, telescoping pole which is currently $17 at Lowe's, and the Olight universal bike mount on slamazon for $9. I've had the pole for a couple years and it does multiple things in camp from a flagpole to awning room roof pole (prevents water build up), and now as a light pole. Pretty slick multiple use gear. Here's some pics of the light pole in my shop. I do wish there was a diffuser for the light.

P.s.
I believe I have a budget diffuser solution. The small white plastic piece that covers the usb attachment for the charger just about covers the lens of the light might suffice. Using a small rubber band and this plastic piece does diffuse the light. A second option may be a thin translucent plastic bag. These are usually included with electronics and it too did the trick. The only worry is if the diffusers used might melt. The light does heat up when in turbo mode but fortunately this isn't used for normal long term use.

https://www.olightstore.com/perun-2-mini-led-rechargeable-headlamp

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-6-ft-to-12-ft-Telescoping-Threaded-Extension-Pole/50053469

$9 OLIGHT FB-1 Universal Flashlight Bike Mount for Flashlight (Bicycle Lighting Mount Accessories)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0761RX64G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details#customerReviews

 

Love the light arrangement.

 

Oh I got to try them out in DV recently. Had a lot of fun. Will post pics soon.

 

Another Saline Valley trip...I took fairly good notes as this was my first trip to the springs in over a year...a quick two nighter

Left the LA/OC area at 9pm...the cockpit set up...




Arrived at Big Pine 121am and fueled up.


Heading out to the springs at 136am
Temp 40f

Big Pine /Waucoba aired down at 207 am
temp 24f
Coldest temp during my travels on North Pass 19f

Batrock Road and SVR intersection 317am
Temp 45f

Arrived at my camp site near the Wizard Pool at 350 am

Had a nice soak and saw 2 shooting stars. Watched the seven sisters set below the northern horizon.

Not much sleep. Up making coffee at 10am. Temp is 61
Tried this new to me coffee filter set up. Needs fine tuning. My coffee using this method was pretty weak.


This couple had a Starlink setup. Guess some people always need to be connected to the grid.








Had a fun evening messing around with my lights.





Really digging these Olights. The magnetic charging base allows for a multitude of flexibility in using the lights. This is the one from the headlamp, the Perun 2 Mini.


Another camper had a lit up Christmas wreath so I followed suit for the upcoming holiday best I could...these are the Nite Ize Radiant Micro Lanterns set to red and green.


Another example/use for the magnetic base.


Zombies!


Different uses for different lights.


The red light setting is a tad too bright for me but I've been spoiled by the 1st gen

$44 Nitecore NU25 360 Lumen Triple Output - White, Red, High CRI - Lightweight USB Rechargeable Headlamp (Black)

Nitecore NU25 red light settings. I'm still very happy to have both lights and will continue to use them.


Saw over 30 shooting stars. The first 27 were during a soak and the following ones were back at my camp. It was a spectacular trip. One of my best to Saline. All that was missing was some bats during my soaks and a great sunset.

Thursday December 14th
Up at 630
Temp 43f


825 had breakfast and camp is put away




0900 departure from Palm Spring
Temp 48f
0920 stopped to add 5gal fuel at bat pole.
Mother nature did a lot of rearranging.


0935 SVR/Batrock Road intersection

Mother natures hard work. Having been on this road so many times it blows my mind how much rain and energy caused this wash to increase in width and depth. Good times.



The infamous Willow Creek wash. There used to be a metal culvert here which was placed after a washout several years ago. I looked down the wash for the culvert...it is either buried in sand/rocks or too far out of sight.


1055 Big Pine Road/Waucoba
Temp45
Aired up by 1125. Another air hose failure
On the road home at 1320 after picking up goodies at Bishop and Big Pine.

 

Nice

Look at the Clever Dripper.
https://cleverbrewing.coffee/products/clever-dripper

 

And, if pourover, try a finer grind, not too fine.

Rabbit hole.
https://georgehowellcoffee.com/pages/brew-guide-and-videos

 

Great report, and like perfect quick trip execution. Thanks for sharing pics/ write up.

What are you using for the Electronic Navigation?

 

Fantastic report, good to see the springs (and park) opening up again. Can't wait to get back in 2024. Appreciated the late/early arrival, and the temperatures along the way. 19°F at North Pass. Brrrrr.

Love this photo, nice work.

 

Looks like a fun trip! I'm not getting out much these days... but today I'm at this place because you recommended it:



Edit:



No more clunk!

 

Good stuff. I was just down in the area this morning.

 

Years ago I think in 2011 I had my rear DS retubed by DL Inc. as a result from Trail Damage at Calico, my appointment was on a Thursday in the afternoon. Didn't take no more than two hours from the time I checked in to complete, they are pretty amazing at what they do. Saturday I dinged the DS again this time at The Hammers going up Claw Hammer..my DS didnt last more than 3 days. All in all, It's been re-tubed 3 times (twice by DL Inc.)since owning the Tacoma.

 

I'm still aspiring for your level of trauma when it comes to driving... I was just getting fresh u joints and carrier bearing today. U joints may well have been original, almost 19 yrs old and 220k miles!

That said, I came close to pretzeling the thing at Calico last winter... that road doesn't mess around.

And my experience this morning was similar... lightning fast!

 

Not having been out for a while and hoping to have a 4Runner in the future I've been looking for storage options. Came across the Toughbuilt Stacktech system a few months ago and have picked up a few items. Their potential offerings look great for camping. Last night I messed around with different ways I could use them with the Gini...

https://stacktech.toughbuilt.com/advantage/
https://stacktech.toughbuilt.com/catalog/





Oh and for the future release of the rolling drawer and/or XL drawer this is the perfect height for a cook top if you're around 6'. The big drawback with this system is weight. It's a bit heavy. It is modular and the pieces separate easily.

 

Out of all the camper setups you've had, which one has been your favorite and why?

I had a FWC, tow a 30' travel trailer, now looking into building a canopy camper or rtt. So just curious haha

 

My current setup is my favorite thus far. The FWC is great but too heavy for the Tacoma (imho). If I ever get a full-size truck I'd look at FWC, Alaskan, or hardside slide-in.

 

Light and simplicity of your current setup is what I really like. I agree with the FWC being too big for a mid size truck (mine was on my Frontier).

 

Quick two night trip to JT and Providence Mountains a couple weeks ago.

 

I recently moved and no longer keep my truck on a trickle charger. This, and only using the truck for trips, led to my AGM battery finally giving up the ghost. It lasted about ten years, maybe more.

A coworker who was an electrician in his prior career has a nice tacoma setup. He suggested a lifpo battery on slamazon. It arrived for Christmas and I had ordered a new CTEK controller since my old one doesn't charge lifpo batteries. Had to rig up a way to secure the new battery since it wouldn't fit in my old tray.

Got everything installed and did a short drive around the neighborhood but the new CTEK didn't wake up to charge the new battery. Talked with the coworker and he took a look at it. On the way to see him the CTEK got to doing it's job and I could finally see the battery charging due to the internal Bluetooth function. Very happy with the new setup.

Old CTEK


New CTEK


New battery