Good Gear - Gerber Meridian

This "Good Gear" Review covers the Gerber Meridian. This here is my favorite headlamp...while it's not the most powerful or durable one I own, it is the most versatile, and funnest to use. This head lamp has 4 main things that set it apart from MOST headlamps, including just about all the regular one's you've seen at your typical department store's...

1. The best thing that sets this apart is the white LED...this bad-boy has a 1-Watt LED which is ten times brighter than the LED's found in your run-of-the-mill headlamps. (Why do you think those headlamps have so many LED's...4...6...or even 10? Because they're the low-end, and don't produce enough light). With LED's, a good 1-watt is way better than ten .23-.46 watt's...you may have good area lighting with those one's , but if you need to see anything further than the other side of the yard, you'll need an LED rated at least 1-watt.

2. It has an integral Red and Green Light, that function independently...so, yes, you can have the White and Red or White and Green lights on simultaneously. One switch turns the white on-or-off, and the other turns the red and green on-or-off. Red LED's are pretty common on headlamps, but not green, which just adds to the versatility of this.

3. The Red LED also has a built in strobe function, and because of the independent circuitry, you can have the strobe light going, while still being able to use the main LED!!!

4. The lights have independent switches, unlike most headlamps, which saves you from having to cycle through the different colors. One switch operates the white light, while a separate switch operates the red and green lights!

Over all, this is a really nice headlamp, even though it may be shaped different than what most people are used to. Quality construction, with a three position head-band, makes a very comfortable fit, with-out being to bulky. While not completely waterproof, it is weather proof (water resistant), and can take a light rain, or a quick drop in a puddle, with-out being destroyed. Runs on 3-AA Batteries...and because the lights are LED, they run for a very long time on one set of batteries...day's, not hours!!!

Now, if it were only water-proof, it would get a 10 out-of 10, but then it would cost more...so, it's an awesome headlamp for the price, and gets a 9 out-of 10. When, or IF mine breaks, I will definitely get another one! I actually wouldn't mind getting another one now, to have two!!!

Cost:$40-$45

Lights: 1 White, 1 Red, 1 Green LED's

Color: White, Red, Green

Out-put: 30 Lumens (1-Watt White LED)

Range: Approx 100ft. (1-Watt White LED)

Functions: Steady White, Steady Green, Steady Red, Strobe Red

Power: 3-AA

Good Gear - Inova 24/7

I'll Start my first "Good Gear" Gear Review, with one of my favorites; The "Inova 24/7". These things are so neat, I own two of these contraptions. I got my first, the basic yellow one, while I was in Korea, and loved it's versatility. As soon as they came out with an olive-drab one, I had to get it! Now I have one to wear with my uniform (and still look proffesional)...so now I own two!!! It's Basically an eight function LED (Light Emitting Diode), that fills about 50 roles!!!

1. Steady Low (Low White); Just enough to find something at night or read a map
2. Steady High (High White); A little more power for when you REALLY need to find something
3. Strobe (High White); This is great for finding your way back to your campsite, or marking a junction in a cave.
4. S.O.S. Strobe (High White); If your lost enough at night that they have to send a chopper to find you, this function sends 3 short and 3 long bursts of high white light, so the rescue team can see you (from up to two-miles away!!!)
5. Emergency Flasher (High White, Red, and Yellow); attach this to the back of your broken down vehicle (with the magnetic mount that comes with the accessory pack) to keep people from hitting you on the road at night.
6. Caution Light (Red/Yellow Strobe); Use for No. 5, or to mark off a dangerous work area to let people know to "be careful"
7. Red (Steady Red); Use this to conserve night vision or for stealth operations (red light diffuses alot faster than white, and so, is less visible from a distant, and won't damage your night vision equipment like white light). This also conserves battery power, as the red light can light up the same area from the user's view with-out using as much battery power as white light.
8. "Find Me" (Low Red); This function sets the red LED's to blink at about 10-15 second interval on very low power, making it easier for you to locate it in a dark area (closet/footlocker/tent), with-out draining the power on your batteries. Even though the flashlight will run for MONTHS in this mode, I would only set it when I go on a camping trip or something...when I might "unexpectedly need it".

The light comes with a neck holder that clips onto the metal clip, permanently attached to the light. The metal clip is perfect for attaching the light to the pen pocket on your BDU's/work shirt, for hands free operation. (Now, if I could just find out a way to attach this to my PASGT Helmet???)

An "accessory pack" is also available (which I still need to get, but just haven't yet), that comes with a wall mount, a magnetic mount, and a head-strap. Overall, this light is tough, and versatile...great for anybody that may have a job that falls into the Military/Industrial/LE category, or just likes spending times out-doors and wants a light that will do everything and then some!!! Special versions are available for police (with Red and Blue LED's with a"take down" flashing function), and a military version as well (with IR LED's).

I only wish it was little more water-proof!!! You can get it "wet"...just don't use it for a diving light! That, however, is the ONLY drawback...with it's tough construction, and LED light, this thing will take ALOT of damage, and last for a LONG time (LED's have a life of about 100,000 hours...that's 4,166 DAY's!!!...when do you ever really have a flashlight on for more than 5 minutes?)

I've had mine for about 4 years now, and still use them ALOT!!! If you need (or want...LOL) a light like this, it a good deal at $35-$40. It get's a 9 out 0f 10...if it was only "submersible"!!!