Budget red-only light?

[Michael Uyttersprot]

Hey all,

I'm mostly lurking TAC and doing tons of imaging and am a member of TVS. I also lead the effort at Mendocino Magic, a campground run by a close friend, for their astro program around the Perseids Meteor Shower Campout (Bortle 2, Laytonville) and other events in Mendocino County.

One thing we've struggled with over the years is people showing up at the viewing site on top of the hill with overly bright headlamps, forcing them to cycle through settings to reach the red light, which annoys a lot of people (I know we have a lot of visual folks here, you can relate!). We'd like to sell red headlamps (or lighted necklaces) at the shop to event attendees so they don't ruin the viewing for others. We also would like to stay within a $5-15 buy range as for most attendees this is a one-and-done astronomy event (though many do return year after year), with a small markup to sustain the property where the event is held.

I know I can ask AI or check Amazon for options, but I'd also appreciate your suggestions, so let me know if you have any!

Mich

[Angus Wong]

Can confirm, he's a real one 😁

- Angus

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[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Astronomics (great outfit) has a Celestron redlight for 21 bucks. https://astronomics.com/collections/flashlights/products/variable-brightness-dual-red-led-astronomer-s-flashlight

Looks just like the old-model Rigel Starlites that my buddy Crazy Ed Erbeck sold, which I still use over 25 years later. And I still like my old model better than the new Rigel. Guessing Celestron once upon a time bought the old model. It might last forever. And see, your guests will have an astro accessory that they think is cool, get them sucked into the hobby.

Plus Michaël, does look like you have a fan. Now we can just hope that Angus is for real!

[Angus Wong]

I am real but I am not the wilderness/camping type. Michael can confirm that I turn into a crybaby 😅.

- Angus

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[Rashi]

Piggy backing on Jamie's message: 

I have the Celestron redlight but prefer the "Rigel Skylite Mini Compact Variable Brightness Two-Color LED Astronomer's Flashlight" - a little smaller form factor with dual light modes (red and white) with both dimmable.

• Astronomics: More on the way ???  -->   Link: https://astronomics.com/products/skylite-mini-compact-variable-brightness-two-color-led-astronomer-s-flashlight?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=bbd4a76a3&pr_rec_pid=6833527029833&pr_ref_pid=6833526997065&pr_seq=uniform
• Agena Astro: 1 Left  -->   Link: https://agenaastro.com/rigel-systems-skylite-mini-flashlight.html?srsltid=AfmBOor2Xae-Vme5iQFCTtZIOcIO-bC4nOaE2PJStmYw7kFBDsjvpNTv
• Amazon: 1 Left   -->   Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rigel-Systems-Skylite-Switchable-Flashlight/dp/B000FCXMQC

And you can always layer dark red gel filters onto different lamps/flashlights/lanterns with varying levels of success - all depending on your diy skills, and how many times do you want your astro-neighbor to yell at you that your light is too bright and is getting in their way of stargazing... lol - We've all gone through that and learned over time!!! ha ha

Regards,

--
Rashi G.
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[Matt Tarlach]

These are popular with the docents at Chabot Observatory: https://www.amazon.com/WAYLLSHINE-Flashlight-Zoomable-Observation-Astronomy/dp/B0GF1ZG3Y6/

They're pretty well made, for the price, but undimmable, and I think a little too bright for a true dark site (which Chabot is not). Still much, much better than a white light, and the beam is focused, which reduces unnecessary light spill.

I have a scrap of self-adhesive window tint fllm that I've been cutting pieces out of for years. I put a piece of that on the back of the lens on mine to dim it by about 75%, and now I think it's perfect. Other docents are happy with the "stock" brightness.

I also bought a pack of these to pass around to my personal guests: https://www.amazon.com/WAYLLSHINE-Flashlight-Zoomable-Observation-Astronomy/dp/B0GF1ZG3Y6/

They work, and are fun, but the LED is unshielded so there is light spill that's annoying and reduces the utility.

I like these little lights, which are shielded, but a little expensive for your needs. Maybe take a look at the design and look for a cheaper option:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R5IZTQ?th=1

Clear skies,

[Matt Tarlach]

Corrected link: the little LEDs I bought to pass around were these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN9SBNZK?th=1

MT

[mccart...@yahoo.com]

Why not ban lights altogether?  If the guests are to truly experience a dark sky, they have to let go of their lights.

I assume there is a pathway to the top of the hill -- install some shielded pathway lights (red, pointed down) to guide guests to the top, but once there: no lights allowed.  The telescope hosts can have gentle glow in the dark tape or whatever on the mounts / tripod legs so people aren't tripping.  Require the guests to spend 15 minutes standing / sitting on the hill, looking at the sky, dark adapting.  Someone can give a talk during this time.  Once dark adapted they can see the telescopes etc. just fine.

Mark

[Jeff Crilly]

Back in like 2020 during the end-of-year sales (probably Black Friday) I picked up like 3 of those Celestron flashlights from BH photo for .. like .. $5 each. Right now they are like $13. Same as Amazon. My only gripe is the unevenness of the LED beam.

I still prefer my original gen 1 skylight from the 90s. I also have the gen2 (with the “wheel” switch) and the “mini”. Neither are as good as the gen 1. The mini feels fragile.

[Peter Santangeli]

I think the curse is not so much the LED's as the fact that people wear head-lights.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there are NO ACCEPTABLE HEAD LIGHTS for Astronomy.

The reason is not the LED. The reason is the lack of control of where they are pointed. Even a dim LED pointed straight into someone's eyes is enough to screw up night vision.

They are nice, convenient, completely unacceptable lights.

I would suggest a sign that simply explains this. "If you are planning on using a head light, please note that you must carry it in your hand, and not wear it."

Personally, I believe we should advise that at all star parties.

pete

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 9:03 AM Jeff Crilly <jeffc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Back in like 2020 during the end-of-year sales (probably Black Friday) I picked up like 3 of those Celestron flashlights from BH photo for .. like .. $5 each.    Right now they are like $13.   Same as Amazon.   My only gripe is the unevenness of the LED beam.   

I still prefer my original gen 1 skylight from the 90s.    I also have the gen2 (with the “wheel” switch) and the “mini”.   Neither are as good as the gen 1.    The mini feels fragile. 

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[Mark Wagner]

I was thinking exactly what Mark said, there's no need.  Give a green laser sky talk starting at civil or nautical dark, and let the visitors eyes dark adapt naturally.  There's no problem seeing in the dark (isn't that the name of a Timothy Ferris book?).

[John Pierce]

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 9:03 AM Jeff Crilly <jeffc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Back in like 2020 during the end-of-year sales (probably Black Friday) I picked up like 3 of those Celestron flashlights from BH photo for .. like .. $5 each.    Right now they are like $13.   Same as Amazon.   My only gripe is the unevenness of the LED beam.   

the fix for that is to take it apart and put two layers of Scotch Magic Tape on the inside of the clear plastic lens. 

[John Pierce]

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 8:53 AM 'mccart...@yahoo.com' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Why not ban lights altogether?  If the guests are to truly experience a dark sky, they have to let go of their lights.

I assume there is a pathway to the top of the hill -- install some shielded pathway lights (red, pointed down) to guide guests to the top, but once there: no lights allowed.  The telescope hosts can have gentle glow in the dark tape or whatever on the mounts / tripod legs so people aren't tripping.  Require the guests to spend 15 minutes standing / sitting on the hill, looking at the sky, dark adapting.  Someone can give a talk during this time.  Once dark adapted they can see the telescopes etc. just fine.

put these,

https://www.amazon.com/LANKER-Flameless-Flickering-Electronic-Decorations/dp/B074RCSG6N/

or similar in little white paper bags with the top of the bag folded over every 3-6 feet along the path....       you want ones that use CR2032 batteries rather than little button batteries, they last much longer.

if its a long walk from the parking lot,  also get some amber ones and use those for the first 1/4 or 1/3rd of the path, same thing, in white paper bags. 

[Michael Uyttersprot]

I just wish I could ban lights as I'm on team "night vision is a real superpower we have". 

There's a concern regarding guest safety and property liability, so red lights are the compromise. We have kids, older people with limited mobility and others going there, it is in grass that here and there has bumps from gophers. We do have pathway lights leading from the "shuttle stop" to the top of the hill and I use reflective tape around my telescope to mark boundaries. Without lights some folks would also just fall back to their phones which is even worse. One thing I have appreciated and seen evolve at the event over the years is people screaming whenever someone turns on a white light. Progress!

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 8:53 AM 'mccart...@yahoo.com' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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[Matt T]

I think we're so used to moving around in the dark that we might forget how uncomfortable some others may be in the same conditions. And mobility issues, and brittler bones, change the risk/reward calculation on having a little light.

Headlamps are a curse, though, and the suggestion to ban them is a good one. If that's all someone has, they can be carried in the hand. The only thing they're good for is when you need to work on something with both hands in the dark. 

For walking on uneven ground, a light held below waist height is superior to a headlamp, because it shows the contours of the ground much better. Like the difference between lunar terrain near the terminator vs at Full Moon. This can be a fun demonstration as you walk along.

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 10:39 AM Michael Uyttersprot <lem...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just wish I could ban lights as I'm on team "night vision is a real superpower we have". 

--

Matt Tarlach

[John Pierce]

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 10:58 AM Matt T <mt3...@gmail.com> wrote:

I think we're so used to moving around in the dark that we might forget how uncomfortable some others may be in the same conditions. And mobility issues, and brittler bones, change the risk/reward calculation on having a little light.

Headlamps are a curse, though, and the suggestion to ban them is a good one. If that's all someone has, they can be carried in the hand. The only thing they're good for is when you need to work on something with both hands in the dark. 

I often put a headlight around my neck, upside down and tipped a bit forward so its aimed just in front of my feet  

[Alex]

Unless you are in Bortle under level 3, I would simply teach your students to refrain from using ANY flashlights by holding them in a dark room or with an eyes shade on for ~10 minutes before going stargazing. Surely all participants have to stick to that policy (no flashlights) strictly. Zero cost and MUCH more efficient trick also demonstrating the amazing "night vision" achievable.

If you want a flashlight anyway (e.g. as a memorabilia gift) just go to Temu.com and look up what looks appealing (watch for 2-4 pieces batches to save on shipping). All of these will be uber bright anyway, so shop for some transparent red tape there as well and aply multiple layers as needed. I think Amazon and local recommendations would not lend you in the desired price range.

[Michael Uyttersprot]

The location is Bortle 2, the only light pollution is nearby growlights and a light dome from Willits.

Thanks a lot, everyone, for the recommendations. I'll pitch the "no lights" idea to the owner and incorporate it into my speech in a few months when I talk to people (I quite often walk that property at night without a headlamp)

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 11:32 AM Alex <alex.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

Unless you are in Bortle under level 3, I would simply teach your students to refrain from using ANY flashlights by holding them in a dark room or with an eyes shade on for ~10 minutes before going stargazing. Surely all participants have to stick to that policy (no flashlights) strictly. Zero cost and MUCH more efficient trick also demonstrating the amazing "night vision" achievable.

If you want a flashlight anyway (e.g. as a memorabilia gift) just go to Temu.com and look up what looks appealing (watch for 2-4 pieces batches to save on shipping). All of these will be uber bright anyway, so shop for some transparent red tape there as well and aply multiple layers as needed. I think Amazon and local recommendations would not lend you in the desired price range.

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[Mark Wagner]

I'm looking at LP maps.  This location is off hwy 20 West of Willits?

[Michael Uyttersprot]

No, it's further north:

3000 Branscomb Road, Laytonville (the property is several hundreds of acres)

https://share.google/DYbpASi3t7mUBMmmV

It's really dark and a great location in summer, fall/winter/early spring tend to have rain, clouds, and high dew points.

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[Tony Hurtado]

I'm thinking the synchronized group yell when a flashlight goes on is a good deterrent! You know it's going to happen at least once. Nothing like peer pressure to deliver that message! Ha!

-Tony Hurtado

On May 27, 2026, at 10:39 AM, Michael Uyttersprot <lem...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Mark Wagner]

This is about where, right?

[Michael Uyttersprot]

Close, this is more precise. The hill is on top of the reservoir there.

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[Jay Freeman]

This conversation has reminded me of a comment Jack Zeiders once made about "fifty-caliber stray-light eliminators", though lesser implements, such as ball-peen hammers, will do for automobile headlamps and most flashlights ...

-- Jay Reynolds Freeman, Deep-Sky Weasel
---------------------
Jay_Reynol...@mac.com
http://JayReynoldsFreeman.com (personal web site)

[Mark Wagner]

Michael,

Thanks for that!  I'd forgotten about this place, discussed here maybe last year?  I google mapped it from Berkeley thinking of East Bay being kind of central.  Just about 3 hours.  Looking at the place I went and Richard from Oakland drove to near Willow Springs (where we'd gone lots) its a 3:17 drive (from Berkeley).

You have a good location. according to LP Maps is at B 2.9.  Willow area is 3.9, as is Lake Sonoma.  Your place is also 4:25 for me.  Its not for an overnight.

Teach your MM visitors good light etiquette! :-)

[Alex]

Michael, do you know any other dark locations for a quick evening/overnighter with a small telescope reachable by car close to that campground for a quick try? Like an overlook maybe? Also, at a good elevation, preferably with the well open down South horizon? 

[Steve Gottlieb]

Out of curiosity I used the same 2024 Light Pollution Map at https://lightpollutionmap.app/ to look up some local sites. I realize that maps and associated Bortle numbers can vary depending on how they’re assigned and I’m not looking to start an argument, here. Obviously, these figures don’t tell the whole story, particularly as light pollution can vary quite a bit in different directions at our local sites. But here’s what the sites claimed Bortle numbers for a few observing locations for comparison — several local ones are around the Bortle 4 figure, though we like to think of them as darker.

2.1 OSP
2.5 GSSP
3.2 Willows (Glen County)
3.9 Willow Springs
4.0 Pinnacles East (Campground)
4.1 Lake Sonoma
4.2 Pinnacles West (Chaparral lot)
5.0 Dinosaur Boat Launch

— Steve

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[Muriel Dulieu Holzer]

I find this map a little frustrating because depending where I put my cursor, I get very different numbers. For Lake Sonoma for example, I get 4.1, then just next to it I get 5.0. But if I look at the color 4.1 looks like the right number. However, last time I went to Lake Sonoma (May 18, 2026), we took 3 SQM recordings: 21.48, 21.42, and 21.38 which gives an average of 21.4 around 1 am, that is bortle 3.

I know you said you are not looking to start an argument...

-Muriel

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[Mark Wagner]

Nice, Steve.  I was doing the same last night.  I found Bumpass Hell at Bortle 2.5 comparable to GSSP, except of course it is 4,000 feet higher elevation (approx).  I also saw Tranquility Base to my south at Bortle 3, a site I went to last September in the western slope of the Sierra at 5,000 ft at B3.5.  There are a lot of B1 areas in NV, so I'm interested.  There are some B1 out in the Ochoco Wilderness to past OSP, but that appears to be a much longer drive for me than into B1 NV.

The place I have been looking at near Willow Springs for a group site is B3.9/4.0.  Its closeness to the south bay is the benefit plus it has decent altitude at 2200 ft.

I also found the LP map we're using quirky - some places would return a nice B rating (3.2) and clicking just a hair this or that way differently a B5.  Lots of that.

[Steve Gottlieb]

Haha, I thought it was my old desktop computer acting quirky as the figures kept flip-flopping from what I was expecting to bad.

For what it’s worth, we had multiple SQM readings between 21.85 to 21.91 offsite (Lowrey’s observatory) during the Texas Star Party week, althoughthe weather was a mixed bag. Perhaps Akarsh will post an OR soon 😁

-- Steve

[Peter Natscher]

Pinnacles West is variable depending on the Salinas Valley marine layer coverage.  I got SQM-Ls of 21.58 and 21.60 on two nights May 7 and 11.

[Alex]

I guess this offtopic flow is about Michael's claim his site is B2 ?
That region is actually quite nice for South views due to the N-W "slope" of the continent on the map moving SFBA domes Eastward. I don't use the SQM gag, but I had great overnighters, beating LSA darkness, just 50 miles North and 50 miles South from that campground location just dropping my 12" on the side of the road for 4-6 hours. Perhaps, because the region is more humid and less traveled (as soon as you get far from freeways (1, 5, and 101)?

[Michael Uyttersprot]

Hey all,

Catching up on the discussion :-)

This is a really special place for me, I discovered it by pure chance while camping just after the pandemic after I had gone in the area and set up off the side of 101 a few months earlier. In the meantime, I've become close friends with the owner and now help with their Perseids Meteor Shower campout and regularly go there on camping weekends to image and let people look at things through my SCT. This year we are adding a new "daytime" solar viewing session using a specialized Lunt telescope.

I don't have an objective SQM measurement and sorry if I sound like I'm claiming B2 for it but have been able to image targets that in a B4-B5 would have taken me multiple nights. There is a small light dome towards the south which I suspect is Ukiah (Willits isn't that big) and you only really see it once your eyes adjust to darkness. I estimate the elevation is around 1000 ft, which is helpful for conditions. The downside is that it's only usable in the summer (Northern California weather which is helpful to their special crops), and the nights there are shorter than down here in the Bay (the astronomical twilight was at 4am and will be 3.30 in a few weeks). Private events can make the location unavailable too.

Regarding trying it out, I recommend reaching out to the property owner Mackenzie (mention me). She's pretty open to these types of activities and wants to promote her location for them, provided there isn't a private event on the dates you'd want to go. I know the property is a bit sensitive about vehicle access, mostly because AWD is somewhat required and they've had to tow vehicles in the past. Engine sounds and headlights aren't ideal when people are camping at night. I generally also set up in an area without campers, but you can't avoid driving past them when entering or leaving the property.

Unrelated but the economy up north is taking a solid hit with marijuana legalization and crackdowns on illegal growers. On top of that properties are not easily insured and many are being put up for sale. I've been having this small fantasy of buying a cheap little piece of land up there for my summer viewing but haven't really researched it yet. It's still a "what if" kind of idea.

Best,

Mich

On Thu, May 28, 2026 at 9:13 AM Alex <alex.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

I guess this offtopic flow is about Michael's claim his site is B2 ?
That region is actually quite nice for South views due to the N-W "slope" of the continent on the map moving SFBA domes Eastward. I don't use the SQM gag, but I had great overnighters, beating LSA darkness, just 50 miles North and 50 miles South from that campground location just dropping my 12" on the side of the road for 4-6 hours. Perhaps, because the region is more humid and less traveled (as soon as you get far from freeways (1, 5, and 101)?

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[miloc...@gmail.com]

Put a piece of red Scotch stucco tape over white lights. Put multiple layers if the light is too bright.  Comes off easily when you're done and so far, hot lights haven't burned through it, though super hot lights might.  $10 roll at Amazon should last several years.  Needs scissors.

Jim B

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 6:32:09 PM UTC-7 Michaël Uyttersprot wrote:

Hey all,

I'm mostly lurking TAC and doing tons of imaging and am a member of TVS. I also lead the effort at Mendocino Magic, a campground run by a close friend, for their astro program around the Perseids Meteor Shower Campout (Bortle 2, Laytonville) and other events in Mendocino County.

One thing we've struggled with over the years is people showing up at the viewing site on top of the hill with overly bright headlamps, forcing them to cycle through settings to reach the red light, which annoys a lot of people (I know we have a lot of visual folks here, you can relate!). We'd like to sell red headlamps (or lighted necklaces) at the shop to event attendees so they don't ruin the viewing for others. We also would like to stay within a $5-15 buy range as for most attendees this is a one-and-done astronomy event (though many do return year after year), with a small markup to sustain the property where the event is held.

I know I can ask AI or check Amazon for options, but I'd also appreciate your suggestions, so let me know if you have any!

Mich