There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
http://www.zebralight.com/H53c-AA-Headlamp-Neutral-White-High-CRI_p_194.html
Commentary: I primarily use headlamps while camping and occasionally to illuminate something I am making or fixing. I guided for many years and have spent considerable time outdoors overnight. I am disappointed with most led headlamps. In the 80s we had proper incandescent bulb headlamps. They were ungodly heavy running off multiple D cell or C cell batteries, but the light quality was fantastic and well suited for human eyes, what we now call High CRI or High Color Rendering Index. Today most headlamps are too focused on blinding brightness and have terrible light quality. Like the Massdrop Made flashlights, the light should come on dim, and cycle to brighter when needed at the simple touch of a button. High CRI should be prioritized over brightness. We rarely need lots of lumens in the backcountry, blinding lights are for police officers and security guards. I love the form factor of the single AA battery right angle lens of companies like Zebra Light. You can easily carry extra AA batteries and they are easily found in Little markets anywhere in the world. I use lithium batteries they store better and last longer than alkaline. Net: Right angle tube, single battery, Massdrop Made dim/medium/brightest operating system. Copper or brass. High CRI. Super easy band/alternative attachment system like the AA Zebra light rubber harness that laces on a band, or the adjustment strap of a ball cap. NOTHING that GLOWS in THE DARK!! If I want it to glow, I will fob it, I do not want glowing gear or reflective anything on the unit. Please make it in copper alloys like copper and brass. Antimicrobial in the backcountry is important. Oh, and water proof/impact resistant please. Why High CRI? It feels nicer on the eyes but more importantly you need fewer lumens to see well up close so you are less likely to blind your camp mates. Also for fine tasks like cooking, first aid, or tying down gear at sunrise, the High CRI lighting allows you to do better precision work. It also makes it easier to find stuff at the bottom of a dark bag . . . Or read a book.