“Dork-light”
Actually, this is a word I picked up from Reno.
“Dork-light” is the affectionate term referring to the low-profile LED flashlights that clip directly on to the bill of a gimme hat, thus allowing for hands-free use.
They are incredibly useful, small, out of the way and provide a decent amount of useful light. I hope that the inventor of these little gadgets made a bloody fortune.
However, despite the incredible utility of these lights — and, trust me, I wouldn’t trade mine for all the tea in China — I have the feeling I look a bit of a dork when I clip it to my hat brim. Thus, the name.
LawDog
Perhaps the “dork light” tag should be modified or at least quantified commensurate with the number of LEDs. The five LED model in the last link definitely scores up in the megadorks on the dork-o-meter scale. The rather more stylish light in the first link, on the other hand, barely registers in the millidorks.
I could get those hat lights and run around making monster truck noises 😉
My uncle got me one of those for Christmas. It’s pretty nice, though I don’t use it much because I rarely wear a hat.
I do love my dork light. I went all out and bought the one with the elastic headband and red leds that are a bit easier on the night vision.
I love mine — fits the curvature of the bill perfectly and it’s the best thing there is for working with a clipboard full of names and data in the dark.
And I don’t care what I look like — my hands are free and it’s dark anyway.
Haven’t quite figured out what the seizure-inducing blink setting is for, however.
Here’s the solution to feeling “odd” wearing a hat with a light clipped onto the brim: a hat with a 2-LED light built right in! The only time anyone’s likely to notice is when it’s switched on. Mine is in Realtree AP Green.
http://www.panthervision.com/2-led-cap-light-item.html
I made the mistake of stuffing it in the ‘Jesus-handle’ on the dash of my New Beetle and must have turned it on without noticing. I need to replace my hat’s batteries. 🙁 It takes 2x 3V Lithium CR2032 button batteries that tuck out of the way in a holder in the sweat band.
“Haven’t quite figured out what the seizure-inducing blink setting is for, however.”
Hey Bob – that setting is for Rave Kids.
Good if your hike or fishing trip starts before sun up or lasts until after sunset.
My husband found one of these at Harbor Freight.
Although as of yet it has no utilitarian purpose – he bought it because he thought it was cool.
Hi my name is Jay and I use a dork-light. Sorry wrong meeting. I love mine for do repairs etc on the car. I wear a hat a lot of the time so I just clip it on there. I am sure my wife would agree I look like a dork though.
We eventually reach a point in life where utility out-ranks style.
Appropriately, word verification is
kkfosls.
I don’t wear hats, but if I did I’d have to get one of those just to increase my dork cred.
BryanP
Forget this little LED crap, I’ve hot one of these with a Surefire G2
Remember to turn off the light, or take off the hat, when going down to the hardware store. People look at you oddly, and strangers greet you.
It is not until you get home that you realize that you have been wandering around with your nerd light on.
We used to call ’em geek lights, whether they were early headlamps, or early clip-ons–either were invaluable for pre-flighting a Blackhawk in the dark–or the finger-tip models or the really geekish “lip light” that screwed onto the boom mike on your flight helmet.
I still have my lip light, don’t tell the Army.
Git Er Done!
Yeah, this is a real good thing. Show the critter right where to aim to get you square between the eyes.
LawMom
Seems to me we need a hat with an inch or two of Picatinny rail on the underside of the brim, then you could attach all manner of lights, lasers, Aimpoints, bayonets…