Who knows where I can get the biggest brightest isotopes from?
I want a couple for home made night floats.
Starlights/Drennan nightlights are just too expensive for regular use and go from too bright to too dim in the space of a couple of hours.
Looking for a more permanent solution.
OR
Does anyone remember from the 80's those red LED floats that took watch batteries?
They were heavy but very nicely visible.
Any still around?
Found some modern stupid ones on eBay, 40cm long and colour changing!
Not those!
I want a couple for home made night floats.
Starlights/Drennan nightlights are just too expensive for regular use and go from too bright to too dim in the space of a couple of hours.
Looking for a more permanent solution.
OR
Does anyone remember from the 80's those red LED floats that took watch batteries?
They were heavy but very nicely visible.
Any still around?
Found some modern stupid ones on eBay, 40cm long and colour changing!
Not those!
In reply to Post #1
Gerry will remember the ebay sellers names but there are a two sellers on there that sell good isotopes.
Green will be the best brightest but they can only be made to go so bright or otherwise they break radioactivity rules.
Edit
Gerry appears while I'm writing
Wasn't it Mr Fish or something for the isotopes?
Gerry will remember the ebay sellers names but there are a two sellers on there that sell good isotopes.
Green will be the best brightest but they can only be made to go so bright or otherwise they break radioactivity rules.
Edit
Gerry appears while I'm writing
Wasn't it Mr Fish or something for the isotopes?
In reply to Post #3
It was but I think it's darrencarp now.I have had some from him and they are very bright
It was but I think it's darrencarp now.I have had some from him and they are very bright
In reply to Post #3
Think mr fish stopped ? but same deal from Darren carp LINKY POO
The brightest will be the biggest more gas in them same pressure though
Think mr fish stopped ? but same deal from Darren carp LINKY POO
The brightest will be the biggest more gas in them same pressure though
I know green is the original chemical so the brightest and that the power is limited, which leaves physical size as the deciding factor (and new stock obviously)
I can't find any bigger than 3mm x 25mm
Gerry - that might be worth a punt
EDIT - just ordered one, for £6.50 delivered what's the worst that could happen
I can't find any bigger than 3mm x 25mm
Gerry - that might be worth a punt
EDIT - just ordered one, for £6.50 delivered what's the worst that could happen
In reply to Post #5
Anywhere other than eBay? PayPal does my nut in
I shaped some enterprise night glow corn to fit some straight wagglers so I can charge them quickly with a torch, but I could do with some for insert wagglers too
Anywhere other than eBay? PayPal does my nut in
I shaped some enterprise night glow corn to fit some straight wagglers so I can charge them quickly with a torch, but I could do with some for insert wagglers too
In reply to Post #7
www.iceatope.co.uk
99% sure that is website for same seller as in the ebay link. Ordered from the website direct before and good service
www.iceatope.co.uk
99% sure that is website for same seller as in the ebay link. Ordered from the website direct before and good service
In reply to Post #8
Thanks
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
i wonder
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/131611135678?chn=ps&var=430982728238&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=430982728238_131611135678&targetid=908661474856&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006886&campaignid=10199638297&mkgroupid=101938342477&rlsatarget=pla-908661474856&abcId=1145987&merchantid=113624618&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9b_4BRCMARIsADMUIyqRKJV9mpBzBfgP9TPD1oQLdRLWh-Z4xgVb2K73BpWZ-QcA2fsGpO4aAiMrEALw_wcB
i wonder
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/131611135678?chn=ps&var=430982728238&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=430982728238_131611135678&targetid=908661474856&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006886&campaignid=10199638297&mkgroupid=101938342477&rlsatarget=pla-908661474856&abcId=1145987&merchantid=113624618&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9b_4BRCMARIsADMUIyqRKJV9mpBzBfgP9TPD1oQLdRLWh-Z4xgVb2K73BpWZ-QcA2fsGpO4aAiMrEALw_wcB
In reply to Post #10
I spotted something else similar on there Paul, my caution was the weight of it in such a short length.
Battery floats have the battery down in the body for balance.
You'd need quite a serious counterbalance of buoyancy to make it work I think.
Still an option for experiment though.
For reference, just changing a crystal waggler tip to a small nightlight, same length (all drennan) is a No.4 shot difference.
I spotted something else similar on there Paul, my caution was the weight of it in such a short length.
Battery floats have the battery down in the body for balance.
You'd need quite a serious counterbalance of buoyancy to make it work I think.
Still an option for experiment though.
For reference, just changing a crystal waggler tip to a small nightlight, same length (all drennan) is a No.4 shot difference.
In reply to Post #8
Nice one.
They list a 25 x 3.5mm but it's out of stock! Will drop them an email to see if they can get them or bigger.
Nice one.
They list a 25 x 3.5mm but it's out of stock! Will drop them an email to see if they can get them or bigger.
In reply to Post #1
That's a blast from the past, remember those floats, they were Waggler's that took the very small silver calculator/watch batteries as you say.
That's a blast from the past, remember those floats, they were Waggler's that took the very small silver calculator/watch batteries as you say.
In reply to Post #13
early 80's I reckon.
Cannot remember who made them and Google not showing them up at all
Used to take the p out two older blokes who used them, while I used Drennan isotope floats instead.
Isotope floats used to come in 300 or 500 (cant remember the units they used , they were Beta Lights then and probably pre- regulation!)
Not taking the p now my eyes have descended to their level
Watching the 2 red dots move together or apart was so obvious and easy to time a strike though.
Another option is to make a couple of those, maybe modify a big plastic waggler.
early 80's I reckon.Cannot remember who made them and Google not showing them up at all
Used to take the p out two older blokes who used them, while I used Drennan isotope floats instead.
Isotope floats used to come in 300 or 500 (cant remember the units they used , they were Beta Lights then and probably pre- regulation!)
Not taking the p now my eyes have descended to their level
Watching the 2 red dots move together or apart was so obvious and easy to time a strike though.
Another option is to make a couple of those, maybe modify a big plastic waggler.
In reply to Post #12
They have that size in blue which they reckon is the second brightest colour.
"Below is what we believe to be order of brightness.
Ice Green
Ice Blue
Ice Yellow
Ice White
Ice Orange
Ice UV Blue
Ice Red
Ice Purple"
I can confirm the UV blue and red off their site are pretty weak compared to the green, but not tried the regular blue, not sure if it is worth the risk?.
They have that size in blue which they reckon is the second brightest colour.
"Below is what we believe to be order of brightness.
Ice Green
Ice Blue
Ice Yellow
Ice White
Ice Orange
Ice UV Blue
Ice Red
Ice Purple"
I can confirm the UV blue and red off their site are pretty weak compared to the green, but not tried the regular blue, not sure if it is worth the risk?.
In reply to Post #14
I think it was Middy.
I think it was Middy.
In reply to Post #1
I just got a box of 100 starlights/chemical lights for £13 from Amazon, 13p each is cheap enough.
I'm surprised you're finding the starlights don't last long, unless they've changed them now I used to freeze them after a nights use then get another night out of them.
I wouldn't fancy an £8/£10 isotope on top of a float that you could potentially lose.
I just got a box of 100 starlights/chemical lights for £13 from Amazon, 13p each is cheap enough.
I'm surprised you're finding the starlights don't last long, unless they've changed them now I used to freeze them after a nights use then get another night out of them.
I wouldn't fancy an £8/£10 isotope on top of a float that you could potentially lose.
In reply to Post #17
It's an age thing mate (54 and 30 years trying to see through strobes!) - the old mincers are really not what they were!
Yes I did consider a bulk box of cheap unbranded starlights but if they perform like the Drennan Night lights (and they will, lets be honest they are certainly out of the same factory) then I'm going through at least 6 a night and even then they are too bloody bright when they start! Anything bigger than a Drennan “small” (25-30mm) is useless in terms of float balance.
Mini not bright enough and last even less, standard size stupid bright and too heavy anyway.
Truth is they just no longer work well enough for ageing me regardless of price.
I get about an hour window where I can see them as well as I need to, the rest of the time I'm squinting and wondering.
As for losing the float, back in the day that was always a risk, just use a lower BS hook link. No biggie.
Time was we ALL did that!
I need the consistency of either a decent wodge of Tritium or a well balanced LED and battery.
SPIN - Middy is my best guess too, but Google etc still won't show me. I'd love someone to say "I've 3 of them in my garage, gimme a tenner..." but it doesn't look likely
It's an age thing mate (54 and 30 years trying to see through strobes!) - the old mincers are really not what they were!
Yes I did consider a bulk box of cheap unbranded starlights but if they perform like the Drennan Night lights (and they will, lets be honest they are certainly out of the same factory) then I'm going through at least 6 a night and even then they are too bloody bright when they start! Anything bigger than a Drennan “small” (25-30mm) is useless in terms of float balance.
Mini not bright enough and last even less, standard size stupid bright and too heavy anyway.
Truth is they just no longer work well enough for ageing me regardless of price.
I get about an hour window where I can see them as well as I need to, the rest of the time I'm squinting and wondering.
As for losing the float, back in the day that was always a risk, just use a lower BS hook link. No biggie.
Time was we ALL did that!
I need the consistency of either a decent wodge of Tritium or a well balanced LED and battery.
SPIN - Middy is my best guess too, but Google etc still won't show me. I'd love someone to say "I've 3 of them in my garage, gimme a tenner..." but it doesn't look likely
In reply to Post #18
Fair enough mate. Out of interest I lit one up at 8pm last night, I've just checked it in a dark room and it's still glowing more than well enough to see it clearly. You certainly wouldn't need 6 a night!
I'm using them for trotting on the tidal Trent, so the floats are pretty hefty anyway and another BB isn't going to make any difference to me.
Fair enough mate. Out of interest I lit one up at 8pm last night, I've just checked it in a dark room and it's still glowing more than well enough to see it clearly. You certainly wouldn't need 6 a night!
I'm using them for trotting on the tidal Trent, so the floats are pretty hefty anyway and another BB isn't going to make any difference to me.
if you don't mind waiting a while, you can buy 50 starlight's for about 7 quid delivered off of wish.com. delivery isnt fast so be warned
The tackle box do a few nice ones, best ones I've had anyway
MR fish on the bay was hailed as the best. Only two companies make them so it's much as a muchness.
Edit Ahh not Isotopes as such you mean chemical glow sticks
Edit Ahh not Isotopes as such you mean chemical glow sticks
In reply to Post #19
That's the annoying thing - the first one I discard at around midnight is still glowing happily at 5am!
Just not enough for me to see it 2 rod lengths out!
That's the annoying thing - the first one I discard at around midnight is still glowing happily at 5am!
Just not enough for me to see it 2 rod lengths out!
In reply to Post #23
I think I'd be looking at scotchbrite tape, a torch close to the surface and something to block the beam from shining below the surface.
I think I'd be looking at scotchbrite tape, a torch close to the surface and something to block the beam from shining below the surface.
In reply to Post #24
Used to do it with a Tilly lamp and a home-painted gloss white topped float when I was a lad, I can still remember the smell of cooked mozzies & moths - and if a moth got inside to the mantle... game over
You also used to be able to buy floats with a tip that had glass granules in the white paint, they showed up well too.
I hate the idea of a bright light on all night nowadays - and if there's someone else on the lake it's just not fair.
I know I'd hate to fish opposite someone like that.
Used to do it with a Tilly lamp and a home-painted gloss white topped float when I was a lad, I can still remember the smell of cooked mozzies & moths - and if a moth got inside to the mantle... game over
You also used to be able to buy floats with a tip that had glass granules in the white paint, they showed up well too.
I hate the idea of a bright light on all night nowadays - and if there's someone else on the lake it's just not fair.
I know I'd hate to fish opposite someone like that.
In reply to Post #25
I know the smell
I was thinking along the lines of a snood for a flash, taped top and bottom to give a thin strip of light. A torch, a bog roll tube and a bit of gaffer tape it doesn't take much light to make that reflective tape glow
I know the smell
I was thinking along the lines of a snood for a flash, taped top and bottom to give a thin strip of light. A torch, a bog roll tube and a bit of gaffer tape
it doesn't take much light to make that reflective tape glow
In reply to Post #8
In reply to Post #27
A good way to sleeve and protect the 25mm x 3mm isotopes is to use the plastic tube that comes with the cheapo chinese starlights.
I did a nice modification on the enterprise rod tip adaptor for my barbel rods that might give you some ideas and then tweak to suit your diy night float.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1739561672745013&id=990151491019372
A good way to sleeve and protect the 25mm x 3mm isotopes is to use the plastic tube that comes with the cheapo chinese starlights.
I did a nice modification on the enterprise rod tip adaptor for my barbel rods that might give you some ideas and then tweak to suit your diy night float.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1739561672745013&id=990151491019372
In reply to Post #28
In reply to Post #27
I've got the 3x25mm iceatopes on my rod tips. If you can't see a starlight after a few hours, you're not going to see an iceatope. As I posted above, I broke one of the starlight things I got from Amazon and checked it after 12hrs - it was still at least twice as bright as a green iceatope is.
I've got the 3x25mm iceatopes on my rod tips. If you can't see a starlight after a few hours, you're not going to see an iceatope. As I posted above, I broke one of the starlight things I got from Amazon and checked it after 12hrs - it was still at least twice as bright as a green iceatope is.
In reply to Post #30
In reply to Post #31
mine I use sometimes are 4.5 x 37mm and will last all night no problems
I whipped a bit of fluorescent yellow silicon tube to the tip of my rod it grips the glowstick perfectly the size of the tubing is
4 x 6mm and available here LINKY POO
mine I use sometimes are 4.5 x 37mm and will last all night no problems
I whipped a bit of fluorescent yellow silicon tube to the tip of my rod it grips the glowstick perfectly the size of the tubing is
4 x 6mm and available here LINKY POO
In reply to Post #32
In reply to Post #33
Yes, they're the bigger ones - but no way would they dim to much for you to see within a couple of hours. As I said, after 12 hours they are still brighter than an Isotope. Significantly.
Why not buy a box for 13 quid, and experiment with breaking them a couple of hours before you want to use them if they're initially too bright?
Yes, they're the bigger ones - but no way would they dim to much for you to see within a couple of hours. As I said, after 12 hours they are still brighter than an Isotope. Significantly.
Why not buy a box for 13 quid, and experiment with breaking them a couple of hours before you want to use them if they're initially too bright?
Glowtopia.co.uk
Various colours
1.5” x 100 £8
8p each
They do various lengths as well
Maybe worth a punt.
Various colours
1.5” x 100 £8
8p each
They do various lengths as well
Maybe worth a punt.
In reply to Post #2
In reply to Post #36
good glad you cracked it mate
good glad you cracked it mate
In reply to Post #38
In reply to Post #39
Any noticeable change in buoyancy over time? Just wondering if the heat from the bulb alters it, like a crystal loafer does on a sunny day
Any noticeable change in buoyancy over time? Just wondering if the heat from the bulb alters it, like a crystal loafer does on a sunny day
In reply to Post #40
Reading ALL pages