Yes, LED lights can be used in interesting ways to decorating and illuminate any outside area. The following are the most common types of outdoor LED lights and how to make the most of their design potential.

1. Flood Lights
Not just for parking lots and security perimeters anymore, flood lights are a great way to quickly light up a large area for a party, BBQ, or other nighttime yard function. By using LED lights with different levels of brightness, you can easily control how much illumination your yard or garden will receive.

2. Pathway Lights

Strategically placing LED lanterns along your walkway can provide great nighttime path illumination.

Whether you’re using small LED lanterns or tall light posts, LED bulbs work incredibly well as walkway lights. The long life of the bulb means you won’t have to change the bulb very often, and the soft glow of an LED allows for both safety and beauty.

3. String Lights
If you’re having a party, you definitely want to invest in some festive LED string lights. These lights come in all shapes and sizes and are perfect for giving a swanky, romantic glow to an outdoor event. You can even coordinate the color or shape of the lights with the theme of the party. Not having a theme party? No sweat – classic white LED lights are always a hit.

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Cabinet Lighting
If you have deeply recessed cabinets, chances are you have cabinet lights. Did you know that LED bulbs are manufactured in sleek cabinet lighting varieties? Because of their long life spans, you rarely have to replace these light strips.

Fish Tanks

LED lights can be found in many places, including fish tanks.

Not only are LED lights energy-efficient, but they also produce very, very little heat. This is great feature for use in a fish tank, since many varieties of fish can be negatively affected by changes in water temperature caused by traditional lighting sources.

Closets
Closet light bulbs are usually in some hard-to-reach corner and can be a real pain to change out. A good solution for this is to use an LED bulb. They last much longer than traditional incandescents and will save you money on your electricity bill should you forget to turn it off when you leave the house.

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Soon LED bulbs won't be just for flashlights anymore.

In fact, the report seemed to suggest that you were required to buy CFLs when replacing incandescent bulbs. As the popular LED-related blog CreeLEDRevolution.com pointed out, that is simply not true:

“The federally-mandated phase out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs does not in any way specify that consumers must only buy mercury-laden CFLs,” the blog post says.

“The new energy efficiency standards, set to start in 2012, say we can replace our energy-wasting incandescent bulbs with any lighting technology that is roughly 30 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

“That means we could light our homes and businesses with CFLs, but it also means we can choose energy-efficient LED lighting. It even means we could turn to slightly more efficient incandescents that use halogen technology (although this borderline defeats the purpose of the standards, since halogens just barely make the energy-efficiency cut).”

If you’d like more information about what the incandescent phase-out could mean to you and your family, read Shedding New Light, an informative article about the new US Energy Efficiency Standards for Everyday Light Bulbs.

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A durable, high-powered LED flashlight is a must-have for winter sports enthusiasts.

“Dangers

While these sports may be tempting to try when visiting the slopes this winter, they can also be very dangerous if ill prepared. Many people are unaware of the dangers that exist from winter sports – thinking them merely to be fun, nonchalant activities. Contrary to that belief is the body of evidence that shows the fatal side of winter sports. For that reason, it is important to be prepared for all kinds of disasters that can occur on snow packed mountains. Lack of formal experience and knowledge of the local terrain are the main attributers to fatal or near-fatal accidents in snow sports.

Many people underestimate the danger of avalanches and falls in mountain areas ripe with snow. To put it plainly, just the weight of a single person is enough to start a snow slide capable of devouring human lives. Avalanche forecaster Thomas Stucki described this phenomenon as a “house of cards” effect, stating that average body weight can cause the upper layers of snow to part from the bottom layers, much like a house of cards toppling over. Even pacing slowly while snowshoe walking has dangers many don’t expect. Surviving an avalanche requires items such as a beacon, shovel and probe among many others. For this reason it is vital to bring the following list of items whenever travelling in a harsh winter environment.

• Battery powered LED lights
• LED Headlamps
• Emergency Lights
• LED flashlights
• Backpack/sports equipment bag or a duffel bag lined with a lawn bag
• Warm, zip jacket
• Snow pants
• Wool or polar fleece sweaters and sweatshirts
• Long sleeve shirts made of wool or synthetic fiber
• Long underwear made of 100% synthetic materials
• Hiking socks and liners
• Insulated rubber winter boots
• Plastic bags
• Winter gloves and mittens
• Stocking caps and other thick headwear
• Winter sleeping bags and sleeping pads
• Medium tarp
• Whistle
• Pocketknife
• Mess Kit
• Water bottles
• First Aid Kit
• Compass
• Matches or lighter
• Toilet paper”

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Blue and red LED lights encourage plant growth.

According to a report on LedInside.com, Netherlands-based PlantLab believes their work with LED technology could lead to more efficient indoor food production and allow more growing options for farmers in climates with shorter daylight hours.

Using LED lights for plant growth is nothing new. Indoor farmers have been using LEDs for years because of their tendency to increase photosynthesis in plants and their ability to remove some bacteria and viruses. They are also a lot more energy efficient than traditionally grow lights. But probably the main reason LEDs are popular with indoor plant growers is that they provide just the right frequency to encourage growth.

Plants require certain frequencies, or colors, to grow. Using LED lights allow scientists, such as the ones at PlantLab, to use just the right color of light to encourage photosynthesis. These carefully measured color combinations can produce an amazing crop yield in a shorter amount of time. The PhotoLab project overview explains:

“Plants mainly need blue and red light for photosynthesis and far-red, a colour not even visible to the human eye but visible to the plant. The relationships between the light colours determine the form of the plant .”

PlantLab also claims that using indoor, LED-based growing systems have other benefits, including minimizing soil erosion, reducing water waste as much as 95%, and eliminating pesticide use.

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LED lights for your teeth - the new glow stick?

As if taken right out of an 80s sci-fi book about raves, the latest trend in Japanese fashion accessories are glowing LED teeth. That’s right. TEETH. According to the website NDTV, these “teeth attachments” fit right inside your mouth and give your chompers a neon LED glow.

Created as an experiment by a couple of Japanese designers, the new LED light teeth fronts have been used in commercial advertising and are quickly becoming a hot number. According to the article, using the LED smiles is easy: Simply affix the contraption to your teeth, smile, and your whole mouth becomes an LED wonderland. The color of the teeth can be changed using a wireless computer interface.

The following YouTube video shows a group of Japanese girls sporting the new LED teeth technology out-and-about:

LED Light Teeth

The use for this kind of advancement in LED light technology seems pretty limited – it’s essentially an improvement on the old glowstick-in-the-mouth, popular at dance clubs and raves. But who knows? Perhaps the Japanese have a use for the teeth that is unbeknownst to us. The developers of the techonology, Motoi Ishibashi and Daito Manabe, say they are offering workshops in Japan to teach others how to make their own LED teeth. Good luck, fellas.

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Denny's has started using energy-efficient Cree LED lights in its stores nationwide. - Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vuono

That’s right – Denny’s, one of the country’s largest restaurant chains, has started installing energy-efficient LED lights in its new and remodeled stores all over the United States. Manufactured by Cree, Inc., the LR6 six-inch downlights used in the installations are being placed in dining areas and restrooms and are expected to save the company an estimated 6,000 kilowatt hours less per month than traditional fluorescent lights.

“We evaluated numerous LED light fixtures from a variety of manufacturers to ensure that we chose the best possible product and partner for this major lighting specification,” said Denny’s senior manager of design and construction Mitch Riese. “With the Cree LR6 fixture, we found the best value for our money, helping us deliver beautiful, warm light, while significantly reducing our energy consumption and maintenance requirements.”

Joey Terrell, a Denny’s franchise owner in Illinois, says his store has combined LED lights with natural daylighting to reduce the massive amount of energy used by restaurants. “Restaurants use 285 percent more utilities than the average commercial building,” said Terrell. “The easiest way to reduce these costs and improve energy-efficient is to switch from traditional fluorescents to daylighting and LEDs, and that’s what we did.”

Cree LED Lighting vice president Craig Lofton is excited about the new partnership.

“Denny’s is a great example for any restaurant chain looking to become more energy-efficient,” he said.

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A Dino Moppel LED Light is a quirky example of the many ways LEDs are being used for home lighting.

When it comes to energy efficiency, LEDs blow CFLs out of the water.
“In terms of energy efficiency, a standard LED light uses only 2-10 watts of electricity, which is 1/30 of the amount of energy used by a CFL bulb. An LED does not generate nearly as much heat while lit as a CFL would. Especially in the summertime, using CFL bulbs can cause higher temperatures in the home, thus requiring greater uses of cooling systems. Utilizing LED light bulbs, particularly in areas where there is a lot of lighting, can help to save energy and money on cooling costs.”

CFLs burn out faster than LEDs.
“Research places the typical lifespan of a CFL bulb at about 10,000 hours, while an LED light typically lasts between 50,000 and 60,000 hours. This makes using LED lights especially attractive for those hard to reach or recessed lighting areas. Additionally, LED lights are crafted to be solid and hold up better to bumps and drops than a CFL bulb would – but newer types of LED lights have clusters of LEDs making up the light so even if one LED goes out, the rest of the LEDs should not be affected.”

LEDs have their drawbacks, but…
“The biggest drawback for LED lighting is that typically LED lights provide only directional lighting, for example, in track lighting. […] However, there have been recent improvements to LED lighting, creating bulbs that include clusters of LEDs with diffuser lenses available. These next generation LED lights provide a broader shine and expand the types of locations where you can use them.
“Another drawback of the LED light is in their price point. LED lights are usually more expensive than CFL bulbs. However, when you look at cost over time, lifespan, and energy efficiency, this is where LED lighting charges ahead in comparison to CFL lights.”

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Vowing to use more energy-efficient LED lights in your home is a great New Year's Resolution.

1. Conserve energy.
Using LED lights is a sure fire way to conserve energy use and reduce your monthly energy bill. LEDs use significantly energy than their incandescent counterparts, and because almost none of the energy being used is wasted as heat, the bulb can burn much brighter for much longer.

2. Use an eco-friendly product.
Incandescent bulbs are not only less efficient than LED bulbs, but they also are worse for the environment. Many types of traditional lights, including fluorescent bulbs, contain mercury, a very toxic substance. When these types of bulbs end up in a landfill, the mercury toxins can leach into the ground, polluting nearby soil and water.

3. Spend wisely.
It’s true; high-quality, energy efficient LED flashlights and light bulbs usually carry a higher price tag than cheap incandescent. But when you look at the lifespan of the bulbs and the energy they consume, it’s easy to see how LED lights are a much more cost-effective choice.

From all of us here at Discount Lights and Knives, we wish you and yours a very happy new year! Have a great 2011 everyone!

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Emergency Area Light
A powerful LED emergency area light is an essential tool to have if you get stuck in a snow storm. The Coast CE7124HGB features 125 lumen output, four lighting options, durable casing and a built-in battery life indicator. This lantern can last on only four D batteries for up to 100 hours.

Emergency Stretch Light
Featuring a 25 lumen output and a fifty hour runtime, an emergency stretch light is the best of both worlds – focused spotlight and bright area light. With a rear push button and a corrosion resistant casing, an emergency stretch light is a compact way to stay safe in winter weather.

An X21 LED Light Cannon is a great tool to have in case of weather-related emergencies.

X21 Light Cannon
If you find yourself stuck in a snow storm while driving, chances are visibility is going to be very low. That’s the time you will need this extraordinarily powerful LED flashlight. Featuring 1000 lumen output and effective at up to 1,500 feet, the X21 light cannon is perfect for finding your way or signaling for help.

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According to an article on ledinside.com, Visionox and Tsinghua University teamed up in 2008 to create the first domestic OLED mass production line, which has led to more than 250 patent applications for OLED technology. More recently, the two groups have produced technology that uses composite lighting to prolong the life of organic LED lights.

“The invention obtains single color emission through a composite light emitting layer that prolongs the operational life of OLEDS by twenty times,” Visionox intellectual property manager Zhou Shaohua told LedInside. Zhou continued, saying that the advancement is “a new structure that is key to our patented OLED technology.”  

Advancements in organic LED light technology will produce longer lasting TV and computer monitors, such as this one from Sony.

The new technology has a wide range of possible applications, but Visionox says that their main goal is to apply it to larger-sized devices such as TVs and computer monitors. This would mean a longer lifespan for these devices, which could be used for commercial, scientific and educational purposes.

So how long would this new technology last? Well, the current lifespan of an average blue OLED is about 14,000 hours, which would last about five years when run for eight hours a day. The new Visionox technology claims it can produce 1,000 cdm luminance (a very, very bright display) for up to 100,000 hours. Running at eight hours a day, that screen would last for over 34 years. Wow.

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Walkways

Cleverly hidden, a simple LED lantern can make a perfect outdoor walkway light.

Let’s face it – winter is literally a very dark time of year in the United States. Using LED lanterns or bulbs to light a walkway or garden path is a great way to keep your home approachable and inviting, no matter what how dark it gets.

Mantles
Candles are a beautiful accent to any mantle, but they carry inherent risks – namely, burning your house down. LED bulbs, artfully arranged, can achieve the same effect as candles but without the danger of lighting anything on fire. Also, you don’t have to worry about changing them as often.

Centerpieces
LED lights are a great way of adding ambience and atmosphere to a Thanksgiving dinner. Many LED lights are battery powered, meaning there is no need for obnoxious power cords. Add a few bulbs to a traditional centerpiece for a new festive holiday tradition.

Tune in next month when we’ll explore the many different ways to use LED lights in your December holiday decorating scheme.

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According to a press release, the Cree XLamp XM-L LEDs are designed for very high-lumen applications, such as roadway lighting. The new bulbs boast an outstanding 1000 lumen output and run at 100 lumens per watt, making them one of the brightest, most efficient LED lights available.

Cree produces high-quality LED bulbs that are often found in everyday products like LED flashlights.

“The XLamp XM-L LED can fundamentally change the way Cree customers look at LED light,” said John Edmond, Cree director of advanced optoelectronics, in the press release. “An LED with this level of light output and this level of efficacy can accelerate the development of high-output commercial lighting products and could enable applications we haven’t even thought of yet. This sets a new standard for LED performance.”

Another amazing thing about these bulbs? Cree developed them entirely, from concept to commercial availability, in under eight months. This just goes to show how tuned-in Cree is to the development and advancement of LED technology. In fact, part of Cree’s mission statement is the claim to be “setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting.” Pretty bold statements, and so far, entirely accurate.

For more information on the new XLamp XM-L LEDs, visit cree.com or find a distributor.

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Using an LED light inside a jack-o-lantern can create cool, spooky effects.

Most people still use a candle to light your jack-o-lantern. The problem with candles is that they are wasteful, they don’t last very long, and they can be hard to light. The solution? LED lights!

Small LED lights make the perfect candle replacements for Halloween pumpkins. Here are a few reasons why:

Size – LED bulbs come in very small sizes, meaning you can find a bulb to light any size jack-o-lantern.

Safety – LEDs give off very little heat, so there’s no danger of you or your children burning themselves setting it up or taking it out. Also, you don’t have to worry about a candle flame getting out of control and starting your porch or house on fire.

Efficiency – LED bulbs are incredibly long-lasting, (usually for hundreds of hours) meaning you’ll only need one bulb for the entire month of Halloween. That will save you time and money.

Variety – Tired of the plain, one-color candle routine? LED bulbs come in many spooky colors, allowing you to match your pumpkin LED lantern with any Halloween decorating scheme you can imagine.

If you haven’t tried lighting your Halloween pumpkin with LED bulbs, this is the year to start. Stay tuned next week when we dive into the topic of using LED bulbs for trick-or-treating safety.

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Walkways – A dark, spooky house may fit with the Halloween mood, but if you want any trick-or-treaters to come to your door you will have to have your walkway and entrance well-lit. LED lights make the perfect walkway lights for Halloween. Small, powerful and adjustable, these lights can be strategically placed around your walkway or yard to provide adequate light without losing your house’s spook-factor.

Strobe Effects – LED lights can lend a cool, creepy feel to any haunted house or Halloween party. Combine a strobe-setting LED light with dry ice for a spooky smoke effect.

Multi-Color Pumpkins – Tired of the same ole boring candle lighting your jack-o-lantern? Well, no more! Use a colored LED bulb to create an interesting, eye-catching pumpkin creation. Did you carve your pumpkin to look like a moon? Try a yellow bulb! How about an alien? Try a green bulb. The possibilities are endless!

Using a colored LED bulb in your pumpkin can create a fun, spooky effect.

Yes, LED bulbs and Halloween go hand-in-hand. Tune in next week when we’ll look more in-depth at using LED bulbs with your jack-o-lanterns.

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1. Purse mirrors

LED Light Purse Mirror

You’ve probably seen LED lights attached to key rings, but purse mirrors? Who knew? The Rucci purse mirror with LED lights allows you to have a well-lit mirror experience wherever you go. The mirror comes in either black or white and features three strong LED bulbs, a protective carrying pouch, battery, and a shadow-free mirror.

2. License plates

How many times has a cop pulled you over because of a busted taillight? Well, did you know you can also get stopped if your license plate isn’t visible? Well, Pilot Automotive is trying to help you out with their Super White LED License Plate Light. The long-lasting, efficient LED lights boast over 100,000 hours of life, low power consumption and no heat output. The shock-resistant bulbs are perfect for those with large sound systems in their trunks.

3. Kindle cover

Kindles and iPads are amazing, but without the right light they can still be a bit hard to read. That’s not a problem if you have an LED Lighted Leather Cover. For this product, the LED reading light is built into the back of the leather cover, allowing you to pull it out for easy use and retract it for easy storage. And because it’s an LED, you know it’s going to last a long, long time.

These are just a few of the amazing ways people are putting LED bulbs to use. What creative new ways can you think of?

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LED Lenser Flashlight

It’s no surprise that an LED manufacturing company is one of the leading employers for the Raleigh area. LED bulbs are being used in everything from home light bulbs, flashlights, lanterns, car lights, computers, televisions, and even the new iPhone 4. Cree has taken advantage of this boom in LED use and created over 600 new jobs since 2009, which already surpasses the 2012 hiring goals the company set for itself last year. The new LED wafer production facility is expected to hire an additional 250 employees by 2013.

But what is an LED wafer, exactly? Well, it’s all quite technical, but a wafer is essentially a component of an LED bulb that holds the necessary electrical structures to complete the bulb’s circuit. The 150mm LED wafer developed by Cree is nearly twice the size of current ones, meaning more LEDs can be used on a single wafer. This technique makes LED bulbs even more energy efficient, as the amount of materials going into each bulb is lessened.
Cree CEO and Chairman Chuck Swoboda is all aflutter about the LED wafers, as he expressed in a press release earlier this month.

“150mm LED wafers are an important step in enabling the next phase of LED lighting,” Swoboda said. “These new larger wafers are the result of Cree’s relentless focus on innovation, demonstrating our commitment to leading the LED Lighting Revolution.”

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The latest in LED technology is being used to light up the oceans in various underwater lighting devices. Created mainly for divers and underwater film crews, the single- and multi-canister LED lights are powerful, compact and reach greater depths than other types of bulbs.

Single-canister underwater LED bulbs usually feature about a 100 watt LED that produces an amazing 9,000 lumen output. The lithium-polymer battery is rechargeable and lasts for about two hours. The depth of single-canister LED bulbs is an astounding 500 feet. At a mere 4.5 inches by 14.5 inches, the single-canister LED is a small but powerful light.

Underwater LED Lighting Device

Double-head canister lights are slightly bulkier but pack twice the power of their single-canister cousins. Used mainly by underwater videographers, double-head canisters feature two light heads and produce an amazing 18,000 lumen output. The double-head canister light does lack a bit on battery life. Its rechargeable lithium-polymer battery takes about four hours to charge but lasts only one hour. Most casual ocean divers don’t need such a powerful light, but if you have a video project that requires underwater shooting, this light will definitely not disappoint.

Another great feature about the underwater LED lights is their wet light head and canister connections. These amazing LED technology advancements allow users to change bulbs and even battery canisters underwater. Packing a number of extra battery canisters on your person will give you more use out of your light and extend the dive time.

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Starting next month, the EU ban on incandescent bulbs will be 2/3 complete. The ban on 100-watt bulbs took place in September 2009, and the more popular 60 watt variety will be phased out next year. The ban comes from growing concern over the inefficiency of incandescent bulbs. Filament bulbs use only 5% of their energy as light, with the rest of their energy being emitted as heat. They also burn out much faster than fluorescent CFL or LED bulbs. The longevity of CFL and LED bulbs is another reason the EU moved to require their use. Although filament bulbs are much cheaper up front, the money that can be saved from using the more environmentally friendly fluorescent CFL or LED bulbs is considerable.

LED Flood Bulb

Europeans are buying up the filament bulbs not only because they are cheaper, but because many people don’t like the quality of light produced by CFLs or LEDs. CFL lamps usually take longer to warm up – sometimes up to ten minutes to reach full brightness – though this is a problem CFL insiders say is being fixed. Fluorescent and LED bulbs are also less effective in cold weather, which is a big concern for countries like Finland and Sweden.

While faster-starting LED bulbs and lamps are being developed, the binge buying of filament bulbs suggests that many Europeans still oppose the ban. The U.S. has a similar ban in place that will require all bulbs to be 25% to 35% more efficient by 2014.

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Despite a higher up-front cost, LEDs have proven to actually save their users money by using less energy than their counterparts. Cities such as Indianapolis, Scranton, Evansville, and Scribner have all made the move towards LED products and city officials are excited about the ecological and economical benefits.

Indianapolis, Indiana recently received over $8 million in grants from the US Department of Energy and is planning on spending at least $1 million on upgrading over 500 traffic lights to energy-efficient LEDs.

“The installation of brighter, energy-efficient traffic signals allows us to become a more sustainable city and enhance motorist safety, while cutting costs at the same time,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “Enhancing public safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods have always been top priorities.”

In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the State Department of Transportation is using over $350,000 to install LED traffic lights. The move is an attempt to save money on both energy and maintenance of the lights. The current incandescent lights last only about 18 months.

White Beam Flood Leflector

Evansville, Wisconsin, is also hopping on board the LED train. The city is planning on replacing 250 high-pressure sodium lights LEDs, expecting to save approximately $8,000 year by cutting energy use by 80,000 kW/hrs.

Yes, many U.S. cities are banking on the energy- and money-saving power of LED lights. Shouldn’t you?

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1. Padded Sheath
While DL&K does feature many fine nylon and leather replacement flashlight sheaths, we’re partial to this super comfy neoprene padded one. It features a Velcro closure for easy access, a nylon belt loop on its back, and is only 3 inches in length, meaning you’ll hardly even know it’s there. At only $6.48, this padded sheath is a top-notch bargain.

2. ICR14500 Rechargeable Battery
This battery is good for Coast LED Lenser models 7747, 7748, 7853, and 7854 (which if you don’t have by now, you should) and is a steal at only $8.80. The battery boasts a 3.7V and 700mAh. Oh, and did we mention how cost-efficient and eco-friendly rechargeable batteries are? Yeah, they are.

3. LL7853/7854 Car Charger
Imagine being able to charge your batteries while driving to your favorite outdoor destination. Well, imagine no more! This convenient charger will rev up your LL7853 or LL7854 batteries so you won’t be without a fresh pair. And the cost? A mere $9.99. Yeah, you want this.

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Z-Frame Knife
This bad boy features a stainless steel drop-point blade, belt clip, liner lock and open frame handles. It is rugged, compact, and at a mere $16 it certainly won’t break the bank.

Nano Tac Torch
For the father who has everything comes this compact, handy LED light. With a 13 lumen output and crystal reflector tube system, this light packs quite a punch for its size (2.5 inches). And priced at only $8, you can afford to buy dad two of them.

Folding Saw
Great for campers, the Coast folding saw features a stainless steel saw blade with double cut teeth, a rubberized grip handle and a safety button lock. At 10.75 inches total length, this tool is small enough to carry with you but strong enough to get the job done. Another great feature? It’s only $10!

Folding Fishing Tool/12-Piece Bit Set
This 24-function fishing tool is stainless steel, comes with a convenient carrying pouch and is only $19.99. ‘Nuff said.

LL7853/7854 Car Charger
For the dad on the go, this handy car charger will have your rechargeable batteries ready for action again in no time. Plug it in, charge ‘em up and go. It’s well worth the $9.99 you’re going to spend on it.

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1. Berlin Light Tower
This mellow, versatile LED is great for adding mood lighting to any room. The 9.2-inch rod features three LED light chips that you can mix and match to create up to seven different colors. The unit includes a transformer so you can use any standard electrical outlet. Great for dorm rooms, parties or any other situation that needs a little soft light.

2. Hollywood Moon Spot
This 7-inch desk lamp has a wide, soft beam that is perfect for studying or reading. This dependable LED uses a mere 1.2 watts, making it one of the most economical lamps on the market today. Its sleek design complements modern work spaces such as offices and studios.

3. Big Waterdrops
If you like your light fixtures to have a bit of flare, this funky number is for you. This original work of LED art measures 4.4 inches in diameter and uses less than one watt of power. The LED base chips come in blue, red, white or seven-color. Makes a great gift.

4. Blue Earth Globe
A little classier than other LED art options, the Blue Earth Globe includes a transformer and uses less than one watt of energy. Like the Big Waterdrops display, the globe base can be purchased with red, blue, white or multi-colored LED bases. A nice addition to a study, library or student’s room.

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1. Large Stockman Folding Knife
This is your basic, all-purpose folding knife. The Stockman is stainless steel and features clip-point, sheepfoot and spey blades. The knife measures four inches closed, and at only $4 a pop, it’s one of the most dependable, inexpensive pocket knives you can find.

2. Black LED Pocket Pliers
If a multi-tool is more up your alley, this little number is for you. Featuring a built-in LED light, scissors, saw blade, knife blade, wire cutter and a variety of screwdriver tips, the LED Pocket Pliers do it all. These stainless steel beauties run a mere $32.

3. LED Camp Light
If the stars and the campfire aren’t quite enough light when you go camping, try packing along this handy, powerful camp light. The 5.6-inch body is home to the advanced Crystal Reflector Tube System, providing brilliant white LED light to any campground. The light runs on two AA batteries and costs only $22.

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The 29-year-old Tacoma resident was snowboarding on Mt. Hood with a friend on Saturday, May 1, when he went missing. Dahl was reported lost around 5 p.m. on Saturday and was not discovered until 9:30 a.m. the following morning. Despite the night he spent on the mountain, Dahl discovered in good condition.

Though dressed for the elements, Dahl did not have any communication or electronic devices with him at the time he went missing. With his cell phone locked in a vehicle at Timberline Lodge and no flashlight or emergency lantern to use, Dahl was left in the dark on Mt. Hood as soon as the sun set. A number of rescue agencies worked to find him, including Benton County, Portland Mountain Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, Mountain Wave Communications and the American Medical Response.

Dahl’s story is an inspiring and cautionary tale of the potential dangers the great outdoors can pose. Even experienced skiers, snowboarders and hikers should carry some sort of emergency LED light at all times, if not a cell phone or other communications device. Pocket LED torches are a great way to light your path or signal for help should you lose your way on the mountain.

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There are many instances in which rechargeable batteries are preferable to disposable batteries, but is an outdoor adventure one of them? Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of using disposable batteries in an outdoor setting:

PRO: Cost

While rechargeable batteries can start with a significantly higher price tag, the money saved by reusing them is well worth the initial investment. Using rechargeable batteries in low-wattage devices such as flashlights can save the frequent user hundreds of dollars a year.

CON: Charging

Disposable batteries are popular because they don’t require any thought or effort, whereas rechargeable batteries take a little more preparation. Most outdoor areas don’t offer electrical outlets to charge a dead battery, so if you don’t bring back-ups you might end up in a tight spot. Also, charging batteries can take a number of hours–time you may not have when camping, hiking or otherwise enjoying nature. To get the longest use out of your rechargeable batteries, use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns with LED light bulbs, which last longer and use 90 percent less energy than traditional bulbs.

PRO: Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of using rechargeable batteries is obvious: Fewer dead batteries means less waste in landfills. Many retail establishments also offer disposal programs for rechargeable batteries past their prime, so you know that the harmful chemicals these batteries contain are being handled in a more environmentally aware manner.

CON: Availability

While most large retail stores carry rechargeable batteries, you might be hard-pressed to find any at your favorite mom-and-pop bait shop. The lack of availability of rechargeable batteries can lead even the best-intentioned outdoor enthusiast back to the disposable variety.

Rechargeable batteries may sound like a pain to use, but with a little planning they can be an easy, more environmentally friendly power source for your outdoor-related gadgets.

Read more tips on battery usage and disposal.

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Flashlights make great outdoor gifts for children. Not only are they sturdy and fun to play with in the dark, but LED flashlights such as the Coast V2 Triplex or V2 6 Chip Dual Color Tactical Torch also help kids stay safe. Of course, outdoor playtime should be carefully monitored when the sun goes down.

Fishing is another great way to introduce kids to the outdoors. Fishing poles, reels, and tools make great gifts, too. For older kids, the traditional rod and reel may be boring or unnecessary. Gifts such as the Coast Mini Fish Scissors or Folding Fishing Tool are fun and functional, making any fishing trip a memorable one.

If your teen is an avid hunter, you might consider tools that will make the hunting experience more enjoyable. The Coast Hardwood Hunter knife makes a great gift for any responsible young hunting enthusiast. The Coast Light Knife is another, combining the durability of Coast folding knives with the power of the latest LED technology.

Always remember to monitor your children during outdoor activities, and never give dangerous outdoor tools to children too young to handle them safely.

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Consumers are becoming more savvy about the long-term payoffs of using this sustainable lighting alternative over traditional incandescent bulbs, the article adds. LED light bulbs last longer and use nearly 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, benefiting both your household budget and the environment. Learn more about the environmental benefits of LED lighting.

While outfitting your home with LED lights can cost more upfront, it can save you money in the long run. Here are some tips for converting your home lighting to LED bulbs:

• Use LED bulbs indoors in your hanging light fixtures, track lights, and lamps.
• Replace your outdoor floodlights with LED Leflector bulbs.
• Swap out your holiday lights for LED light strings.
• Consider LED accent lighting for your outdoor deck or patio.

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One of the easiest ways to turn an everyday backyard into party central is to turn on some fun, colorful LED lights. Durable and long-lasting, LED lights are now being offered in an array of colors and shapes that may be just what you need for your next festive occasion.

The Coast LED Earth Cube is a fun, funky way to light any room. The rainbow micro-LED base illuminates a beautiful globe pattern and is sure to be the talk of the party.

The Coast Montreal Light Tower is another great way to jazz up a room. The two-foot tower features three LED light chips that can be customized to produce a wide range of colors, from yellow to red to purple to blue. The tower also includes a transformer, so it runs off any standard electrical current.

The Coast V24 Light Stick Party Set is a great way to get your friends and guests in on the fun. The set comes with four colored light sticks and includes garden stakes, making backyard set-up a breeze. The lights stand a little over three feet tall and can be seen from up to three miles away.

When it comes to lighting up your barbeque or outdoor party with LEDs, you’re only limited by your imagination— and the length of your extension cord.

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1.) Coast Fish Fillet Knife
This simple, sturdy knife features a partially serrated, 8-inch stainless steel blade that is tempered for the sole purpose of filleting. The rubber handle has finger contours to ensure a secure grip, and the knife comes with a handsome blade sheath.

2.) Angler Exchange Blade Fishing Set
This all-purpose stainless steel fishing blade set features a 6-inch filleting blade, 5-inch boning blade, and 4-inch serrated bait-cutting blade. All blades are interchangeable on the non-slip handle and fit inside the complimentary Nylon sheath.

3.) Folding Fishing Tool and 12-Piece Bit Set
This 24-function tool features stainless steel construction, forceps-nose pliers, scissors, crimpers, a wire cutter, and a partially serrated main blade. Each piece in the 12-piece bit set fits perfectly in the tool and comes in a handy storage pouch.

4.) Micro Fishing Flex LED Light
Say goodbye to cleaning fish in the dark. This brilliant LED light offers up to 35 hours of battery life, a high-quality LED beam, crystal reflector tube system, a 2.75 inch flexible neck and a pocket or cap clip.

5.) Fisherman’s Utility Kit
Two of the best fishing tools around in one handy kit. The 6 inch fish pliers crimp weights and sleeves as well as remove slip rings, while the utility shears can be used to cut just about anything. Both tools feature rubberized handles and Nylon pouch.

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