Seattle Sports Glostick Multi-Clip USB ($20, Seattle Sports)
What does Spaceballs, the 1980’s sci-fi spoof, have to do with the Glostick? I’m glad you asked. Let’s just say, not much. Still, Dark Helmet would be impressed. Or maybe not, actually. (Ahem! If you’re under 30, click here.)
Now, wait a minute. The Glostick was never intended to save the universe, so I’m not holding it to that standard. What the Glostick does, though, it does very well: provide a lightweight, water resistant, AND rechargeable light source for emergencies or just about any outdoor activity where you need to see and/or be seen. I can’t think of any case where one of those doesn’t apply. If you can, let me know so I can prove you wrong.
Features & capabilities
The Glostick, by Seattle Sports, is an appropriately named lighting solution for campers, hikers, cyclists, boaters, and other weekend warrior-types. It’s weather resistant, rubberized light body powers a tiny LED bulb that gives off enough light to read by or scrounge through your pack without waking your tentmate. Attached to the light body (base), a translucent, colored tube (red, blue, or green) acts as the glow stick portion. It gives off a soft fl
ood of colored light that’s perfect for diffuse lighting in a small space, or providing a point of visibility that can be seen even at distance.
The included multi-clip enables you to affix the Glostick to virtually any small-diameter (about 1″ or less) object. It’s perfect as an emergency taillight on a bike or to attach to an antenna, sail line, or other narrow device for adventures on the water.
A brief aside…
This particular use would have come in handy for me during a late night ski boat outing in high school. Already a brilliant idea, right? One of my genius friends–now a Ph.D., J.D., via CalTech, Cornell and Santa Clara U–disconnected the battery. He then promptly FORGOT he had done it. We flailed about in the dark for a couple of hours with a single paddle before his memory kicked in, and we nearly murdered him in the moonlight on Lake Tenkiller in northeast Oklahoma. Science will thank us later for our mercy.
…and we’re back.
The tube also makes the Glostick a serviceable flashlight, though you wouldn’t use this one for plumbing the depths of the earth, navigating technical terrain, or performing surgery. Detach the tube and hang the light in your tent or from your hammock ridge line for a nice dome light.
Possibly the best feature of Seattle Sports’ Glostick is the fact that it’s rechargeable. The rubberized end of the base hides a micro-USB port. Also it weighs less than two ounces and costs less than $20. Fully charged, the light reportedly lasts 3 hours on high, and 35 hours in SOS mode. (one of two blinking settings). And charging takes less time than you’d think.
Because of its light weight and rechargability, I take this light just about everywhere. In the outdoors, on roadtrips, even when I travel for work. And when I’m not using it, my toddler son has one-sided lightsaber battles (or schwartz, take your pick) and generally just runs the battery out somewhere in the house. But, like I said: It’s rechargeable.
Learn more at seattlesportsco.com
