JeepSWAG – Living with a Jeep JK

Nebo Redline Flashlight – Available at JeepSWAG.com

I’m a certifiable “flashlight nerd”. Among some others, I currently own:
Underwater Kinetics C4 with NiMH batteries and a high output Xenon bulb (Pricey but nicey)
Underwater Kinetics 4AA Twist Bezel (great when it works)
Underwater Kinetics 2AAA Mini Pocket Light (great value compact light)
Stanley HID (A big giant monster in every way)
3 Cell LED Maglite (great value)
2 Cell LED Maglite (great value)
2 AA Cell Xenon Maglite (crap)
Surefire 2DE Executive (Expensive at $110)
Nebo Redline (Best Value at about $30)

Super bright, VERY Smooth adjustable beam. Runs on inexpensive AAA batteries. Compact and light. I’ve read and watch many youtube reviews of flash lights. I’ve not seen any lights of this quality and performance for anywhere near this price.

Specifications
Settings – 220 lumens / 110 lumens / 22 lumens / S.O.S. / Defensive Strobe
Runtime
- 100% – 4 hours of continuous illumination
- 50% – 8 hours of continuous illumination
- 10% – 15 hours of continuous illumination
- S.O.S. – 72 hours of continuous illumination
- Strobe – 72 hours of continuous illumination
Length – 4.5”
Diameter – 1.5”
Weight – 0.428 lbs.
Batteries – 3 AAA batteries (included)

The Redline Flashlight review is the first of a gear review series that I’ll be writing. I’ll be reviewing equipment that are is necessarily Jeep specific, but commonly used by folks who wheel and camp.
When possible, I’ll be offering the equipment that I review on JeepSWAG.com. at the usual discounted prices.

I’m going to be posting reviews about gear that I use. Equipment that I believe offer exceptional value. This gear is not necessarily Jeep specific, but rather gear that Jeepers commonly use. When it makes sense, I’ll be offering these products at JeepSWAG.com.

If you are interested in learning about the products that I use, please subscribe.

If you have a piece of equipment that you’d like to tell me about, please email me.

There’s a lot of garbage out there these days and I’m hoping this thread will help you find products that are affordable, work well and will last the test of time.

Up coming gear reviews:
- Sleeping Bags
- Axes & Hatchets
- Heater
- Fire Starter
- Lantern
- Gear Storage
- Shackles
- Tire Plug Kits
- Tents
- Camping Toilet
- Chuck Box and Cooler
- And More

Here are some product categories that I have not found a brand/model that I am yet willing to endorse, because I haven’t found any that offer exceptional value:

- Windproof lighter. I own a Brunton Firestorm. It’s an exceptional lighter, however because of the high price I don’t consider it to be an exceptional value.

- Folding Table. I own a Alps Mountaineering table. It works fine, but is not going to last a lifetime.

Products that I will not endorse, because either each user will have their own preferences or there are just too many of the same type on the market
- Stoves. I use a Century for deluxe camping and a Coleman Single Burner for a compact.
- Pots and pans. I’m happy with my MSR set and I’m sure there are many other great sets out there.
- Silveware. I use standard table ware.
- Knives. Don’t get me started.
- Pack Towel.
- Water Jugs. I recommend a soft sided one, for packablity. I am happy with my Reliance Collapsible, but have read a lot of bad reviews, where they leak.

We ran a bunch of trails in and around AC yesterday.

Much to my surprise we had good weather. We pulled in at 7:30 on Friday night. There was supposed to be storm weather. It was clear, slight breeze and a temp of 55 at 7:00. I’d guess about 3 a.m. it started to rain and blow a bit. Good tent and bags took care of the whole family. By morning, the rain slowed and by 9:00 it was clear skies. The rest of the day was cooler as the breeze came in.

Great views and fun trails as usual.

The rain has CHANGED AC a bunch. We talked with some other local campers and around the beginning of the year, you could hardly get to the old mill/mine at the end of basin road. This because the river had washed all the access out of many of the usual off-shoot entrances. The following have been highly effected by the rains this year:

- The entrance to the road that runs East on the South side of the train tracks (Road that heads toward T-Bone Albright’s Grave)

- Entrance to the South Spooky Canyon.

I’m sure there are more, but we ran all this at night and didn’t get to watch for others.

The trail to Spooky Canyon is completely changed. The bottom part of the trail is now all smooth wash. The top part is all boulder rock and much more difficult than I’ve ever seen it.

The steel posts and wire rope barrier that keeps traffic out of the protected area, just West of Spooky Canyon, is all washed out. We accidentally ended up a couple hundred yards past where the barriers used to be. Too bad these are down. We respected that this are is closed to traffic, but I’m certain that others won’t.

The water crossing, right next to the bridge has changed completely. It used to be more of a road and is now all Volkwagen sized hills.

The large water crossing, simply isn’t. It’s about 25% of its usual length and not so much as a road. The posts/barriers on each side (usually about three feet tall) are anywhere from 6″ tall to completely buried. It’s not a smooth road and the water was only about a foot deep. Didn’t really make much sense. We thought for sure it would be really deep.

Being the kind and thoughtful folks that we are, we recently set up a Facebook page for T-Bone Albright’s Grave.  Check it out and be sure to send a friend request.  Here’s a link: http://www.facebook.com/tbone.albright

We are very happy to add the Reid Racing JK High Steer Knuckles to the JeepSWAG site. Still in development, we are working on putting a complete High Steer package together.

Check back for updates.

LINK to JeepSWAG High Steer page

JeepSWAG is putting together a SWAG run. The run is in the Mormon Rocks area which is close to the Cajon Pass and the Cleghorn Ridge Trail.

This run is a little different than most, with scheduled activities throughout the day and lots of SWAG.

1. Poker Run
The first run is a two card Poker Run. The Poker Run is sure to test your GPS skills. One card will be picked up at what is known to be the best Train Spotting area in the U.S. The other is a secret tunnel run that leads to a really strange compound of sorts. The Poker Run winner will receive an extra entry for drawings. After the Poker Run we are meeting in the Mormon Rocks area. We have found a spot that has a small Sand Dune to “play” on. The star attraction is a short trail that we have dubbed “Train Hammer”. Train Hammer is a fairly advanced short trail with two venerable obstacles. This advanced area will be limited to rigs with 35”+ tires and lockers. Ride-a-longs for lesser experienced drivers will be offered and we are looking for a limited number of volunteers to give the rides. We hope to offer a taste of advance rock crawling for those who usually would not have such an opportunity.

2. Rock Crawling Guest Speaker

W.E. Rock driver John James, will be attending with his Forumla Toy, just one week after racing in the King Of the Hammers. John will be doing a walk and talk through Train Hammer (the trail is only 350 yards long), shedding some light on what a pro rock crawler looks for on the trail.

3. OffRoad Driver Training
Also in the works is a presentation by a professional 4X4 trainer. The presentation will be a slice of a course topic that the trainer offers and a general overview of all courses that are offered. Topics being considered are, Tread Lightly, Hi-Lift jack safety and a winching demonstration including how to winch in reverse.
4. SWAG aka Giveaways
The day will end with JK-Forum sponsor SWAG. We are contacting many JK-Forum sponsors and asking if they want to provide SWAG type give-aways, for a drawing. And of course, I’ll have plenty of my infamous JK Hood Hold Down Kits. You don’t have to be present to win. Just check in with us ,at Train Hammer, at some point during the day.