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- Meet My Latest Gadget: The Manta Ray C8 Lamp!

Hey there, fellow enthusiasts! I’ve got some exciting news to share—there’s a new player in town, and it’s called the Manta Ray C8 lamp. Move over, Alonefire SV004; there’s a cool upgrade here!

- Look at the Two Lamps from the End

Here’s the scoop: I handed over my spare Alonefire SV004 long-wave LED flashlight to my ex. I thought it was time for a change, you know? But don’t worry, I wasn’t on the hunt for a replacement partner—those are way too pricey! A new lamp felt like a much more sensible upgrade compared to, well, another ex. LOL.

My trusty Alonefire, a Convoy S2 clone with a beefier reflector, did the job just fine. But with a single 18650 battery, the voltage dropped below optimal pretty quickly. Despite the reduced output, that lamp soldiered on for hours, still delivering more powerful long-wave radiation than my old 9-watt mercury-based lamp.

Now, my shiny new lamp is a Manta Ray. It’s like the C8’s cool cousin with an extension tube, boasting double the voltage and battery capacity of the trusty Alonefire. Plus, it features a much larger reflector and filter. So, in theory, it should shine brighter, last longer, and illuminate a larger area at a greater distance.

And guess what? It does just that!

- Alonefire and Manta Ray Illuminate Rocks at the Same Distance

As expected, the Manta Ray throws out a brighter and broader spotlight, which is fantastic for prospecting. However, it can be a bit too much indoors, especially when you’re trying to capture some fluorescent magic in a photo. The Manta Ray was just too darn bright for a good shot!

Now, the Alonefire—it’s small, pocket-friendly, and costs half of what the Manta Ray does. So, the big question: Is one Manta Ray better than two Alonefires? It’s a real head-scratcher! Maybe the perfect setup is one of each. LOL.

New Flashlights on the Horizon

Hold onto your hats because cutting-edge LED mid and shortwave ultraviolet flashlights are on the way! These game-changers outperform the classic quartz vapor lamps by a mile. Portable, long-lasting, with built-in LED filters and incredible output, they’re about to revolutionize fluorescent mineral collecting, just like the long-wave LED flashlights did.

Yes, they’re a tad pricey right now, costing as much as or more than my quartz vapor lamp. But give it a year or two, and the Chinese will likely whip up some clones, making them more budget-friendly. That’s when I’ll snag one for its power and utility!

I have a hunch that these high-powered short/medium wave LED flashlights will uncover a treasure trove of new and stunning fluorescent minerals and localities. Get ready for some seriously exciting glowing adventures! ✨

Cheers,
D 🪨🔥