REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

jlo mein · 04-08-2013, 05:14 PM

I watched a $150 flashlight fall out of my pocket and into a rushing creek while hiking a couple days ago. I went in and searched for it, but the rushing water made visual searching impossible and I couldn't find it by touch.

Below is a photo, with the area I dropped it circled. I believe the light sank straight down, and didn't float downstream. In the circled area the water varies from 4-8 inches deep. I'd want to search an area about 3 feet in diameter.

My idea is to bring another bright light to light up underwater, and then use a plastic transparent jar/tub and half submerge it into the creek which will hopefully allow me to see the creek bottom through the jar/tub.

I've considered using a very strong magnet to comb over the creek bottom, but I don't have one strong enough that will attract the magnetic battery inside the non-magnetic aluminum flashlight body.

Are there any other ideas? Perhaps is there some sort of material I can use to temporarily block the flow of water streaming over that area?

Hondaracer · 04-08-2013, 05:40 PM

Grab some hip waders and gloves and go at it by feel
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Greenstoner · 04-08-2013, 07:32 PM

off topic but mind telling me where this creek is ? i woud love to go

jlo mein · 04-08-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenstoner

off topic but mind telling me where this creek is ? i woud love to go

Sure I'll definitely mention it after I've gone back for a second look. I got a lot of great suggestions from other forums so I think I'll try tomorrow.

Suggestions are to shift rocks or use sandbags to dam up the rushing water over the area I want to search. Should make the water more calm and easier to view through. Also going to try and take some gloves and maybe chemical hand warmers. Last time I tried hand searching my fingers went numb after 30 seconds so I couldn't feel a thing.

Metal detectors have been suggested but it seems cost and training prohibitive.

tiger_handheld · 04-08-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenstoner

off topic but mind telling me where this creek is ? i woud love to go

for a free $150 flashlight

?

twitchyzero · 04-08-2013, 09:35 PM

get those long retractable magnets used for finding loose screws? (assuming flashlight isn't aluminum) I mean it's only 1ft deep

SoNaRWaVe · 04-08-2013, 10:01 PM

get like a broomstick and gently stir the area scraping the bottom and see if you hit something and have a net ready to scoop it up? something like a pool cleaning net but smaller so it can fit in that small area.

asian_XL · 04-08-2013, 10:10 PM

use a super strong magnet tie to a string.

GLOW · 04-09-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenstoner

off topic but mind telling me where this creek is ? i woud love to go

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo mein

Sure I'll definitely mention it after I've gone back for a second look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld

for a free $150 flashlight

?

that must be some kick ass flashlight for $150

Renxo · 04-09-2013, 08:21 AM

link to flashlight

firebird79_00 · 04-09-2013, 08:42 AM

Must mean fleshlight

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StylinRed · 04-09-2013, 08:47 AM

For those interested, I imagine it's something like these

Spoiler!

there are lots of useful n pricey flashlights

sorry for diverting the path of the thread Jlo Mein but It seemed like a good idea to get all the curiosity out of the way

If it were me I'd just count the flashlight as lost I'd be more worried about hurting myself trying to find it

nma · 04-09-2013, 09:45 AM

jlo mein · 04-09-2013, 05:44 PM

I FOUND IT!!!

Thanks for all the help guys. Building a dam with rocks was actually quite an effective method. I was able to get the water calm enough to see through, and using another flashlight I lit up the entire rockbed.

After being under almost a foot of water for a week I was surprised that it still worked. Lubricated o-ring seals held up fine, no water got inside.

FYI it's a Surefire E1e with a custom high CRI LED drop in module. Here's a map of where I found it. (the purple drop pin area, the blue dot was incorrect). The trail splits off a gravel vehicle road near the Lynn Canyon parking lot.

Brianrietta · 04-09-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo mein

I FOUND IT!!! ... After being under almost a foot of water for a week I was surprised that it still worked. Lubricated o-ring seals held up fine, no water got inside ... Surefire

Not even in the slightest bit surprised that it still works. In my experience without a doubt the best constructed flashlights in the world.

GLOW · 04-09-2013, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenstoner

off topic but mind telling me where this creek is ? i woud love to go

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo mein

I FOUND IT!!!

Here's a map of where I found it.

greenstoner's no longer interested in going there

glad you were able to find it again.

crazie_gsr · 04-10-2013, 12:18 AM

I was going to suggest bringing a feasible size board so you can hopefully divert the stream of water upstream of the rocks so the water will be less violent in hope you can get a better look.

glad you figured it out

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StylinRed · 04-10-2013, 03:38 AM

so it was a surefire

twitchyzero · 04-10-2013, 09:34 AM

teh internets
helping you recover lost flashlight in a creek bed since 2013

Gumby · 04-10-2013, 09:38 AM

The worst feeling is knowing exactly where you lost something, but being unable to retrieve it!

Glad to hear you got it back.

mos_skeeto · 04-10-2013, 01:08 PM

op delivers.

now i kinda want a 150 dollar flashlight.

underscore · 04-17-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo mein

After being under almost a foot of water for a week I was surprised that it still worked. Lubricated o-ring seals held up fine, no water got inside.

You'd kinda assume that at $150 they would at least waterproof it. Even if they didn't, the wiring in a flashlight is pretty basic so some new batteries and some air drying and it would likely be fine.