Greetings

The other day Mrs Torchguy said "aren't people interesting" which got me thinking – is there anything MORE interesting than people?

Many of us are fascinated by animals, I mean just look at this doccie about crows. However I can't help wondering if we are drawn to them simply because they are so much like us?

And what about cats?

Mrs T and I rely heavily on customers who enjoy looking at animals at night, including birds and bugs, which calls for different kinds of beam to those we recommend for security and loadshedding, as discussed in my article on beam profiles.

For many years the B158 Bullseye was the mainstay of our wildlife range, offering not only a penetrating white beam but also a choice of coloured LED modules, notably red and UV. Animals ignore red light while UV causes several kinds of nunu – especially scorpions – to glow brightly ("fluoresce").

Coloured LEDs are different to filters because they generate pure colours, rather than extracting them from white light, but they tend to be relatively low powered. However a lens-based torch like the Bullseye concentrates their light into an intense beam so you can see animals a long way off.

Unfortunately the Bullseye hasn't been upgraded for quite a few years, so I've been looking around for a replacement... and finally found it in the T18 Artemis which is NOW IN STOCK. I'm thrilled to bits with this torch, which is a significant step up on the old one.

Initially I'm offering the Artemis in a kit with white, red and UV modules, a wireless remote (which allows you to adjust the brightness) and a rechargeable lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery, all for R3,690.And, to celebrate the 11th anniversary of Torchguy (we sold our first torch in February 2013) I'm offering 20% off if you pay by EFT into our account, bringing the price down to R2,950 complete and delivered.

There's lots to say about this superb instrument – please have a look at my webpage – and if you have any questions, or you'd like an invoice at our Anniversary Sale price (which is not yet available online), please drop me a line at mark@torchguy.com.

Even brighter?

If you'd like twice the range of the Artemis, or you want to use your torch for other things like search and rescue or farm-watch patrols, you won't do better than the T217 Hunter Mk4.

It's the latest in our illustrious range of Hunters, going back to our first year in business. They've all featured sealed beams, delivering both an intense hot-spot (which now reaches over four rugby fields) and a pale spill-beam to support peripheral vision.

Peripheral vision is key to locating things in the dark – without it you're just waving around a tiny dot of light in an ocean of blackness – but you don't need a lot of spill to spot shapes and movement "out of the corner of your eye".

And I'm delighted to announce that I've just received stock of red filters for the latest Hunter, which sold out almost as soon as we launched the torch late last year.

The Hunter normally goes for R4,950 with rechargeable Li-Ions and delivery, but during our Anniversary Sale it's just R3,950 (yep, a grand less) and if you'd like the red filter it's another R400 during our sale.

What about smaller?

How about my extraordinary SF26 Rapier, a pocketable thrower with a TIR (total internal reflection) lens delivering a three rugby field beam, which is nearly 1,000 metres using the misleading ANSI formula used by all torch manufacturers.

The Rapier is a brilliant achievement, incorporating a number of clever new features like a dual button tailswitch and a USB-C charging port sealed under a screw-down collar. It's normally R2,790 complete with Li-Ion and delivery but during our Anniversary Sale you can have it for just R2,230.

Too expensive?

You absolutely won't get more bang for your buck than my G1000 Grab, which is now back in stock.

We sell the Grab only in batches of five and, during our sale, they work out to R265 each, excluding batteries and delivery. I can even have them laser-engraved for you for another R100 a torch.

The Grab takes three standard AAA (mini-penlight) batteries in a cartridge – the cartridge is included but the batteries are not – or you can order good quality unprotected Li-Ions for another R240 each.

The Grab really looks, feels and performs like a much more expensive torch so it makes a great gift, and I have quite a few companies buying them for their nightwatchmen, and parents ordering them for kids going on camping trips.

Something for nothing

Please forward this email to your friends – if one of them buys a torch from us you'll be entered for our quarterly raffle for one of our top torches. The next draw is on 20 March (the Autumn Equinox).

Customers who review any light bought from us within the last year are also entered... twice if they allow us to use their name... just email me your impressions of your torches.

The curse of the smart charger

We really are entering a new era (how often have you heard that?) with the universal adoption of the USB format for charging small devices like cellphones, laptops and... torches. Many multi-plugs and even wall-plugs now have built in USB ports – there are plenty to choose from at Builders Warehouse.

USB is a simple and safe method to charge these devices and also to enable communication between them – which is where things get complicated, especially with the "smart chargers" which come with upmarket devices from Apple, Samsung etc., which charge AND communicate.

I've attempted to de-mystify these concepts, especially for non-technical types and old-timers (like me) and to explain why some people are having problems charging their torches, in my illustrated article The Curse of the Smart Charger.

Why should you bother? Well, coupled with the move to unprotected Li-Ions, if you aren't aware of these issues you could destroy your expensive batteries, so I strongly recommend you take a look.

Last touch

Mrs Torchguy and I have just learned we need to find a new home... again. You may recall we moved in June last year but, for the third time in 12 years, our landlord wants to move in, so we're out at the end of our lease – although she'll let us go earlier, if we find another place.

Unfortunately we're not rich enough to consider buying, and we have two beloved indoor cats which, oddly enough, is almost our biggest problem, since most places now have a "no pets" policy, even though they would never see or hear our kids.

We need a minimum of two bedrooms and a lock-up garage, or another suitable space for our little business. We've lived in the Western Cape for the past quarter century so we're not keen to go elsewhere, and we're anxious to find a place where we won't be be asked to move along again.

If you know anyone in the greater Cape Town area who may have an affordable cottage or apartment to rent and is looking for perfect long-term tenants, with glowing references and an unblemished credit record, please point them in my direction.

We're even willing to provide services in lieu of rent such as management, marketing, maintenance, cookery, gardening and health care – between us we have quite a collection of skills and experience.

Until next time

Mark