Getting older, and getting colder.

[Die Judicii]

I made a decision during yet another all night vigil just recently.

I'm getting older and now feeling the effects of frosty nights more so.

Two main issues I need to solve are;

1) Scope lenses fogging up.
What I have done thus far to combat this is by getting a pair of waterproof gaiters and velcroing the ankle end together so as it will only just slide over the end of the scope,,,, and then lay the overall length of it over the scope, and drape down over the eyepiece.
(the fact that they are camo would work well in daylight as a bonus)
This tactic works well and I only have to fold it back on itself when needing to take a shot.
The far end lens never fogs up due to the flip up lens cover that I leave in a veranda like position.
The other gaiter I use on my second rifle which lays waiting on my other side.

Even though this works pretty well,,, I've just gone down a different path, and have ordered a couple of electronic heating bands that wrap around the bell housing of my scopes and are held in place by velcro.
Powered via a single cable and USB plug connected to the power outlets I have built into my shooting rig console.
They have 3 different heat ranges, and will heat to a maximum of 50 degrees. (more than enough to prevent dew)

They are made and intended for camera lenses and telescopes so I figure they will work well for my needs.

2) To keep myself warm and supple.
I have been researching various different brands and models of 12v electric heated jackets.
Most, of which rely on a rechargeable battery pack,, and then again, most of which claim to work for "up to" eight hours (on low setting)
A couple I found claim to work for "up to" fourteen hours,,,,, but again on the low setting.
99% of these don't come with the battery, and you have to purchase that separately. (A bit like buying a new car,, and they ask if you want an engine)

The particular unit I am really liking at the moment is a Motor Cycle under Jacket.
It plugs in to 12v sourced from the vehicle (in my case the deep cycle auxilliary 4x4 battery) again from the outlet in my shooting bench console.
It only draws 7 a/h which will easily do any of my 12 hr shifts.
It will heat full chest and back areas plus both arms, and the collar.
As an added extra it is also set up for heated gloves (bought separately) that simply plug in to existing sockets in the sleeves.
Three different heat ranges, that would serve me adequately.

Has anyone here been down the 12v jacket path,, or got one ??

I'd be keen to hear some reports.

[scoot]

I had a Milwaukee jacket years ago. I got a deal on it when I bought a bunch of their cordless tools. I say had because some dog took it from the workshop when I was out. I remember it was pretty good on the 0 deg. mornings. You couldn't leave it on high without it becoming uncomfortable.

[deye243]

What scopes are you running and never had that problem with the scopes I run now not even at 1 degree

[Larry]

What about just going old school and getting some thermal undies. I got a really nice set of NZ wool made in NZ believe it or not when I was on a business trip in China and it was like -20 and I had to walk from the hotel to the work site. found a Walmart nearly next to the place I was working. They are really comfy soft and as warm as.

[Die Judicii]

What scopes are you running and never had that problem with the scopes I run now not even at 1 degree

I only use Zeiss Duralyts and early model Zeiss Conquests. (definitely not the new models)

[Blr243]

I had a heated Aeg jacket , it works , but offered heated in only a few zones if I remember correctly. Better than nothing. As soon as I saw the topic title Tonight I thought yep that’s wat I been thinking lately. This winter, cruising around on the quadbike all night will test my dedication. Those hand warmer things that us thermal nuts use to sight in Rifles with Are so cheap now ... I just buy a big packet of em. Sometimes I carry a mattress and blankets on the back of my quad Bike so I can camp up for half hour out in the paddock.....one time my blankets and cuddling my dog just didn’t cut it and my toes were a touch cold so I jammed some chemical warmers inside the tips of my boots and hey presto it was quite effective. Got me thru the night. I tend to carry a spare set of gloves in winter in case I lose one in the dark. Cold wind on old knuckles equales real pain ....if I’m getting oodles of pigs it not matter but if I’m haveing a slow night I like to be relatively comfy. I reckon a thermos with hot cup a soup is a definite have this winter too. Don’t know how the bloody victorians do it if I’m complaining in Qld and northern nsw

[Die Judicii]

Those hand warmer things that us thermal nuts use to sight in Rifles with Are so cheap now ... I just buy a big packet of em.

I just use a coke or bundy can of water frozen,, laying on its side.
If I can't hit the base of a can at 150 meters I re zero.

Remember when those pocket hand warmers first came out ???
They had like a fire starter inside an aluminium case.
I bought one and the first time useage was shocking on a deer hunt.
I swear I left a kero stinking vapor trail for half a kilometer.

[poid]

On the scope cover, I use one of these:

https://www.beartooth-products.com/coll ... k-break-up

Provides a wee bit of protection against knocks, and easy to flip up the cover when taking a shot. Haven't had a fogging up issues, but it should work as well if not better than what you had tried.

[Ferrisweil]

I hear ya bud on the cold nights!! Those midnight vigils getting harder but thermal scopes not an issue.
Been thinking about the heated jacket myself. Friend of mine just bought a Milwaukee one and rates it as bloody awesome. He was sweating while I was shivering. Me thinks I’ll get one lol

[ZaineB]

i have a oversize Caterpillar brand jacket, wool jumper, beanies, singlets, long johns and track pants as well as some ski pants for when things hit below 0 at night here, dont go as far as the ugg boots but have smashed the two pairs of wool socks before, havent really had issues with scope fogging unless its looking like raining cos usually not humid enough here for that.

cheers

[Blr243]

Dj I don’t remember those funny heater packs u speak of. Just the modern air activated ones is all I know. I like the fact that I can shoot it multiple times and it’s still pinned to my ply

[ZaineB]

Dj I don’t remember those funny heater packs u speak of. Just the modern air activated ones is all I know. I like the fact that I can shoot it multiple times and it’s still pinned to my ply

only ones I've seen are the same type that were featured in "Zac and Miri make a porno" and Seth Rogan put on his balls in the car.

[wanneroo]

Cold in Queensland It gets cold in Queensland?

It's funny I saw Australia had a cold snap recently but here it still has been dipping down close to freezing at night and we had a snow squall about 8 days ago and the week before that it was 24C. Last night I had my windows wide open and it got down to about 4-5C. Technically "summer" is starting soon.

I spend a lot of time in freezing and below temps.

One tip I can give you is it is essential to keep your head/neck and feet warm and to lesser extent your hands. I'd say doing that is way more important than what jacket you wear or whatever. If I wear a good warm hat and neck wrap, I can get by on a thin jacket. Good socks with a wool blend is also key.

The other thing that is a big help is long john underwear. I have all different grades of it and my typical go to wear for temps around or below freezing is a thin spandex/polyester material that is stretchy and comfortable. If it's colder as I said I have thicker grades of it.

I can see where you are going with the motorcycle heated jacket. I could see that could be helpful if sitting for long periods of time. Wouldn't rule out getting one. But I would say focus on your extremities with good hat, neck wrap/scarf, socks, gloves and thermal under layers. I suspect vendors in Queensland will probably not stock such things.in great quantities so you might need to look elsewhere.

[bladeracer]

Having moved to Victoria after decades in Perth, the Northwest, and Tennant Creek, the cold here is really taking some adapting to. The problem areas for me are my feet and across the back of my shoulders. My feet are the killers though, once they're numb it takes a lot of effort to thaw them out. I've worn two pairs of heavy woolen socks since I moved here, even in summer. For most of the year I also wear heavy track pants under my trousers. I also wear two T-shirts all year. Then a jumper or two, then an excellent ski jacket. And I wear Mechanix M-Pact gloves with at least one spare pair for when they get wet. If I'm feeling the cold on my back I throw a pair of track pants over my back, with the legs over my shoulders, then I run one leg down my front behind the zip of my jacket, and wrap the other leg around my neck. When I'm warmed up I can pull this out without removing my jackets.

Working with the cows is much like going hunting every day during the colder months, freezing cold, dripping wet, and carrying a huge smile

I'm still trying to stick to my "100rds every day" regimen, practising offhand on the half-scale silhouettes, usually with a .22LR lever, sometimes a bolt-action, but it's a real test in this weather. The other day the wind was pushing over 60kph, bullet drift had me holding a little more than a full target width to the right. I had my hood up so only my eyes were exposed to the howling wind and rain, but despite the buffeting I managed 50% hits on the steels, so I came away happy, but frozen

[Die Judicii]

I hear ya bud on the cold nights!! Those midnight vigils getting harder but thermal scopes not an issue.
Been thinking about the heated jacket myself. Friend of mine just bought a Milwaukee one and rates it as bloody awesome. He was sweating while I was shivering. Me thinks I’ll get one lol

FMD,,,,,,,,, I sent u a PM and forgot to put the details of the jacket itself with it.
So here,,,,,, for you and any others interested.
Check this one out as opposed to the battery ones that only last a max of 8 hrs on the low setting.

Ebay.
"Venture Heat Deluxe Heated Jacket Liner, Wireless Remote 12 volt plug in."
Seller: zsvhc
$279.00 each
Ebay I/N 254975851347

[Blr243]

Wannaroo ,,,,,, u are correct. If we spend a bit of thinking about retaining our existing Body heat correctly, adding extra heat would not b necessary

[ZaineB]

Wannaroo ,,,,,, u are correct. If we spend a bit of thinking about retaining our existing Body heat correctly, adding extra heat would not b necessary

yep thats the clear advantage of being warm blooded, can just keep the heat from getting out and our clever physiological make up will take care of the rest.

I find my setup leaves me sweating while outside ice is forming sheets on the grass. and no batteries needed.

[Die Judicii]

yep thats the clear advantage of being warm blooded, can just keep the heat from getting out and our clever physiological make up will take care of the rest.

I find my setup leaves me sweating while outside ice is forming sheets on the grass. and no batteries needed.

This does of course make a lot of sense.
I only opted to go the electric path because its easier for my individual needs, plus I'm sick of "layering" up and feeling all bulky.

[Oldbloke]

Down has always been considered the best. But these days they call feathers down. So beware if buying down.

Wool is hard to beat esp if layered.

Then comes the synthetics. Of which there are many.

P.S. Try a pair of woman's pantie hose. I used them in the Vic highlands in winter for years.
But no hanky panky, you hear. Lol

[Blr243]

I do confess that heat pads in a jacket feels nice. Just like a hot shower feels great

[bladeracer]

I hear ya bud on the cold nights!! Those midnight vigils getting harder but thermal scopes not an issue.
Been thinking about the heated jacket myself. Friend of mine just bought a Milwaukee one and rates it as bloody awesome. He was sweating while I was shivering. Me thinks I’ll get one lol

FMD,,,,,,,,, I sent u a PM and forgot to put the details of the jacket itself with it.
So here,,,,,, for you and any others interested.
Check this one out as opposed to the battery ones that only last a max of 8 hrs on the low setting.

Ebay.
"Venture Heat Deluxe Heated Jacket Liner, Wireless Remote 12 volt plug in."
Seller: zsvhc
$279.00 each
Ebay I/N 254975851347

This is still "battery powered", just that the battery is so big you need to bring a vehicle to carry it.
Might be worth measuring the current draw to ensure not ending up with a flat vehicle battery after a few hours. A car battery doesn't need to drop very far before it won't have enough grunt to turn a starter motor. The ad says it draws 7 Amps, so our car battery being 63Ah would power it for nine-hours, but would the battery still start the car after three hours?

[Die Judicii]

This is still "battery powered", just that the battery is so big you need to bring a vehicle to carry it.
Might be worth measuring the current draw to ensure not ending up with a flat vehicle battery after a few hours. A car battery doesn't need to drop very far before it won't have enough grunt to turn a starter motor. The ad says it draws 7 Amps, so our car battery being 63Ah would power it for nine-hours, but would the battery still start the car after three hours?

Seeing as I have my main starting battery separated via electronic isolator,, and whatever current drain from my shooting "rotisserie" platform would be coming out of the first auxilliary battery which is a 100 ah deep cycle,,, which will give me theoretically 14 hrs give or take.
When and if I flatten it,, I still have another 100 ah deep cycle mounted separately from the first two batteries.
So I have a total of 28 hrs available power for my accessories without even touching the starter battery.

I know some nights just seem to go on for ever,, ( when no victims show up ) but I haven't come across a 28 hr night yet,,

Some-one had a bit of a dig at me a while back about having accessories etc,, and that after my 3rd or 4th four wheel drive I would learn.
I did point out that I am currently on #10 four wheel drive vehicle and still enjoying my accessories.

Never did hear back from him,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Blr243]

I put a much bigger battery in the front of my quad bike. It’s linked to my original. I did it for when I used to Do a lot of spotlighting with a high draw light. But now that I’m thermal it’s somewhat unnecessary.. it’s still good to know that if I do any big missions away from my base camp I still can charge phone iPad and thermal batteries

[Blr243]

I probably won’t be getting a thermal jacket that’s linked to a vehicle. I much prefer the simplicity and portability of smaller individual replaceable batteries

[Blr243]

I put a much bigger battery in the front of my quad bike. It’s linked to my original. I did it for when I used to Do a lot of spotlighting with a high draw light. But now that I’m thermal it’s somewhat unnecessary.. it’s still good to know that if I do any big missions away from my base camp I still can charge phone iPad and thermal batteries

[bladeracer]

I put a much bigger battery in the front of my quad bike. It’s linked to my original. I did it for when I used to Do a lot of spotlighting with a high draw light. But now that I’m thermal it’s somewhat unnecessary.. it’s still good to know that if I do any big missions away from my base camp I still can charge phone iPad and thermal batteries

I ran dual batteries in my fuel-injected race bikes, they get down to 10.8V and the fuel pump stops working. No charging or starting systems. Batteries mounted under the engine to lower centre of gravity.

[Die Judicii]

I put a much bigger battery in the front of my quad bike. It’s linked to my original. I did it for when I used to Do a lot of spotlighting with a high draw light. But now that I’m thermal it’s somewhat unnecessary.. it’s still good to know that if I do any big missions away from my base camp I still can charge phone iPad and thermal batteries

I never owned one of these,,,,,, but the spot lights (hunting) and driving lights that seemed to be popular just before LEDs hit the market (the ones that take quite a while to warm up before full illumination) I forget what they were called,,,,
But apparently they had very low current draw compared to the globe types,,, and were popular choices for smaller battery type vehicles like quads.

[Die Judicii]

I ran dual batteries in my fuel-injected race bikes, they get down to 10.8V and the fuel pump stops working. No charging or starting systems. Batteries mounted under the engine to lower centre of gravity.

So when you do a "Mike Hailwood" type lean into a tight bend,,,,, you'd see the bleached streak on the black from the battery acid ???

[bladeracer]

I ran dual batteries in my fuel-injected race bikes, they get down to 10.8V and the fuel pump stops working. No charging or starting systems. Batteries mounted under the engine to lower centre of gravity.

So when you do a "Mike Hailwood" type lean into a tight bend,,,,, you'd see the bleached streak on the black from the battery acid ???

Not with a 200mm wide rear tyre you don't
The 929/954 has an odd sump, it hangs low in the middle leaving a large gap each side. The engines are also mounted very high for ground clearance, lots of room underneath.
Like this.

[Die Judicii]

WTF It's got grease and grime on it old man. Shame, Shame.
Do u remember old Uncle Mike ? or was that before your time.