Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Tools: Real Power Tools or Just Toys?

In this article I am going to give you my quick review of all the NEXTEC tools available now. Craftsman just announced that they are greatly expanding the Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt Cordless power tools in May 2011 so this is a good time to go over the entire line. The Craftsman NEXTEC QuickBoost Charger will hit shelves in May 2011 and will be followed shortly by a NEXTEC 12-volt 3-in-1 garden tool, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, vacuum, digital inflater, work light and second generation "Hammerhead" Auto Hammer.

Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Tools: Real Power Tools or Just Toys?

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Video Clips. Duration : 3.28 Mins.

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Homemade 500 LED extreme flashlight. Check for more info www.ledcreations.net

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Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

Night hunting laws vary greatly. Please check your state and local hunting laws before hunting at night.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Video Clips. Duration : 3.28 Mins.

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Homemade 500 LED extreme flashlight. Check for more info www.ledcreations.net

500 LED Extreme flashlight

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500 LED Extreme flashlight

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Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Weeks before I’m ready to leave on a long motorcycle trip, I start getting excited. Often I get to the point where I can think of anything else. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that I spend the time getting prepared for it. I usually put this off to the very end. I’ve learned however over the years that this means that my packing never matches what I will really need for the trip. Proof, last year I was in Sturgis with nothing more than a sweatshirt and leather vest riding around in 45 to 55 degree weather. DUMB MOVE.
Anyway, to try to avoid that I’ve started putting a list together of the stuff I need to pack for every trip and where I want to store it on the motorcycle. To help me build the list I put everything in categories to help keep it a little more organized. The categories I use are:
Things to keep the Motorcycle Rolling Things to keep the Motorcycle Secure Things to keep the rider going Protective clothing and gear (Riding Gear) Hygiene Camping Equipment Miscellaneous Stuff
Things to keep the Motorcycle Rolling

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Tube. Duration : 3.28 Mins.

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Homemade 500 LED extreme flashlight. Check for more info www.ledcreations.net

500 LED Extreme flashlight

500 LED Extreme flashlight



500 LED Extreme flashlight

No URL 500 LED Extreme flashlight

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Weeks before I’m ready to leave on a long motorcycle trip, I start getting excited. Often I get to the point where I can think of anything else. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that I spend the time getting prepared for it. I usually put this off to the very end. I’ve learned however over the years that this means that my packing never matches what I will really need for the trip. Proof, last year I was in Sturgis with nothing more than a sweatshirt and leather vest riding around in 45 to 55 degree weather. DUMB MOVE.
Anyway, to try to avoid that I’ve started putting a list together of the stuff I need to pack for every trip and where I want to store it on the motorcycle. To help me build the list I put everything in categories to help keep it a little more organized. The categories I use are:
Things to keep the Motorcycle Rolling Things to keep the Motorcycle Secure Things to keep the rider going Protective clothing and gear (Riding Gear) Hygiene Camping Equipment Miscellaneous Stuff
Things to keep the Motorcycle Rolling

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Video Clips. Duration : 3.28 Mins.

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Homemade 500 LED extreme flashlight. Check for more info www.ledcreations.net

500 LED Extreme flashlight

500 LED Extreme flashlight



500 LED Extreme flashlight

No URL 500 LED Extreme flashlight

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

Night hunting laws vary greatly. Please check your state and local hunting laws before hunting at night.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Tube. Duration : 3.28 Mins.

500 LED Extreme flashlight

Homemade 500 LED extreme flashlight. Check for more info www.ledcreations.net

500 LED Extreme flashlight

500 LED Extreme flashlight



500 LED Extreme flashlight

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Keywords:

Hunting coyotes at night can be very effective and challenging at the same time.

Led Flashlight

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

Some of the advantages for night hunting coyotes include:
Coyotes and other predators are more active at night. They're usually on the move in search of prey for their next meal. This can be an advantage when using a distress call. Human activity is low and coyotes feel more secure and less cautious and may respond to calling with less apprehension. Often times, the wind is lower at night making it less likely that a coyote will detect your scent. Although, you still need to be concerned with wind direction.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

No URL

Now the disadvantages:
You can't see as far at night and target identification can be difficult. There is always a safety issue at night especially if you're hunting with partners. Usually you will have to carry more gear such as batteries and lights making your movement a little more difficult. If your light goes out or your batteries go dead your hunt is over. You will need to call the coyotes in much closer because safe shot distances are much less compared to daytime hunting.

The gear:

Most hunters will use some type of red light which will reflect off the coyote's retina.

Although some hunters will disagree, white light tends to spook coyotes. Lights can vary from handheld spotlights and flashlights to gun and scope mounted lights or large spotlights mounted on vehicles.

If hunting with a rifle I prefer to use a scope mounted light. A light mounted on a rifle this way will allow you to scan the area with the light and be ready to shoot when the time is right. When using a shotgun I prefer to use a head mounted light positioned so that when sighting down the barrel I can see the coyote and the sight beads at the same time.

The technique:

I prefer to call and shoot from a standing position using an extended monopod. You do not need to be concerned with positioning yourself against a backdrop like daytime hunting. Coyotes cannot see beyond the source of the light.

Remember that your shots will need to be fairly close for target identification and safety so position your stand with that in mind. You will still need to use all your daytime hunting skills when night hunting.

You will want to scan the area quickly and keep the beam moving in an effort to catch the eyes of an approaching coyote as soon as possible. Keep the light on while calling. If glowing eyes are spotted, direct the outer edge of the beam or the halo on the eyes. You want to give just enough light to keep the eyes glowing. Do not focus the main beam on the coyote until it is time to confirm the target and shoot. When the eyes are close enough to identify and shoot drop the main beam on the coyote and shoot. Before you move from your position take some time and really concentrate on the area of the shot and get a good mental picture before you try to retrieve your coyote. Terrain can look a lot different at night. If you have a partner, have them go retrieve the coyote while you aim the light at the point of the shot.

Night hunting for coyotes can be very exciting and productive as long as you don't mind missing a little TV and some sleep.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

Led Flashlight

Tags:

Regardless of your mechanical skills, on long trips you will usually end up having to fix something on your motorcycle. It’s just the nature of motorcycles. At a bare minimum I always carry tire patch and CO2 cartridges to perform those road side tire problems and hope I don’t have far to go till the next motorcycle shop. If the shop is a fair distance away you should have tools that would allow you to remove the tire and hitch a ride. Since I ride a Harley Davidson (not balanced and not rubber-mounted) I always carry a complete set of wrenches, Torx, and Allen wrenches, along with a bottle of LocTite to tighten up those parts that think it would be better to end up on the side of the road. I also carry a small multi-tool that includes a small LED flashlight because it seems I always breakdown after dark. In my tool pouch you can almost (important word there) always find extra fuses, an extra sparkplug and extra light bulbs. And the two most important things, zip ties and electrical tape. After all with those you can fix just about anything that would keep you from making it down the road. I’ve found that for most brands of motorcycles you can find pre-packaged tool pouches that have a good set of tools lined up for you. Sometimes the quality of the tools may be questionable, but hey all they’re going to do is ride around in your saddlebags and they’ll do in a pinch.

Led Flashlight

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Things to keep the Motorcycle Secure

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

No URL

If you plan your trips like me (NOT) you don’t always end up staying at the most reputable establishments. It’s always a good idea to lock your bike and have some way of locking the wheels. At least that way you’ll keep the lazy motorcycle thieves from getting away with your bike. I always carry two keys for every lock with me when I travel. There’s the ones that I carry in my pocket or attached to my belt, and the ones I carry deep in my bag for when I lose the other ones. As for disc lock I really recommend them. They are small, strong and provide a pretty good deterrent. They don’t however address the case where someone comes with a lift and just hauls your bike away. For that you need to carry a heavy duty cable or chain lock to tie your bike to a solid structure. I personally don’t like these due to the bulk and weight that they add to the saddlebags, but then I have pretty good insurance to replace the motorcycle if it’s stolen.

Things to keep the rider going

Taking care of the rider is every bit, if not more so, important as keeping the motorcycle going. When we are out there in the wind there are millions of things that affect our ability to be comfortable and safe. Some of these I’ve discussed in other articles. First and foremost we need to make sure that we are protected from the sun. Getting sunburned on your arms, hands and face can absolutely ruin a good day of riding. I carry a stick sunscreen that has a SPF-30 rating and is waterproof and dries instantly. I use it on any skin that I have exposed to the sun. In addition I always carry a lip balm. Chapped lips can be a very painful thing on the road.

Both sunburn and chapped lips can sneak up on you without you being aware of it. Other things that I pack are a first aid kit that includes bandages, pain reliever and antiseptic ointments. Injuries on the road can become infected very easy due to the road grim that we are constantly hit by.

Perhaps my most important piece of equipment is my cell phone. I always carry that with me and make sure that it’s always charged. Today, there is probably no piece of equipment that is more important than a cell phone in case of emergency. I usually carry a charger for use at night and a 12v car charger. Luckily I’ve installed a lighter on my motorcycle that allows me to charge my phone from the bike. This way I never have to worry about being stranded with a dead phone.

While I’m talking about phones, please make sure that you have I.C.E. number coded into your address book on the phone. I.C.E. numbers are the first thing that emergency workers will look for In Case of Emergency. Having these number(s) in your phone can greatly increase your chances of getting proper medical care. Two basic considerations for the numbers should be:
Make sure the numbers are current. It won’t do any good to have a number that is no longer valid specified as your ICE. Make sure that the person that answers that call has some basic knowledge about your medical history. Things like known allergies, blood type and doctors’ name. By providing this basic information the emergency medical workers will be able to make much more informed decisions.
Protective clothing and gear (Riding Gear)

On long trips you are most likely going to hit every kind of conceivable weather. No matter how hot it may get in the middle of that sunny summer day, there’s probably some cold miserable weather waiting out there for you. If you’re in the middle of the desert you’re sure to run into some rain. After all you are on a motorcycle. To be prepared, I save all of the space in my saddlebags for riding gear. My usual list is:
My colors. Can’t ride a bike without those. Leather Jacket preferably one that has a removable lining and good ventilation. Chaps. Make sure they fit well and are in good condition. Fingerless gloves and full fingered gloves A couple of extra doo rags. I’m always losing those things. Face mask of some sort. I’ve got a windshield on my bike and that protects me most of the time but in heavy rain, hail and the cold a neoprene face mask really helps. Sunglasses and/or goggles. I personally like the convertible combos, which can change from sunglasses to goggles and have interchangeable lenses. My personal favorites are the SG-1 from WileyX. Rain Suit. One of those cheap sets from Wally World won’t do. Sure they may keep you dry for awhile, but more often than not you’ll get 30 miles down the road and the suit will be flying behind you like streamers. Don’t skimp here. A couple of bandannas will always come in handy. If the weather is going to be extremely hot then a polymer crystal cooling bandanna is a great piece of gear to be carrying. I usually carry this in a small baggie that helps keep it fresh and keeps other things from getting wet from it when not in use.

Of course as has been said millions of times “Dressing in layers is the way to go”. Being able to add layers and take off layers can substantially add to your riding comfort. As far as clothing is concerned keep it to a minimum. Carry enough for a few days and plan wash stops into your trip. This will help keep your load manageable. The key is to pack for all the conditions you are likely to run into but keep the load as sparse as possible. Get creative and figure out multiple uses for different pieces of clothing and the best way to extend the wear-ability of the clothes. After all if you get caught in the rain without your rainsuit, those clothes are good for another day. Aren’t they?

Hygiene

Even a scummy old biker like me likes to clean up every once in awhile. And since I often alternate between camping and motels I carry things to wash up with. These would include a towel, washcloth and those little bars of soap and bottles of shampoo you can get at most motels. It helps that in my day job I travel all the time so I’ve got a life time supply of those.

I’m also trying to keep the last few remaining teeth that I have so that means I have to carry my toothbrush and toothpaste. Since I’ve got long hair I have to carry a brush to get the rat’s nest that forms in my hair every day out. Usually on long trips I don’t shave, but I always have a razor with me. I just use the soap to lather up on my face instead of carrying shaving cream.

One last item you should never leave without is toilet paper. There’s nothing worse than suddenly needing it when you’re out on the road and not having it. I usually start out with a small quantity which would take care of the duties a couple of times. If I end up using that up, I usually restock courtesy of the next gas stop or hotel.

All of this is carried in a small bag that I always have packed so I never have to worry about it. If I use something, I replace it and it’s a thoughtless act to throw that in the T-Bags.

Camping Equipment

Camping equipment is probably one of the hardest things to carry and pack on a motorcycle. This is based mostly on the fact that it usually bulky and doesn’t necessarily pack down real well. Even when they pack down the bags seem to be longer than you would want. They usually end up being to tall if you tie them on standing up, or to wide if you try to have them laying down.

For a tent, I’ve found that the small two man dome tents work best. They are easy to set up, have plenty of room to spread out in at night (if there’s only one person in it), and they pack down pretty nice. My tent originally came in a flimsy nylon bag that I knew would hold up to rolling down the road so I replaced the bag with a sturdier one. My tent is usually bungeed onto my T-Bag and additional one to attach it to the motorcycle.

On the other side of the T-Bag, I have my mattress. As the years have gone by that ground has gotten harder and harder. I use one of those self-inflating mattresses that blow themselves up. While they’re not the most comfortable, it sure beat sleeping on the ground. In the morning all you have to do is open the valve, roll it up and it’s ready to go. I got a bag to carry the mattress in too.

Miscellaneous Stuff

I’ve always found that carrying cameras on a motorcycle trip can be a pain. The old styles (film based) have a tendency to take up to much space. And the digital camera require to much accessory stuff, like chargers, place to download the pictures and such. For a while I was carrying Advantix cameras, since they can be relatively small and take good quality pictures. Now I’ve never been a fan of the panoramic views but that is available on them. I’m now carrying a digital camera and have bought several different memory cards for it. This way I can use the cards like regular film and don’t have to carry all the stuff to download the pictures until I get home.

Other important items are a wallet, credit cards and money. Can’t keep going without these. And the one thing that I consider the most important, a notebook and pens. When I’m on a trip it’s great to be able to keep notes about what you saw, how the motorcycle was running, where I stayed and interesting characters I meet along the way. It’s also important cause if you’re like me and suffer from CRAFT disease (write me if you want to know what that stands for) it’s a great way to refresh your memories of the trip years from now.

Now that the bike’s all loaded up one last thing to remember is that with all the additional weight of the stuff you’re carrying the motorcycle is likely to handle differently. Remember to try to keep the weight as low and as close to the center of the motorcycle as possible. This will help keep the front wheel from getting to light or making the motorcycle a little top heavy. Make sure everything is strapped on real well. Good straps and bungies will give you a good dose of peace of mind knowing that your load is secure.

Be Safe … Enjoy the Ride

Tools

[http://www.bikerwares.com]

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Led Flashlight

Tags:

Regardless of your mechanical skills, on long trips you will usually end up having to fix something on your motorcycle. It’s just the nature of motorcycles. At a bare minimum I always carry tire patch and CO2 cartridges to perform those road side tire problems and hope I don’t have far to go till the next motorcycle shop. If the shop is a fair distance away you should have tools that would allow you to remove the tire and hitch a ride. Since I ride a Harley Davidson (not balanced and not rubber-mounted) I always carry a complete set of wrenches, Torx, and Allen wrenches, along with a bottle of LocTite to tighten up those parts that think it would be better to end up on the side of the road. I also carry a small multi-tool that includes a small LED flashlight because it seems I always breakdown after dark. In my tool pouch you can almost (important word there) always find extra fuses, an extra sparkplug and extra light bulbs. And the two most important things, zip ties and electrical tape. After all with those you can fix just about anything that would keep you from making it down the road. I’ve found that for most brands of motorcycles you can find pre-packaged tool pouches that have a good set of tools lined up for you. Sometimes the quality of the tools may be questionable, but hey all they’re going to do is ride around in your saddlebags and they’ll do in a pinch.

Led Flashlight

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Things to keep the Motorcycle Secure

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

No URL

If you plan your trips like me (NOT) you don’t always end up staying at the most reputable establishments. It’s always a good idea to lock your bike and have some way of locking the wheels. At least that way you’ll keep the lazy motorcycle thieves from getting away with your bike. I always carry two keys for every lock with me when I travel. There’s the ones that I carry in my pocket or attached to my belt, and the ones I carry deep in my bag for when I lose the other ones. As for disc lock I really recommend them. They are small, strong and provide a pretty good deterrent. They don’t however address the case where someone comes with a lift and just hauls your bike away. For that you need to carry a heavy duty cable or chain lock to tie your bike to a solid structure. I personally don’t like these due to the bulk and weight that they add to the saddlebags, but then I have pretty good insurance to replace the motorcycle if it’s stolen.

Things to keep the rider going

Taking care of the rider is every bit, if not more so, important as keeping the motorcycle going. When we are out there in the wind there are millions of things that affect our ability to be comfortable and safe. Some of these I’ve discussed in other articles. First and foremost we need to make sure that we are protected from the sun. Getting sunburned on your arms, hands and face can absolutely ruin a good day of riding. I carry a stick sunscreen that has a SPF-30 rating and is waterproof and dries instantly. I use it on any skin that I have exposed to the sun. In addition I always carry a lip balm. Chapped lips can be a very painful thing on the road.

Both sunburn and chapped lips can sneak up on you without you being aware of it. Other things that I pack are a first aid kit that includes bandages, pain reliever and antiseptic ointments. Injuries on the road can become infected very easy due to the road grim that we are constantly hit by.

Perhaps my most important piece of equipment is my cell phone. I always carry that with me and make sure that it’s always charged. Today, there is probably no piece of equipment that is more important than a cell phone in case of emergency. I usually carry a charger for use at night and a 12v car charger. Luckily I’ve installed a lighter on my motorcycle that allows me to charge my phone from the bike. This way I never have to worry about being stranded with a dead phone.

While I’m talking about phones, please make sure that you have I.C.E. number coded into your address book on the phone. I.C.E. numbers are the first thing that emergency workers will look for In Case of Emergency. Having these number(s) in your phone can greatly increase your chances of getting proper medical care. Two basic considerations for the numbers should be:
Make sure the numbers are current. It won’t do any good to have a number that is no longer valid specified as your ICE. Make sure that the person that answers that call has some basic knowledge about your medical history. Things like known allergies, blood type and doctors’ name. By providing this basic information the emergency medical workers will be able to make much more informed decisions.
Protective clothing and gear (Riding Gear)

On long trips you are most likely going to hit every kind of conceivable weather. No matter how hot it may get in the middle of that sunny summer day, there’s probably some cold miserable weather waiting out there for you. If you’re in the middle of the desert you’re sure to run into some rain. After all you are on a motorcycle. To be prepared, I save all of the space in my saddlebags for riding gear. My usual list is:
My colors. Can’t ride a bike without those. Leather Jacket preferably one that has a removable lining and good ventilation. Chaps. Make sure they fit well and are in good condition. Fingerless gloves and full fingered gloves A couple of extra doo rags. I’m always losing those things. Face mask of some sort. I’ve got a windshield on my bike and that protects me most of the time but in heavy rain, hail and the cold a neoprene face mask really helps. Sunglasses and/or goggles. I personally like the convertible combos, which can change from sunglasses to goggles and have interchangeable lenses. My personal favorites are the SG-1 from WileyX. Rain Suit. One of those cheap sets from Wally World won’t do. Sure they may keep you dry for awhile, but more often than not you’ll get 30 miles down the road and the suit will be flying behind you like streamers. Don’t skimp here. A couple of bandannas will always come in handy. If the weather is going to be extremely hot then a polymer crystal cooling bandanna is a great piece of gear to be carrying. I usually carry this in a small baggie that helps keep it fresh and keeps other things from getting wet from it when not in use.

Of course as has been said millions of times “Dressing in layers is the way to go”. Being able to add layers and take off layers can substantially add to your riding comfort. As far as clothing is concerned keep it to a minimum. Carry enough for a few days and plan wash stops into your trip. This will help keep your load manageable. The key is to pack for all the conditions you are likely to run into but keep the load as sparse as possible. Get creative and figure out multiple uses for different pieces of clothing and the best way to extend the wear-ability of the clothes. After all if you get caught in the rain without your rainsuit, those clothes are good for another day. Aren’t they?

Hygiene

Even a scummy old biker like me likes to clean up every once in awhile. And since I often alternate between camping and motels I carry things to wash up with. These would include a towel, washcloth and those little bars of soap and bottles of shampoo you can get at most motels. It helps that in my day job I travel all the time so I’ve got a life time supply of those.

I’m also trying to keep the last few remaining teeth that I have so that means I have to carry my toothbrush and toothpaste. Since I’ve got long hair I have to carry a brush to get the rat’s nest that forms in my hair every day out. Usually on long trips I don’t shave, but I always have a razor with me. I just use the soap to lather up on my face instead of carrying shaving cream.

One last item you should never leave without is toilet paper. There’s nothing worse than suddenly needing it when you’re out on the road and not having it. I usually start out with a small quantity which would take care of the duties a couple of times. If I end up using that up, I usually restock courtesy of the next gas stop or hotel.

All of this is carried in a small bag that I always have packed so I never have to worry about it. If I use something, I replace it and it’s a thoughtless act to throw that in the T-Bags.

Camping Equipment

Camping equipment is probably one of the hardest things to carry and pack on a motorcycle. This is based mostly on the fact that it usually bulky and doesn’t necessarily pack down real well. Even when they pack down the bags seem to be longer than you would want. They usually end up being to tall if you tie them on standing up, or to wide if you try to have them laying down.

For a tent, I’ve found that the small two man dome tents work best. They are easy to set up, have plenty of room to spread out in at night (if there’s only one person in it), and they pack down pretty nice. My tent originally came in a flimsy nylon bag that I knew would hold up to rolling down the road so I replaced the bag with a sturdier one. My tent is usually bungeed onto my T-Bag and additional one to attach it to the motorcycle.

On the other side of the T-Bag, I have my mattress. As the years have gone by that ground has gotten harder and harder. I use one of those self-inflating mattresses that blow themselves up. While they’re not the most comfortable, it sure beat sleeping on the ground. In the morning all you have to do is open the valve, roll it up and it’s ready to go. I got a bag to carry the mattress in too.

Miscellaneous Stuff

I’ve always found that carrying cameras on a motorcycle trip can be a pain. The old styles (film based) have a tendency to take up to much space. And the digital camera require to much accessory stuff, like chargers, place to download the pictures and such. For a while I was carrying Advantix cameras, since they can be relatively small and take good quality pictures. Now I’ve never been a fan of the panoramic views but that is available on them. I’m now carrying a digital camera and have bought several different memory cards for it. This way I can use the cards like regular film and don’t have to carry all the stuff to download the pictures until I get home.

Other important items are a wallet, credit cards and money. Can’t keep going without these. And the one thing that I consider the most important, a notebook and pens. When I’m on a trip it’s great to be able to keep notes about what you saw, how the motorcycle was running, where I stayed and interesting characters I meet along the way. It’s also important cause if you’re like me and suffer from CRAFT disease (write me if you want to know what that stands for) it’s a great way to refresh your memories of the trip years from now.

Now that the bike’s all loaded up one last thing to remember is that with all the additional weight of the stuff you’re carrying the motorcycle is likely to handle differently. Remember to try to keep the weight as low and as close to the center of the motorcycle as possible. This will help keep the front wheel from getting to light or making the motorcycle a little top heavy. Make sure everything is strapped on real well. Good straps and bungies will give you a good dose of peace of mind knowing that your load is secure.

Be Safe … Enjoy the Ride

Tools

[http://www.bikerwares.com]

Packing Up for a Long Motorcycle Trip

Led Flashlight

Keywords:

Hunting coyotes at night can be very effective and challenging at the same time.

Led Flashlight

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

Some of the advantages for night hunting coyotes include:
Coyotes and other predators are more active at night. They're usually on the move in search of prey for their next meal. This can be an advantage when using a distress call. Human activity is low and coyotes feel more secure and less cautious and may respond to calling with less apprehension. Often times, the wind is lower at night making it less likely that a coyote will detect your scent. Although, you still need to be concerned with wind direction.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

No URL

Now the disadvantages:
You can't see as far at night and target identification can be difficult. There is always a safety issue at night especially if you're hunting with partners. Usually you will have to carry more gear such as batteries and lights making your movement a little more difficult. If your light goes out or your batteries go dead your hunt is over. You will need to call the coyotes in much closer because safe shot distances are much less compared to daytime hunting.

The gear:

Most hunters will use some type of red light which will reflect off the coyote's retina.

Although some hunters will disagree, white light tends to spook coyotes. Lights can vary from handheld spotlights and flashlights to gun and scope mounted lights or large spotlights mounted on vehicles.

If hunting with a rifle I prefer to use a scope mounted light. A light mounted on a rifle this way will allow you to scan the area with the light and be ready to shoot when the time is right. When using a shotgun I prefer to use a head mounted light positioned so that when sighting down the barrel I can see the coyote and the sight beads at the same time.

The technique:

I prefer to call and shoot from a standing position using an extended monopod. You do not need to be concerned with positioning yourself against a backdrop like daytime hunting. Coyotes cannot see beyond the source of the light.

Remember that your shots will need to be fairly close for target identification and safety so position your stand with that in mind. You will still need to use all your daytime hunting skills when night hunting.

You will want to scan the area quickly and keep the beam moving in an effort to catch the eyes of an approaching coyote as soon as possible. Keep the light on while calling. If glowing eyes are spotted, direct the outer edge of the beam or the halo on the eyes. You want to give just enough light to keep the eyes glowing. Do not focus the main beam on the coyote until it is time to confirm the target and shoot. When the eyes are close enough to identify and shoot drop the main beam on the coyote and shoot. Before you move from your position take some time and really concentrate on the area of the shot and get a good mental picture before you try to retrieve your coyote. Terrain can look a lot different at night. If you have a partner, have them go retrieve the coyote while you aim the light at the point of the shot.

Night hunting for coyotes can be very exciting and productive as long as you don't mind missing a little TV and some sleep.

Night Hunting For Coyotes - Techniques and Gear For Hunting Coyotes at Night

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I like tools. I like "Tim the Toolman Taylor" Tools. Bigger is better! More Power! Oo-OoO! So when Craftsman sent me the NEXTEC Cordless 12 volt Power Tools last spring I used them, wrote a couple of articles on these cute little tools and then promptly put them down in my basement workshop. They were nice, lightweight tools. They had plenty of power, but I still went back to my "big" tools. I basically forgot about them.

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Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Tools: Real Power Tools or Just Toys?

Then, I went into my local Sears around Thanksgiving and I saw customers literally buying the NEXTEC Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver as fast as the store personnel could put them out. What was really strange to me is these NEXTEC 12 volt drills were flying off the shelves, but no one was buying the DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX lithium drill from the display right along side the NEXTEC's. I knew is was a nice little drill, but I didn't think everyone else liked it that much. The same thing was happening with the Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver was selling well but no one was buying the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver right next to it.

Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Tools: Real Power Tools or Just Toys?

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During the winter I move into a room in the basement. It's small, only 10 X 10 ft so I don't have room for a lot of stuff. My router, a workbench with a wood vise, a few hand tools and a set-up table. There is no room for my table saw, miter saw, jointer and drill press. I end up cutting my wood out in the unheated garage, bringing it downstairs, fitting it up, going back out in the garage to drill the holes or joint an edge, back down stairs......you get the picture.

Well, while I was getting the room ready for the winter I found the NEXTEC tools and decided to take a good hard look at them again.

I decided that I would use these tools exclusively in my downstairs workshop this winter.

What I like:

Weight. The NEXTEC tools weigh only half of even my lightest cordless drill.

Size. Easy to handle even for small hands. Don't feel too small like the little cordless screwdrivers for big hands

Power. Have as much power as the old 15.6 tools and I think a lot more power than the old 7.2, 9.6, 10.8 and 14.4 tools. More power than the C3 19.2 volt Model 17191

In the rest of this article I will give quick review of each tool:

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Model 17586 What I like: It costs less than half of DeWalt DCD710 12V MAX Drill. It weighs less at only 2.2 lbs. with the 12.0 Volt Lithium-Ion battery. It will fit in your hand and easily slip into the pocket of your work apron. This is the most powerful drill on the market for the weight. It has 195 in.-lbs. of Torque which is plenty for most of the tasks around your home. It has a 2-Speed Gearbox and a 3/8-Inch Single Sleeve Keyless Chuck. A lot of guys thin they need a 1/2 inch chuck, but if you look at the wall at your nearest hardware store 95% of the drill bits and screwdriving bits will fit in this drill. 18 Position Adjustable Torque Clutch. Integrated LED Work Light. 30-Minute Quick Charger What I don't like: I really like this drill and about the only thing I would put on it would be a battery charge indicator. It would be nice to know when the battery is about to run out.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver Model 17562 What I like: Even though Sears states this has only 700 in lbs of torque a bunch of us feel it has as much power as the Dewalt DCF815 12V MAX 1/4 impact driver for a lot less money. We also liked the right angle drive. It will get into places the other drills can't. What I don't like: The right angle takes a little practice to get used to. When you first use it...use both hands until you get the feel for the impact driver. After that you will enjoy using it.

Craftsman 17428 Nextec 12-volt Cordless Compact 1/4'' Impact Driver Model 17428 What I like: Same weight and feel as the Model 17586 Drill/Driver. What I don't like: Could use a battery meter.

12-volt NEXTEC Multi-Tool Model 17438 What I like: Multi-tools are quickly becoming the go-to tool for cutting, sanding, grout removal and scraping. This lightweight tool can easily do the work of a trim saw, jamb saw, drywall saw, detail sander, rotary grout tool, carbide cutter and paint scraper. The Craftsman NEXTEC is one of the lightest of the bunch and it will accept the Fein attachments. This gives it the most versatility of all the mulit-tools out there. It has plenty of power to do all these tasks around the home. The batteries last about 20 minutes during continuous use, charge in 30 minutes and you can get a second battery if you need one for less than . What I don't like: Eventually I would like to see quick release blade changing. It only takes 30 seconds to change the tool now, but I want to do it faster!

NEXTEC 12-volt Lithium-Ion Hammerhead Auto Hammer Model 11818 What I like: I don't use nails very often anymore. I use screws for most of my woodworking tasks, but the other day I put a few more lights in the basement and the Hammerhead was the right tools to nail the outlet boxes into the rafters. It only took 30 seconds to nail the box into the beam and NO BENT NAILS! What I don't like: Craftsman is coming out with a new version of this about May 2011. I will wait to give you my viewpoint then.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion True Finish™ Sander Model 61326 What I like: This is a "Mouse" size sander but it has two big advantages over all the other sanders like it on the market. One, it is cordless! The battery lasts a long, long time. Two, It doesn't make your hand go numb! The built in counter balancer cancels out the hand numbing vibration you are used to. What I don't like: NO ONE knows about this sander! It comes in one kit and you can get the "bare" tool online but very few people realize how nice this sander is.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Circular Saw Model 61325 What I like: This is the one tool in the NEXTEC line that I really don't like. It has enough power to cut even hard maple, but the design is all wrong. The base plate "shoe" is too big for the saw, The saw mark on the shoe is too far away from the blade. It doesn't have a laser guide, the light is in the wrong place, the blades are too thick and there is not enough of a selection of blade styles. What I don't like: Oops, I already told you what I don't like.

Craftsman 14299 Nextec 12-volt Cordless Multi-Saw Model 14299 What I like: I use this saw a lot for the size, power, and versatility. It has a lot of power for the size and is really handy for those quick cuts. It uses standard jig saw blades which come in all sizes and styles. What I don't like: It doesn't have a "blower" to keep the sawdust away from your cut line.

Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt LED Worklight Model 14298 What I like: This is a great work light and flashlight for the house. It will run continuously for hours on one battery and the battery stays charged for over a year if you don't use it. The head swivels for under the sink work and it stands up all by itself. What I don't like: My wife saw it, and immediately stole it to put on her nightstand! Now if it only came in decorator colors!

Craftsman 12 Volt Nextec Compact Lithium-Ion battery Model 11221 What I like: You can buy additional batteries for less than . A lot of power for the size. (as much as your old 14.4 batteries) Will hold a charge for up to a year. With the new charger Craftsman just announced will recharge to 25% in less than 3 minutes. What I don't like: I would like a little clip so I can hang a spare on my belt.

Summary: The Craftsman NEXTEC 12 volt Cordless power tools are great for homeowners. They are lightweight, strong and easy on the wallet to buy. They work surprisingly well for the size and cost a lot less than other brands. I highly recommend these tools.

Craftsman NEXTEC Cordless Tools: Real Power Tools or Just Toys?

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