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 New Posts  Isotope alternatives 1,142 views 
Baitman
Posts: 5125
Baitman
   Old Thread  #21 7 Aug 2026 at 2.25pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #20
A great effort to plug your products, but many people have mentioned these on fb and forums and the consensus is they are not very good 💩
Nelbow
Posts: 379
Nelbow
   Old Thread  #20 7 Aug 2026 at 1.56pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #19
It’s worth mentioning to set expectations, the website does say,

“ These NiteGlow topes deliver 30-40 minutes of intense initial luminescence, then remain visible throughout the night. Green, Aqua, and Blue variants glow noticeably brighter and longer than Orange, Purple, and Red options. Each order includes a dedicated NiteGlow charger for quick top-ups, complementing natural daylight charging to keep your topes glowing night after night.â€

The key is to allow daylight to charge them. If they’re sat in an enclosed case out of sunlight, they won’t be charged and could be user error for failing to shine as expected.
bashmeister
Posts: 623
bashmeister
   Old Thread  #19 7 Aug 2026 at 7.24am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #18
Ref nightglow they literally last 30 mins into darkness 👎I bought three and they went straight in the bin.
yonny
Posts: 7916
yonny
   Old Thread  #18 7 Aug 2026 at 7.17am  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #17
They don't last anything like a whole night I'm afraid.
Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #17 6 Aug 2026 at 10.47pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #16
I have seen these advertised but do question if they’d last through the hours of darkness on a single UV charge?
Nelbow
Posts: 379
Nelbow
   Old Thread  #16 6 Aug 2026 at 9.17pm  0  Login    Register
These topes are decent and theres a 10% discount if you use “KANE10â€

The green colour is strong 💪

Isotope gases fade, the NiteGlow topes last indefinitely and comes with a UV light to charge up.

LINKY POOâ„¢ https://niteglowcarpproducts.co.uk/product/the-topes-new
sirch454
Posts: 176
sirch454
   Old Thread  #15 6 Aug 2026 at 3.11pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Have a look at iceatope.co.uk. I got the blue ones they're plenty bright enough for me.
Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #14 6 Aug 2026 at 9.58am  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #13
My rationale here is that a different style of bobbin with a larger green isotope may be sufficient. My current bobbins are solar I-lite which I’m pretty sure are loaded with 3x15mm’s and they are white, blue and red which match my underlit alarms… colour matching is not important here though.

I will check those other suggestions - thanks again!
vossy1
Posts: 8915
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #13 6 Aug 2026 at 1.02am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #12
If your changing bobbins another powered option the Ripton Silver Bullets, they can be used as a night glow bobbin apparently, rechargeable too, see 4min 25sec into this video

LINKY POOâ„¢ https://youtu.be/aFICbhSnOhQ?si=vw670a69jpJDIRWq

I didn't think isotopes were a option given your 1st post. If its trouble seeing the isotope and your having bobbins made you could ask for more than 1 slot per head.

Edit, forgot to say, if it is the size rather than the brightness search military isotope on ebay, 5.5mm diameter x 5.5cm (and longer). I've tried to find them as new, but bet they can't be sold to the public due to H&S.



Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #12 5 Aug 2026 at 9.28pm  0  Login    Register
Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like the most pragmatic solution is to change the bobbins and increase the isotope power!
yonny
Posts: 7916
yonny
   Old Thread  #11 5 Aug 2026 at 3.57pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #10
The best I had were some that Keith @ MPS knocked up for me. They were made from hexagonal clear acrylic bar with an isotope inside. The 6 faces of the hexagon made it look like they contained multiple isotopes. I still have them somewhere. Must dig them out.
Baitman
Posts: 5125
Baitman
   Old Thread  #10 5 Aug 2026 at 12.33pm  3  Login    Register
The best option is the 25mm isotopes in green. Green isotopes are the brightest 💚
Fit them into a nice acrylic hanger or swinger body that will allow the glow to be seen from all angles.

20250725-212055

20260311-203943
yonny
Posts: 7916
yonny
   Old Thread  #9 5 Aug 2026 at 7.52am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #8
I got the Defiant MPS glow mags when they came out. Great bobbins but I couldn't get them lasting anywhere near half a night.
Worth looking at the old Osprey Kryptontonite bobbins. They do a great job but they're very heavy so not so good for all applications. You can still find them if you look around.
I still think isotopes are the best for all round use.
Marruo
Posts: 135
   Old Thread  #8 5 Aug 2026 at 7.44am  0  Login    Register
Isotopes are the only way to go IMHO.
Would be great if someone made something like the Solar again but with all the restrictions in importing batteries nowadays its probably not an economical option for the brands.

The replacements that you have to light on with a UV-light will be all but invisible within an hour our two.
The only exception being Defiants Fluoro glow mags that last at least half a night.
vossy1
Posts: 8915
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #7 4 Aug 2026 at 10.42pm  0  Login    Register
Thinking 'out of the box' I bet Dal at daletronics could make a battery box with on/off switch, with however many clip on 2.5mm* female sockets you require. If you fish rods apart individual ones. Means you could use most illuminated hangers, just depends if you like the idea of a wired system. Would probably be quite easy to make your own if so inclined, you'd just need to know the output required. He might even be able to fit output sockets in your ATTs.

Edit 2.5mm is not the only size being used by alarm/bobbin manufacturers, I can't remember the other one at the mo. Also, there are battery operated bobbins on Ebay.
I think JasonM might be able to throw some light on the above iirc.


Beyonce
Posts: 1700
   Old Thread  #6 4 Aug 2026 at 9.22pm  0  Login    Register
I use the old style fox micro swingers, they take a 3 x 25mm isotope in a clear window. Nice and bright. If you don’t like the swingers the older solar lite flow bobbins will take an isotope that size. The standard green (get mine from Iceatope) is supposed to be the brightest.
Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #5 4 Aug 2026 at 6.14pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #3
Yes that’s correct, no output ports on the ATTs sadly!
Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #4 4 Aug 2026 at 6.14pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #2
Cheers I’ll take a look!
Belch
Posts: 4620
Belch
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #3 4 Aug 2026 at 5.52pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
I've settled on Delkim Slimlites for similar isotope related issues . . . turns out their a pretty versatile indication system as well. Not sure if they work with ATT alarms however - certainly wont if they don't have an output jack?
vossy1
Posts: 8915
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #2 4 Aug 2026 at 4.43pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
I think you'll be limited to illuminating bobbins by the sounds of it, the sort that plug into your alarm, not sure if ATTs have that feature.
I suppose you could always try a much bigger isotope. There are battery operated float tips but they're not very 'carpy'..lol

EDIT, there was a set of Solar bobbins that were battery operated iirc 🤔

Found them I think, Power Glow

LINKY POOâ„¢ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/136931132867?

EDIT 2, more info here ðŸ‘

LINKY POO™ https://www.totalcarpmagazine.com/solar-power-glo-indicators
Backofthenet
Posts: 93
   Old Thread  #1 4 Aug 2026 at 4.06pm  0  Login    Register
I have isotopes in my solar bobbins but I’ve always found them pretty crap. I’ve tolerated them for a while now but they aren’t really that helpful unless I’m really close to them - which isn’t that often. Is there something else on the market that offers more brightness? I don’t mind changing my bobbins over if it means I get a satisfactory solution but I don’t want to change alarms - I’m happy with my ATTs set up.

Before anyone asks my vision is spot on - it’s definitely the isotopes that’s the issue 😉

Any suggestions would be welcomed 😀
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