Torch

Lighting the Way in Vanilla: The Ultimate Guide to My Solidline ST7R Torch

Torch

Welcome to the glowing heart of practicality, the unsung hero of the campervan night, the master of beams and the van-dweller’s Excalibur: my Solidline ST7R torch. Now, in the grand universe of gadgets stashed in Vanilla — my trusty Indium Grey VW T6.1 campervan — there are a lot of shining stars. But few shine quite so literally or reliably as this rugged, rechargeable powerhouse.

Yes, it’s just a torch. But what a torch.

Whether I’m fumbling for the Porta Potti at 3 a.m., inspecting the awning for rogue guy ropes, or preparing for a night shoot with one of my drones, the Solidline ST7R has become one of the most essential bits of kit in my mobile toolkit. This isn’t just a flashlight. It’s a spotlight on the unspoken brilliance of good gear. And in this blog, I’ll take you through every glowing detail of how, when, and why this beam-blasting marvel earns its keep in Vanilla.

So dim the camper lights, curl up on your Duvalay mattress topper, and let’s shine a little light on the story of my Solidline ST7R.

When I first unboxed the Solidline ST7R, I’ll admit — I didn’t expect to be impressed. After all, how exciting can a torch really be? But from the moment I felt its cool aluminum housing in my hand, I knew this was no ordinary beam-bouncer. The body is solid, ridged for grip (even with sausage fingers in the rain), and exudes that tactical, no-nonsense aura — like something Jason Bourne might carry when his iPhone torch just won’t cut it.

The branding is slick but subtle: “Solidline ST7R” engraved in futuristic font, along with a serial number that makes you feel like you’ve just been issued a piece of MI6 kit. And the weight? Spot on. Not too light to feel cheap, not too heavy to make you regret sticking it in your glove box. It balances perfectly — which, for a torch, is more than I can say for most service station sausage rolls.

Oh, and it’s rechargeable. No more scrounging for half-dead AA batteries or wondering if that ancient Duracell in your drawer will explode or illuminate. This baby juices up via USB, ready to fire up again and again — from the Jackery, from the van’s 12V socket, or even the EcoFlow Delta 2 I nicked off my brother David for CamperJam.

So what’s under the bonnet of this lighting beast? Well, the ST7R isn’t shy. It throws out up to 1000 lumens of searing white light — enough to blind a badger or flag down a helicopter (I’ve not tested either… yet). It’s got three brightness modes: low, mid, and full-on “let’s find the lost city of Atlantis” mode. Plus, depending on your beam mood, it can be focused from a wide flood to a piercing spotlight with a twist of the head — no faffing, no flimsy plastic rings.

Here’s the kicker: the runtime. On its lower setting, it can last up to 40 hours. That’s almost two full nights of wild camping, pub visits, and watching Depeche Mode documentaries without a recharge. On full blast? You’re still looking at a few hours of glorious beam time.

I use it all over Vanilla. From checking tyre pressure in the dark, to lighting the BBQ without setting fire to my eyebrows. And during those inevitable midnight “did I lock the glovebox?” moments, the ST7R is always there, waiting patiently in its side-pocket holster like a loyal sidekick.

And let me tell you, once you’ve used the ST7R in anger (figuratively — not for torch-based duels), you’ll never look at those supermarket checkout lights the same way again. One memorable night, camped up on the Welsh border, the rain was lashing sideways, the wind howling like a synth-heavy Depeche Mode remix, and I’d just realised my Sonos Roam had been left outside the awning. I dashed out of Vanilla, torch in hand, flipping it to max beam mode. The ST7R cut through the storm like a laser cannon. Not only did I retrieve the speaker (slightly soggy but defiant), I managed to guide a neighbouring camper back to his tent — like a lighthouse keeper of the lay-by.

Then there was that time on Cannock Chase, when I’d stayed out a touch too long flying Twitch the DJI Spark. Dusk turned to darkness faster than expected, and I had to find my way back through bramble-strewn woodland with only the ST7R to light the path. It never faltered. Even when I tripped over a root and landed with a grunt only a middle-aged man in walking boots can produce, the torch remained on, unshaken, smugly illuminating my muddy shame.

That’s the beauty of this thing. It’s not just powerful — it’s reliable. The sort of kit you want by your side when you’re balancing on a folding step stool trying to reposition your solar panel at 9:37 p.m., or rooting around the back of the camper for a spare Cadac hose.

And thanks to its magnetic charging base, I can easily keep it topped up via my Jackery Explorer 1000 or even the dash 12V socket while driving. It’s always charged. Always ready. Like a coiled spring of lumens just waiting for a good excuse to dazzle.

The ST7R isn’t just for heroic solo missions either. It’s brilliant for group camping. Ever tried assembling a flagpole in semi-darkness after a beer? I have. Multiple times. The ST7R, clipped to a cap or held between teeth (don’t tell my dentist), has saved the day more than once. It has even doubled as a UFO summoner during a slightly over-excited conversation about Area 51 with Bradders at 2 a.m. (no sightings yet, but a lot of moths were impressed).

I also use it as ambient lighting. Hear me out — if you prop it up inside the campervan, twist to wide flood mode, and angle it just so, it gives off a beautiful diffused glow. Think romantic lighting, but with tactical precision. Pair it with a BioLite 500 and you’ve got yourself a moody, cinematic campervan vibe worthy of an Instagram post (filters optional, drama guaranteed).

And for emergencies? It’s a beast. I’ve used it to signal for help when a friend’s camper had a flat, to check oil levels at dawn, and to spot which idiot unplugged my electric hookup at a festival (spoiler: it was me). This is more than a torch — it’s a Swiss Army beam.

So, is the Solidline ST7R worth having in Vanilla? Absolutely. It’s the perfect blend of performance, portability, and style. It doesn’t try to be clever with gimmicks — it just works, again and again, in any condition you throw at it. Whether you’re doing delicate after-dark adjustments to your Nebula Capsule projector, or facing down the terrifying prospect of a night-time trip to the site loo in sideways rain, this is the tool you want in your hand.

Let others fumble with keyring lights or overpriced tactical beams with battery lives shorter than an 80s pop band reunion tour. You, my friend, will be lighting the way with the Solidline ST7R — the torch that belongs in every campervan’s utility drawer, next to the Leatherman, a pack of cable ties, and that bottle opener shaped like a trout.

In a world full of fading lights, be the one with the torch that never quits. Be the Solidline ST7R in a sea of dim bulbs. And most importantly — never underestimate the sheer, unfiltered joy of being able to say, mid-campsite chaos,

“Hang on lads, I’ve got just the torch for this.”

Would you like a dynamic poster to accompany this blog for your Wix site or socials? Or shall I prep a shorter version for Instagram or Facebook too?