The AF02 came in an easy to open plastic transparent package. There is no instruction booklet or accessories included.

My first thought was that it looked rather big and chunky. There are two good-quality screws at the bottom which fix the mount to the handlebars. They both fit very smoothly, but their length means they take rather long to screw and unscrew.

There is also another screw which fixes your torch of choice to the top part of the mount. This holds your flashlight and rotates 360° so that the light does not have to shine in whatever direction your handlebars are pointing. When you rotate the top part, it clicks into place. I counted 35 separate clicks until the mount is back in 12 o’clock mode again. This should surely be enough for most users.

Editor rating + 6/10 good gear Pros: + Solid construction + Fits a wide variety of torches + Weather-proof finish + Rotation function

Cons: – No spare screws – Takes up a lot of space on the handlebars – Drop-proof screws not drop-proof – Long Assembly/Disassembly time

The Basics (copied from the Fenix website) Dimensions: Length 8.89cm (3.5in) Depth: 3.17cm (1.25in) Height: 7.62cm (3in) Weight: 116g (1oz)

The AF02 carries all flashlights with a diameter from 1.8cm to 2.8cm and handlebar diameters between 1.8cm and 3.5cm. It also has rubber mats to protect the flashlight and handlebars and provide a better grip. The material is hard plastic, which Fenix claims is fitted with an anti-ageing finish to protect the mount from sun and rain.

The bike mount is also fitted with drop-proof screws. I assumed this means they shouldn’t drop on the ground when you are unscrewing them.

Fixing the AF02 to the bike

The size could be a problem if you already have a bell and a computer on your handlebars. If you have one of these and a permanent klick-fix mechanism for attaching a front bag, you will certainly not have enough space for the bike mount.

I had to move my very small bell in order to fit the bike mount. It took me over a minute to assemble the AF02 plus the Olight m20 Warrior, which I will be using along with other torches for the rest of this test.

Unfortunately, because the bell was now squashed against the brake and gear lever, it no longer rang.

Riding in daylight

I’ve now ridden with the bike mount for over 120 kilometres on all different kinds of terrain with the M20. I deliberately chose this light because it is rather hefty. It has always stayed firmly in place without the slightest hint of rattling.

Riding at night

The diameter limits quoted by Fenix mean you can effectively use it for torches powered by 1xAA, 2xAA, 1xCR123A and a single 18650 battery.

I tried 3 different lights with different diameters and different user interfaces. Once again, the holder worked very well.

MORE: How To Get The Best Tactical LED Flashlight (GUIDE & RECOMMEND)

I thought perhaps a weak point could be using it with a torch where you have to twist the bezel, but this was not the case. There was no problem switching between modes.

I also rode along a very narrow, winding path and used the rotation function. This means that you have to lean slightly over the handlebars and ride with one hand. Under these slightly dangerous conditions, it was not too difficult even if concentration is required.

Mountain Biking

Once again, I owe a big Thank You to Chris, who tested the Twofish Lockblocks bike mount under extreme conditions a few months ago.

Here is Chris’s judgement on the Fenix AF02 after testing it with the Fenix LD02:

‘Tried out your torch holder yesterday. Worked well over all terrain although it turned a little to the right and left when it got a bit bumpy. Was no problem to turn it back occasionally, though. I would give it four out of five points.’

Chris was riding for about three hours. I have to stress that he tested the mount in daylight. No doubt, many mountain bikers would prefer a headlamp for such arduous conditions.

Winter test

I tried assembling and removing the bike mount using very thick gloves and it worked without any problems.

The screws

It was disappointing to see that no spare screws are issued with the AF02. This is the one item which you could expect to lose with the passage of time. If you lose one of the screws while you are on tour, the mount is unusable.

The screw holding the light in the mount is definitely drop-proof. The two screws which attach the mount to the bike are definitely not.

I tried pointing the light-holder screw downwards and shaking it vigorously around and it just stayed in the mount.

The handlebar screws, on the other hand, simply fall to the ground if you do not hold them in your hand.

Assembly/Disassembly

After a little practice, I managed to fit the mount on the handlebars in 15 seconds with the light already attached.

If you want to remove the bike mount, this will also take about 15 seconds. You may also have to remove the light from the mount, which takes a further 15 seconds, so that it fits in your pocket. It does not fit in all of mine and bulges considerably even in generously-sized pockets.

When you dismount, you will also have to lock up your bike, as well. It would therefore be tempting to simply leave the bike mount on the handlebars. It would be equally tempting for opportunist thieves to help themselves while you are making polite enquiries at the railway station.

Conclusion

The general idea is good: a rock-solid bike mount which holds a wide variety of lights on your handlebars and faithfully lights your way at the same time.

In this respect Fenix have been successful. There has not been the slightest hint of rattling regardless of the torches used. The AF02 can be used with all standard battery-powered torches and interfaces ranging from the twisty head to the control ring and simple push switch.

In addition, those expecting to use the mount in colder temperatures will be relieved that you do not have to remove your gloves to install and remove it.

Furthermore, the rotation function means that you can adjust your visibility range by 10° with a simple click. This provides both strengths and weaknesses. The strength is of course that you can rotate the light away from your handlebars if you need to. This function does, however, make the AF02 wider than it needed to be, and certainly too wide for a handlebar which is already cluttered with other accessories.

The length of time required to assemble and remove the mount should be regarded as a further weak point. For those fortunate enough to live in communities where theft is unlikely to be an issue, you can leave the mount on the handlebars. For most people, though, this degree of trust amounts to stupidity. You will therefore have no option than to constantly remove and assemble the mount if you are using it on a daily basis. I can imagine this quickly becoming very annoying – especially in adverse weather conditions or if you are in a hurry.

Under such circumstances, you may feel the need to speed things up and perhaps drop a screw in the process. I’ve already done this twice but fortunately it happened in my garage. If, however, this occurs on a thick carpet of autumn leaves, onlookers may not be impressed by your choice of language.

Bikers patient enough to live with this will need a bag to transport the flashlight and mount. They may fit in your jacket pocket, but the two combined feel like a mini-brick.

If Fenix were able to put the AF02 on a diet and reduce the removal and assembly time, this mount could be ideal for those using a variety of flashlights.

Kids have their own tastes, styles and preferences when it comes to interior design of their bedroom space. While allowing them to choose certain design elements, home accessories and color schemes is alright up to a certain point, it’s a good idea to inspire their creativity and thirst for knowledge by creating an educationally inspired bedroom that suits their tastes and styles. Use these tips and techniques for creating an educational theme in your kid’s room and you’ll be sure to get the most out of your kid’s room design.

Chalkboard Walls

Kids love to draw. One of the biggest things creative kids love to do is hang up their art work onto the walls. But when push pins are used or tape in applied to the walls, paint peels and drywall textures are damaged. That’s where chalkboard paint can be your best friend. Chalkboard paint is exactly as its name implies-it is made to accept chalk and be erased easily.

This simple to use paint can be applied to almost any wall surface. Just prime with a quality primer prior to painting the chalkboard, tape off the edges and go to town! Once two coats have been applied and the paint has been allowed to dry for a few days, the chalkboard is ready to be colored and drawn on by your creative kids so they can create their own ultimate interior design .

Magnetic Walls

Magnets are a great way for kids to explore their scientific side. Magnets provide kids with unique hands on experiments that get their brains charging and questing for knowledge. Magnetic walls are easy to install.

With a basic steel panel, similar to the ones used in the food service industry, you can create an awesome magnetic wall, ready for your favorite magnets. Throw a layer of paint or wallpaper of the metal to match the bedroom designs. Alphabet, numbers, words and even rare earth magnets are then attached to the wall at your child’s leisure and play times, giving them the instant power to learn.

Pegboards

It might seem weird to put a garage related item into a kid’s bedroom, but when you see how much fun your kids have with it, you’ll change your mind. With the addition of plastic building block gears and widgets, you can let your kids build and hang their creative machines from the pegboard holes.

It also can help to let them display their favorite works of art, sculptures or sports memorabilia with ease. Simple interchangeable hooks and shelving units can allow them to change it to any pattern or bedroom design ideas your child cares to create. Add a painted mural to the pegboard and you have an affordable educational masterpiece that your kids are guaranteed to use throughout the years.

Though it may sound difficult, it is surprisingly easy to create a base color scheme that works with every color imaginable. For example, let’s consider some living room design ideas. In a living room, the main pieces of furniture, such as the sofa, arm chairs and so forth, should all be in neutral colors such as beige, light brown, cream, black or white.

Next, the tables, such as the coffee table, television stand, side tables and so forth, should be of wood or painted white or black. Wood can be any shade, as some people prefer dark woods while others prefer light woods in their living room designs

By purchasing the main pieces of furniture in these hues, you allow for the rest of the room to become extremely versatile. After all, good decorating ideas should always allow for function and versatility. To finish, there are a number of ways to incorporate trendy colors into the room: throw pillows, a painted accent wall, candle holders, throw blankets, rugs, lamps and so forth.

Kitchen Design

This same concept can apply to other room designs in your home: bedroom designs, bathroom designs, kitchen designs and so forth.

When working to create a neutral color palette for a kitchen design, the task is surprisingly easy. To start, choose a neutral wood cabinetry color, such as a deep ebony or a light bamboo. Avoid cabinetry colors that have different hues to them, such as mahogany red, as these can be too ‘trendy’ and may make it difficult to incorporate other color trends into the room.

Flooring, whether it be tile or wood, should also be in a neutral hue. To incorporate a color trend, use accessories such as a stand mixer or a set of vases to highlight the space. In some instances, it is appropriate to apply color trends to the backsplash tile in kitchen designs. However, this may prompt you to rip it out every few years and can become costly.

Whatever room it is, using a base neutral color scheme can help satisfy your urge to constantly redecorate. You’ll be able to swap out accessories and other home decor items as often as you like without having to remodel entire rooms.

Thinking about redesigning your bedroom but you don’t have any good Decorating ideas to get you started? Use one or all of these four cool bedroom ideas for your next bedroom redesigning project and you’ll be sure to get the most out of your bedroom design. No matter what design you use, you’ll be sure to get the perfect design for the perfect bedroom.

Asian Theme

This attractive and elegant overseas bedroom design creates the look and feel of a classic Asian design. Bamboo, Buddha and other iconic Asian themed décor is used throughout the bedroom for the ultimate in stylish old world feel.

Reds, browns, blacks and greens tend to dominate this beautiful bedroom design. What makes these bedroom design ideas great is that they are cheap and easy to find just about anywhere, making them a great choice for a budget friendly bedroom design.

Traditional Theme

A classic among bedroom designs, the traditional bedroom is just as it denotes-traditional. Basic white and neutral colors are a prevalent choice for this classic bedroom design. Soft and plush comforters, furniture and window treatments lend to this lovely bedroom theme.

Comparable to classical, this theme uses the everyday American bedroom furnishings, simple colors and soft textures to control the design theme in this traditional bedroom design.

Shabby Chic Theme

When you’re looking for bedroom design ideas that look good but are very budget friendly, then the shabby chic bedroom theme is a the perfect bedroom design for you.

With its contemporary feel comes a splash of bold and bright colors, eclectic décor and unique styles that blend into the overall softness of the room. Accent décor items like antique pictures and classic books make this an easy to decorate space that’s perfect for those bedroom renovation projects on a tight budget.

Safari Theme

This wonderful bedroom design is a great choice for those who love something out of the ordinary when it comes to bedroom design ideas. By employing a mix of tropical colors and animal print patterns, this amazing design theme is the perfect way to bring the jungle into your bedroom.

From floral patterns to animal skins to tropical colors, the safari themed bedroom is an eclectic mix of jungle décor, animal print accent furniture and other African, Columbian or other rain forest/savanna based themes that run the gamut of tropical themes designs and décor options. While this design is a great way to get a unique bedroom, it can look a little cluttered and dark without a good accent lighting design and ambient light mix.

Furniture for Shabby Chic Bedrooms

To start, furniture for a shabby chic bedroom design can include a number of different styles. You can use rustic wrought iron or wood furniture that is painted white or off-white and roughed up a little using a fine-grit sandpaper.

To find furniture that fits into the shabby chic interior design style, check out your local flea markets, antique malls, second-hand stores and so forth. Remember, shabby chic decor is all about worn, well-loved pieces that may not necessarily match.

Color Palettes

The most common color palettes for shabby chic bedroom designs are white, off-white and pink. Of course, these pink isn’t for everyone. You can easily incorporate a few light, soft hues into the space such as soft gray, pale green or light blue. It should be noted that in modern versions of shabby chic decor, the occasional-but sparse-pop of bold color is also perfectly acceptable.

For fabrics, choose either solid fabrics or fabrics that feature floral prints, as these are best incorporated into shabby chic interior design.

Home Accessories for Shabby Chic Interior Design

Once you’ve pulled together a color palette and the mainstays of the room (furniture) it’s time to complete the space using various home accessories. Think outside of the box and always opt for vintage or worn pieces.

For example your shabby chic bedroom design could incorporate a number of different accessories that may not necessarily go together or even be seen together in other styles of decor. You could feature a dress form (which could double as a coat rack), a small Buddha statue and an antique bird cage all displayed in a single corner of the room.

For wall art, you could incorporate old windows or doors, wrought iron displays and the like. Peeling, chipping or otherwise worn pieces are always a welcome addition to shabby chic interior design.

Other great options for completing the look of this particular space could include items made from reclaimed barn wood, rusty metal stars or horseshoes and random knick-knacks such as coral, apothecary jars and vases full of fresh flowers.

Shabby chic design is almost eclectic but the vintage nature helps to pull this bedroom design together.

By the way, if you need a high quality and cheap acoustic guitars for playing, you can visit this page Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars under $500 for Beginners. Hopefully, that article is useful to you.

Guitar Finger Exercise #1

This is a simple exercise that can be performed without a guitar, but you do need a tennis ball. It improves overall hand strength.

Taking your tennis ball, hold it in your left hand. Squeeze and hold for the count of ten, then release. Repeat ten times, working up to three sets of 15. After each set, switch hands.

Guitar Finger Exercise #2

This is a good one to do while you’re sitting through a really boring lecture. Place your hands flat on the table, then lift them up so they rest on your finger tips. Your wrist should be straight. One at a time, practice picking up your fingers and setting them back down. Try different patterns. For example

1,2,3,4… 1,3,2,4… 1,4,3,2…

1 = index 2 = middle 3 = ring 4 = pinkie

• And so on. Make up your own patterns. Once you can start moving faster, try doing both hands at once.
• This exercise will improve your sense of rhythm and the ability of your fingers to move separately.
• You can also try this exercise on your guitar. Just put one finger on each fret and strum in an up and down pattern as you change fingers.

Guitar Finger Exercise #3

Sometimes, you really have to stretch to get some of those chords. There are some simple ways to increase flexibility. One is just to practice crossing your fingers. Not just the first two, but also your ring and pinkie. Try to get them to cross without using your other hand.

Also, try making the vulcan sign. Sounds silly, but it will extend your reach.

Lastly, try making a finger stack. Index on the bottom, with the middle on top of that, ring on top of that, and pinkie on top.

Increase Finger Span

Some of the chords you need to reach can require a wider span from your thumb to your pinkie. With time, you can stretch this out to where you need it to be.

Take your thumb and pull it out until you feel a stretch – you should not feel any pain. Hold for the count of ten, then release. Now take your pinkie and stretch it out to the side, holding for the count of ten.

If you’re somewhere where you have a flat table edge, you can use that to stretch both at once. Place your hand on the table as in the picture. Push against the table for the count of ten. If you can’t get your fingers out that far yet, work on the stretches outlined in the previous paragraphs.

Exploring the animal kingdom through photography

Photography has always been an art form that requires some form of patience – wildlife photography requires a higher amount than usual, but the effort is well worth the result. Recently I shot a series of images at my local zoo. While it is nothing compared to the patience required to capture images of animals in the wilderness, it still requires a high level of preparation and application in the field. In this lens I hope to share some of these images with you while parting with some tips you may find useful trying to capture your own. As with all photography – have fun exploring and experimenting with your technique.

Gain the animals trust

Photographing birds successfully can be difficult at the best of times. In order to do this successfully you need to have a high level of patience and gain the trust of the birds you are going to photograph, especially if you intend not to use a powerful telephoto lens. This may require you sitting and watching the birds quietly for some time. Having your camera on a fast shutter speed and set to silent will also help.

Reserve considered compositions for inactive animals

I have always been a photographer that has placed a high premium on composition when it comes images. A lot of the times animals are unpredictable and it is nearly impossible to frame your shot perfectly – well composed shots can then be reserved for quieter or snoozing animals who are generally inactive.

Make contact with the animals eyes

In portrait photography one of the most important elements to get sharp are the eyes – they add character, personality and inject an element of life into the image. Animal photography is pretty much the same, and making visual contact with the animal can inject life into an image. Like all wildlife photography this can require a high level of patience and is probably more likely to occur in a zoo than in the wilderness.

Look for the action shots

Like most wildlife photography – action shots and natural animal behaviour requires a high level of patience. Whether you intend to photograph animals at the zoo or in the wild, do some research into when they are most active. Obviously nocturnal animals are the most difficult to capture, but in most instances a lot of animals are most active in the morning or evening and especially energetic around feeding times.

Don’t be put off by obstacles

Both shooting in the wilderness and zoos can be filled with obstacles that can get in the way of the perfect shot. Using a telephoto and a small depth of field can minimise the obstacles in the shot but not necessarily get rid of them. In this case it is worth using them to your advantage to perhaps communicate a message in your image. In this case I used the image for an article that advocated the use of open plain zoos instead of traditional cage based parks.

The right place at the right time

Like most photography, wildlife photography is opportunistic and is all about being in the right place at the right time. Some animals spend a large amount of time relaxing and staying out of view from prying eyes, so capturing them can be a very limited window. Thankfully most are active during feeding time and like the Hippo in this shot – come out to perform when food or water is involved. If shooting in a zoo, feeding times are fairly consistent so it is possible to plan your attack. Mornings and evening are also particularly good since the light is quite pleasing.

Check the weather for controlled light

Shooting outdoors using available light can always be problematic so checking the weather before you go can ensure you are entering lighting conditions that are favourable. Mornings and evenings tend to yield the most dramatic light, but if you want to capture detail in the animals textures – diffused light that is presence when the sky is overcast is best.

Aim for detail and texture

Many photographers place a high premium on the sharpness on an image. Achieving this capturing wildlife can be difficult unless you have a fast lens or a tripod and the animal stays entirely still. Of course this can be compensated for by raising the ISO, however this can then result in a high level of noise introduced into the image. Never-the-less, macro images studying the textures of an animal can be fascinating and sometimes you will get lucky – just be prepared to shoot a lot of frames and perhaps consider setting your camera to multiple shoots.

Look for the human moments

Some of the most powerful wildlife images draw a similarity between them and us. Many animals have behaviours that are not unlike our own despite sometimes being for completely different reasons. Capturing these images can create an empathic dialogue with the viewers, and can turn what is a simple capture of an animal into an image with personality and emotion.

Never disregard a candid moment

Most of the time wildlife photography is about capturing animals partaking in their natural behaviour, however every now and then you may end up sharing a special moment with them. These images can be fun and great talking pieces, so never disregard those special moments you share with natures creatures.

Use black and white to create dramatic images

Sometimes it’s not always possible to shoot in low light without having to increase the noise in a picture by using a higher ISO. In this case try working with the noise by creating dramatic black and white images. By increasing the contrast and cropping tightly on a subject you can create powerful and impacting pictures.

Capture creatures great and small

As humans we tend to be drawn to furry, cute and loveable animals first. As a wildlife photographer try mixing your subjects up and provide an insight into animals of all sizes and species. Reptiles are particularly good to practice wildlife photography on since they sit still and make it easy to achieve focus. Red Panda’s on the other hand are extremely active and can provide a great opportunity to practice tracking and following animals – shooting off a series of frames.

Make use of your friends with unusual pets.

Know some people who has a pet? Whether it be a dog, a cat or a lizard, they can be awesome places to begin practising your wildlife photography skills. Take the time to explore your camera, compositions and patience by practising on animals that are more predictable and easier work with. Every now and then, you might also hit a golden moment.

 As you get better invest in a digital SLR

As you become more confident and decide to make the leap to a digital SLR, it is time to start investing in some quality and versatile optics, aka lens. Telephoto zoom lens are particularly useful as they will allow you to zoom in on the animal up close without disturbing it in its natural habitat. The more reach (higher the magnification) the more options will be available to you.

Most of all, have fun!

One of the most important things to do when capturing wildlife is to have fun. Take loads of shots and be aware of everything happening around you. Don’t stop and ask yourself if you should take the picture – just take the picture and review it later! Good luck and have fun!

Equipment guide –What I use to capture my wildlife images

I highly recommend both Canon and Nikon DSLR’s, but currently I am using a Nikon D7000 with the lens shown. The D7000 is a brilliant camera capable of both high quality still images as well as exceptional HD video. I would highly recommend you reading some reviews on it.