The All Purpose Flashlight CHAT Thread

[Raptor]

A cheap and handy little light.

I was in Northern Tool the other day and came across these cheapo PRC sourced lights. They were $3 each and I bought the 2 that were left just to play test them and all I can say is "Wow where can I get a couple more of these?!".

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Mini-Multifunctional-Aluminium-Pen-Clip-Magnet_60803746329.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.cc6c6792NyTwUl




First of all I consider these to  be in effect a disposable and niche type devices they will never meet QC of Fenix, Maglight, etc or be EDC. That is not their purpose. Their purpose is to provide cheap and effective emergency lighting in a room for a short duration event.

Pros:
1. It uses a single (just 1) AAA battery. While the run time will be limited the cost of that run time is negligible.
2. They are small and light weight, even more so if you ditch the screw driver bits.
3. It has a very strong magnet.
4. It is very bright COB for the size and battery.
5. Low price point so they a good giveaways to others who are not prepared.

Due to the light weight and magnet you can attach these to the top of door hinges to light corridors. They can attach to any light fixture on the ceiling that has ferrous metal in it. Since it is so light weight it will stay attached providing a large area of illumination by doing this.

Cons:
1. Cheap construction and IMO typical PRC QC.
2. Run time with a single AAA battery is less than 2 hours.
3. Need for a supply AAA to feed the light.
4. They have only the COB type LED so area lighting only.
5. Availability - I have yet to find a source in quantities of less 18. They are handy but I cannot recommend buy 18 (2 or 4 yes ... 18 no).

If you run across these and they are priced below $5 I would suggest buying a couple. That is why I attached the display box that you may see.

[Raptor]

A couple of things:
I was on Amazon and found these on sale for $9.92 assuming they are not counterfeit they look like good deal.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IO2A4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Never mind they found their error and changed the price. Damn I should have bought a dozen. :evil:

Also I purchased this item.
There are 5 flashlights and it came in a foam packed plastic box (a mock pelican type case not water proof) that can repurposed along with 5 of these lights.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C9YXXLL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered them for the COB light and singe AA light. I tested them and an enerloop in the COB will last about 5 hours before the light shuts off. It likely has a chip in it that compensates for the low voltage and suckes every bit of engery it can get from the battery. I say this because when It shut off at the 5 hour mark it would not illuminate despite the fact it had been working.

In short for $20 and $5 for a pack of cheap AA alkalines you have decent power outage lights for several nights

[Raptor]

I am really not sure this can be considered a flash light it does need  USB power to work. That said this is a light that really impressed me with it's versatility and build quality. It has a 8 foot long flexible usb cable and the weight is minimal. It allows you to hang it from a wide variety of things. It is extremely bright but what impressed me was that fact that it could be dimmed (or brightened) by simply touching the lens. That and the dim settings are not the typical High/low but rather it is variable based upon how long you touch it. So you can go down to ~ a single candle of output to a claimed 200 lumens.

They claim IP67 water proof ness but I have not tested that. The USB cable does come with what appears to be a proprietary male end that attached to the light. All in all a very versatile light. I picked several up for $9.99 but I see they raised the price.

That said as long as you have a USB power bank this light can provide a lot of light for a long time.
https://smile.amazon.com/Voltaic-Systems-USB-Touchlight-Waterproof/dp/B00CWHQEWM/ref=b2b_gw_d_bia_1?pd_rd_w=k3AYy&pf_rd_p=e3cacf2f-b655-4992-8629-8eb728a4fbad&pf_rd_r=1H8XF5628NF4A2CJJ1QN&pd_rd_r=f1e68cba-cfb2-4efc-83a4-3bdc80ab7d09&pd_rd_wg=ENaDR&pd_rd_i=B00CWHQEWM&psc=1

[Raptor]

I picked this up on Amazon for $8. At that price it is a very good light. Do not expect Maglight or Streamlight quality but for $8 they put out a lot of light with 4 AA rechargeable batteries.

The beam unless focused is a flood light without a hot spot. On low and focused it will illuminate a reflective street sign 3 blocks away. On high it illuminates my back yard almost as well as a PAR 38 flood light.   
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088PGJQJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Rednex]

On the USB light, i go surf fishing a good bit and been using some butterfly lights ( looks like 2 wings when open ) magnetized to the roof of my truck. In the next week or so me and the miss are going to get some new items one being a 20,800 mhz?( said it can give an extra 77 hours to cell phones)  USB battery bank. I'm wondering if this light would work hooked to the bank and hung as an area light on the dark beach for bating and stuff.

[boskone]

I'm thinking about something along the lines of these for my trucks.

They're probably not super-bright, long lasting, nor tough.  However, they're cheap and the flashlight/COB combo is really handy for a general-purpose light.

I have a couple similar lights (a no-name larger one I've had for years, and a Nebo Slyde King I received as a gift a year or two back.  Both are USB-chargeable; the Nebo uses a 13650 and the battery can be manually changed, but the "barrel slide" gets loose and...annoying.  However, having both options for lights with the tail magnets has proved utterly invaluable a few times.

[NapalmMan67]

In the market for a wind up torch to toss in the tornado box in the basement.  We had one (forget the brand) years ago, but it would only illuminate for a few minutes after winding.  So looking for something that would last potentially 30 mins or longer after winding, if that animal exists?


Suggestions?

[NT2C]

In the market for a wind up torch to toss in the tornado box in the basement.  We had one (forget the brand) years ago, but it would only illuminate for a few minutes after winding.  So looking for something that would last potentially 30 mins or longer after winding, if that animal exists?


Suggestions?

I would suggest any of the good new USB rechargeable lights.  They have long battery life in storage and can be recharged from a variety of sources including hand-crank radios and power banks (which usually have built-in lights too).  Amazon has a bunch.

[NapalmMan67]

For a basic $12-15 light, we've had a few of these knocking around the vehicles the last 5+ years.  A bit on the heavy side and no belt clip or lanyard hole, but has two beam modes.  Nice and bright on the first setting.


https://www.rayovac.com/products/lights/metal-flashlights/diy3aaa-workhorse-pro-3aaa-led-virtually-indestructible-flashlight.aspx


.

[NapalmMan67]

In the market for a wind up torch to toss in the tornado box in the basement.  We had one (forget the brand) years ago, but it would only illuminate for a few minutes after winding.  So looking for something that would last potentially 30 mins or longer after winding, if that animal exists?


Suggestions?

I would suggest any of the good new USB rechargeable lights.  They have long battery life in storage and can be recharged from a variety of sources including hand-crank radios and power banks (which usually have built-in lights too).  Amazon has a bunch. 

Will investigate those.  Thanks.


.

[Raptor]

On the USB light, i go surf fishing a good bit and been using some butterfly lights ( looks like 2 wings when open ) magnetized to the roof of my truck. In the next week or so me and the miss are going to get some new items one being a 20,800 mhz?( said it can give an extra 77 hours to cell phones)  USB battery bank. I'm wondering if this light would work hooked to the bank and hung as an area light on the dark beach for bating and stuff.

The beam is directional but it is incredibly lightweight and has a light output more than a 25 watt but less than a 40 watt bulb. The nice thing is with a USB extension cable you use the included strap to affix it in any direction you may want.

I have become a huge fan of USB lights. with the addition of a USB hub and extension cord the offer a lot of versatility.

This also great USB light and more omni directional.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDS-Brightness-Customizable-Portable-Emergency/dp/B0926NST1Y/ref=sr_1_21?dchild=1&keywords=usb+light&qid=1623343857&sr=8-21

These are also great if you plug them into a USB hub you can have a light of light for a low price.
https://www.amazon.com/Telesky-Reading-Light-Protable-Night/dp/B08QTNT5QL/ref=sr_1_45?dchild=1&keywords=usb+light&qid=1623343914&sr=8-45

[the_alias]

Just want to share a tint photo from my lights.

Most here are Emisar brand which are great with tint options but they are not very robust at all. The most flame like is my bedside light because it disrupts the least and the whitest is my current EDC

[Anianna]

This flashlight is mine and is my favorite of all the flashlights we own, but it's also Handy Kid's favorite (the wear around the back edge is mostly from him holding it with his teeth while working) and I've been trying for years to find him one of his own just like it.  If anybody has any idea where I can find it (got this one at Walmart, no go there, hasn't been on Amazon in a while, also is not on the Coleman website), I would be most appreciative.  The precise shape and weight of specifically this model are perfect, its light production is excellent, and it has a sturdy feel to it. 

[NT2C]

Not quite the same, Ani, but maybe close enough?


eBay link

[EBuff75]

This flashlight is mine and is my favorite of all the flashlights we own, but it's also Handy Kid's favorite (the wear around the back edge is mostly from him holding it with his teeth while working) and I've been trying for years to find him one of his own just like it.  If anybody has any idea where I can find it (got this one at Walmart, no go there, hasn't been on Amazon in a while, also is not on the Coleman website), I would be most appreciative.  The precise shape and weight of specifically this model are perfect, its light production is excellent, and it has a sturdy feel to it. 

Looks like it hasn't been sold in a while, but here's the old page on Walmart which has the specs for it.  That might help with finding something which is a similar size/form factor:  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-765826-3AAA-Ultra-High-Power-LED-Flashlight-Black/13848694

[Anianna]

This flashlight is mine and is my favorite of all the flashlights we own, but it's also Handy Kid's favorite (the wear around the back edge is mostly from him holding it with his teeth while working) and I've been trying for years to find him one of his own just like it.  If anybody has any idea where I can find it (got this one at Walmart, no go there, hasn't been on Amazon in a while, also is not on the Coleman website), I would be most appreciative.  The precise shape and weight of specifically this model are perfect, its light production is excellent, and it has a sturdy feel to it. 

Looks like it hasn't been sold in a while, but here's the old page on Walmart which has the specs for it.  That might help with finding something which is a similar size/form factor:  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-765826-3AAA-Ultra-High-Power-LED-Flashlight-Black/13848694

Ah, it's good to find the model number, thank you!  I found some more old listings with that, but all out, unfortunately.  Looks like they were selling in 2013/2014.  Such a shame!  We love this flashlight so much.  Might have to become a family heirloom.  😂

I am trying to contact Coleman and see if there's any chance they bring it back, but their contact form has no box for actually asking a question!  Guess I have to upload my question in document form. 

[Anianna]

Not quite the same, Ani, but maybe close enough?


eBay link

We may try it, but we've tried so many similar flashlights and haven't found anything near what we like about this one.  I guess we'll just have to get over it.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Anianna, I frequent a lot of thrift stores in my area, so it'd be no problem for me to look for that light for you.

Folks in my area tend to toss their old lights into the donation bins whenever a new model comes out, so it's likely I might find another light like that at one of the thrift stores out here.

If I do find one, I'll let you know. 

[Anianna]

Anianna, I frequent a lot of thrift stores in my area, so it'd be no problem for me to look for that light for you.

Folks in my area tend to toss their old lights into the donation bins whenever a new model comes out, so it's likely I might find another light like that at one of the thrift stores out here.

If I do find one, I'll let you know. 

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Anianna, I frequent a lot of thrift stores in my area, so it'd be no problem for me to look for that light for you.

Folks in my area tend to toss their old lights into the donation bins whenever a new model comes out, so it's likely I might find another light like that at one of the thrift stores out here.

If I do find one, I'll let you know. 

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!

No problem. I tend to look for flashlights and other prepping gear whenever I'm at thrift stores anyway, so this will just add a purpose to my browsing.