Flashlight Beating

Flashlight Beating

I posed this just to let you know how dangerous a flashlight can be when used as a club.

Clikon Launches MyLight Rechargeable

http://menafn.com/1095253749/Clikon-launches-MyLight-rechargeable-LED-flashlight

Mylight rechargeable flashlight Launch by Clikon

How to turn off your iphone flashlight

How to turn off your Iphone flashlight.
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/ios-10-tip-quickly-turn-off-your-iphones-flashlight-from-lock-screen-0176274/

Inspection Penlight by Klein Tools

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/inspection-penlight-and-flashlight-come-with-glow-ring-tip-handle-40002257

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/lights/inspection-penlight-laser

This is a nice multifunction tool.  It has illumination as the center of its purpose in order to increase safety.  

A laser pointing light in addition to a small flashlight for focused illumination and a worklight for area illumination make this light very versatile.

The glow tip ring is a great touch to make the light accessible in low light conditions.  How many times have you had trouble finding your light in the dark while you're trying to find your light to see in the dark.  Problem solved with this.

Flashlight recommended for Accidents

Five items you should have in your care in case of an accident.

A flashlight is number two on the list behind a first aid kit.  Now why is that.  Well, read the recommendations but common sense tells you that accidents happen often at night and that for safety reasons as well as finding things it helps to have a portable light.  They recommend LED flashlights as if there are many incandescent ones left to buy nowadays.

I recommend having 5 flashlights in your car.  LED lights are so cheap that having just one is asking for trouble.  Another thing to do is get batteries that don't leak.  Rechargeable ones or some of the newly advertised non leakers is a good idea.

Finally, how about some of the new LED safety sticks that replace the old  chemical light sticks.


Meddsy Emergency Kit
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/107456104/meddsy-next-generation-smart-emergency-kit

A flashlight is again at the core of this kit. Flashlights,  First Aid,  Jumper cables, and a power source for devices.

Flashlight used as a fake barrel of a gun to catch criminal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-cops-forget-to-carry-firearms-fool-criminal-into-surrendering-by-using-flashlight/story-qvHQAQsbhJzWu4BbXzqYZJ.html

It worked out but this should be a reminder that if you're a cop you carry a gun, if you're a coach you carry a whistle, and if you're a geek you carry your smartphone and wireless notebook.  Don't forget your gun if you're a cop but make sure you have your flashlight along as well.

Use a flashlight instead of your phone to read documents - it's more secure.

http://www.vox.com/technology/2017/2/14/14609472/trump-cellphone-security

Using your cellphone to read documents is okay if the document is a relatively unimportant item, but if it has critical information you should use a flashlight.

Interesting Product: LE LED Safety Lights

I came across this on Amazon.  It looks like a good and inexpensive option for safety on bicycles.  It also has personal use for joggers and dogs.  Nice idea.





LE safety lights


This one is specifically for bikes.

Flashlight News: Mini Tactical Pen, $500 flashlight

Mini tactical pen flashlight and a lantern

$500 flashlight by coast

Shaker Flashlight Mistaken for Explosive Device, Fish has a natural Flashlight

UD find suspicious device
Homemade flashlights can be suspicious looking.

Fish has a natural flashlight for hunting

Blazerray Flashlight

More lights are coming out that are designed to serve as defense tools.

Here is one that moves in that direction.

It can be a regular flashlight but transforms to a tactical grade light with strobe capability

Blazeray

USA LED Flashlight Market Forecast

USA LED Flashlight Market Forecast (2016-2021)

5% is good but also indicates that new ideas and products are needed.  This means not just flashlights but multi-use tools that include LED lights and technology upgrades that make them more efficient, more powerful, and more compact.  All these improvements can spell doom for older designs but ramp up replacement sales.

Detailed Market Forecast

Streamlight Keymate Flashlight

Streamlight Launches Keymate USB rechargeable flashlight

The $28 price  is at a point where it won't be a keychain light for your average user, but for streamlight enthusiasts it may make the cut.  It's a neat idea.

Dollar Tree Flashlight - Waterproof (old style)

Incandescent light with 2 AA batteries required to run it.  It served the purpose for a short term throwaway light that you might take with you on a boat or camping.  At the price of $1 or $2 you could hand out a light to everyone in the camp.

I bought this about a decade ago.  It worked but I wonder if it really was waterproof since I never tried it for that by dunking it.  Also, the rubber handles on these turned sticky.  I had a number of these that must have deteriorated in the heat.  Made in China.  So the materials back then are suspect and probably were not tested for durability.  What do you expect for a dollar, right.

Update: None of these worked after a few years of just sitting around.

Rubber Finish USA Made Flashlight - Probably Waterproof

This is  USA MADE LIGHT.

It came off a tugboat from a retired Tub captain.

It has a simple elegance to it that you might see in a 1950's movie used by a security guard.  It works and has no flourishes.  The only markings are Made in U.S.A.

Ash Flash British Empire Flashlight

I picked this up at a flea market after noticing the place it was made.  Hong Kong, British Empire.

It is a 4 D cell light.  I haven't tested it to see if it works since it really is old technology that probably just belongs on a collector's shelf.   I have many lights like this that no longer make sense based on what is available.  Still, I may have to give it a try and get out the D cells.  It's likely I'll have to clean up the contacts.

Flashlight News: Chainsaws, Flashlights, and Gas Cans

http://www.cordeledispatch.com/2017/02/06/chainsaws-flashlights-and-gas-cans/

This is an example of where flashlights land on the order of priority during an emergency.  Lighting is in the top three for recovery.  It is a universal to need light your way especially when the power is out and a handheld source of light is ideal.

Flashlight leads to helicopter rescue
This is a great testament for taking a flashlight wherever you  go.  It could save your life.

Inflatable Emergency solar powered  Flashlight


LED flashlight sales numbers for USA - 573 million in 2017

Fulton Permissable Electric Flashlights

Fulton Mfg. Corp, Wauseon, Ohio.
 Made in U.S. on the handle.

Fulton Mfg. Corp, Wauseon, Ohio.

Both of these are designed for use in explosive petroleum atmosphere.  These are not a mining lights.

Safety Light Gray

Flat Lens with BMG Markings.  This could have been a Navy Light but for the non markings.

Standard Old FlashLights Metal

These  appear to be new and have USA markings.  They must have been placed in storage once purchased since they have to be at least 40 years old now, and maybe as old as 60.  I'll speculate that these date from the 1960's.

This is an Eveready two tone black and silver light that has seen better days.  Made in U.S.A.

This is a bullet end gold color flashlight with no maker markings  Made in U.S.A.

This is a USA Made Bright Star.

USA LiTE "Swivel-Head" Made in USA

This is a neat design from likely the 1950's or 60's.

USN Convex Lens Flashlights

These are old lights.  I'm going to have to research these lights to determine the age but at some point the convex lenses went away.

Winchester Light Old Style Copper and Silver

Companies still do this.  I'm sure Winchester didn't make this light but instead arranged to have a company that already makes lights to put their name on it.  It probably sold a lot of lights and any guy that liked his Winchester guns like to have logo items like flashlights with that on there.

This has a 2 D cell capacity and puts out the usual light for the old style flashlights.

Fulton Magnet Light

This is a standard household light of high quality by Fulton.  I remember these going back to the 1970's.  The only thing to go wrong with these was the switch or a leaky battery that might damage it.

2 D Cells with magnet holder

G. T. Price Products Black Safety Light No Government Markings

I found this new in the box though it is an old light so it must have been in storage.  It looks like a government model light but has no US or military markings.  It appears to be a 3 D cell light so it was probably designed for commercial use in security.

Egg LED Safety Light

This must be a newer light though I don't even remember where I picked it up.  It puts out a moderate amount of light.  It uses 3 AA batteries.  The light has 3 modes.  One is plain white light, the other is a mix of white and red, and the third is Red.  The light has a hook loop on the bottom and a magnet base as well so that it could be used on a car for a breakdown safety signal light.

Flashlight News: Streamlight Adds 2 lights to Protac series

http://www.guns.com/2017/02/05/streamlight-expands-protac-tactical-flashlight-family/

Streamlight Pro-tac 2

Power and precision.
This puts out a lot of light and is a very good tactical light for carry.  The amount of light that it puts out is spectacular for its size and weight.

Streamlight MicroStream

Micro Power well made.  I always have one of these lights in my vehicle or pocket.

It puts out a tremendous amount of light (28 lumens) for a single AAA battery.  The clip allows a shirt, pocket, or belt carry.  I prefer to keep it in my pocket.

I purchased it on Amazon since it is the easiest place to obtain these lights with a shipping deal if you are a prime member or order enough.

Fluorescent Closet Light: Old Style and Old Technology

These ten plus year old closet lights still work and need only 2 AA cells each.  They also have an input plug for a power supply.  These serve as a light that can be velcro attached to a ceiling in a truck camper or van, a shed, or a closet.  It was a great solution to avoid wiring.

These are still functional but better and more efficient types now use LED lights.

Energizer Halogen Flashlight

This is now presumably out of date since LED lights are available that put out nearly as much light but for much less energy consumption.  Some of the new LED lights might even match or outperform the light output of halogens.  This is now a collectible light.

It uses 2 D Cell Batteries and is a basic design now superseded with a whole new array of lights that perform multiple duty as flashers, safety sticks, and area lights.  Hurray for the march of science and technology.

Blinking Red Safety Light: Old Style Incandescent

This is a safety light designed to be used in place of flares or to augment them in the event of a car breakdown or accident.  It runs on 2 C cells and with the push of a button it will start blinking.  It appears to be designed to sit on the roof of a car which is a very visible location for the light.


It is fine for the state of technology in the 1970's up until the last ten years.

It is about 4 inches in diameter so it is large enough to be stable and visible.

With the advent of LED light sticks such technology is outdated and not up to the level of performance available.

Check out the LED lights sticks.

http://justflashlights.blogspot.com/2017/02/review-lifegear-safety-sticks.html

LED Lanterns - a low cost backup light source

LED backup light source


Below are two LED lanterns that are early versions of lanterns that were available at Wal Mart for $5 each.  I had three of them but ruined one with leaking batteries.  So now I only use rechargeable high quality Ni-MH or Lithium batteries.  They put out lots of  light, run for a long time, are super light weight, and have a red flashing light setting on the second click of the button.  This red blinking light is a nice feature for traffic control if you are stranded.  I will say though that the blinking red LED light sticks are more visible and compact.

This 75 Lumen LED Lantern costs $7.95 at Wal Mart.  With the price of things increasing I think of this as the equivalent of the ones above except for the red blinking light.  It seems brighter than the older versions.

Any lantern of this type is so much better than the previous fluorescent models that needed D cells and were much heavier and larger.  The incandescent models prior to that were even less functional in terms of weight, size, and light output.

I used these for camping, traveling, and emergency lighting.  They use 3 AA cells and put out plenty of light to get you around a room.  Though you can read by these lights I prefer a more directed light so these are better for area lighting.

You can get more powerful versions of these but for just a low cost and simple emergency area light these are hard to beat.

Review: Lifegear Safety Sticks

If you've spent money on chemical light sticks before you know that they expire and it's something you don't pay attention to if you don't use them regularly.  These new LED safety lights fill the gap and put out more visible light as well.

The red light-sticks are flashing red and are rated at 200 hours of use per battery.  The green and white ones are just solid light.  The green one looks exactly like the old style chemical light sticks.  I checked the distance they can be seen and it was easy to see the lights at 400+ feet at night.  You turn them only by twisting the top.  The price is in the five dollar plus range at Wal Mart.

These appear to be a major improvement to the chemical versions though I'd probably have both.  These would be my primary.

Review: Baseball Hat Clip Light - Energizer

 I love this light.  I have used it for work many times.  Here is one thing that I use it for all the time. I string tennis rackets for myself and others when they ask.  In years past I could see the holes in the frame to snake the string through even in low light conditions, but in the past few years I've noticed I needed more light.  It doesn't help that the lighting in the stringing room is not ideal, so this is my solution.  I either clip it on my hat or just point it to the place I need to get a good view.  I've had this light for probably close to a decade, not sure.  But it is a trooper.  It works and has made my life easier plus it's cool.  Did I tell you a love flashlights.  This one is a great idea for anyone that works on things mechanical and wears baseball caps.  It's more comfortable than the head-strap lights for caving or serious exploration of dark places like attics or sheds with no electric.

This one LED version of the hat clip light is ideal for such purposes.    It probably has a lithium battery that means in general it will last forever unless I leave it on and run it down.  Since I only use it periodically it may be a lifetime light.  I highly recommend it.










The one shown below is a 3 LED version so it is much more expensive than the one I have.  You can probably find the less expensive one at Wal Mart or a hardware store.

Cheap Pocket Lights: Questionable Value for many, but here is one that works, the Rayovac keychain light.

You end up with cheap little pocket lights all time if you take advantage of promotional handouts at events.  Often these have names on them as well for advertising purposes.

As for being usable and reliable lights most are nearly worthless after a short period of time.  First off, due to their limited light and often single function capability these lights are best handed to kids for play rather than relying on them for any real purpose.  This is what I finally concluded after a lifetime of ending up with useless pocket lights that didn't work just when you needed them to work.  Admittedly, some fall in the middle where they serve a purpose such as a bore light for guns.  Leave that light where it will be useful for that specific purpose and you'll be fine.  Even in that event you have much better choices nowadays than before with the advent of LED and flexible neck snake lights.

Here are some that are headed for the trash can, tool box,  or the drawer depending on whether they work any longer and the utility of using them.


I spent 10 minutes trying to get this one to reliably work.  Even the parts probably aren't worth saving.  However, this light also has a hidden section in the back that contains two mini screw driver tips for watch repair or maybe opening some small electronic devices.  The tips fit in the lens of the light.  So even though the light doesn't work well or reliably it is a tool, cheap as it is.  I'll toss it in my car tool box for that one time I may need it, but no batteries will stay in it for the light.

 

This light works though it is low powered.  I'll save it for a gift to a friend's kid.  It goes in the drawer.

This barrel light is toast.  You can see it met up with some water damage and in addition it had a battery leak.  Gone.  In the trash.  You have to do this and move on for more suitable and up to date equipment.

This Rayovac LED keychain light is a keeper .  I have used many of these over the years.  They make useful keychains with the color coding that helps you distinguish between sets of keys.  The LED light is bright enough to light the ground in front of you, help you open a door, or step into a dark room.  Held up near some low light work it is as good and maybe better for close in duty as a standard incandescent flashlight of the past.  The price is right.  I've bought many of these for $1.99 or slightly more at Wal Mart.  I can recommend these as a good solution.  This one I just came across in a box from a move so it's probably five years old or more yet I still expect it to work.  I believe the batteries are replaceable but with the lithium flat cells inside they seem to last forever.  This is a great light and it makes for a nice gift too.

Headlamp: Streamlight WOW

I have used this light extensively.  It uses a high intensity bulb, probably halogen.  It works well in circumstances where you need both hands free but still need light.  Yes, you can buy one of the clip on baseball hat lights but this here is in a league of its own.  Admittedly, this light is pre LED or at least before they became inexpensive and plentiful.  It is a transformer light in that it can switch from a handheld to a headlamp simply by rotating the legs around.  The head of the light swivels so that you can aim it up or down.  It takes two AA batteries, one in each leg.  The price when I purchased it was around $20 while equivalent ones now with LED lights maybe double depending on the features and the manufacturer.  Streamlight is generally top of the line when it comes to quality.

Advertising Flashlights: Penn Tennis Balls

I received these with cases of tennis balls.  They are aluminum and make nice gifts for tennis players.  These take 3 AAA batteries and give out lots of light.  Run time is lengthy though I don't have the specs on this.

Bicycle Light

Trek Bicycle Light.  This has a handle bar loop for mounting and worked well when I had it on a bike and sometimes rode at dusk.  The whole purpose of this light was to see ahead and avoid danger on the road.  This light did that job well.  It is an incandescent so the brightness is limited. Newer models are preferable since LED lights are much bright and efficient.

Here is a popular LED bicycle light you might consider.

Advertising Flashlight: Bail Bonds

This is a cute little advertising item that doubles as a keyring/flashlight.  Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to replace the battery so it is just a nice collectible now for those who save advertising items.

Russian Forever Flashlight

This is a true emergency flashlight.  It needs no batteries, doesn't store power but only uses your squeezing motion to keep it lit.  As in usual Russian fashion it works every time through simplicity and solid design.  I've had this light for well over a decade and when called upon it lights up every time.

I don't know if they even make this model anymore but it is one clever design.  Just keep squeezing and you have light courtesy of a little dynamo/generator operated by motion much like the old bicycle lights used to work with a tire connected generator.  These sold for $10 or less.

An alternative to this model is a more modern but not necessarily reliable design.  Remember you can never beat Russian reliability when it comes to basic items.

Flashlight News: Solar light mistaken for Bomb, Night Stick Flashlights

Solar Light Mistaken for Bomb
It is easy to mistake many electronic devices for dangerous devices.  There seems to be no shortcut to safety and taking the prudent approach.

Night Stick Flashlights now available at police supply company
The market continues to expand for multi function flashlights that serve as self defense objects.

Flashlight News: O Light Review, Flashlight Assault,

Olight Review
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/02/01/olight-h1r-nova-led-flashlight-review/


Flashlight Assault - Man Charged
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/article_586cca85-2171-5276-ad95-10e4423a3143.html

Benex Hand Crank Flashlight

This is a nice looking flashlight but it is not a sound design.  After a decade of not using it since it was an emergency light it no longer works.  The rechargeable battery is not holding a charge. I paid  twelve dollars for it and only tried it out a few times early after purchasing it.   As an emergency light this is a FAIL.  I had thought that the crank would make it invulnerable to time but it seems the battery must have been a Ni-Cad which can become useless if not used.  Maybe the newer versions use a more reliable energy storage solution.

Benex Crank Light

Flashlight forum - Benex

Here is a hand crank flashlight with great reviews.