It uses 2 D Cell Batteries and is a basic design now superseded with a whole new array of lights that perform multiple duty as flashers, safety sticks, and area lights.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.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
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This is now presumably out of date since LED lights are available that put out nearly as much light but for much less energy consumption.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It uses 2 D Cell Batteries and is a basic design now superseded with a whole new array of lights that perform multiple duty as flashers, safety sticks, and area lights.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.
It uses 2 D Cell Batteries and is a basic design now superseded with a whole new array of lights that perform multiple duty as flashers, safety sticks, and area lights.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With the advent of LED light sticks such technology is outdated and not up to the level of performance available.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
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With the advent of LED light sticks such technology is outdated and not up to the level of performance available.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, February 3, 2017
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.
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