East German Flashlight

This is an original East German Flashlight.  It is like new and is of the German design used in WW2.  It is a number of color lenses to change the light color.  It has an odd shaped battery but could be operated by connecting a number of single AA cells and connecting them in series.  I will get around to trying that someday just by taping the batteries together than wiring the terminals properly.  If I try it and it works I'll share the photos.

Here is a photo of the old battery that I bought at the same time I found the light.  With the voltage it seems that three 1.5v AA batteries in series can replace this.

Browning Submersible - pocket clip light

This was a twenty dollar light when I bought it probably close to twenty years ago.  It is waterproof and has been very useful when in the field.  It won't come on by accident since you have to turn the top to light it.  The clip is strong and will hold it firmly on a pocket.  The image size you see here is close to the real size.  It uses 2 AAA batteries.  I stick with rechargeable batteries to prevent damage to this gem.  This is a pre-LED light.  It is either incandescent or a high intensity bulb.


Here is a light that I might consider a substitute for the one above rather than going for the now $30 and $40 lights that fit most of the submersible category.  This one only uses one AAA battery thus reducing weight and with an LED making it last longer than the Browning.  I like the carabiner on it along with the safety color.  This has a blinking mode as well so it can be a marking and rescue device or even for an additional safety light if broken down on the side of the road.

Book and Work Light from a Dollar Store

This book light can be found at various Dollar stores.  I believe I paid $2 for it though you might find one for a Dollar.  I've owned this one for over a decade and it still works and helps reading light when camping or reading in the car while stopped.  It is surprisingly reliable.

Press a button and it unfolds to the position on the left.

The light is white though it appears blue in the photo.


Here is another Dollar Store light that I have used.  It has a flexible neck and works well for reading and detail work.

A two dollar Flea Market Light - It works

This is a cheap metal flashlight but it does run on 7 LED lights.  Though it is not well made it still has the benefit of putting out a lot of light since it runs on D Cell batteries.  Surprisingly, this was a transition light before the small ones really came into their own.  I never tested to see how long this would stay lit on the D cells but I presume it would be a long run.  The butt cap is not well situated and would eventually fail because of the thin metal threading on the base.  The switch will probably be the first thing to fail just based on the overall quality of the light.  I bought it just to see what I could get for two dollars.  It's not bad and qualifies as a disposable.

I ran an Amazon search and it appears that only the Maglite is still available for D cells with LED lights unless you go with the Panasonic multi battery light.  I know the Maglite will work flawlessly so this is the one I'll put up.

Flashlight News: Burglar Leaves Flashlight, Another Takes his with him, and Donations to Storm Victims includes Flashlights

Burglar leaves a flashlight behind
Hey, even burglars need to see in the dark.  I wonder if they can get some prints off of it.

Burglar uses a flashlight
While they slept a burglar used to light to see his way around the house.  I wonder if maybe there should be a burglar model to come out from a major manufacturer.

Donations to storm victims include flashlights - Georgia hit by a storm.
This is course makes perfect sense since having light really is helpful when the power is down.  I notice that it appears most of these are the small led lights that are the mainstay of low cost lights nowadays.   They do work well, putting out a lot of light and also last a long time for the amount of energy used.

Advertising Light: Old Style

 It's a collectible and it still works well.

If you want a new D cell light now your best bet is a Maglite.

Multi_tool LED Light

I bought one of these for less than $6.  and it has a workable LED in addition to screwdrivers and cutting blades all on a keychain.  Not bad.  I keep one in the car.

You can see the LED button in the center.

Here is a versatile tool from Swiss-Tech with the same functions.