An Unfair Giveaway (updates at end of post)

cabfrank · 2018-04-04T19:55:07.000Z

No worries. I’m on the list for one FW3A as of now.

bansuri · 2018-04-04T19:57:24.000Z

Zappaman:

Bansuri,

You have inspired me and I’m going to give some extra lights away to a few local people in my town who work hard for little money like my town manager to start: He’s always out at 2am checking on the water tower or something else he maintains for us 24/7. Every time I’ve called- he’s been there to help with whatever was needed. He gets paid little and he works hard— a lot at night-time. So he’s the perfect candidate for a C8 (which I have in the hand to give him).

If you still have them to give away, perhaps your contest might be expanded to include: “WHO does a BLF member know who can use one of these lights” — and qualify it as your gift to be re-gifted to someone they KNOW (in their own community) who could use it?

Zappaman,
If my trunk was filled with AA lights I’d give them all away to the people in my small town who walk at night. Some walk for pleasure, others walk to work or to visit friends, we have a Main Street with small businesses and restaurants and there are well-marked crosswalks that people completely ignore. Suddenly someone dressed like a ninja minus the mask steps out from between 2 minivans. I’m not joking. The idea of conspicuity is unknown in these parts. OK, there are some people who are visible thanks to a small light or reflectors, but they’re a minority.

These Li-ion battery powered lights are different, it’s difficult to even get the uninitiated to understand how they turn on or off. The battery voltage and safety conversation returns glazed eyes.
OTOH, despite the UI, the S42 might be acceptable to give to a muggle if the battery protection circuitry works as it’s supposed to. I haven’t used it more than a minute but will look into it.
Thanks!

Zappaman · 2018-04-04T21:00:37.000Z

And… yes, I meant to those adults who know how to work with things of course (and my city manager is one of those guys with a shop full of toys and machining tools— so he qualifies).

I don’t know the lights you are giving away and so now I see that they would need to be given to a “trainable” hand— good point of clarification. But we probably all know someone who can use a better light (for a friend or guy like my city manager) and so again… just a thought- wanting to help!

I am looking forward to giving Roy his light here tomorrow when he is driving by (we just wave you down here in my town of 300 or so people). He’ll get a kick out of it after he plays with it a while. AND… he WILL use it I’m sure- he’s that kind a’ guy!

DavidEF · 2018-04-04T21:38:54.000Z

bansuri:

DavidEF:

There are lots of posts around BLF where I mention that I can’t afford a particular light, even though I’d love to own it. I haven’t ever successfully “saved up” for a light, although I’ve had that intention a time or two. I don’t know if I qualify overall, though. I know your intention is for someone to get it that is sort of a beginner. I have lots of lights, just not very many nice ones. Most of the lights I own are either under $10 or were received in giveaways I’ve won in the past. Those lights you’re giving away are all lights that I’ve wanted and couldn’t afford in the past. So anyway, here’s my entry: Group Buy: Wuben TO10R and TO46R (real 90+CRI triple XP-G3) - CLOSED!! - #81 by DavidEF and my light selection would be the Emisar D4.

That’s it! PM me your name/address and I’ll get it out to you. There was another light added so let me know if the D4 is still your top pick.

PM sent! Thanks again for the GAW!

bansuri · 2018-04-05T02:13:17.000Z

Zappaman:

And… yes, I meant to those adults who know how to work with things of course (and my city manager is one of those guys with a shop full of toys and machining tools— so he qualifies).

I don’t know the lights you are giving away and so now I see that they would need to be given to a “trainable” hand— good point of clarification. But we probably all know someone who can use a better light (for a friend or guy like my city manager) and so again… just a thought- wanting to help!

I am looking forward to giving Roy his light here tomorrow when he is driving by (we just wave you down here in my town of 300 or so people). He’ll get a kick out of it after he plays with it a while. AND… he WILL use it I’m sure- he’s that kind a’ guy!

I’ve met lots of very smart and competent service people who have never seen the kind of flashlights we’re used to. They just don’t know about our weird little flashlight world where a light with a single button can do dozens of different things. They just order something from Grainger or whatever and that’s a light. When they see what we have it only takes milliseconds and they’re in!
A couple years ago I was visiting my dad and ran into a childhood neighbor who’s been an electrician since birth, (long line of electricians in the family). It was night and we were talking about something in the neighborhood that was hard to see cuz it was dark so I pulled out an SC600 and lit it up like daytime. We finished that topic and he said, “So, let’s talk about that flashlight!”. He wrote down links and brand names to investigate.

Please post updates on Roy!

Zappaman · 2018-04-05T02:31:15.000Z

Will do…

I speak to Roy when I need to; or we by chance happen to end up at the same spot in town (about once a year maybe). About three years ago Roy came over to help me (brought a $100k backhoe for a little hole I needed dug out). Anyway we stared talking about guitars and he had an old black face Fender twin 12” with rotted speakers he mentioned. Just so happens I used to build OEM (concert sized) speakers— and had my suppliers info still. Short ending… I got my hole dug and he got a pair of OEM Altec vintage re-issues.

I really like helping out people who help me out— by just doing the right thing. And I especially like surprising them when I do it (as they don’t expect it); they are usually just doing their job… better than most people (with the same job) :+1:

bansuri · 2018-04-05T03:36:24.000Z

Illumenated:

This might not qualify since it’s from 2 years ago but that’s how long I’ve been waiting to get a decent thrower haha. I was going to get one from GoingGear but I’m just too frugal and broke. Here’s the post and I’d love the D1 but would be grateful for any light. Or would be grateful to watch someone else win these.

Expanded the date range, and did some specific searches on the forums to find posts that might work for this giveaway. Using quotes and sorting by date I didn’t get much when searching for:
“can’t afford”, “saving up for”, “don’t have the money”, etc. that were for budget lights. Lots of returns for expensive lights or other stuff.
I should have searched this before coming up with this giveaway.

In light of that I have to say that the D1 would find a loving home with Illumenated. You said “I’m just too frugal and broke” which is how I’ve been often, then said you’d be grateful to watch someone else win? D1 is yours.

Zappaman · 2018-04-05T03:58:15.000Z

We have ANOTHER winner!!! -Congrats Illuminated!

toddcshoe · 2018-04-05T05:33:04.000Z

Congrats Illumenated. Nice choice. I have the D1 and the D1S in my cross hairs as soon as they get restocked.

Gunga · 2018-04-05T06:17:38.000Z

Great giveaway! I guess you’ve had your fun with the d4 eh?

AdrianWA · 2018-04-05T07:34:18.000Z

bansuri:

I think all this contest is going to do is piss off everyone outside the US and the rules are so specific there will be no winners! Hitting the sack, may have to change the scope of the giveaway to make it happen.

Not really if they would pay for the postage cost then why not send it to them is they are outside US. Thanks for the generosity.

gi.lumens · 2018-04-05T13:25:21.000Z

AdrianWA:

bansuri:

I think all this contest is going to do is piss off everyone outside the US and the rules are so specific there will be no winners! Hitting the sack, may have to change the scope of the giveaway to make it happen.

Not really if they would pay for the postage cost then why not send it to them is they are outside US. Thanks for the generosity.

Someone paying for out of the country deliverey seems to defeat the purpose of the FREE giveaway. Just saying
.

Henk4U2 · 2018-04-05T13:41:29.000Z

gi.lumens:

Someone paying for out of the country deliverey seems to defeat the purpose of the FREE giveaway. Just saying.

Yes, but that someone would also have to pay for shipping to his place outside of the US if he bought the light himself. But the light itself is FREE. The someone who wants to own a light offered in the OP has to calculate the shipping cost into his/her wishes.

BTW. Nice action, but count me out, either way. At the moment I am testing my perseverance in NOT getting a new light,

Illumenated · 2018-04-05T18:50:09.000Z

A D1?

For real?

A D1 is coming to my house?? Flabbergasted. This is humbling and uplifting at the same time. I’m constantly amazing at the generosity and kindness of this forum. Bansuri you are a blessing. I’m at one of the lowest points in my life right now. How can a flashlight bring such joy?? It’s the kindness AND the light together.

Thanks a million. I can’t wait to pass this gesture along to someone else when I’m back on my feet.

DavidEF · 2018-04-12T10:59:45.000Z

I just got my Emisar D4 in the mail yesterday. It’s my new favorite light! :partying_face:

Thanks again for this Giveaway! I’m sure I’d never have owned a D4 otherwise. :+1:

Illumenated · 2018-04-13T13:31:11.000Z

My new D1 came yesterday! It’s amazing how FAR this thing shines for such a tiny light!! It’s by far my new favorite light…I love the tint, too. What is the tint, Bansuri??

So grateful and happy for this…my kids excitedly handed me the package when I got home today. They knew it was coming and were looking forward to opening it with me. They had fun watching me play with it (it’s not really kid-friendly but they had fun with their own cheap/safer lights).

Thanks again!!

Agro · 2018-04-13T16:31:06.000Z

toddcshoe:

Zulumoose:

I don’t think many people really struggle to save for a flashlight, what they do is put off buying what they see as a luxury they don’t really need until next month, then next month, etc.

I know I often make the mistake of not buying a $50 light I really want, but in the same month I might buy 3 $10 lights and a $20 light I don’t really want but can’t resist because they seem like irresistible bargains and not a big outlay. In retrospect I would have preferred the $50 light in the end and would have spent the same, or in many months actually less, especially since each collection from the post office costs another $2.

Agreed. I have a BLF Q8 that cost me almost $300. I kept putting if off for months because I thought it was too expensive. Bought lots of other lights but, not the Q8. If I had only not bought the other lights and got the Q8 I would have saved myself money.

It’s not so simple.
I started the opposite way. Bought a high-end light. Customized for me with stuff flying between US/AU/EU.
Later I learned it was not really what I needed.

So if you know what you need - yes, it may be worthwhile to pay extra for it. Otherwise - it’s better to learn on cheap lights.
So far I’m still in the learning mode. And I prefer to buy stuff that’s cheap but not too cheap. This means that almost all my lights are in the $10-$40 range.

DavidEF · 2018-04-13T16:37:36.000Z

Agro:

toddcshoe:

Zulumoose:

I don’t think many people really struggle to save for a flashlight, what they do is put off buying what they see as a luxury they don’t really need until next month, then next month, etc.

I know I often make the mistake of not buying a $50 light I really want, but in the same month I might buy 3 $10 lights and a $20 light I don’t really want but can’t resist because they seem like irresistible bargains and not a big outlay. In retrospect I would have preferred the $50 light in the end and would have spent the same, or in many months actually less, especially since each collection from the post office costs another $2.

Agreed. I have a BLF Q8 that cost me almost $300. I kept putting if off for months because I thought it was too expensive. Bought lots of other lights but, not the Q8. If I had only not bought the other lights and got the Q8 I would have saved myself money.

It’s not so simple.
I started the opposite way. Bought a high-end light. Customized for me with stuff flying between US/AU/EU.
Later I learned it was not really what I needed.

So if you know what you need - yes, it may be worthwhile to pay extra for it. Otherwise - it’s better to learn on cheap lights.
So far I’m still in the learning mode. And I prefer to buy stuff that’s cheap but not too cheap. This means that almost all my lights are in the $10-$40 range.

Even the “knowing what you like” is not a sure way to keep from acquiring too many lights. I’ve known for years what I like, but I keep trying new sizes, shapes, and brands just in case I might like one of them better! :person_facepalming:

ValuseekeR · 2018-04-13T18:01:53.000Z

Can someone who is apparently more broke than me please claim that Astrolux? Craziness…

bushmaster · 2018-04-13T18:27:44.000Z

Finding the “right” light to fill your need is kind of like finding a fossil that fills a hole in the evolutionary chain. You think you’ve filled a hole….but now there are holes on either side of your find.