Disaster Kit Flashlight

kikkoman · 2019-02-08T14:02:12.000Z

I personally stay away from all things 3xAAA.

- it usually means bad regulation and efficiency, those tend to be DD with resistor or linear driver since it’s pretty easy to design, a good 2-cell boost driver is pretty complex in comparison

-(although this means such a light can truly drain batteries to ZERO whereas a CC regulated boost converter refuses to start up at some point before that, so maybe that’s a plus in some scenarios)

–3 cells means there’s always a lonely cell left over from a pack… … and if you’re truly in an emergency, you’re much more likely to find 2 cells (remote controls etc.) and if you find one extra, it’s probably mismatched

1xAA is nice and compact, but most drivers are not very efficient (<70%) above 200lm, especially with alkalines. It’s inevitable.
2xAA is much better in this regard and can be quite compact, the MT22A looks like a good choice for an emergency kit (but 30$…)

Propeak · 2019-02-08T15:48:27.000Z

For an AA with a good reputation I’d go consider the Jetbeam JET - I MK
Versatile runtimes, decent construction, waterproof and reliable.
You can also keep an aaa to aa battery converter tube for versatility and perhaps a diffuser (if there are any for it).
I use mine with a cheap ebay headband and it makes for a decent headlamp too.

I’d also agree with the C01 on paper, as I haven’t received mine yet

Barry_Lyndon · 2019-02-08T15:54:25.000Z

Easy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FTNY3ZK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01FTNY3ZK&pd_rd_w=3ldGC&pf_rd_p=2bd81721-c115-4b8d-93a3-2ecd17466ded&pd_rd_wg=TTwcU&pf_rd_r=2GQ74M37TPJ17YWK2AGQ&pd_rd_r=8efdea64-2bb9-11e9-9da1-2f38c3bf93b4

jerm03 · 2019-02-08T16:52:41.000Z

Barry Lyndon:

Easy.

Amazon.com

Good choice.

nottawhackjob · 2019-02-08T21:56:04.000Z

“Because the users range from kids to non-hobbyists I want to keep things very simple, reliable,…….”

I have a BUNCH of these throughout the house (basically in every room) and elsewhere. As simple and practical (i.e., I don’t care $$$-wise if you sumhow destroy it) for wide-user range applications as it prolly can reasonably get. Uber-lightweight, essentially water proof, tuff/well-made, uber easy to operate, and one of the most important features, it’s also a 360 degree LANTERN.

Each comes with 3x AA batts and runs for a LONGTIME. On sale @ Costco I’ve seen them fer as low as $9.97 for the THREE PAK. Mind you including NINE Duracell AA batts. Even at $18 STILL a GOOD DEAL.

Since each light carries three AA batts, in a pinch you also have an emergency supply of AA’s on hand should you for wattever reason need just a single AA to operate another type light. IMNSHO stick with AA platforms. AA’s are the most common batt size in Muggleland.

About as foolproof and muggle-proof as you can get.

And they do exactly watt they advertise they’ll do. IMNSHO if there ever was an ideal “emergency light” that every BLFer should have on hand for doling out to non-hobbyists during SHTF events THIS IS IT.

https://www.costco.com/Life-Gear-100-Lumen-AR-Tech-Flashlight-with-Area-Lantern%2C-3-pack.product.100415035.html

And yes they’ll also run on 1.2v NiMH rechargeables too.

I also bought these becuz 9volt batts are prevalent. These run seemingly forever. Dorcy had a BOGO recently that worked out to $1.50 INCLUDING the batt. IMNSHO every emergency SHTF kit should have at least one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9v+flashlight+snap+on&crid=KM3TI4X41PD8&sprefix=9v+fl%2Caps%2C279&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_5

And yes they’ll also run on 9v NiMH rechargeables too.

PS. I almost feel like this is sum kind of FEMA public service announcement or sumthing.

PSS. Ignore anyone’s comment about them being ‘flimsy’. They’re not. They’re WELL MADE.

PSSS. On the Costco Life-Gear light, there’s about 1 1/4” diameter folding steel ring at the tail end. Uber handy for hanging it in tents, off tree branches, fence tops, general protrusions, well you get the picture. And btw, you would normally presume that at this price point this
1 1/4” ring snaps down into closed position flush ring would be carbon steel, right? Nope. It’s STAINLESS STEEL. As are the two contact anodes that allow it to turn on automatically if thrown into the water. So no exposed metal that easily rusts.

PSSSS. That clear plastic surrounding the lantern LEDs? Well that clear housing just bayonets off in a quick twist. No threads to get crossed-up. It’s also O-Ringed. AND there’s enough room INSIDE of that lantern clear housing to DRYLY STORE STUFF. Ya know, matches, paper munny, coins, para cord, string saw, even for a single AAA batt PLUS sum maybe even all the foregoing. Use yer ingenuity.

And I actually like it that it’s NOT dinky. Not so easy to lose for even a 7 year old and so light that grandma can throw it at a zombie with velocity.

PSSSSS. Oh……and, it has a bezel ring that unscrews from the main black switch housing. This bezel ring self-contains and retains the reflector itself. The reflector won’t fall out on the ground IOW. It also is O-ringed protected on the main black side switch housing.
So when ya unscrew (there is about 1/2” width’s worth of coarse threads to securely werk with) this bezel/reflector portion, inside of that back switch housing there’s ALSO room to hiddenly store stuff, especially paper munny, and the bendable like. This main switch housing also has two lanyard holes where the bezel part meets it btw.

“WAIT! THERE’S MORE!”………

After unscrewing off the bezel/reflector ya now have yerself A MULE! Tat’s right. A nice even big soft circle of light either standing from the flat tail end or hanging from the tail ring off yer 18K gold Mr. T chains.

It’s a durable-enuff, uber inexpensive, muggly-purposed , elegantly-simple, well-made, easily disassembled/assembled, overall brilliant design. Great job Life-Gear!

PSSSSSS. Here I am PSSSSSSSing my life away again.

robertsig · 2019-02-08T20:07:19.000Z

jerm03:

Barry Lyndon:

Easy. Amazon.com

Good choice.

Love the Storbe mode they list.

Lightbringer · 2019-02-08T20:26:25.000Z

Any of the LuxPro lights with Vipon coupon take alkaleaks, and are included with the light. Also have a rubber sleeve around the battery-tube for grip. A bit pricey without a discount, but a steal with one.

sbslider · 2019-02-08T20:34:29.000Z

Barry Lyndon:

Easy.

Amazon.com

likely a decent light that fits the bill for the OP, but could not help but :person_facepalming: when I read the description of 7W and see it runs on an AA battery. looks like a 14500 will work also, but most folks won’t know this.

hank · 2019-02-08T22:27:40.000Z

As mentioned above, use Energizer brand lithium primary.
Long shelf life, and they won’t leak like alkalines.

Barry_Lyndon · 2019-02-08T22:36:15.000Z

sbslider:

likely a decent light that fits the bill for the OP, but could not help but :person_facepalming: when I read the description of 7W and see it runs on an AA battery. looks like a 14500 will work also, but most folks won’t know this.

They’re good enough; but when you consider the price, they’re amazing. They’re certainly not the brightest, but I haven’t tried running a 14500 yet. Since you mentioned it, I’m eyeballing some LiFePo4 14500s; but the typical 500-700mAh capacities are a bit disappointing. Surely it would be much brighter, but at only 25% of the runtime. On the other hand, I can get [4] of these batteries for like $10 and they’d last over 5 years and 1,000 cycles. Plus they could be easily charged in series with a little solar panel I have — if necessary.

I’ve bought one of these 5-packs and one of the Kootek brand 5-packs at various times. I have a flashlight at the ready in pretty much every conceivable spot around the house and car. They also make great gifts to pass out at kids’ birthday parties or whatever. Cheap as hell and very useful - my favorite attributes.

All of mine have worked so far. No duds yet.

mmalive · 2019-02-09T00:28:02.000Z

Your best choices for AAA and AA flashlights are places like Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight or more common stores for common cell releases.

Wlai · 2019-02-09T02:51:02.000Z

Yup on the long time lurking I got really into the hobby and then it quickly overwhelmed me. Bought a bunch of cheap DX/Banggood/Aliexpress lights to play with, but so many of them failed with no apparent reason that I just kinda gave up for a while. Sure I can spend $50-100 on a Fourseven or something but that’s really not my thing. Did occasionally come and check out what’s up, and see BLF specials but always too late! So the Sofirn C01 is a perfect recommendation for me, thanks!

I really like the SK-68 5-pack too; think I actually have one of those around. Are they any good reliability wise? Sure is cheap! And the Costco recommendation may just be the ticket: My wife loves anything Costco so I can get her to go along with that, no problem I always joke that if Costco sells a mistress I can probably pick one up with her approval. And it’ll probably come in a 3-pack to boot!

The Dorcy looks interesting too. Are they anymore bombproof than the Sofirn aluminum, do you think? The Jet Beam is nice but probably over budget for this application.

Thanks for all the recommendation. Keep them coming, and good to finally get out of the deep lurk!

kuzuna · 2019-02-09T02:59:04.000Z

Wlai:

I really like the SK-68 5-pack too; think I actually have one of those around. Are they any good reliability wise?

I have Ultrafire-branded single-mode versions of those lights that I bought a 6-pack of on eBay a few years ago for around 13 dollars shipped. They work pretty well, although they won’t give you the best runtimes possible.

nottawhackjob · 2019-02-09T04:12:20.000Z

Wlai:

Yup on the long time lurking I got really into the hobby and then it quickly overwhelmed me. Bought a bunch of cheap DX/Banggood/Aliexpress lights to play with, but so many of them failed with no apparent reason that I just kinda gave up for a while. Sure I can spend $50-100 on a Fourseven or something but that’s really not my thing. Did occasionally come and check out what’s up, and see BLF specials but always too late! So the Sofirn C01 is a perfect recommendation for me, thanks!

I really like the SK-68 5-pack too; think I actually have one of those around. Are they any good reliability wise? Sure is cheap! And the Costco recommendation may just be the ticket: My wife loves anything Costco so I can get her to go along with that, no problem I always joke that if Costco sells a mistress I can probably pick one up with her approval. And it’ll probably come in a 3-pack to boot!

The Dorcy looks interesting too. Are they anymore bombproof than the Sofirn aluminum, do you think? The Jet Beam is nice but probably over budget for this application.

Thanks for all the recommendation. Keep them coming, and good to finally get out of the deep lurk!

Well as you and wife undoubtedly know if you’re dissatisfied with the Costco lights just take them to any Costco Warehouse and you will get your money back instantly. I believe for as long 1 year after purchase and more in sum cases. Try that with sumthing shipped from China.

The Dorcy/Amazon-generic 9 volt block lites have little to break on them. The polycarbonate plastic material is robust enuff to take pretty good abuse.

And as ya likely know 9 volt batteries are tuff as heck already by themselves plus they rarely leak as often as other alkaline sizes tend to do if left unremoved for longer periods.

The smallness of the 9volt block lites can be one big plus if you’re really trying to keep your emergency storage kits as small and light as possible. Weight here is negligible for either the Costco or the 9 volt lite.

Ya know watt? I’d get BOTH to try out. Then figure out watt quantity ratios of each is most suitable for the various ages and physical/mental abilities of your prospective end users.

You may very well end up with a mix of lights for different potential scenarios.

PS. Oops. Just realized yer referring to bikenber73’s Dorcy lights - his Post #7. Those should work great for your particular emergency applications. Tuff as nails I suspect plus they likely are great in rainy, muddy, conditions. No to little rust corrosion issues to ever worry about.

Boaz · 2019-02-09T03:22:45.000Z

I'm guessing the answer is the three mode ...opps I mean 2 mode and a strobe .

I like how the trend now is for dimmer lights that have longer runtime ..

How about the sofirn Sf10 that runs 6 -7$ a AA 4 mode that starts in high , has 4 nicely spaced modes,takes the old style bolt on convoy s2 clip but..some bad low frequency pwm . If you're buying a C1 from them you might want tyo toss in a sf10 or even a sp10 for fun ...I still like the original $2 zoomie over the sk68 clones

Wlai · 2019-02-09T04:51:05.000Z

Yeah, the 9v battery+ light is a good kit for the school backpack. And definitely getting the Costco light, I like the versatility. Too many good options

Well as you and wife undoubtedly know if you’re dissatisfied with the Costco lights just take them to any Costco Warehouse and you will get your money back instantly. I believe for as long 1 year after purchase and more in sum cases. Try that with sumthing shipped from China. Shocked

The Dorcy/Amazon-generic 9 volt block lights have little to break on them. The polycarbonate plastic material is a robust enuff to take pretty good abuse.

And as ya likely know 9-volt batteries are tuff as heck already by themselves plus they rarely leak as often as other alkaline sizes tend to do if left unremoved for longer periods.

The smallness of the 9volt block lights can be one big plus if you’re really trying to keep your emergency storage kits as small and light as possible. Weight here is negligible for either the Costco or the 9 volt light.

Ya know watt? I’d get BOTH to try out. Then figure out watt quantity ratios of each is most suitable for the various ages and physical/mental abilities of your prospective end users.

You may very well end up with a mix of lights for different potential scenarios.

PS. Oops. Just realized yer referring to bikenber73’s Dorcy lights – his Post #7. Those should work great for your particular emergency applications. Tuff as nails I suspect plus they likely are great in rainy, muddy, conditions. No to little rust corrosion issues to ever worry about.

Trippwire · 2019-02-18T02:30:44.000Z

I needed one for an emergency kit I take bush. Similar requirements and after much forum lurking decided on jetbeam jet1mk.
-Twisty, no switches to fail, easy lockout
-Runtime, excellent on low and medium
-AA or nimh
The only thing I don’t like is the tint, its not at all pretty…… For its intended use that dosen’t matter. Took it hiking a few times using only low, the hotspot is quite effective at lighting trails. If tint doesn’t bother you, I recommend it.

Lightbringer · 2019-02-18T04:59:27.000Z

Trippwire:

I needed one for an emergency kit I take bush. Similar requirements and after much forum lurking decided on jetbeam jet1mk.

If tint doesn’t bother you, I recommend it.

Yep, the Jetbeams are kinda notoriously greenish, but out in the middle of nowhere, the choice between a greenish beam and a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, I’ll take the greenish beam.

Boaz · 2019-02-18T07:11:23.000Z

I'll take a poke in the eye

rookiedaddy · 2019-02-18T08:44:03.000Z

interesting topics.

I'll share what I prepare for my family BoB or BiB prior to 2017:

Everyone has a unit of Fenix E10 in their BoB installed with Energizer L91 + 2 spare Energizer L91.
Kids have their own AAA backup light ranging from 4Sevens Preon to Single AAA cell lantern with 2 spare L92.
Wifey has Olight S1 Baton with 4 spare CR123A as backup.

From 2017 'till now:

Fenix E10 + 2 spare Energizer L91 is standard backup light for their BoB.
My teenager started EDC-ing Olight i1R and using NiMH rechargeable in their AAA lights (Fenix, Olight, etc.)
Young one still on AAA lantern and a headlamp.
Wifey upgraded from Olight S1 Baton to Olight S Mini Titanium. Spare CR123A refreshed. SureFire with 16650 added.
I've also re-wired the power source of "BriteStrike APALS" to 2 x AA/AAA in various colored LED (it last for months on blinking mode) as their signaling kit and also as spare light.
Every bag has a 1 x AA Zebralight Headlamp or Olight S1A clipped outside for immediate deployment

Beside flashlights, other essentials like whistle, lighter, 9V battery + steel wool, chemlight, knives, multitools, water, water filtration system, first aid kit, masks, sanitary items, medicines, small radio, snacks, etc. are also in the family kit or part of their BoB/BiB.

IMHO, a flashlight is good to have for a 72 hours kit, knowledge and will to survive is still the key to making it out alive.