Disaster Kit Flashlight

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.

Cosmodragoon · 2019-02-21T21:33:21.000Z

Jack Kellar:

Sofirn C01 is as simple as it gets and with what it’s based off of (the legendary Fenix E01), it should be bloody bombproof. One lithium primary inside each should get you set.

I tried out the Sofirn C01 in 3200K last year. I liked it so much that I got one for each member of my family for Christmas. The warm tint is very attractive. Colors show quite well under it. It’s only around 10ish lumens but that’s surprisingly useful in the dark. It’s enough light for lots of tasks without sacrificing much in the way of night vision. The beam pattern is just right for what it is. Given the small size, low cost, and extremely long run times on a single AAA; it’s a great fit for the intended purpose here.

The black ones are sold out now but I see that the blue and red ones are still in stock. (I just bought a few of each!)

LEDlove · 2019-02-22T21:51:08.000Z

Barry Lyndon:

Easy.

Amazon.com

I like how the “handle material” as listed in the specs is “Mental”.

Lightbringer · 2019-02-22T22:45:48.000Z

LEDlove:

Barry Lyndon:

Easy.

Amazon.com …

I like how the “handle material” as listed in the specs is “Mental”.

If it doesn’t have aviral insipidity, I ain’t interested.

Vegas_LED_Fan · 2019-02-22T23:07:15.000Z

I bought six flashlights similar to the ones shown in the Amazon listing for a tad over $11 in 2017 as Christmas gifts. Mine were the Sky Wolf Eye E502. It comes in five colors so you can keep track of which light is yours. It will run on either a 1.5V AA battery or a 3.7V Li-ion AA battery. They made great gifts for backpackers. The light without battery weighs 37 grams (1.46 oz). I looked them up today on ebay and the price is now $2.49 each with free shipping from Hong Kong. I’d buy them again as gifts.

iamlucky13 · 2019-02-26T00:39:53.000Z

I’m not a fan of relying on the no-name budget lights (typically 3 x AAA) for a true emergency due to how flaky they can be. I can think of 5 of these lights of three different designs still floating around my house from the days of being a recent graduate when I wanted something with better runtime than my old Maglite Mini, but was too cheap to even buy another Maglite.

All of them have low quality switches that seem to gradually get worse over time (corrosion?) and often require a hard shake to get a good connection. When they do work, the output is wildly inconsistent due to lack of regulation. The tints are terrible (which can be relevant to first aid). Often they are bulky for what they offer.

The Fenix E01, Sofirn C01, and Gerber Infinity Ultra are all well made, highly efficient, long runtime lights I’d recommend. The C01 has the bonus of high CRI, even if the low output makes that mainly relevant within a couple feet.

For something with more output, the Sofirn SF10 is one I’d probably consider. The SF14, Lumintop Tool AA, and Convoy T2 are all similar, with a bit more output.

If you ever felt like having a backup to your emergency lights, you can buy multi-packs of the little coin cell squeeze lights for around $1 each. Similarly, these are really low cost/weight/size light you could keep on hand and just dispose of when it dies:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Panther-Vision-Button-Lamp-13-Lumen-LED-Miniature-Flashlight-Battery-Included/1000494525

Lightbringer · 2019-02-26T01:16:24.000Z

For a real “disaster kit” light that might sit around for years without even being looked at, don’t even think of using alkaleaks. They’ll be a pile of salt if left outside the light, or will have taken the light right along with it if left inside.

Get a light that can take 1 or 2 CR123As. Think a Jet-II can run off a single ’123, and the MH20, SP32Av2 can take a pair of ’123s. And keep a box of ’123s so you won’t have to scrounge around.

Lotta people want to stick with alkaleaks like AAs because you’d likely to still find ’em when the SHTF, or after the Zombie Apocalypse. Hell, get a trio of AAs to dump their charge to a 16340 instead.

Cosmodragoon · 2019-02-26T12:21:33.000Z

Lightbringer:

… don’t even think of using alkaleaks… Lotta people want to stick with alkaleaks like AAs because you’d likely to still find ’em when the SHTF…

Alkaline batteries are bad news for any long-term application. I can’t tell you how many devices I’ve seen damaged or destroyed by them over the years, from childhood toys to household flashlights. You might get lucky but don’t count on it.

I invested in some nice, safe, leak-proof Eneloop and Eneloop Pro NiMH last year and I’ve been very happy. They offer the same form factor and fit most devices that use AA or AAA. It isn’t just flashlights. Lots of devices continue to use AA or AAA batteries, from TV remotes to wall clocks. Having safe batteries of a standard size that last a long time and can be recharged hundreds (or thousands) of times is awesome. My personal experience is only about a year long but they are supposed to have a very long shelf life too.

The NiMH have me covered for most things. I like that I could use alkaleaks in a pinch because the market is saturated with them and almost every household in the country has a few of them in a drawer somewhere. Otherwise, CR123 is good if you need to use or store them in a very cold environment.