My workplace needs high durability, immersion resistant flashlights for our emergency carts for responding to hazmat spills. They will be used either indoors or on a sidewalk in an urban area, so think more flood than throw. It does not need tons of modes, but integrated charging is a big help. This is likely to sit inactive for months before getting extensive use, so I think Li-Ion is preferable. Size should be suitable for one-handed use by a variety of hand sizes.
I managed to find a Wurkkos TS22 used on Amazon for $38. I’m going to try it out, see how it handles. It sounds like a good choice for this role given reviews and IP68 resistance, but I’m not fixated on it. I like my other Wurkkos lights pretty well.
Our previous models were Pelican 2000 Xenon incandescent lights from about a decade ago - never used, less than 200 lumens. I think my EDC AAA light would beat them.
“Immersion” and “charging” don’t really belong in the same sentence other than “don’t”.
For emergency use, I’d stick with lights that can take '123s, either single or double. Most PDs/FDs and mil use them, and for good reason. '123s have a shelf life of nominally 10yrs but more realistically 20yrs.
Li cells degrade over time. There’s “storage voltage” of 3.6V or so which is probably less than 50% charged, and they don’t take kindly to being kept fully topped off for years at a time. I do it, but I know what I’m getting into.
Long-term storage would necessitate a light with a mechanical tailswitch. Fully cuts off all power to the light so there’s no parasitic drain, and you won’t need to twirl the light to find any sideswitch. So unless you grab it wrong and start pressing on the glass, you’ll know exactly where the switch is at all times.
If you don’t need a 1000lm screamer, there are plenty of options. Nope, can’t give any specific recommendations, at least not for off-the-shelf stuff. Maybe someone can jump in with that…
I’m not really aware what a hazmat response would entail, do you need these to have any kind of approval? (eg. ATEX?)
For actually doing stuff in the dark, I generally prefer a headlamp to keep your hands free… Do these new lights have to be compatible with a helmet mount, etc?
For a standby light, I don’t think lithium primary is a bad idea, either CR123 or lithium AA.
What’s the budget? I’d have thought streamlight polytac might fit the bill?
In my mind, for a safety role, there’s a value proposition when you go for a US brand; if for whatever reason, something happens when using a Sofirn/Wurkkos/etc light, then I’d be concerned about people crying about “garbage Chinese flashlights” with, e.g. streamlight, that headache wouldn’t ever arise…
Sofirn SD05 and Wurkkos DL10R are very good.
The only complaining is that magnetic stuff can activate the light in your pocket/backpack.
And no built in charger, cause it`s where water could find its way inside.
Generally, if the situation gets to the point where we need an explosion-proof light, we are calling in our external patrners and fire department hazmat. Typically, we would be wearing respirators - either full face or hooded battery-powered respirators. This makes a headlamp less useful, because of the headband interfering with the hose. As I mentioned, this is mostly indoors - typically using the light for locating the source, and then being used during cleanup work.
Budget is somewhat flexible, but I need to justify a more expensive light. I’m the only “flashlight buff” in the office.
Nice recommendation! This could be useful, with occasional top-up charging during maintenance. It is good to be able to present options to my supervisor
Thank you for the info, going to look it over. I was not aware of the CR123 long-term stability, though I had heard about the benefits of a mechanical tailswitch before.
While looking at Streamlight, this PolyTac X popped out to me. The price is reasonable, and it seems like a useful option.