Grandma needs a flashlight!

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T16:16:23.000Z

So here’s my problem… 89 year old grandma needs a light. She had several of those 3x AAA cheap 9 LEDs lights that fail after a month. She knows I have a certain addiction and asked me for help as she is tired of those POS lights.
So…
Here’s what I need.
A single 18650 no more than 600Lm and regulated for long run times.
It needs to have a USB port because she won’t be able to open the light and much less fiddle with a charger, let alone find the correct polarity. Type C is a plus because is easier to plug although her phone has micro USB so she’ll probably be fine.
And here’s the catch! It can’t cost an arm and a leg. So please be gentle with my wallet.

I have thought about two lights. The convoy S9 and the sofirn SF11 which uses AA batteries. Which in theory is good but then we’ll land at the “changing batteries” situation.

I was almost certain at the S9 until I saw this post by Streamtronics Bad experience with 2.5A Convoy S9 from banggood
Although he bought the 2500mA version and I would get the 1400mA version for her. But I don’t think it will change the problems he describes.

So… is there any light which fits her needs that I am overlooking?
Thank you!

argi · 2019-06-05T16:34:02.000Z

It’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but these are flashlights approved by my mother and grandmother. Easy to use single button and fits perfectly in your hand. Made of aluminum and with good lighting capacity. I think that alkalines are better for ederly people. Easier to pull and change that fidling with recharger, cable and other stuff.
Also, no confusing mode buttons, they only have three modes (off, low power and normal) I bought the 300 lumens and I think that for indoor use is enough. Surprinsingly good little throwers to me, but I only has Maglites to compare. But that little flashlight goes far.
If you need better pics, details, just ask.

Coleman flashligths.

Good luck.

Henk4U2 · 2019-06-05T17:21:09.000Z

So you have decided that your grandmother needs a flashlight. Does she too? Or is she just pleasing you?
Take a step back.

- Why does your avó need a flashlight.
The powergrid is weak?
She needs to be in a place (shed, attic) without electricity?
She walks her dog in the dark?

- How often does she need a flashlight.
Once, but it can happen again.
Sometimes.
Every day.

- Where does she keep the flashlight.
It has a fixed place.
Always in a drawer.
In her apron.

- Why failed her cheap lights before?
Just like that.
Falling down.
Batteries died.

et cetera.

I have been there before. Don’t think for yourself. Try thinking like her.
What UI. Think KISS.
Size. Nightstick or small(er) light?
Is LiIon a good choice. Is 18650 not too heavy.
Is a USB port not terrible clumsy for old eyes and old hands?.
How about a docking station. Always ready. Recharging after every usage.

Just my 2c.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T17:26:45.000Z

argi:

It’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but these are flashlights approved by my mother and grandmother. Easy to use single button and fits perfectly in your hand. Made of aluminum and with good lighting capacity. I think that alkalines are better for ederly people. Easier to pull and change that fidling with recharger, cable and other stuff.
Also, no confusing mode buttons, they only have three modes (off, low power and normal) I bought the 300 lumens and I think that for indoor use is enough. Surprinsingly good little throwers to me, but I only has Maglites to compare. But that little flashlight goes far.
If you need better pics, details, just ask.

Coleman flashligths.

Good luck.

Interesting light would probably be enough for her. But the problem here is that is on amazon and I can’t seem to find it anywhere else. Amazon says that shipping and import fees alone are 28$ ! Plus 13 for the light I am looking at 41$. That’s a bit much. But thanks nevertheless.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T17:35:04.000Z

Henk4U2:

So you have decided that your grandmother needs a flashlight. Does she too? Or is she just pleasing you?
Take a step back.

- Why does your avó need a flashlight.
The powergrid is weak?
She needs to be in a place (shed, attic) without electricity?
She walks her dog in the dark?

- How often does she need a flashlight.
Once, but it can happen again.
Sometimes.
Every day.

- Where does she keep the flashlight.
It has a fixed place.
Always in a drawer.
In her apron.

- Why failed her cheap lights before?
Just like that.
Falling down.
Batteries died.

et cetera.

I have been there before. Don’t think for yourself. Try thinking like her.
What UI. Think KISS.
Size. Nightstick or small(er) light?
Is LiIon a good choice. Is 18650 not too heavy.
Is a USB port not terrible clumsy for old eyes and old hands?.
How about a docking station. Always ready. Recharging after every usage.

Just my 2c.

She lives in a place that whenever rains they usually cut the power to avoid problems, very remote place. She asked me for a high quality light that she can depend on. KISS is exactly the idea here, 3 modes maximum and no blinkies of any sort. She hangs the light with a lanyard beside her bed for easy reach. Something S2+ size is fine. Maybe even a little bigger like a single 26650 light… but those are expensive already.

argi · 2019-06-05T17:53:47.000Z

Maverick1947:

Interesting light would probably be enough for her. But the problem here is that is on amazon and I can’t seem to find it anywhere else. Amazon says that shipping and import fees alone are 28$ ! Plus 13 for the light I am looking at 41$. That’s a bit much. But thanks nevertheless.

I know is still far from you, but Check Amazon México?

djozz · 2019-06-05T18:16:52.000Z

As a result of a discussion in another thread, I’m in communication with Barry from Sofirn to design such a grandma light with the Sofirn SC31 as starting point. The requirements that you describe are almost exactly what I used for the discussion too.

We do not know yet if it is feasable for Sofirn to make it, especially because one of the most important requirements is that the light must be budget, under 20 dollar.

But it will not be the solution for your grandma now because if this project ever becomes real, it will take at least 9 months before it is for sale, probably longer.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T18:17:38.000Z

argi:

Maverick1947:

Interesting light would probably be enough for her. But the problem here is that is on amazon and I can’t seem to find it anywhere else. Amazon says that shipping and import fees alone are 28$ ! Plus 13 for the light I am looking at 41$. That’s a bit much. But thanks nevertheless.

I know is still far from you, but Check Amazon México?

They don’t even ship to Brazil… “este artículo no se puede enviar a la dirección seleccionada” - “this item can’t be sent to the selected destination”. Sad.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T18:25:55.000Z

This SC31 is interesting! I didn’t know about it. Will consider it. Thanks.

djozz · 2019-06-05T18:43:32.000Z

Maverick1947:

This SC31 is interesting! I didn’t know about it. Will consider it. Thanks.

The SC31 is very nice, and is sold too cheap at the moment because it does not sell well. The disadvantage for many flashlight enthousiasts is that it uses a Cree XP-G3 led that makes an ugly greenish corona around the hotspot. But grandma’s may not care about that
Another disadvantage is that from off, there is no direct way to go to the lowest mode. But that may not be very relevant for grandma’s either.

My goal with the project with Sofirn is to make the user interface even more simple than it is already and at the same time fix the issues that flashoholics have with the light (a better led hopeful too).

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-05T21:38:40.000Z

djozz:

Maverick1947:

This SC31 is interesting! I didn’t know about it. Will consider it. Thanks.

The SC31 is very nice, and is sold too cheap at the moment because it does not sell well. The disadvantage for many flashlight enthousiasts is that it uses a Cree XP-G3 led that makes an ugly greenish corona around the hotspot. But grandma’s may not care about that
Another disadvantage is that from off, there is no direct way to go to the lowest mode. But that may not be very relevant for grandma’s either.

My goal with the project with Sofirn is to make the user interface even more simple than it is already and at the same time fix the issues that flashoholics have with the light (a better led hopeful too).

The SC31 is 15.66$ at the moment and it comes with a 2200mAh battery! It ain’t much but for the price is unbeatable. Gonna do a little more research but I think this is it! She won’t care about the green corona or lack of moonlight mode. She doesn’t even know what a LED is so it’s perfect. Thanks Djozz!

Lightbringer · 2019-06-05T23:17:33.000Z

SC31, slap some diffusion film on the front glass to smooth out the beam and get rid of the typische urine-yellow corona from the G3. Also makes it floodier and more useful up close (vs spotting owls in trees).

teacher · 2019-06-05T23:56:05.000Z

Yep… Sofirn SC31 & call it a day.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-06T13:33:38.000Z

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Henk4U2 · 2019-06-06T14:08:35.000Z

I hope your grandmother may enjoy this light for a long long time, and in good health!

Jack_Kellar · 2019-06-06T16:08:00.000Z

Maverick1947:

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Expecting a July update from the hills of São Paulo’s countryside.

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-06T16:14:10.000Z

Jack Kellar:

Maverick1947:

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Expecting a July update from the hills of São Paulo’s countryside.

Will definitely do! That means I have until then to figure it out how to post pictures on this website.

Jack_Kellar · 2019-06-06T16:26:25.000Z

Maverick1947:

Jack Kellar:

Maverick1947:

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Expecting a July update from the hills of São Paulo’s countryside.

Will definitely do! That means I have until then to figure it out how to post pictures on this website.

Se precisar me manda uma PM que eu te dou uma força

Maverick1947 · 2019-06-06T16:43:53.000Z

Jack Kellar:

Maverick1947:

Jack Kellar:

Maverick1947:

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Expecting a July update from the hills of São Paulo’s countryside.

Will definitely do! That means I have until then to figure it out how to post pictures on this website.

Se precisar me manda uma PM que eu te dou uma força

Opa! Com certeza. Valeu!

teacher · 2019-06-06T19:39:53.000Z

Maverick1947:

Day called! Bought a SC31. I think she’ll be happy with it. Now we just have to wait a month. Thank you guys for the help. Grandma says thanks too.

Excellent… :+1: . Kind regards & best wishes to “Grandma” too.