We purchased a 2 pack of handheld flashlights from Costco, about 2 years ago, the kind that stand in a plastic cradle that stays plugged into the wall, and go on instantly (without clicking a switch) when lifted out of the cradle. They also go on in the event of a power outage. They were, of course, made in China
They were great…very bright, very lightweight silver plastic, and did just what they advertised. At just over 1 year plugged into their cradles and rarely used, they died. And because they were LI batteries sealed in an unopenable unit, they had to be thrown out. Still, they were cheap enough that I was willing to buy a new set of 2 each year if necessary, but Costco stopped carrying them.
On Amazon, I’ve seen 2 current Chinese models, one from Energizer that’s about $12 bucks for a single flashlight that has snap-out wall-plug prongs, no cradle…and one from Eco-Lite that comes 2 to a pack for about $30 bucks, and does have cradles.
Before I order, I wondered if anyone here had experience with these type of lights and could recommend the best ones out there. Yes, we could use regular stand-alone flashlights like a good heavy Mag-lite, etc. and we have some of those around. But the convenience of a near-weightless flashlight, always fully charged, always found at the same spot at the wall, that lights up immediately on lifting, is more attractive that hunting for my “where did I put that heavy d-cell flashlight the last time I used it.”
Well first, congrats for thinking of getting these lights, they are great when you need them. I have both types in my home and have had them in use more times than I would like. I have a generator that I use to light the house when the power goes out, but I have to set it up and these lights fill in till i get squared away. I have the type the has a flashlight in them and the type that is strictly an emergency light made to stay in one place. For my purposes I like the emergency lights that stay in one place as the flashlight that is built in to these other units is usually quite small and not of any real use unless you absolutely do not have any other flashlights in the house. The fixed lights give you plenty of light to move around one room, so assuming you have them in several key locations you will be good to find your “regular” flashlights which will be way, way better. So the “fixed” emergency lights are my choice to get you started and fill in while you get squared away. Hope this makes sense. Anyway good luck, Ed
Since the flashlight bug has caught on strong, tonight I pulled out an older white Energizer plug in wall flashlight/nightlight (Model???) I had plugged in our main bathroom wall outlet for a couple years…
Amazingly, it still works (had it in standby mode) I used it around the house a little bit tonight. Not blinding, but definitely enough to finish up in the bathroom, (where it is located) get around a dark house, locate the good lights, etc. etc.
I’ve had it running on my desk for at least half an hour, same output so far.
Since I recently had a PV system put on the house, I don’t care about the electric usage, so I’m definitely gonna pick up a couple more for around the house. See them going for about 8 to 10 bucks. Not bad.
i like the old as in aincient black and decker sl2.
mine are happy with replacement sub c nicads every 10 years.
if you leave the switch on and put it back in the base it will come on when the power fails.
I’ve replaced the sub-C NiCd cells several times in our old Radio Shack emergency lights, and switched them from incandescent to the Dorcydirect PR2 LED bulbs.
If I were ready to buy replacements I’d go to Dorcydirect.com — I’ve found them very responsive to questions; the one time I had one of their outdoor motion sensor lights fail — and I told them I’d dropped it while trying to put it up in a tree — they sent me a free replacement.
Today’s coupon code there is the word: Lucky
for 20 percent off
They fairly often have “buy one get one free” or “buy one get another half off” (today for their “green” lights)
And their frequent sales offer larger percentage discounts.
Get on their list if you want to wait them out for the best price.
Of all the things I don’t want to have unreliable — emergency light when the shaking starts and the power goes out.
The definition of earthquake safety in buildings: the building holds together long enough to evacuate it after the first really big quake.
For that, I want the lights on.
I can go back later and pick up all the other flashlights.
The other place I’d look is Coleman Family Store — ’oogle that, it’s been quite a while since I looked in, but it was an online special discount available for the asking
