Hello! I just put up a WTB ad for a couple Sofirn C01, but I thought I’d post asking for recommendations too. I want to give my kids their first REAL flashlights. I’m looking for a light with the following qualities:
- AAA battery (easily replaceable, we already have plenty of Eneloops)
- Only ONE mode, preferably 1-10 lumens for utility and safety
- Potted electronics, or otherwise very sturdy
- Small size
Decent tint/CRI preferable, but not essential
I lost a Fenix E01 off my keychain many years ago, I know those would also have been perfect, but they and the C01 are out of stock. Any recommendations are much appreciated.
I don’t think that there is a “safe” recommendation other then the simplest “light source” with a fixed, glued on diffuser.
The problem will be that they will “play” by pointing at each other…or stare at the beam. Or bring it to their eye so they can see inside that magic beam.
You are the only one that can determine their maturity…and then devide it by ten because…they are children.
I let mine play with my E01 or C01’s from time to time, but the younger child still needs supervision, because if he got the head off, both the head and the battery could be swallowing hazards.
I’m more comfortable letting them handle my Armytek Tiara Pro, because if I put it in the moonlight mode bank, the button is too stiff for them to double click to get into the high modes.
I’ve thought a bit in the past about what the ideal children’s light would be:
1 x AA size for easy gripping by small hands
Output of roughly 20 lumens.
Warm, relatively floody beam for eye comfort when they’re careless about aim.
Have a momentary only switch, or an electronic button paired with a timeout so they don’t drain the battery if they forget to turn it off.
Have a rubberized coating on bezel and tail to avoid damaging objects it will get dropped on
Potting for durability
Bonus - have colored auxiliary LED’s for fun, each with its own button for ease of use
Bonus - Lego well with…wait for it…Lego blocks, because why not? It could be a versatile, age appropriate mounting system.
Mine are older now, 11, 13, and 23. So I can hand them just about anything and they know what to do with it. When they were little I had a bunch of those little flat plastic flashlights. Had one bare led bulb in it and had a press and hold switch buried under the plastic. Sorta like these.
This really depends on age and maturity. I understand the lament over that C01 in 3200K. I’m using one right now to illuminate my keys and while gentle, it still hurts the eyes a little when directly pointed. For smaller children, an older incandescent Maglite Solitaire can work well. The only thing I worry about with really small children is if they can unscrew the light and lose (or eat) parts.
USB rechargeable and waterproof, but my favorite feature is the red light - my kids like to read at night and this lets them read without disturbing us or anyone else.