PDA

View Full Version : lightweight reliable backup flashlight?....



nawlunz
06-23-2010, 16:31
I have a decent headlamp...looking for a very light weight, reliable flashlight as a decent backup......."light" is the operative word!

Mountain Wildman
06-23-2010, 17:04
Princeton Tec Amp 1.0 - 2.0 ounces
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-80062701289674_2112_1889294390 (javascript: void('0');)

Rocket Jones
06-23-2010, 17:07
Photon Freedom. Bright adjustable LED, doesn't weigh much more than the watch battery it runs on. For the price and weight, you can carry a couple.

Rocket Jones
06-23-2010, 17:08
Oh, and if you look around, there are knockoffs that lack the brightness adjustability, they run a buck or two. Sometimes they're called 'fauxtons'. Available in red, blue, white and green.

bigcranky
06-23-2010, 18:00
+1 on the Photon. For a backup it's actually quite good -- my hiking partner uses it as his only light in the summer.

mmais68569
06-23-2010, 20:23
Here is a link to the flashlight I use it weights nothing & is bright. If you watch the site you can get it on sale for . 59 or .99 shipped from China what a deal.

http://www.meritline.com/mini-tripod-led-flashlight---p-42393.aspx

Mike

PS If you need a headlight they have some good ones also.

Panzer1
06-23-2010, 20:31
there are so many good LED flashlights for hiking its hard to go wrong.

Panzer

burger
06-23-2010, 21:16
+1 on the Photon...extremely, reliable, more than bright enough to set up camp or even read/write by if you need it.

Appalachian Tater
06-23-2010, 21:19
Just get a decent quality headlamp and don't carry a spare flashlight. You can completely make do without one at all if you had to.

Panzer1
06-23-2010, 21:44
Just get a decent quality headlamp and don't carry a spare flashlight. You can completely make do without one at all if you had to.

nah nah naaah. got to have a small spare. don't like darkness :eek:

Panzer

Mountain Wildman
06-23-2010, 22:02
nah nah naaah. got to have a small spare. don't like darkness :eek:

Panzer

I agree, Mine weighs 2 ounces plus whatever 2 AA batteries weigh.

https://www.fenix-store.com/images/LD20R4_3_small.png (javascript:popupWindow('https://www.fenix-store.com/popup_image.php?pID=362&image=0'))

Many Walks
06-23-2010, 23:37
Harbor Freight keeps putting coupons in the paper giving away these little flashlights as a free "come on" to draw people into the stores...we have a drawer full plus a bunch of coupons yet to redeem. They're light, compact, bright, and perfect for hiking. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-half-inch-nine-led-flashlights-2-pack-97036.html

myles to go
06-24-2010, 09:05
I carry the tiny mag light. 2" long , only weights under a ounce and has a spare bulb inside, takes ONE AAA battery and its under 10 bucks . This is only my back up to my head lamp but it has enough light to do most chores or to use in your tent.

dsquid
06-24-2010, 10:23
+1 on the Photon. Put a bit of velcro on it, and another on my hat, and I use it as my primary.

Snowleopard
06-24-2010, 11:53
For backup lights take a supercheap squeeze coin cell battery LED lights (fake photon lights) attached to your pack or parka, someplace where you can find it instantly. 40 cents each (10 for $4.47), 8 grams each or 0.26 oz each according to one seller. Take two.
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.900
I kind of like the yellow LEDs:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12148
They are very reliable in squeeze mode. The lock switch that some have that keeps it on without squeezing is not always reliable, but still lights when you squeeze it.

Kerosene
06-24-2010, 18:04
Another +1 for the Photon.

Lyle
06-24-2010, 18:15
Adding my vote to the Photon.

How many of us started out with a Mallory or Durabeam? Perfect shape/size to hold in the mouth while cooking or setting up tent.

Tinker
06-24-2010, 21:51
I have a few of these, one of which is in my wife's purse, one in my glove box and one in my shed:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/dorcy_aaa.htm

Tinker
06-24-2010, 21:53
I have one of these, too:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=cyclops+headlamp&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=1925198598428383867&ei=vQskTO_IBsSblgfzpcx7&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQ8wIwAg#

Rain Man
06-25-2010, 13:44
Photon Freedom. Bright adjustable LED, doesn't weigh much more than the watch battery it runs on. For the price and weight, you can carry a couple.

BINGO!!! And.... DITTO! :)

Rain:sunMan

.

TexasEd
07-07-2010, 15:05
I like these life gear LED "Glowstick"/Flashlights.

Available in several colors and I use them as a tent light.

Come with lifetime free batteries.
They have a whistle on the end you could cut off if you wanted or use it in emergencies.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=led+flashlight+with+whistle&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=6375023242042857338&ei=hM80TMGgJZW-MpmI3Z0B&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

kayak karl
07-07-2010, 15:16
I like these life gear LED "Glowstick"/Flashlights.

Available in several colors and I use them as a tent light.

Come with lifetime free batteries.
They have a whistle on the end you could cut off if you wanted or use it in emergencies.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=led+flashlight+with+whistle&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=6375023242042857338&ei=hM80TMGgJZW-MpmI3Z0B&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p
it says 200 hr battery, but i did see them on the checkout counter in Home Depot. i put them all on flashing before i left.
i was thinking for the grand kids and car camping, but not hiking.

TexasEd
07-08-2010, 17:24
What's the problem with 200 hours? If you used it 2 hours a day (excessive in my opinion) it would last 100 days or 3+ months.

The same one I used for section hiking last year was used all of last hunting season for duck hunting and I used them more hours per day then than hiking.

Copper Tail
12-08-2010, 14:20
I have a couple of lazerbrite flashlights. I usually throw one in the pack for backup.

Made in the USA. http://lazerbrite.com (http://lazerbrite.com/)

I'm not sure of the weight..that spec isn't on the website for some reason. I'm guessing 2-3 oz. A little expensive too. They are military grade, multi uses as a flashlight, glow stick. You can link them together. Water proof to 167'. If it goes 1/3 of that depth and you're not wearing scuba gear, you've lost it!

Light is visible from over 1 mile. They'll let you try it for 30 days and if you don't like it, send it back and they'll buy it back from you.

BiGKaT
02-08-2011, 17:59
I just ordered a fenix E01. They are only about 10 lumens but bullet proof and really good on runtime. Plus they are under 13 bucks. They make a brighter one called the E05 but I, personally, don't need much light after my eyes are acclimated to the dark and runtime is my main criteria. Plus my go to light is my old model petzel tikka which has served me well.
I like the aaa battery too as my petzel tikka uses aaa and keeps things simple for me. AAA batteries are everywhere when I restock.
I was also looking at a maratac aa but I will see how the aaa unit by fenix is first.

sixguns01
02-08-2011, 18:53
I use the Mightylie Mini. Great lightweight, 2.4oz with Lithium battery, that has a nice strong beam and it pulls out of itself to make a neat little latern. great for reading in my tent at night.

http://www.gearforadventure.com/UCO_Mightylite_Mini_Compact_LED_Flashlight_Lantern _p/ucomightylitemini.htm

theeulogy
02-08-2011, 19:50
I think I am going to go with the ITP EOS A3. It weighs about 1.5 ounces with lithium battery, puts out 80 linens in high mode. It will be a backup to my Princeton Tec Remix.

Gipsy
02-08-2011, 20:51
Imagine 1 flashlight and 1 battery for the whole trip! (Hiker used only 1 on the PCT 2600 miles and 1000 miles of the AT)

I don't really "sing praises" of equipment unless I am super, super, super-duper impressed, but this is one of those items.

Not sure if it is "bulletproof" but says it was tested by dropping 250ft out of an airplane at 100mph and it still worked. I have one than hangs/bangs around on the outside of my everyday Oakley backpack (man-purse, lol). It's been banged and tossed around for over 2 years and still works great (yes, with original battery)

testing..... http://www.9voltlight.com/testing

The pak-lite is awesome. I own 3 (vehicle, daily carry, and pack). 1.5oz including battery, light, durable, bright, hi/low beams, glow-in-the-dark, 80hrs on Hi, 1200hrs (1200 not a typo) on low beam, dual LED, weather proof, 3 second battery change, 10 year warranty. Simple effective design. Don't let the 2 LED design fool ya. These puppies are super bright! Low beam is great for reading, tent light, and a great nightlight for the kiddies during power outages. Produce almost no heat when on (I mention this because I melted a hole in a duffle bag with a surefire G2, once) They are super efficient.... Take your used smoke detector batteries and use for this light, I can almost promise you wont use it up before its time for the next yearly battery change.

I'm a flashlight junkie (mag, photon, surefire, etc) and this is my absolute favorite. I give these out as gifts and everyone loves em and most give up their other flashlights for these! And best of all........ it AIN'T $100!!!!!!!!

Also comes in red LEDs (Among other options)

Headband option

belt holster option - Not sure why, cause they fit in your pocket (I prefer duct taped para-cord loop with a lobster claw clasp or small carabiner for hanging)

Neck lanyard (I have to advise AGAINST this purchase, if u just gotta have a neck lanyard, use the above option and hang it on a para-cord lanyard)

http://www.9voltlight.com/inc/sdetail/31949
The only difference between the "Super" and "Ultimate" option is that the Super comes with an alkaline battery and the Ultimate comes with a 10yr shelf life lithium battery.

Specifications:


Bulbs
2 Super Bright White LED Bulbs (100,000 hrs rating.......11.5 years of continuous use)

Burn Time
80+ hrs. Bright, or 1,200+ hrs. Soft usable light (10 year shelf life) was tested for 8,760 hours of continuous on (low beam) and still produced visible light.
(see testing)

Battery Type
9v Ultralife Lithium Battery (9-Volt Battery )

Switch Modes
3-modes: Soft ~ Off ~ Bright

Switch Type
Toggle 100,000 Times on/off with Gold Plated Contacts

Cap
Orange (Glow-in-the-dark) ABS Plastic


Total Weight
1.5 oz with Battery

Warranty 10-years limited warranty (battery not covered)

Once you go PAK you never go back!

Espero
02-08-2011, 21:04
Another vote for the Photon Freedom.

Gipsy
02-08-2011, 21:38
Harbor Freight keeps putting coupons in the paper giving away these little flashlights as a free "come on" to draw people into the stores...we have a drawer full plus a bunch of coupons yet to redeem. They're light, compact, bright, and perfect for hiking. http://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-half-inch-nine-led-flashlights-2-pack-97036.html

I have some of those. They are kinda hit or miss. Some work, some work a little while or have only a few of the LEDs that light up, Some never work at all. I guess thats why they use them as leader items in the adds. Even the ones that don't work still have a purpose.... the "battery-cartridge" thingy makes for easy battery changes. Drop the cartridge with the dead batteries and insert a fresh pre-loaded one.

I wouldn't take em hiking though for lack of reliability. I use em as semi-disposable flashlights or as loan-outs.

SassyWindsor
02-09-2011, 00:16
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.emazinglights.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/403afce16db1dead1ca56485b7ef5a5c/p/h/ph-fmw.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.emazinglights.com/hands-free-photon-clip-necklace.html&usg=__utSWGJ-j_DcOcUEaX-d-9zJs3Fo=&h=500&w=500&sz=30&hl=en&start=13&sig2=XATId7r8XFvAovqSU2vEQg&zoom=1&tbnid=5ZIs48HMVpVfKM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=135&ei=3RRSTcmmNsP98Aa3u7DtCQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphoton%2Bclip%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff% 26biw%3D1012%26bih%3D613%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10 %2C499&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=744&vpy=244&dur=4500&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=123&ty=160&oei=1BRSTbmGOsWgtweW6dHnCg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:13&biw=1012&bih=613

BiGKaT
02-09-2011, 13:00
Those Harborfreight freebie flashlights are realllllly unreliable. If they fall forget it ... I have had several fail so far.

fiddlehead
02-09-2011, 20:15
Photon II (looks like the freedom, just better price)
I've used one for 2 thru-hikes already (changed the batteries three times) then it sort of fell apart next time i tried to change them.
So much more reliable than the cheap dollar ones.
I really like the clip you can get for them too.
I wear it on my shirt and it's always there.

JohnEbner
02-13-2011, 05:19
I carry a couple of Photon Freedoms (one red for inside tent and one yellow as a general emergency backup). If you want something a little more substantial the iTP A3 EOS Upgrade is a great little light and weighs just a little over an ounce including the battery.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-a3-eos-upgrade.html (http://www.batteryjunction.com/itp-a3-eos-upgrade.html)

It's not much bigger than a AA battery. The light on the far right is a Fenix P2D which the iTP replaced. The pic displays the actual size.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm278/josteb/smalllights.jpg

You can turn it into a lantern by using a tube that Instant Krazy Glue comes in as a diffuser. Another option for a diffuser that I recently found out about was the cap from a tube of chapstick.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm278/josteb/tarplight.jpg

slims
05-15-2011, 23:00
Has anyone tried the Coghlan's Six Function Whistle? It has a LED light, whistle, thermometer, magnifying lens, signal mirror and compass all in one. Aside from the fact that it takes 3 batteries instead of 2 like the photon freedom it seems like a good buy, at least on paper anyway. It's only around $8 too so it is cheap but is it worth the purchase?

http://www.coghlanscampinggear.com/cosixfuwh.html

Cloudynesz
10-17-2011, 13:15
How about Fenix LD01? Very compact, lightweight, but you need to pay around 40 bucks.

jimmi
10-20-2011, 08:12
The Backup is an ultra compact dual-output flashlight developed as a duty light for plainclothes officers or as a backup light for patrol officers, but is also ideal for outdoor, self-defense, and everyday use. It features a virtually indestructible power-regulated LED emitter and a precision Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens.







led flood bulbs ( http://www.solunagreen.com/led-flood-lights)

Sailing_Faith
10-20-2011, 09:43
Here is a link to the flashlight I use it weights nothing & is bright. If you watch the site you can get it on sale for . 59 or .99 shipped from China what a deal.

http://www.meritline.com/mini-tripod-led-flashlight---p-42393.aspx

Mike

PS If you need a headlight they have some good ones also.

Wow Mike,

What a great site. Looks like some really good deals on various lights... Maybe not the best link for a guy with thing for flashlights though.