I found out about these & ordered one for the collection (they are about 15$). I like professional Illumination tools, whether they are cheap or inexpensive.
This is not a comprehensive review (no, really).
This is a flashlight hopefully none of you will ever have to use. So far as I know these are still considered standard issue on many lifeboats and rafts.
This is a SOLAS certified torch made by BCB International (UK) mainly for use onboard lifeboats and life rafts on ships. These would be handed out in grab-bags amongst other equipment together with 2 C-cells, some paperwork and a spare bulb.
The light is protected by a sealed bag & 3 plastic covers secured by rubber bands. Apart from the light itself, you get a spare PR2 bulb (p13.5s 2.4V) & a small guide to the morse alphabet. How thoughtful.
Already pre-installed is a cool white PR2 LED module. The body is of a one-piece plastic construction and the whole light is rubber clad and quite grippy.
The bezel/reflector/bulb assembly unscrews to load the batteries or to replace the bulb. The lens is acrylic. A big rubber gasket keeps the light watertight.
For ON/OFF operation there is a mechanical reverse clicky on the tail end. A momentary-only side "switch" up front for morse signaling. The tail clicky is surprisingly pleasant to use (smooth, tactile). Both work well.
The incandescent bulb is about as bright as one can expect; same as a AA miniMAG, about 15 Lumens or so. The LED module is hardly brighter, perhaps around 20 Lumens. Beam pattern is also comparable to a AA miniMAG. I couldn't really take beam shots the camera wont capture it right, sorry. The brightness is certainly sufficient to find ones way around in dark places.
The overall construction of the light feels sufficiently rugged considering its intended purpose and cost & the rubber coating is well done. Everything is very simple, with no electronics to speak of, so there is little that can go wrong.
I wont argue about whether or not C-cell alkaline/carbon batteries are really the best for a survival light that is stored for long periods of time, or whether a 15 lumen incandescent bulb (or 20lm led) is really bright enough with to signal with. These units are purchased in large quantities & therefore have to be inexpressive to produce. It is what it is & it is better then nothing at all.
This light on their official website: https://www.bcbin.com/Catalogue/Pro...t-Accessories/FFLAM-TORCH-SOLAS-Approved-MM30
Take a good look folks, you'll hopefully never have to see one again.
This is not a comprehensive review (no, really).
This is a flashlight hopefully none of you will ever have to use. So far as I know these are still considered standard issue on many lifeboats and rafts.
This is a SOLAS certified torch made by BCB International (UK) mainly for use onboard lifeboats and life rafts on ships. These would be handed out in grab-bags amongst other equipment together with 2 C-cells, some paperwork and a spare bulb.
The light is protected by a sealed bag & 3 plastic covers secured by rubber bands. Apart from the light itself, you get a spare PR2 bulb (p13.5s 2.4V) & a small guide to the morse alphabet. How thoughtful.
Already pre-installed is a cool white PR2 LED module. The body is of a one-piece plastic construction and the whole light is rubber clad and quite grippy.
The bezel/reflector/bulb assembly unscrews to load the batteries or to replace the bulb. The lens is acrylic. A big rubber gasket keeps the light watertight.
For ON/OFF operation there is a mechanical reverse clicky on the tail end. A momentary-only side "switch" up front for morse signaling. The tail clicky is surprisingly pleasant to use (smooth, tactile). Both work well.
The incandescent bulb is about as bright as one can expect; same as a AA miniMAG, about 15 Lumens or so. The LED module is hardly brighter, perhaps around 20 Lumens. Beam pattern is also comparable to a AA miniMAG. I couldn't really take beam shots the camera wont capture it right, sorry. The brightness is certainly sufficient to find ones way around in dark places.
The overall construction of the light feels sufficiently rugged considering its intended purpose and cost & the rubber coating is well done. Everything is very simple, with no electronics to speak of, so there is little that can go wrong.
I wont argue about whether or not C-cell alkaline/carbon batteries are really the best for a survival light that is stored for long periods of time, or whether a 15 lumen incandescent bulb (or 20lm led) is really bright enough with to signal with. These units are purchased in large quantities & therefore have to be inexpressive to produce. It is what it is & it is better then nothing at all.
This light on their official website: https://www.bcbin.com/Catalogue/Pro...t-Accessories/FFLAM-TORCH-SOLAS-Approved-MM30
Take a good look folks, you'll hopefully never have to see one again.
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