AAA LED recommendations for a nurse?

[Lucky Strike]

My wife is a nurse and is needing a small light for general nursing duties (checking pupils in patients eyes, checking around a darkened room when patient is sleeping) as well as something that would just be handy for EDC/have in the car. She was gonna just get a mini maglite but she saw my D10 and really liked it's size and the various settings. She wants something that she can attach to her retractable cord thing that's cliped to her scrubs that her ID badge is attached to. The problem with the D10 though is that it's a bit too heavy. It would work but something lighter where you didn't even realize it was on you would be better. Thought AAA would be the way to go. I'm looking at the Fenix LOD Q4 and that looks promising but am hoping for some other suggestions. Maybe even if there's a really lightweight AA. Her needs would be something with at least two brightness settings. A long lasting low mode where the low mode would have a nice solid center circle of light (not sure of the exact terminology) in the beam for pupil tests. And a medium/high mode...anything above like 60-70 lumens with nice wide light...just something for checking a darkened room, finding objects in a closet, everday stuff. Any other modes would be bonus although the less complicated the UI the better. The lighter the weight the better and obviously high runtime is a plus. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[glockboy]

LiteFlux LF2.
There one for sell at CPFMP.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=184066

 

[FlashKat]

The Tiablo would be a good light. The 30 lumen low should be low enough. http://www.batteryjunction.com/ma1-tiablo-aaa-black.html

 

[Illum]

30 lumens for eye checking? are you crazy?!

A single 5mm LED is considered "too bright" by some patients when used for eye checking, you can only use the corona of the beam, not the spot.

 

[Nitroz]

I sugguest a Fenix EO1. At $15 and an assortment of different colors, you can't go wrong.

The only thing with the EO1 is that it only has one mode. If you get into multiple modes being small and lightweight, it will probably cost a few dollars.

 

[TONY M]

30 lumens for eye checking? are you crazy?!

A single 5mm LED is considered "too bright" by some patients when used for eye checking, you can only use the corona of the beam, not the spot.

I was thinking the same thing too! LOL.
A Fenix E01 is hard enough to look into.

 

[bullfrog]

I would say try to pick up an old Arc-aaa CS or even earlier model - wonderful light with less lumens than the E01 so it wont be too blinding...

 

[VegasF6]

I would suggest the Streamlight Stylus Pro, or the Microstream, for nursing duties. I also have really wanted to see the Lumens Factory penlite (incan). Same with Energizer LED pen light for a quick easy item to find. Can you tell I really like penlights for some reason??

Neither of those have 2 mode, or 60 to 70 lumen output though. However, 20-30 lumens is quite a bit in a dark room. And could always get a second light

 

[Nitroz]

One of these for her nurse duty, and then buy her a D10 or EX10 for the car duty.

 

[Light Head]

Is she working days or nights?

Large difference in amount of light needed.

When I was working days, I used my iNova X5 White--I know, this is not AAA, but battery life is so long for nursing jobs, I think I changed batteries every 2 or 3 years. A neurologist complained of spill, and would use nothing else but an ophthalmoscope.

Some doctors would occasionally borrow my XO3 when checking pupils of comatose patients.

When I changed to nights, most patient rooms were too dark to move around in, but the X5 was too bright for some patients--which was why I got the FoxFury Clip Light--I clip this on my scrub top pocket, and the head can swivel up or down. Enough light to check patients if they're breathing, or to change IV bags, but not enough light to do checks when giving medications--for this I turn on the Exam Light at head of bed. I still use the X5 to check pupils and assess backsides.

Since I'm a Flashaholic, I am now looking at the Surefire E1B--I plan to hang this around my neck on a lanyard. I plan to have this as EDC too.

I am a guy, so I can have all these lights with me. Most female nurses I work with only have a simple disposable (free) microlight-types hanging on their ID badges, or on their stethoscopes. Some of them have the rectangular Garrity(?) LED lights occasionally found on checkout lines. They don't care as long as they have light--they just toss the light when battery's dead. It's only a couple of bucks anyway.

I had been looking at the Nitecore D10 GDP before the other CPF'ers convinced me to go the E1B route. I do not want to have to clean a light and lube it before I can use it reliably.

Lastly, I disinfect my lights and badges and pens at the end of my shift with some harsh disinfectant in Green Top canisters. My X5 and XO3 had been having this treatment with no injury. The Green Top disinfectant is a little caustic--blurs/erases Sharpie markings on my badge after a few months of use. No, the Green Top does not contain alcohol.

Anyway, does the E1B Pyrex lens have a special antireflective coating? I'm kinda worried the Green Top might wipe a coating right off the lens.

 

[Kabible]

The LOD-Q4 is a great choice. The 3 light levels are well suited for most needs. Very durable. I've used an LOD-CE daily for about 2 years in auto repair. It's never failed me. With a neck lanyard and some shrink tubing on the tail end, it makes a good hands free "bite-light". The Q4 is slightly brighter but can easily be toned down by placing a spot of scotch tape on the lens.

 

[Illum]

the L0D-CE is still way too bright on low...not to mention if the switch contact is dirty [like mine] it may ramp to the 3rd mode [aka HIGH], if you hold it by the bezel and give it a slight knock...then things could turn out to be very very exciting

Nitroz, the stylus might be perfect for the application, just stock up on AAAA cells when you can find them.

I wonder...who here has a streamlight microstream? its AAA right?

 

[paulr]

How about a Peak Matterhorn in stainless steel so you can wipe it down with germ killers that might interact badly with an aluminum light. You can get them set up pretty dim, and their leds ("snow") have a fairly neutral color (though weak in the red end like most leds). Hmm, I haven't used mind in a while and could maybe part with it.

 

[Timothybil]

I think a Microstream would work just fine. It's 20 lm. is more than enough to look for things in cupboards and closets, etc. It has a nice even beam so if the center is too bright for checking pupils, etc., the edge would be enough dimmer that it should remove that concern. When I was EDCing mine a single cell would last for about a month. I think in this situation the run-time would probably be half of that. T-I-N says that in his tests lithium cells will last about twice as long, so that would probably be a good suggestion. Keep a second in your locker as a quick replacement. My experience shows that the last few minutes of run-time do get a little bit dimmer, so that should be plenty of warning to change the cell next break or lunch or whatever.

The only reason to get a Stylus Pro instead of a Microstream (I have both) would be the runtime, but the longer length and more weight would make it less ideal for clipping onto a badge holder or laynard.

If anything dimmer is wanted, I would suggest the Streamlight Keymate. Even at 10 lm. it was bright enough to go searching with; and it's small and light enough to easily be comfortable clipped onto a badge holder. My only concern there would be color rendition. Its been several years since I had mine (#1 son made it disappear too!) but I seen to recall a definite blue tint. Not enough to bother with for most uses, but might be a problem if accurate color rendition is a need - course you could always flip the exam light on if that need was there.

 

[VegasF6]

Those are great suggestions! I wish I had thought of them

the L0D-CE is still way too bright on low...not to mention if the switch contact is dirty [like mine] it may ramp to the 3rd mode [aka HIGH], if you hold it by the bezel and give it a slight knock...then things could turn out to be very very exciting

Nitroz, the stylus might be perfect for the application, just stock up on AAAA cells when you can find them.

I wonder...who here has a streamlight microstream? its AAA right?

 

[JLEGG]

also u can put a styus pro head on a micrstream body and get a dimmer beam.

 

[DM51]

The Lumens Factory 2x AAA freebie penlite is ideal for checking patients' eyes. For other tasks, something stronger would be required.

 

[22hornet]

I would say try to pick up an old Arc-aaa CS or even earlier model - wonderful light with less lumens than the E01 so it wont be too blinding...

+1
at 29.95 a CS ARC AAA is a steal.
Or you can consider one of the Peak 5mm models as the "snow" leds of Peak may well be the whitest leds, colorwise. (A Matterhorn or Fujyyama in stainless steel.)

For walking around in an hospital, I guess these lights will be more than powerful enough.

Kind regards,
Joris

 

[Marduke]

The <$5 1xAAA clicky lights at WalMart for most duties. Both Rayovac and Energizer make a version.

 

[shomie911]

How about a Peak Matterhorn in stainless steel so you can wipe it down with germ killers that might interact badly with an aluminum light. You can get them set up pretty dim, and their leds ("snow") have a fairly neutral color (though weak in the red end like most leds). Hmm, I haven't used mind in a while and could maybe part with it.

Yep, that would be my pick in a hospital.

Stainless Steel is a better choice than aluminum.