Any mass produced Japanese lights?

[knot]

All I see are Chinese, Taiwanese, and American made LED flashlights. Are there any Japan made LED lights? I don't mean expensive custom lights.

 

[knot]

57 view and no responses. I guess there are no Japanese made LED flashlights. I wonder why?

 

[Flying Turtle]

I vaguely remember seeing something about a Panasonic LED headlamp some time ago. I think it was using a Luxeon or some variant, maybe a Jupiter. Seems like there must be some others. I'm sure we'll hear about more.

Geoff

 

[dudemar]

Hi knot,

When I visited my relatives in Japan 14 years ago, I found an interesting and cool variety of lights. I can not remember any of SF quality, but like all things Japanese they often had nifty features. I recall a few which are rechargeable, it featured a flip-out plug on the handle. You simply plug the light onto the wall outlet!

My brother brought back a light on a recent trip. It's essentially a battery-powered "nightlight" (kids from the '80s should remember these). It utilizes an LED and IR motion sensor. When I go to the bathroom at night the light automatically lights up my hallway. It's bright enough to get around, and if need be I can carry it and use it as a makeshift flashlight. Works great, and it's cool!

I know the "National" brand is a major Japanese flashlight manufacturer. Try http://www.lightch.com , it has quite a few National lights on there. Try googling "japanese flashlights" as well.

I know this isn't crazy news, but hope this helps.

Dudemar

 

[koala]

Nichia, very cheap :laughing:

 

[dudemar]

Don't mean to drift off topic, but are Nichias considered low quality?

 

[nisshin]

I know the "National" brand is a major Japanese flashlight manufacturer. Try http://www.lightch.com , it has quite a few National lights on there. Try googling "japanese flashlights" as well.

National and Panasonic (in Japanese, Nashonaru and Panasonikku) are brands of Matsushita Electric (Wikipedia).

 

[xiaowenzu]

Don't mean to drift off topic, but are Nichias considered low quality?

Nope, actually they are state-of-the-art for it's size - 5mm. The white Nichia's are one of the brightest Leds and are used in Photon Freedom Microlight.

 

[knot]

I was hoping to see some competition because, as most of us know, when the Japanese set out to market a product, it is usually equal to or better than the competition - for less.

Looks like there are some flashlights but which ones are Japanese?: http://www.lightch.com/

I never heard of this brand but looks interesting; http://www.lightch.com/gentos/a/gs440.html

http://www.lightch.com/gentos/a/gt06pw.html

 

[knot]

Nope, actually they are state-of-the-art for it's size - 5mm. The white Nichia's are one of the brightest Leds and are used in Photon Freedom Microlight.

Is the Photon Freedom Microlight really that good? $16.95 for a tiny keychain light?


I have relatives in Japan as well but I don't speak Japanese. My mom is from Japan.

 

[nisshin]

Perusing the Japan Flashlight Channel site, there are several companies based in Japan, but whether the lights themselves are made in Japan or elsewhere is the question. I believe these companies are based in Japan:

National: Panasonic, Mitsubishi
Elpa Asahi Denki
Ohm Electric
FDK
Fusion Japan
Toshiba
Fujitsu
Futaba Tool
Sony
Hitachi
Maruzen
Tokyo Marui
Gentos: Saint Gentleman Co. (n.b. lights made in China)

Some of the reviews have the following image that indicates a Japan-made product: made in Japan GIF.

 

[Windscale]

Don't mean to drift off topic, but are Nichias considered low quality?

I like Nichia LEDs very much. But they don't seem to make high power ones. Their 1.5W, as fitted in the Aurora ( reviewed in Flashlightreviews.com) is still a firm favourite of mine. It gave out a beam with a distinct tinted circle in the middle, like those on a performing stage, and has very good runtime. Then there is the Gentos 0.5W headlamp which is very bright by 0.5W standard, also has very long runtime. I have also been told (not verified) that the 4x white LEDs in the Inova 24/7 are also made by Nichia. The 24/7 is still one of my EDCs because although it is not very bright yet it would enable others to see me and it has very good rumtime. I runit on 1x RCR123A (3.0v).

However, I don't think Nichia make their own lights. They just produce LEDs for others to make lights.

 

[knot]

This light looks interesting. It projects a big spot flood type. I wonder how to go about purchasing http://www.lightch.com/elpa/a/dop017bk.html

Ok did a little searching: http://mail.elpa.co.jp/product/la01/elpa150.html

 

[Steel and Light]

Here, try this Panasonic Japan site. I can't read it but you can see the pix:

http://national.jp/product/conveni/flashlight/index.html

 

[knot]

Here, try this Panasonic Japan site. I can't read it but you can see the pix:

http://national.jp/product/conveni/flashlight/index.html

Great website but why aren't they selling to world?

 

[eyeeatingfish]

I might be able to order from them as i can read some japanese. If they dont sell it overseas i might be able to get my girlfriend(lives japan) to get it and send it to america.

 

[horizonseeker]

1.5 hour running time, 1 CR123, looks like it's a forward clicky, luxeon 3 watt, splash proof, now all that's missing is the group buy price because I'm not sure $50 is going to sell for a single mode flashlight unless there's somthing extraordinary about it.

 

[jsr]

The Elpas look to be rebranded Nuwais. Nuwai's latest offerings look quite interesting, but haven't found any retailers carrying their new stuff.

 

[dudemar]

Regarding Panasonic selling those products worldwide, they sell what you see on their website solely to the Japanese market. I feel the same way about a lot of things Japanese: cars, food, electronics, et cetera. They're all so nifty, and it sure would remind me of when I was growing up there!

You might have some luck on eBay, you could find a seller in Japan willing to get what you want. There might even be online sellers, try googling "kaichudento" (Japanese for "flashlight").

I have relatives in Japan as well but I don't speak Japanese. My mom is from Japan.

My mom is from Japan too!:wave: My realtives live in Fukushima-ken, but I grew up on Sagamihara Housing Area (US Army, Camp Zama).

 

[nisshin]

Arc flashlight distributor Outdoor Club might be able to help you if want to order Japanese flashlights, since they can receive inquiries in English and ship overseas: Outdoor Club, Nagoya, Japan.