Buying advice for "emergency" light.

[entoptics]

My dad wants me to find him an "emergency" household light. He lives in a semi-remote area and wants it for power outages, finding a lost dog, etc.

It will most likely spend much of it's life in a nightstand drawer, but who knows. If he really likes it, it might get used more often. I already got him an iTP EOS A2 and an EagleTac T20C2 running 18650, so his day to day lighting needs are covered quite well. This light is more for household "backup" than anything else (for instance if his wife needs a light when my dad is away and has his EOS and T20 with him).

Essential Criteria
1) Relatively simple UI with 2 or 3 easily accessible levels
2) 150 or greater lumens on high
3) >5 hours runtime @ 50-100 lumens on medium
4) AA batteries
5) Decent compromise between throw and flood/spill which would be good for indoor use as well as 25-50 yd woods use.
6) Tail stand capable
7) <$70 delivered to his door

Non-essential "bonus" features
1) SOS/Beacon, but only if "hidden" modes. Neither he, nor his wife, will like running into them during normal operation, but would probably like having the option.
2) This light doesn't need to be astonishingly bright, as efficiency will be his main concern, but if it has a good medium setting with extended runtime, he'd DEFINITELY appreciate something capable of serious power on high.
3) Low mode of <10 lumens

At this point, I'm assuming my main contenders would be the LD20, D20, Quark AA2, P20, and similar.

Anyone have any insight or suggestions? Specific pros/cons for the above mentioned lights? Other contenders I'm missing?

 

[John_Galt]

I would suggest the LD20 Q5 for this purpose, in my experiences this past winter, it held up quite well as a room light, had good throw (and will definitely out-throw the R4 model), and used batteries very efficiently.

some will suggest the Quark line up, but, truthfully, I've found that the moon mode and the extra flashing modes are a pain to cycle through. the LD20 provides instant access to a generally-bright-enough amount of light for most tasks at night.

Throw a diffuser in, and you've got a pocket searchlight, room illuminator, and floody task light in a compact, rugged package.

 

[JCD]

Deleted, since it clearly offended a flashaholic

 

[Mr_Light]

Aside from the usual suspect you mentioned above, I just received the following 3AA light from Kai that has very good throw with decent sidespill, tailstands and most important a simple Hi-Med-Lo UI (no strobes or SOS).

UltraFire CREE Q5 MCU-C88 3-Mode(black)(3*AA) SKU: S009365
Price: $32.43

http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=10565

 

[Ian2381]

Aside from the usual suspect you mentioned above, I just received the following 3AA light from Kai that has very good throw with decent sidespill, tailstands and most important a simple Hi-Med-Lo UI (no strobes or SOS).

UltraFire CREE Q5 MCU-C88 3-Mode(black)(3*AA) SKU: S009365
Price: $32.43

http://kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=10565

I also want this light, Just wish it's cheaper.:naughty:

 

[Jash]

Consider the TK20. 11 hours at 45 lumens, 2 hours at 150. Good spill, great throw and can tail stand.

Simple UI with momentary on, tough as nails and can take lithiums for that extra comfort in knowing you can put it in the drawer for 6 months and it will work when you need it to.

You can get it in yellow to make it easy to find in low light situations. It feels really nice in your hand too.

 

[OCD]

As stated previously, I recommend a Quark 2AA tactical version. Two modes can be programmed and accessed by a twist of the head. Load it with lithum AA's and it can sit for years and be ready when needed.

 

[entoptics]

SureFire 6P, G2, or E2e, (or even a 6PL, G2L, or E2L if you insist on an LED light) with a box of 12 primary cells.

Perhaps you stopped reading before you got to "Essential Criteria". None of your above suggestions meet more than one of them.

If he's asking you for an "emergency light," it sounds like he's subtly trying to tell you, without offending the flashaholic in you, that he (or his wife) doesn't want or need any fancy modes or to worry about recharging the batteries. He (or she) just wants a flashlight that will work, every time, without requiring an engineering degree or a two hour explanation on how to operate it. A simple on/off switch is all that's needed.

Actually, he's "subtly trying to tell me" the 7 essential criteria I posted in my OP. He types too slow to ever be able to participate in an online forum. Of course I added a little technical detail to the criteria to help those CPF members who actually read them have a better idea than "Brighter than my EOS but doesn't need to be as bright as the eagle tac".

Of course, maybe I'm wrong, and your parents are technology geeks that always want the latest, greatest gadgets lest their lives seem meaningless.

No, they definitely don't need gadgets for meaning. I'm not entirely sure that a 3 mode AA powerd LED flashlight is the "latest, greatest gadget" either.

 

[JCD]

…

Sorry. From the initial post, it seemed like you established the "essential criteria," rather than him. My mistake.

 

[metlarules]

I would suggest an led lantern. If it positively needs to be aa then one like this might work. http://www.batteryjunction.com/egear-xrespirit-lantern.html . However for super long run times and brighter light I would suggest a d-cell lantern like this. http://www.batteryjunction.com/se3dln.html

 

[Woods Walker]

The TK20 is built very stout and meets the follow requirements.

Essential

1. It has two modes .
2. 2 hours regulated at 150
3. 11 hours regulated at 45 lumens, not your 50 though it would be impossible to tell the difference.
4. 2XAA batteries.
5. It has a bit more throw than many smaller 2XAA with less flood though workable.
6. Darn right it can tail stand.
7. Around 50 bucks.

Non –essential.

1. Sorry no SOS/Beacon but then again I dislike Disco. Nothing against the Bee Gees however.
2. The Q2/Q3 5A LED is a bit less efficient than higher bins but the tint is nice. Will run all night on general mode.
3. Sorry only two modes. A general mode and high.

You could also consider a LD20. Here is my L2D-Q5 (older LD20 model) compared to the TK20. I think either one would work for your father though the TK20 is so easy to use. Just twist the bezel to change modes. It works much like a single mode light once the level is set. My Uncle had a hard time learning to change modes on his LD20 I got him.

 

[GMLRS]

Don't miss out on the option for a R4 version of the Fenix LD20, 205 lumens max, they are more efficient and brighter.

I have two LD20 Q5(s)(180 lumens max), really like em a lot.

Sounds like they could use a headlamp too. Please DO NOT get them a 3xAAA one.:candle:

 

[Locoboy5150]

I'd also have to give a thumbs up to the Fenix TK20. It just works great for a AA light that is dirt simple to operate, tough as nails, and doesn't break the bank. It also just is a whole different league when outside in the woods. The neutral white LED shows off all those beautiful colors out in the woods, especially brown tree trunks. Cool white LEDs really show their limitations in those environments.

 

[SirJohn]

LD20 is indeed very nice. I love mine, but it is slightly more complicated for UI. I also have to agree that even though it works on D cell, the Rayovac Sportsman Extreme Lantern would work very nice for an emergency light as you describe and would give great battery life. Another simple two mode AA flashlight alternative would be the Eagletac P100A2, 1.8 hours at 205 lumens and 8 hours at 55 lumens.

 

[entoptics]

Thanks a bunch for all the relevant advice guys.

Lanterns are definitely not on the table for this purpose, but after looking at a couple of the links, they might just be a kick *** fathers day or birthday present. He probably would really like a couple. One for house duty and one for camping/traveling (he's an intrepid outdoorsman/traveler).

For now though, we're sticking with flashlights. He decided to leave the EagleTac with me as he's intimidated by the 18650 (despite the fact that I repeatedly told him it will take 123 cells.)

Now He's looking for 3 lights. All of my original criteria still apply, but perhaps a mixture of lights will suit him best.

He's got a huge house, and I'm thinking maybe he's actually blinded (pun intended) by flashlight performance lust, so perhaps I should get him 2 x $70 lights for maximum impact, and then buy him 2 or 3 smaller/cheaper lights for "drawer" duty around the house/barn for emergency use

Total budget = $200

2 "high end" lights for $140 OTD...
1 x Throw oriented (with OK spill for indoor use)
1 x Spill oriented (with OK throw for outdoor use)

2 "Drawer queens" for $60 OTD

Here's my hypothetical roundup. Please advise and comment.

$200 OTD...
P20A2 "thrower"
Quark AA2 "flooder"
EOS A2 x two Drawer queens (he's already got one and loves it).
16 eneloops (he already has a decent charger) to feed them.

All right. Hit me. Don't hold back. Spending someone else's money is daunting for me, and he thinks I'm an "expert", so I don't want to disappoint.

Main thing to keep in mind. He's a flashlight lover (not haulic), but simple is good. He's no technophobe, but I want to keep things straightforward. Anvil/hammer/Glock like reliability and 2-3 modes and AA power.

 

[stallion2]

my only BIG suggestion is to go w/ something that runs off CR123's. if this is light is going to spend the bulk of its time in a drawer next to the bed then there shouldn't be an issue w/ having fresh batteries on hand. i could see where the more common alkalines would be appealing if you were leaving it in a car or traveling outside the country. alkalines are just too unstable and inconsistent in their performance to be relied upon for an emergency.

i do have one light that runs on 2 AA's and is always w/in reach when i'm asleep (and 6-8 others w/in 6' ). its one of Energizer's Nightstrike lights, the swivel head version. it's definitely not a thrower and it falls short of your 150lumens requirment but i would still rather reach for this to navigate the house than any of my +200lumen lights. it does a lot more that you can read for on your own. i bought mine from Cabela's. goodluck.

 

[entoptics]

Talked to dad again today. Looks like he's a flashahaulic after all. I suggested we buy the P20A2 and the Quark AA2 and he was all over it.

"We'll try them out and see which we like best."

Then I mentioned the iTP A6 Polestar and he said "Yeap, get me one of those too." I told him I needed to research more, but he really liked the "wall of light" idea for camping, parking a trailer at night, etc.

Basically, I get to play with all these lights for a few days on his quarter. I'm interested in all of them, so it's a nice "try before you buy" situation.

Too bad he's got an "exotic battery" phobia which limits my choices, but it's still a pretty good deal for me!