Car flashlight

[flashnoob]

I need a decent, budget flashlight to just leave in my car. I have a 2D maglite in there now. I am ready to throw it away or give it away but now that I know there are much better flashlights out there I want something much better. Something I can leave either under the seat or in the glove box. Size doesnt really matter. Something I can use for whatever may pop up. If i need to add some oil, or change a tire, or dig underneath the seat or any other kind of thing that might arise while I'm in my car. I imagine that a flashlight with more flood and less throw would be more useful in most situations in the car. I would prefer something non-metal (in case I need to use my mouth to hold it) if there is such a thing. Any suggestions would be great thanks!

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Not the cheapest solution by a long shot. I suggest a Zerbralight H Headlamp that will run a Lithium AA.

When you are changing a tire or adding oil you generally need both hands. Headlamps ROCK for working on stuff!

If budget is the primary concern, something like a Fenix PD10 AA with a headband that will hold it works too.

If budget is REALLY tight you might check out DealExtreme for a cheap china light.

BTW. I carry a Fenix P2D. I mouth hold it just fine when I must.

 

[Bicycleflyer]

Just curious, what is wrong with the mag light?

For a car, I can't think of anything special except that it may be stored for months, or a year before you need it. What could prove useful is a light that uses lithium batteries as they have a long shelf life and work in very cold temps. For two years I have been using a tripod flashlight by Stanley tools. It has proven reliable and quite useful ... It will work with three, six, or nine AA batteries and the tripod feature is great for hands-free tasks.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_158803-355-...rrentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=flashlights&facetInfo=

If I were to get another flashlight for the car, I think I would look at Streamlight's Knuckle Head.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Alkaline batteries such as the C or D cells have a VERY bad habit of leaking in an automotive environment.

So at LEAST get a 1 or 2 AA light OR do what you must to use Lithium AA in that C or D light!

 

[flashnoob]

I guess there is really nothing wrong with the mag light. The one I have in my car I found out in a field. I think the bulb is going out and the button doesn't always work and the rubber cap is missing off of it and I really just want to get something newer and better. I was hoping for a LED light. I do think a headlamp sounds like it might be the best bet really. Is Zebralight the best company for headlamps? I have seen at least one company that makes head bands that hold some of their regular lights. What do you guys think of those? Any suggestions?

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Personally, the Niteize Head band is a decent idea that doesn't work well for me. The Zebra is on the front (at least the H series) and that works WAY better than a light on either side of the head

I rather wish I had an AA Zebra. My H30 goes through a 123 a month at least and I don't usually do more than read on medium for 10 -20 minutes a night.

MANY people on here SWEAR by Zebralights.

 

[think2x]

Zebralight H501 with a magnet glued on the tail is very versatile little light. check out the ZEBRALIGHT MODS thread.

(With an energizer lithium of course.)

 

[GaAslamp]

I do think a headlamp sounds like it might be the best bet really. Is Zebralight the best company for headlamps?

Except perhaps for the most specialized applications, I think that ZebraLight currently makes the "best" headlamps, with some of the most efficient circuits, a great UI, high quality, excellent durability, and a pretty decent price point, considering all of this (just my opinion, of course). Another thing I like is that their headlamps (at least the longer ones) are usable as handheld flashlights, as well (in fact, an H51c is my primary EDC flashlight). The only major problem I have with their products is the flimsy, minimally stable headband (that ironically leaves compression marks on my forehead), but this is easily remedied with third-party products such as the Nite-Ize headband (inexpensive and primitive-looking, but very rugged and effective).

I have seen at least one company that makes head bands that hold some of their regular lights. What do you guys think of those? Any suggestions?

Any flashlight (or any kind of light) can be strapped, taped, glued, sewn :eek:, nailed :sick2:, or otherwise attached to your head, and although it's not as nice as working with a dedicated headlamp, it can work fine in a pinch. The aforementioned Nite-Ize headband works great with ZebraLight headlamps, but has some limitations with regular flashlights because they can't rotate up and down independently of the headband (moving the headband around on your head can work in a pinch, though). The Fenix headband has two rotating mounts that resolve this issue and most people seem to like it a lot, but it's more costly (about $20) and only claims to work with flashlights with 18-22 mm diameters. And then there is the NiteCore HB02, which has three strap-type (non-rotating, like on the Nite-Ize headband) mounts, one on each side and the other on top of your head that appears to allow for vertical aiming by moving the flashlight forward or backward.

One question you should ask of both the headband and the flashlight is: how nice does it have to be just for use in a pinch? I'm thinking that maybe something like a Fenix E11 (loaded with an AA lithium primary) and one of the simpler headbands should do the trick in a pinch. It comes from a reputable manufacturer, has a clicky that should be easy to operate when mounted, a decent enough general-purpose beam, good efficiency, two modes, and a reasonable price for something that will be left in a car. I also tend to prefer single-cell flashlights for long-duration storage because it seems (although I have no scientific explanation or proof to back this up) that cells are more likely to fail over time when they're in contact with other cells (even in an open circuit).

Personally, the Niteize Head band is a decent idea that doesn't work well for me. The Zebra is on the front (at least the H series) and that works WAY better than a light on either side of the head

I realize that you meant with regular flashlights, and I would agree. The Nite-Ize headband does work very well with ZebraLight headlamps, though. I've used this combination for hours at a time, and while running, and have never seen a need to upgrade the headband.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Somewhere I have at least one Nite-Ize head band. I shall have to try it with the H30.

Perhaps I should have gone for an H51 instead of the Quark 123 I got myself for Christmas. MAYBE I still can......

 

[vectren45]

For a car light, I like one that has a flood to spot adjustment. Just more versatile overall as I tend to use my car light for many situations.

 

[ccualumni]

What do the experts here think about carrying a hand crank flashlight? One that works when you turn a handle?

I have not needed a flashlight at night for my car in many, many years, but would like to have something reliable. I have a small cheap one that runs on AAA batteries and one that is powered by you turning the handle. This way you do not have to worry about batteries going bad.

I always thought this would be fine until I saw this thread.

Thanks

 

[GaAslamp]

What do the experts here think about carrying a hand crank flashlight? One that works when you turn a handle?

I don't know if I'd call myself an expert, but I think that having to hold and crank a flashlight wouldn't leave any hands free for doing other things. ;)

I have not needed a flashlight at night for my car in many, many years, but would like to have something reliable. I have a small cheap one that runs on AAA batteries and one that is powered by you turning the handle. This way you do not have to worry about batteries going bad.

The thing is that in order to be useful, as implied above, hand-cranked flashlights need a way to store some energy to use for a while. For this purpose, virtually all of them have tiny NiMH or Lithium-ion coin-cells (i.e. rechargeable batteries) inside that can go bad over a relatively short period of time or through even minimal usage. Theoretically, it is possible to make reliable crank flashlights (I have an old reliable shake-light that uses a supercapacitor, for instance), but it takes better design and somewhat greater sophistication (i.e. more robust internal cells and electronics that properly care for these cells would be a good start) than anything currently found on the market has. While the concept has appeal, many here have had bad experiences with the reliability and longevity of these products in practice.

Experience tells us that for long-term storage for emergency use it is better to keep a few lithium primary (i.e. non-rechargeable) cells (e.g. Energizer Lithium AA/AAA or CR123A) in or, possibly even better, next to a decent non-crank flashlight. They should be good for at least 10 years, and probably even longer, and are far more dependable than hand-cranked flashlights.

The same ideas expressed in this post apply to plug-in power failure flashlights as well, by the way. I've had at least two fail on me during actual blackouts due to internal battery issues (so much for not having to worry about batteries going bad), but fortunately I have a number of regular flashlights, including a couple that I carry around, that I keep well maintained for use at any time.

 

[ccualumni]

GaAslamp,

Thanks for the response. IT is amazing how little I seem to know abotu flashlights. HAHA

I really thought the crank type flashlights were the best solution. I used to keep a flashlight with batteries out of the flashlight, but attached with a rubber band.

The rubber band broke, so they were no longer attached. I needed the flashlight, so removed it from the car. Got the crank flashlight as a present, so I put it in the car and just figured I was all set. LOL

Thanks for the answer.

 

[gsr]

I keep an Inova 24/7 in my cars. While not a thrower by any means, it has a number of modes and mounting options that are very useful for automotive tasks. I keep the light and the accessories it comes with in a small, cheap camera case from WalMart. NiteIze now owns the INOVA brand, and they have excellent customer service.

 

[PelicanCaseNut]

I just keep an old maglite in the trunk as I always have my E1B with me

 

[FlashKat]

I would definitely buy a decent LED brand flashlight that can use AA or CR123 lithium batteries with at least 2 modes or more. Remember it is not the cost of the flashlight, but what your safety and survival is worth. Even keep 2 lights in your car.

 

[GaAslamp]

IT is amazing how little I seem to know abotu flashlights. HAHA

Well, that's how much we all started out knowing. And then there is marketing to learn about, too. ;)

I used to keep a flashlight with batteries out of the flashlight, but attached with a rubber band.

The rubber band broke, so they were no longer attached.

If the flashlight is going to be disturbed in any way, then it would probably be best to leave the batteries in it. In such cases, a single-cell flashlight like the E11 (loaded with a lithium primary) that I recommended above is probably the most reliable (and could use alkaline AAs in a pinch). For maximum reliability a backup flashlight is also recommended, but if that would cost too much for some folks :broke:, then they could always throw a handful of fauxtons (tested first) in the glove compartment. :naughty::sssh: They're dirt cheap (if you shop around), come with lithium primaries, and some (if not all) of them are bound to work if all else fails. I'm sure that somebody on this forum is rolling their eyes at such a suggestion, but it's better than choosing not to have a backup (or using multiple supermarket flashlights loaded with alkalines, for that matter).

 

[bstrickler]

If it existed, I'd get an all parallel CR123 holder for the Mag 2D LED, and you'd have the ultimate car light. Probably fit 9 CR123's in there (almost 14 amp hours). I would just be a little worried about that many CR123's being run in parallel. Wouldn't have to worry about them leaking in the cold, or dying on you, though.

 

[MattE]

For a car, I can't think of anything special except that it may be stored for months, or a year before you need it. What could prove useful is a light that uses lithium batteries as they have a long shelf life and work in very cold temps. For two years I have been using a tripod flashlight by Stanley tools. It has proven reliable and quite useful ... It will work with three, six, or nine AA batteries and the tripod feature is great for hands-free tasks.

+1 on Stanley tripod light.

It is LED, runs on AA's and you can use the new(er) Lithium AA batteries.
Tripod comes very handy if you have to change a tire etc, you can use both hands.
It runs on 3 or 6 or 9 AA s. I keep 9 Lithium AA's in mine and did not have any problem yet.
It is a very reliable light

The good thing is that at Lowes web site, they are now selling under $ 10 as can be seen here.