Cell phone as emergency flashlight

[rodmeister]

I saw a new cell phone with a built-in flashlight advertised on the 'net (I forgot the make). This might become popular in the Northeast. If it starts a trend, most people will be carrying flashlights in a few years.

Also aftermarket battery backs are available with LED's built-in.

BTW you can use any cell phone screen as an emergency light. My Nokia puts out a barely usable green light by tapping any key every minute or so. Newer color screen phones give off a white light. It has no beam to speak of, but could be useful in a pitchblack room or elevator.

 

[gadgetnut]

I know what you mean. My LG VX4400 could easily light your way out of a black room. The backlighting on the keypad glows a very bright blue, and the inside color LCD screen is very bright. If you use the phone in a low light situation, it attracts a lot of attention.

 

[JasonC8301]

I have a Sony Ericsson T68i. I bought a LED attachment for it, about the size of well in between a dime/penny. Output is nice considering size, about the same as a blue LED light. Nice insurance if my arc aaa happens to run out of batteries and my EDC light die (almost impossible.) Cost me like $10.

But anyway, yes the light output from these new phones can get you out of the dark. I had a Nokia 3390 and the light output was minimal, as well as the lack of color, now with the T68i, can't go back to monotone colored phones.

 

[paulr]

Wow, where'd you get the LED gizmo? Sounds nice. LED battery packs are also a good idea--I asked about them on CPF a while ago but didn't know anyone made them.

Don't underestimate how good night vision can be. If you flip off the lights and try to navigate a room with a typical cell phone keypad, it's hopeless. You can't see a thing. But if you wait 10 minutes or so, you get dark adapted and can see your way around easily. I think getting maximally dark adapted takes 1/2 hour or so. It's not a real fast process.

I have a nondescript Nokia phone, no browser or anything, but works as above (enough light to walk around with after getting dark adapted but not before).

 

[MR Bulk]

Wonder if we can find a place to gauge flashlight sales up in the Northeast lately?

 

[jdriller]

Major flashlight shortage. Wally-mart had about 20 left a few days ago. Every place that usually had a few hanging around, gone. Now we can get some new stock!!!!!!!!!

 

[JasonC8301]

I got the LED gizmo for my phone inside a AT&T wireless store. Comes in a cool little tube. For $20 I picked up the LED light and a nifty laser, both are the same size.

It was hung all the way in the corner...

 

[rodmeister]

Retire my ARC AAA for EDC? I usually carry an ARC LS as main EDC, ARC AAA as backup, and Photon II as last ditch backup on my keychain. With a phone flashlight, I won't need the ARC AAA as a backup for the ARC LS when I'm at work.

My ARC AAA will be used only for keeping in my pocket when I'm at home, since the LS is a bit large.

 

[paulr]

My local supermarket was all out of flashlights a couple days ago (they'd had about 6 different models). They've restocked a couple models by now and the others will probably come in over the coming days.

 

[Stanley]

Rodmeister,

Think the Nokia phone you were looking at was the latest Nokia 5xxx series phone. It's meant to be a 'outdoor' phone, waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, etc.. and the built in LED supposedly sits on the top of the phone, and think I read that you have to press a combination of 2 keys (kinda like the keypad lock) to light up the LED.

Oh, and if you're too used to coloured screens, you'll be glad to know that this baby is also a coloured screen with polyphonic ringtones too... Now, all I have to do is WAIT for them to bring in the GSM model here... *sigh*

 

[xrayzebra]

More than once I've resorted to using the old Nokia for a little dim light. More often, I end up using my handheld computer's screen for a light if I've forgotten my flashlight(s). I use a Fujitsu LT pen tablet in my daily work, inspecting public housing complexes. When I forget my light, and get into a dark place, I turn up the screen light, and it actually works pretty well.

 

[guncollector]

My Nokia 3650 runs a simple Symbian OS-application called "Torch" (probably written by a Brit) which turns the entire screen "white" indefinitely--without need to press any buttons to keep it lit. Puts out sufficient light to navigate pitch-black rooms and hallways--once your eyes are adjusted.

 

[Azreal911]

i know what phone you guys are talking about (i'm a phone freak too!) this is the one you are looking for from nokia

http://www.fido.ca/portal/product/handsetdetail.jsp?id=nokia_5100&lang=en&cat=1

The light is basically located at the top of the phone and it contains 2 white leds I'm not sure if they are nichias or what. but the phone is supposed to be dust and water resistant and with alot of other gee whizz features. but the flashlight part is what really got me looking at it.

 

[paulr]

Wow, that looks like a nice phone. The built-in FM radio is a nice touch. It's another very handy thing to have during a blackout, especially since there's a built-in speaker phone and hopefully you can play the FM radio through it.

 

[tylerdurden]

See also:

http://www.coverlamp.com/frameset.php?lang=en

These look pretty pathetic, though.

 

[Double_A]

Just my luck, I'd run the battery dead using the light and then be stuck in the dark, without a way to call for help.

I think I'll just stick to my Photon II on my keyring.

GregR

 

[Gransee]

I've said it before...

The cell phone will become one of the best EDC flashlights!

Peter

 

[V8TOYTRUCK]

The Swiss Army Phone! Is this thing available in the U.S. ( Nokia 5100 )?

 

[Drjones]

As someone else hinted at, I'd be wary of counting on ONE device to be your everything.

Even if I had a cell phone with a decent light, I'd still carry separate flashlights.

I think the battery juice is FAR better spent on actually talking, especially in an emergency. Besides, who knows how long till you can charge it again?

 

[Drjones]

Want to add:

As a general-purpose, find-your-keys-in-the-dark type of thing, great.

But use it in an emergency, or depend on it for an emergency? Never. Again, the battery life would be much better spent using it to call for help.

JMHO...