Emergency/Survival LED Light Dilemma

[Confederate]

I've purchased a few Fenix lights to throw in my bugout/emergency bag, and I want each member of my family to have at least one. I've also purchased dozens of 123A batteries, since they have a shelf life of ten years. Still, I have a few questions I hope you guys can help with.

1) Is the extra $$$ for Fenix lights worth it, or would it be better to have several lower cost lights, like the Solarforce L2 and other quality lights? Naturally, runtime is an issue with survival lights. I need a light that will run in an extremely low mode for extended times. Will the more inexpensive lights offer the same long runtimes?

2) Is there any significant advantage of having the build of a T1, TK-11? The P3D seems to have a sufficient build, but for a bugout bag is there anything to be gained by having a light that a car could run over? They all appear to be dunkable in water, but what does the bulkier build provide? Better heat sinking?

3) If one wanted to recharge batteries with a solar device, which is the best way to go? I'm told that amorphous solar panels have a relatively short shelf life and even if left in its box that the materials will break down over about six or seven years. Mono-crystalline chargers are more expensive, but they last indefinately, which I like. Still, I have a solar-powered watch that has been going for more than seven years and it's still doing fine, so, which way to go?

Thanks!

 

[Riddick]

SureFire E2L Outdoorsman 3lm for 100 hrs and if needed 60lm for over 5+ almost 6 hrs. Throw in a F04 beam diffuser and a 12 pack of cells and your good to go:thumbsup:


Just reread your post and my reply does not apply so please disregard my post as I know nothing of the lights you referred to.

But you can never have enough cells:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[BobDeLaLuz]

I have been a fire department disaster preparedness trainer for over ten years now. Of course my obsession with flashlights seems to somehow enthuse a new group of students each time. Something that comes up each time is what you asked so in my research I found that for ultimate reliability the expensive brands inspire most confidence but none ever wants to spend that much money. What I have had a great deal of success recommending is the UK 2L which is a small 2x123 double sealed diving light, its not expensive but not available in an LED version (and appears out of production now). I have now switched to the Fenix P1D CE Q5 and have attracted quite a following for such a simple and versatile single battery powerhouse. We don't have the years of experience of using any new LED lights for more than 10 years but so far everone loves them so I figure its better to have a Fenix than to have nothing.

 

[portezbie]

In all likelihood you will find it difficult to find as good runtime in cheaper lights, they usually just dont have the same regulation. I don't think it is necessary to go with one of the tk's, i wasn't really aware that they were built any tougher really, just very bright and have the tactical head.

 

[Illumination]

The Fenix P series should be more than sufficient. They are very well built and quite durable. I think in a lot of ways they are better than the TK series - smaller, more floody, etc.

A useful add is the white diffuser, red lens and red diffuser.

For ultimate security, you could add a second cheap light, but probably not necessary...though everyone on this forum probably has a half dozen "backup "lights
.

 

[portezbie]

the fenix e01 is itself a great back up, i feel like its tiny size makes it even tougher in some respects, and as far as survival lights go, it last damn near forever.

 

[BobDeLaLuz]

The Fenix P series should be more than sufficient. They are very well built and quite durable. I think in a lot of ways they are better than the TK series - smaller, more floody, etc.

A useful add is the white diffuser, red lens and red diffuser.

For ultimate security, you could add a second cheap light, but probably not necessary...though everyone on this forum probably has a half dozen "backup "lights
.

I totally forgot that we also tell students to carry a second cheapie light, in my case a Photon on my keyring.

 

[LG&M]

I would recommend you stick with AA sized lights you can find AA batteries anywhere and you can keep lithium AA spares they will have the same shelf life as CR123.

 

[Confederate]

Thanks for all your comments. As LEDs became super bright, they also became formidable means of self defense. The first lights I ever gave out to female friends and family was the Surefire G2, and I think that was only 60 lumens. Still, it was enough to momentarily stun an attacker. Now lights are available in 250+ lumens. One I bought through DX for a paltry thirty bucks throws light better than any light I've ever seen—better than the old marine lights with huge batteries and gigantic reflectors! (I took it outside last night and could easiy throw the beam probably further than I could run! In fact, I had to turn it off because it was going through peoples' windows more than a block away.) I like lights that can deliver momentary bursts without having to be turned fully on.

I've already got a P3D, and I have a Solarforce L2 on the way. I'll be interested to find out just how much a run the L2 will give the Fenix. And I aim to get a few AA lights as well. Don't like them quite as much as the 123A lights, but they have their advantages.

 

[Warp]

Thanks for all your comments. As LEDs became super bright, they also became formidable means of self defense.

It is still far preferable to have an actual weapon.

Sure, the light is important. It can be used to disorientate/blind an attacker, convey an aura of authority, light up the target, etc....but in and of itself a light can't be counted on for anything other than seeing where you are going. A gun and/or pepper spray and proper training plus situational awareness are the biggies.

 

[baterija]

First don't underestimate the capabilities of most lights to resist being run over. Here's a video showing a County Comm tube vault being run over by a Ford Explorer. Don't confuse total amount of metal with the ability to handle realistic survival situations. More metal does add heatsinking, and weight. It would also be useful if you expect to have your lights placed in an hydraulic press as part of your surivival situation,

 

[orcinus]

"Tube Vault"... "The U.S. Military Contacted Us For A Way To Organize and Store..." This has to be the most hilarious thing i've seen this week!

That's a simple PET bottle eprouvette used in beverage industry! The kind that water and soda bottles get blown from. It even has the very same cap you'd find on a PET bottle, for crying out loud. And it costs as much as a fully fledged bottle of mineral water!

On top of that, the test is completely invalid because it's filled with water (i don't doubt the eprouvette can handle a lot of strain, though)!

CountyComm has some really neat stuff, so i just can't fathom why they needed to go this low.

 

[guiri]

The new nitecore EX10 with super low mode for like 45 hours or so but enough to work by. D10 if you decide on AA's

 

[sabre7]

It is still far preferable to have an actual weapon.

Sure, the light is important. It can be used to disorientate/blind an attacker, convey an aura of authority, light up the target, etc....but in and of itself a light can't be counted on for anything other than seeing where you are going. A gun and/or pepper spray and proper training plus situational awareness are the biggies.

Yes it is a shame some mistakenly regard their flashlight beams as having Star Trek phaser-like powers. It is a bigger shame if flashlights with bright beams/strobes are being given to vulnerable females or others to rely on as a "formidable means of self defense" instead of the proven effective measures listed by Warp above.

 

[MrGman]

The Fenix brand flashlights are worth every penny you would pay for them. The P3D with 2 CR123 batteries and multimode options is an excellent way to go, it drops down to about 8 lumens and will run on the batteries in that mode for a long time.

The Solarforce L2 host with the pill of your choosing is also a good way to go and wouldn't hurt to have both. If you want really long run time, buy the tube extension and go with 3 batteries instead of 2 and use a pill that will actually run on 9 or more volts. The Solarforce R2-5M 5 mode pill will not work well on anything but 2 non rechargeable batteries but it does have a low mode down to about 37 lumens, measured out the front.

If you truly want adjustability to very low lumens then spend the money to get the Uniq continuously variable tail cap, it goes down very low and you don't need a multimode driver to do it. Just don't leave it screwed on all the way when not in use, like an original Surefire, turn the tail cap out a couple turns so it isn't making contact because even when off, when fully engaged, its standby current draw is 1 mA. I have tested this and it works fine and can be made to be totally off and not draw current but then when you use it you have a very broad range to adjust the light. It will work with the extension tube and 9V and run all of the normal LED pills just fine.

The cells in solar panels are silicon semiconductors. I have never heard the term amorphous in conjuction with a silicon chip and breaking down as in degrading is also something I have not heard of. If these people are referring to the cheap plastic housings they put these things into that may be one thing, but a well made silicon chip (don't bother to tell me that they are doped with something else like germanium or whatever, I know, its not relevant), should last a heck of a lot longer than 7 years. They put them in space and expose them to the full radiation spectrum of the sun without protection of 100 plus miles of atmosphere, and expect them to work for a very long time.

You plan on living in a bunker some where after the apocalypse? get a hand or foot crank generator, they are cheap enough if you don't think your solar panels will survive or are too expensive (this part is definitely true at the retail level).

Don't listen to the guy who tells you to be AA lithium cells. They simply aren't that good and expensive for what they are.

 

[Confederate]

Thanks again for the replies. The Uniq continuously variable tail cap sounds interesting. Where's the best place to pick up things like that? My brother has recommended the Nightcore EX10, but I can't seem to locate any using Google.

Although I don't exactly plan on living in a bunker, there may be a time when energy may not be available. A friend of mine with the local power company says the entire East Coast power grid is put together largely with chewing gum and string. There is no back up system and he's invested in a generator of his own. As far as the amorphous solar panels, one of the solar panel manufacturers told me even if they're not used, they've only got an official shelf life of 6-7 years. He may not know what he's talking about...I know I don't. There're some heavy glass ones out there that are mono-crystalline, but they're difficult to move around. I'm looking for a good portable unit.

Cheers.

 

[GPB]

I have a hard time buying a really good light, and then leaving it in an emergency kit while I use a light of lesser quality on a daily basis. Chances are you have a few lights that would do fine, and if you spent the money on spare cells instead of a dedicated emergency light, you would be better off. The world is pretty set up for 12 volt applications so I think something like the following is a must have for any kind of emergency preparedness.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=15589

You can use it to recharge your cell phone, laptop, rechargeable batteries, etc. If you get it with a built in inverter you can use it to power almost anything, and you can recharge it from your car, a solar car charger, or 110 outlet.

I just can't put away good lights for emergencies only. I like them too much.

 

[pipspeak]

Fenix lights seem to have good reliability and some of the best regulation out there, so runtime is usually class-leading. My L2D just goes on and on since I only ever need to use it on medium of low, it's that bright. Perfect for an emergency kit with a couple of spare lithium AA cells.

 

[Petersen]

That's because they are called NITECORE
- You can get the at 4sevens dot com.

Cheers

 

[MrGman]

Lighthound.com has the Uniq variable tailcap.