general home/emergency use

[N8N]

What I have:

3d LED Mag-Lite
a couple Task Force 3W Cree lights

What I don't like about the Mag: Size, can't tail stand it (at least it's not very stable) to use as a lamp in a power outage etc.
What I do like about the Mag: output, waterproof

What I like about the TFs: cheap, fits in glovebox of car, great throw. Can be used as a bicycle light if necessary.
What I don't like: feels cheap, not waterproof, requires cut up piece of cardboard to stop battery rattle

So is there a reasonable step up from these lights?

Thinking something the size of the TF or smaller, with similar output, that is waterproof and can be stood on its tail. Hi/Low operation might be nice to preserve battery life but I don't need strobes etc. I'm partial to metal over composite but am open to being convinced that composite is OK.

I know I'm going to regret asking this because I'll end up getting all sorts of responses that will make me obsessive-compulsively check out specs etc. but I am probably going to need 1-2 more flashlights (I just don't use the Mag, and the TF's are all stashed in vehicles ATM) and would like to make a good decision.

Also I am applying for my CCW and taking the mandatory class got me thinking about lights used in a defensive situation so having a useable one at hand in the house is probably not a bad idea...

 

[Poppy]

For power failure scenarios I have at least one "plug in the outlet, go on when the power fails" emergency lights on each floor of the house.

One never knows how long the power outage will last, so I am most comfortable with rechargeable batteries and a charger that can plug into the cigar lighter of my car. The Nitecore intellicharger can do either NiMH or LiIons.

I have found that 100 lumins pretty comfortably lights a 10x10 room. Pretty much any AA light will give you that much light for an hour or so. ANY 18650 powered light will deliver that much light for 5-7 hours. Personally I like 18650 lights for their run-time, and the ability to put out 500-700 lumins if I want.

Soooo... pick your poison. :)

 

[N8N]

Good idea about the plug in. Is there one available that can be used as a regular flashlight and is "enthusiast grade" e.g. quality construction, waterproof, etc.? Or just get something cheap that glows & a separate flashlight?

 

[Poppy]

Good idea about the plug in. Is there one available that can be used as a regular flashlight and is "enthusiast grade" e.g. quality construction, waterproof, etc.? Or just get something cheap that glows & a separate flashlight?

Enthusiast grade? Not that I know of. I have a couple of "Energizer" flashlight units that have two light levels each about $10 (they point to the ceiling or floor) and a couple others that emit the light straight out from the wall outlet. Depending upon which outlets you will use will determine which format is better. They have small lithium batteries and will shine for an hour or a couple of hours, so they can't be your primary light, but are good to keep you from stumbling while going for your better lights, and setting the house up with lanterns or reflected flashlights.

 

[guyg]

For the money get a handful of Energizer or Mini Mag lites or equivalent and put them in each room. Also buy a package of batteries. Have your personal lite handy.

 

[MatthewSB]

Just as important as which light you use are the batteries that feed it. Whatever you get, load it with lithium batteries and keep spare lithium replacements for an emergency. If you use alkaline batteries, you might need your light and find it full of exploded gunk.

A $7 AA maglite with $5 worth of batteries is more reliable than a $75 *MegaLumenSunBlaster* loaded with crappy alkalines that may render it useless.

 

[ToddC]

My power outage usage
1) a floody headlamp (3-AAA)
2) a LED lantern (3-AA)
3) Low to medium lumen AA or AAA light
4) A 2AA thrower for outdoor use

 

[42]

A Fenix TK45 kept me illuminated fot the 10 days I was without power after Sandy hit. It has a wide base for tail standing plus side mounted switches. Very convenient for lighting a room via ceiling bounce. It has four brightness levels, 8 lm @ 232 hr, 95 lm @ 22 hr, 312 lm @ 6.5 hr, 760 lm @ 2 hr, plus the usual strobe and flashing modes. I went through 3 or 4 sets of L91 AA cells and had the light on one level or another 24 hrs a day. It's the best emergency light I've ever owned.


I also keep a number other lights around ranging from AAA keychain lights to a 26650 Maelstrom S12, and the only other light that got a lot of use was a 47's ML-X Mini.

Mark

 

[N8N]

Thanks, I looked it up and I can't get past the styling but the TK41 appears similar and might be for me? Any downsides to the TK-41?

To Poppy: what plug in lights are you using? I've only found a handful on the whole interwebs and reviews seem to be "meh, they're OK but there's a couple things I don't like (lack of modes, blocking receps, etc.) and mine only lasted a year" so I'm hesitant to order any... I hate spending money on crap

 

[42]

Thanks, I looked it up and I can't get past the styling but the TK41 appears similar and might be for me? Any downsides to the TK-41?

The TK45's looks aren't for everybody.:) The TK41 looks to be a bit brighter and more efficient. It shares all the features of the TK45 that make it good emergency light, four widely spaced brightness levels, a wide flat base, side mounted switches and it uses common AA cells. Looks like a great choice.

Mark

 

[N8N]

The TK45's looks aren't for everybody.:) The TK41 looks to be a bit brighter and more efficient. It shares all the features of the TK45 that make it good emergency light, four widely spaced brightness levels, a wide flat base, side mounted switches and it uses common AA cells. Looks like a great choice.

Mark

I think I might have to pick one up... I like that it uses AAs not something that is not normally available in stores, that way if there's a real SHTF incident I can just rummage through all the junk drawers and put together another battery set, so that's a positive as well. Looks like a pretty decent light...

 

[dss_777]

I think you should pick the light based on the most important use you anticipate for it. Consider the Malkoff MD2 with M61 dropin and high-low switch. A very good weapon light with simple interface (tail cap clicky). Reliable, solid, and great output for serious use. The low mode is very useful for day-day use. Already bored for 18650 cells, it will also take CR123 lithium primaries. Expensive, but worth it.

 

[N8N]

I really don't think I would use it as a "weapon light" - e.g. rail mount is unimportant to me. If I really were in a SHTF home defense situation and needed to handle a handgun and light at the same time I could do it, I think I would want the weapon and the light separated as far as possible so if an intruder were armed he'd be aiming at my left hand (holding the flashlight) not my shooting hand/weapon which would likely be directly in front of me. I don't really like the idea of rail mounting a light on a handgun although I know lots of people do it. I haven't shot in ages but I don't think I'd have a problem controlling a typical 9mm one handed. Probably going to a range tomorrow anyway to test out some various handguns (I know, thread drift) so I will be sure to try them one handed to see if it's a problem. I hope it isn't - the one I think I want to buy is the Walther PPQ because I was fondling one at the gun shop the other day and it just melts into my hand, but the barrel is awful high relative to the grip.

Most likely use of my hypothetical flashlight is an emergency light used as a lamp, in which case a tail cap switch is a downside unless it's integrated in some way that still allows it to be stood on its tail...

I know, I'm obsessing over this, but I really do derive some amount of pleasure in having the best possible tool for the job at hand... I'm like this in everything. You should see my car :)

 

[Poppy]

Thanks, I looked it up and I can't get past the styling but the TK41 appears similar and might be for me? Any downsides to the TK-41?

To Poppy: what plug in lights are you using? I've only found a handful on the whole interwebs and reviews seem to be "meh, they're OK but there's a couple things I don't like (lack of modes, blocking receps, etc.) and mine only lasted a year" so I'm hesitant to order any... I hate spending money on crap

I have a couple AmerTac LED Slimline Power Failure Lite
and a couple Energizer RCL1nm2
I also have a Black and Decker, and a little green frog night light.
I didn't do any research before I bought any of them. They all serve their purpose, in that they give light so that no one panics, and no one gets hurt stumbling in the dark.

All of the items I mentioned above only cover ONE plug in the outlet.
The Energizers and the AmerTac were each less than $10 at either walmart or homedepot

 

[N8N]

Well I went ahead and ordered a TK41 and some Eneloops... didn't order any of the plug in lights 'cause cash flow :/ and I also ordered a Pelican hard case at the same time for as yet undetermined handgun. (in a reversal of my usual methods, I'm figuring out where I'm going to keep stuff *before* buying it)

What's the current recommend on a charger for the Eneloops? I have an old Energizer charger but might want to step it up a bit. Seems the C9000 seems to be the current go-to charger from a search... anything better out there?

 

[Poppy]

It comes with a 100-240V power adapter, and is also compatible with a 12V input. When used with the optional cigarette lighter adapter (not included), the charger will work in your car.

Which ever charger you get, I'd strongly suggest that you get the 12v car adapter, so that you can recharge during an extended power outage.

 

[greeny1]

Since buying a pure flood Zebra 502 a couple of months ago I am converted to this light for general around the house activites. It's brilliant, lets face it how ofter do you need any throw when not outside. the 502 has a great UI, and selection of levels, single AA. and can light up a whole room easily, clip to your shirt/jacked, be used as a headlight etc etc.

As long as you do have something with throw just in case you need it then the 502 is perfect for everything else. I honestly have not used any other light around the house/garden/shed since getting this.