This thread is to discuss flashlights that not only changed the game but was in production for several years or even decades.
I'll begin with the Rayovac Sportsman. What was seen as a camper or hunter flashlight due to being made of more durable components than ordinary lights, the Sportsman was a popular light for law enforcement, search and resue folks, boaters, home owners, mechanics etc.
The Sportsman was introduced in (edit) 1953 (end edit) and was built until the 1970's in a variety of sizes and platforms. As much as 6 D cells, a variety of C cell sizes, even a 1x AA. And there was a lantern version as well. One was so big it came with a shoulder strap. (Edit) In 1963 Eveready introduced the Captain as a competitor. (End edit)
The lenseless baby Sportsman was by far the brightest 1x AA light of the time. And that was before krypton, xenon or halogen.
(As a CPFr I appreciate the oversized barrel that allows the use of a 10440 and an overdriven #224 to put out around 50!! lumens.)
If you watch movies or crime shows during those decades (like Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry movies, MASH, and others) you'll note that most of the lights they used were a Sportsman of one variety or another. Either that or another legacy, the Eveready Captain.
In 2014 Rayovac re-introduced a 3xAAA LED version. It can be found in some box stores like Lowes for around $10 US.
A quick search on the big auction site reveals there are lots still available. Early versions used all metal bulb fasteners, metal reflector and a glass lens. So they can be hotwired within reason, yet a 2C can easily be made to put out 150 lumens.
A couple of 1960's Sportsman
3D and 1AA
(Edit)
The modern Sportsman can run off a LifePo4 18500.
There is now a modern Sportsman lineup of lights that include headlamps, modern lanterns and a 3c version of the alluminum one shown above. (End edit)
I'll begin with the Rayovac Sportsman. What was seen as a camper or hunter flashlight due to being made of more durable components than ordinary lights, the Sportsman was a popular light for law enforcement, search and resue folks, boaters, home owners, mechanics etc.
The Sportsman was introduced in (edit) 1953 (end edit) and was built until the 1970's in a variety of sizes and platforms. As much as 6 D cells, a variety of C cell sizes, even a 1x AA. And there was a lantern version as well. One was so big it came with a shoulder strap. (Edit) In 1963 Eveready introduced the Captain as a competitor. (End edit)
The lenseless baby Sportsman was by far the brightest 1x AA light of the time. And that was before krypton, xenon or halogen.
(As a CPFr I appreciate the oversized barrel that allows the use of a 10440 and an overdriven #224 to put out around 50!! lumens.)
If you watch movies or crime shows during those decades (like Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry movies, MASH, and others) you'll note that most of the lights they used were a Sportsman of one variety or another. Either that or another legacy, the Eveready Captain.
In 2014 Rayovac re-introduced a 3xAAA LED version. It can be found in some box stores like Lowes for around $10 US.
A quick search on the big auction site reveals there are lots still available. Early versions used all metal bulb fasteners, metal reflector and a glass lens. So they can be hotwired within reason, yet a 2C can easily be made to put out 150 lumens.
A couple of 1960's Sportsman
3D and 1AA
(Edit)
The modern Sportsman can run off a LifePo4 18500.
There is now a modern Sportsman lineup of lights that include headlamps, modern lanterns and a 3c version of the alluminum one shown above. (End edit)
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