Light for survival necklace

[ryanprun]

I am working with a Boy Scout group and am putting together a survival necklace similar to below:

I would like to put a small flashlight on it, but it needs to be inexpensive <$10 or less.
I am considering a Thrunite TiS $8, 3mode Spik 86 $5, Maglight Solitare $5 (non LED).
I like the size and price of the TiS, but the runtime is a little short.
The Spik is a little too big and the Solitare doesn't have great output or runtime.

I would like a AAA or a small AA with a runtime around 3 hrs?I love my Olight i3S, and it would be perfect except for the price.

Any good suggestions???

See below for more details.

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?


____This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).


2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

Under 10$


3) Format:

Any reliable


4) Size:

____MICRO - Keychain size.
____TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).


5) Emitter/Light source:

____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)


6) Manufacturer:

____I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.



7) What power source do you want to use?

AAA/AA maybe cr2 or cr123




8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).

____I want to navigate a dark room or read a map (1-10 lumens).
____I want an indoor "blackout" light (15-50 lumens)

9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.

____All Flood: I am doing "arms length" tasks like reading and campsite cooking.
____Wide Flood: I want a defined flood area for semi-close tasks like after-dark campsite tasks or working on a car.

9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).


____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.

____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):

____Any size switch will do.

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)

16) Storage conditions
____Emergency kit (long standby periods)


​

 

[Poppy]

You might look at the Fenix E01
1-AAA, 13 lumens, 16 hours, about $12.50

 

[outofgum]

What's wrong with the runtime on the Ti? On low (3 lumen) you should get at least 10 hours. On high a bit over an hour. Low is actually very useful and probably a bit over 3 lumen but the runtime is excellent.

 

[Lampbeam]

Very interesting necklace. Don't forget to put on a key chain pocket knife. Good luck with the light. They sometimes have inexpensive little lights at the front of hardware stores.

 

[mcnair55]

Why put a price on safety?

 

[Norm]

Why put a price on safety?

I'm guessing it is hard enough to get 10 bucks out of most parents.

Norm

 

[Tribal]

Single triple a mag would be good for young ins and would be fairly cheap

 

[markr6]

As a survival necklace, I have a feeling even an AAA would be too large. That's just my opinion, but if the necklace is too bulky or heavy to wear it's easy for people to just leave it at home, put in pocket, pack it, etc. defeating the purpose of almost ALWAYS having it with them when the time calls.

I would also put up with much less output in a smaller light since I'm assuming this would be a backup/emergency light. Not something to use often? In that case, something like the Photon II would make a lot of sense. Stupid coin battery, but the shelf life is long. Rather ugly beam but it's a tiny, lightweight light.

A little over budget at $12 but just something to think about!

 

[derfyled]

As a survival necklace, I have a feeling even an AAA would be too large. That's just my opinion, but if the necklace is too bulky or heavy to wear it's easy for people to just leave it at home, put in pocket, pack it, etc. defeating the purpose of almost ALWAYS having it with them when the time calls.

I would also put up with much less output in a smaller light since I'm assuming this would be a backup/emergency light. Not something to use often? In that case, something like the Photon II would make a lot of sense. Stupid coin battery, but the shelf life is long. Rather ugly beam but it's a tiny, lightweight light.

A little over budget at $12 but just something to think about!

!00% agree about the size and the suggestion. Another one you can consider would be the streamlight nano, cheap and reliable. If you choose the AAA route, forget the mag solitaire. Pay 3-4$ more and get a fenix e01, a sunwayman R01A or a nitecore T0.

 

[mcnair55]

I'm guessing it is hard enough to get 10 bucks out of most parents.

Norm

If that is the case parents should not be sending there kids to these type of adventure groups.When my children were growing up it was something near on every week I had to fork out for and it's no different now for my daughter.In the last few days alone she has had to buy two birthday presents for two class mates, two x coach money for trips to the local fire station and lifeboat station.

If it has to be done on the cheap contact that DX outfit as some of there stuff is peanuts.

 

[ryanprun]

What's wrong with the runtime on the Ti? On low (3 lumen) you should get at least 10 hours. On high a bit over an hour. Low is actually very useful and probably a bit over 3 lumen but the runtime is excellent.

First thanks for the replies.

A little clarification on the purpose of this necklace. We are not going to be in an actual survival situation. The purpose to to teach so skills and empower the kids. We will be doing a 5 day camp out in the Midwest US. I thought this would be a fun activity to do as they really enjoyed a previous activity if making a paracord bracelet . I am trying to keep the total cost around 20-25$. Thus the under 10 budget for the flashlight. Hope that clarifies the valid safety budget concerns.

I was looking at the TiS not the ti because of price. If i could get a ti for under 10 I would jump on it.

I am open to a sub aaa flashlight but still need under 10.

The fenix e01 seems like a good choice with its longer runtime.

 

[BillSWPA]

Energizer and Inova coin cell keychain lights can be found at Target for about $7, and are in my opinion second only to the Photon Microlight in quality. They are near the high end of quality and usefulness for coin cell keychain lights in my opinion.

 

[Poppy]

Again, I'd prefer the E01, but here is a "better than nothing" suggestion
FASTTECH SKU 1068800

For a little project you might consider putting together a "Altoids tin" survival kit.

I tried boiling water in a mylar tostito's bag.
Here's what I put into a tin.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-a-mylar-bag&p=4206255&viewfull=1#post4206255

 

[mcnair55]

First thanks for the replies.

A little clarification on the purpose of this necklace. We are not going to be in an actual survival situation. The purpose to to teach so skills and empower the kids. We will be doing a 5 day camp out in the Midwest US. I thought this would be a fun activity to do as they really enjoyed a previous activity if making a paracord bracelet . I am trying to keep the total cost around 20-25$. Thus the under 10 budget for the flashlight. Hope that clarifies the valid safety budget concerns.

I was looking at the TiS not the ti because of price. If i could get a ti for under 10 I would jump on it.

I am open to a sub aaa flashlight but still need under 10.

The fenix e01 seems like a good choice with its longer runtime.

Thanks for the clarification,now it all makes a lot more sense.The EO1 is totally bomb proof and ideal for anyone.May i suggest you try and get a local part sponsor ie a local business to part with a few dollars.When i was in business it was not unusual for the local Scout and Girl guides to come looking for a bit of help which i gave.

 

[markr6]

Thanks for the clarification,now it all makes a lot more sense.The EO1 is totally bomb proof and ideal for anyone.May i suggest you try and get a local part sponsor ie a local business to part with a few dollars.When i was in business it was not unusual for the local Scout and Girl guides to come looking for a bit of help which i gave.

Good idea. Or even the seller? If I worked for Fenix or any of their distributors, giving you a discount on the lights in exchange for a short writeup and photos of the troop using Fenix lights to post online would be worth gold!

 

[TMedina]

The TiS is the best buy, I think - the runtime isn't great, but for short uses, the beam profile and output are amazing. And at the price point, $8 or so, it's very affordable.

If you want a more "survival" light, take a look at the Streamlight Nano or the Pico zipper light. Battery choice is funky, but you'll get a much better runtime.

 

[dss_777]

The TiS is the best buy, I think - the runtime isn't great, but for short uses, the beam profile and output are amazing. And at the price point, $8 or so, it's very affordable.

If you want a more "survival" light, take a look at the Streamlight Nano or the Pico zipper light. Battery choice is funky, but you'll get a much better runtime.

I agree that the TiS looks great for this. I'd steer you away from anything using non-standard batteries. You want these kids to learn how to use these lights, and making them cheap to refill encourages that.

FWIW, I've seen kids go camping and use mostly really cheap flashlights and headlamps. They don't complain, get by just fine for night hikes, bathroom treks, and general farting around, and not really know the difference. Just don't bring a really potent light, show it to the boys and tell them it's a light saber. You'll never get it back.

 

[mcnair55]

The TiS is the best buy, I think - the runtime isn't great, but for short uses, the beam profile and output are amazing. And at the price point, $8 or so, it's very affordable.

If you want a more "survival" light, take a look at the Streamlight Nano or the Pico zipper light. Battery choice is funky, but you'll get a much better runtime.

I would have to disagree with you in steering them to Nano although i enjoy mine i personally would never buy anything again using strange batteries.AAA/AA is standard fuel cell anywhere in the world and a small supply of either could power other needed devices in the event of say a prolonged outage such as a radio etc.

 

[JedSmith]

I was also going to mention a small LED light like the Photon II - but it looks like that was already mentioned.

I thought I'd toss out one issue to consider (though not directly light related). If you haven't already included it, please be sure to use a break-away safety device in para-cord neck lanyards. (And if you've already included the break away maybe others will read this & be helped). Unlike the old 'dog tag' style neck chains - 550# test paracord is extremely strong, of course. Here's a link to an example of one type of such safety break-away, but there are many types. Some pet collars use them too.

http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/2008/10/neck-lanyard-with-safety-break-away.html

P.S. - I've got wilderness medical training and quite a bit of outdoor survival training & experience with Search & Rescue so this was the first thing that came to mind when seeing this thread. You'd be amazed how easily a neck lanyard can get someone in serious trouble.

 

[BillSWPA]

I was also going to mention a small LED light like the Photon II - but it looks like that was already mentioned.

I thought I'd toss out one issue to consider (though not directly light related). If you haven't already included it, please be sure to use a break-away safety device in para-cord neck lanyards. (And if you've already included the break away maybe others will read this & be helped). Unlike the old 'dog tag' style neck chains - 550# test paracord is extremely strong, of course. Here's a link to an example of one type of such safety break-away, but there are many types. Some pet collars use them too.

http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/2008/10/neck-lanyard-with-safety-break-away.html

P.S. - I've got wilderness medical training and quite a bit of outdoor survival training & experience with Search & Rescue so this was the first thing that came to mind when seeing this thread. You'd be amazed how easily a neck lanyard can get someone in serious trouble.

Now there is an excellent point!

Some knife suppliers will sell ball chain in lengths appropriate for neck carry of a knife (I usually have to shorten them a little) that are designed to break with 8-10 lb. of force. For comfort, and/or to prevent noise, take a length of paracord, pull out the core, and slide the sheath over the ball chain. Put anything you are carrying on the section of chain covered by the paracord sheath. Or, use a longer length of paracord sheath on the chain to make it more comfortable around the neck, but leave a couple of inches of exposed ball chain to preserve the breakaway feature.