Longest lasting (backpack) low lumen light?

[sabre7]

I saw one suggestion for it earlier but if you can live with it being over priced, I too would suggest the 9V Pak-lite. I would guess that on high (two 5mm LEDs), it's probably about ten lumens. For a bug out bag, I'd slap on a Ultralife lithium 9V battery where the web site claims 80 plus hours on high and 1200 plus (that's what they claim) hours on low. That's 50 days. Another advantage I find that it's generally easier to read with a square or flat type light as it doesn't roll around as easily.

Pak-Lite "original" is 1200hrs low, 200hrs high with lithium 9V, 600/75 with alkaline. The "super" is 1200/80 with lithium, 600/30 with alkaline. I chose the "original" for its longer runtime on high since runtime and shelf life is what this light is all about.

 

[Jida]

Almost at 12 hours on the Dorcy so far and going strong.

 

[bugsy714]

Gerber Infinity Ultra for a AA

I'd bet my *** on this light, in fact it is what I have for emergencies. The body is bulletproof and there are no switch mechanisms to fail. The CMG version is even tougher but at $10 each from Sigman (gone now) these were an easy choice!

Also it has a bezel-up clip for your hat to use as a maplight/reading light, I am using one now as I type because my desklight is out

 

[Marduke]

Gerber Infinity Ultra for a AA

I'd bet my *** on this light, in fact it is what I have for emergencies. The body is bulletproof and there are no switch mechanisms to fail. The CMG version is even tougher but at $10 each from Sigman (gone now) these were an easy choice!

Also it has a bezel-up clip for your hat to use as a maplight/reading light, I am using one now as I type because my desklight is out

The GIU also happens to be one of my last ditch caving backup lights, since it can clip to the helmet as a headlamp, and is capable of using both AA and AAA cells without modification.

Still a good deal from CFR
http://www.cfrlights.com/servlet/the-41/infinity,-task,-light,-led,/Detail

 

[uplite]

Did I miss anything??

Yes...the real world test results from folks who are not trying to sell any batteries. 😉 Like these threads:

• Sanyo 2700 vs Eneloop Discharge test @ 45, 60, 75 and 90 days
• Sanyo 2700 vs Eneloop - 100 Charge Cycles Analysis
• NiMh Battery Shoot Out

...which objectively test 2000mAH eneloops and 2700mAH cells, and openly discuss how they did it, and link to similar tests. :thumbsup: These threads do not just regurgitate the sanyo marketing materials with their heavily tailored graphs. :thumbsdow

The OP asked about the "longest lasting" light. Looking at the numbers, I think we can agree that 2000mAH eneloops are not part of that equation. :grouphug: Except that, yeah, he already has them... :shrug:

-Jeff

p.s. That eneloop technical marketing paper formatted to look like a research journal article was a hoot! 🙂 Thanks for linking it. :thumbsup: Feel free to PM me if you still want to discuss the eneloop hype in more detail off-thread.

 

[uplite]

Almost at 12 hours on the Dorcy so far and going strong.

You should start a betting pool for how long it will run. :laughing: Sell slots on the board, take a percentage, use it to buy more lights.

Seems like that must have happened on CPF before... 🙂

-Jeff

 

[DaveG]

How does the Pak-Lite compare to the PALight? I'd definately feel more confident with the PAL as it protects the battery.

I have several Pak-lites and Palights,and gifted many of both types,most people like the small size of the Pak-lite for EDC.I gave my sister-in-law a Pal then a couple of years later a Pak-lite basic.The Pak-lite is always in her pocketbook replacing her Palight,and she is always showing people her flashlight,and how great it is and takes up no room.The battery should be fine unless you are going to beat on your light.Both type are great for what they are, but now I buy the Pak-lite.Just my 2-cents,plus the basic can be found on line for about $10. and I dont work for the company just like the product.

 

[geepondy]

FYI, the Ultralife 9V lithium battery itself is a beast, fully encased in metal whereas alkaline 9V cells have kind of a fiber/cardboard type of top. I use mine as a bedside light and sometimes travel light and it's going strong on the same Ultralife for a few years now.

I have several Pak-lites and Palights,and gifted many of both types,most people like the small size of the Pak-lite for EDC.I gave my sister-in-law a Pal then a couple of years later a Pak-lite basic.The Pak-lite is always in her pocketbook replacing her Palight,and she is always showing people her flashlight,and how great it is and takes up no room.The battery should be fine unless you are going to beat on your light.Both type are great for what they are, but now I buy the Pak-lite.Just my 2-cents,plus the basic can be found on line for about $10. and I dont work for the company just like the product.

 

[Jida]

You should start a betting pool for how long it will run. :laughing: Sell slots on the board, take a percentage, use it to buy more lights.

Seems like that must have happened on CPF before... 🙂

-Jeff

It's running up to 24 hours now and no issues.

DO I HEAR 125 HOURS!?!?!? 125!!! 125 HOURS!!!!

 

[Marduke]

Yes...the real world test results from folks who are not trying to sell any batteries. 😉 Like these threads:

• Sanyo 2700 vs Eneloop Discharge test @ 45, 60, 75 and 90 days
• Sanyo 2700 vs Eneloop - 100 Charge Cycles Analysis
• NiMh Battery Shoot Out

...which objectively test 2000mAH eneloops and 2700mAH cells, and openly discuss how they did it, and link to similar tests. :thumbsup: These threads do not just regurgitate the sanyo marketing materials with their heavily tailored graphs. :thumbsdow

The OP asked about the "longest lasting" light. Looking at the numbers, I think we can agree that 2000mAH eneloops are not part of that equation. :grouphug: Except that, yeah, he already has them... :shrug:

-Jeff

p.s. That eneloop technical marketing paper formatted to look like a research journal article was a hoot! 🙂 Thanks for linking it. :thumbsup: Feel free to PM me if you still want to discuss the eneloop hype in more detail off-thread.

I see you did not read anything in those links, such as Silverfox's testing...

Your own link to the shootout shows higher voltage under load, and a flatter discharge than just about anything else
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=79302

These life cycle testing curves show superior performance over time in both voltage and power
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1370657#post1370657

Self discharge testing, and discharge curves
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=149804

Non-Sanyo info
http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/sanyo_eneloop.html

Again, all this backs up my statements above, as well as Sanyo's published data (which you previously submitted as evidence, but now refute....)

 

[Jida]

I think I have narrowed down on the Gerber Infinity Ultra. Bulletproof, 100 hours on a single AA, clip, simple.

The more I read up on it the more it seems to be the one that I want to go with.

Anyone have a suggestion that beats it?

 

[Marduke]

I think I have narrowed down on the Gerber Infinity Ultra. Bulletproof, 100 hours on a single AA, clip, simple.

The more I read up on it the more it seems to be the one that I want to go with.

Anyone have a suggestion that beats it?

Runtime info for the GIU
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1523595&postcount=55

If I can find the graphs (I know I have seen them), I'll update.

Edit:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/gerber_infinityultra.htm

That's for alks. L91 is higher output for shorter runtime.

 

[Zendude]

I still think you should get a hands free task light.😗

By the way, thanks for the link to that solar charger...very nice. I think I'll keep a couple Lithiums in my bag to cover the "ready to go" side and the solar charger with LSDs for any "long term commitments".

 

[Jida]

It is light enough in weight and has a good clip that it can be. Or it can be used in a mouth hold.

Hopefully, if I am in a camp, I will have fire light as the ambient source.

 

[Burgess]

to Jida --

Any idea how much your light's output is dropping as yer' testing progresses ?

Even a rough comparison would be helpful, if you don't have a meter.

(about equal to a 4Sevens Quark on Low Mode -- 3 Lumens) for example

(barely able to walk around in totally dark room, with dark-adapted eyes) for example


And, if you have a digital multi-meter (voltmeter),
it would be helpful if (every 8 hours, or so) you would
pull out the batteries, and (quickly) check their voltage.


Bet it's gonna' be "pretty darn useless" after 48 hours.
That's just my prediction.


Thank you for running this test, and Good Luck in your
search for the Perfect Flashlight.

🙂
_

 

[Jida]

Visually, it is holding steady at the same output it had when I started it.

It is aimed up at the ceiling and I check by looking at the hot spot.

It has been 29 hours so far.

I can do the volt meter here soon enough so see where the batteries are at.

 

[Burgess]

:thumbsup:___
_

 

[Jida]

This is a quick beam shot.

On the left is a D10 on low and on the right is the Dorcy.

About 1 foot from a white wall with no windows using the camera in my Blackberry Bold.

The level of light is actually fairly well shown in the picture.

The spill on the D10 is better and more uniform but the hotspots actually look like that.

 

[defloyd77]

There's also the Gerber Firecracker, I believe Greenlight got some impressive runtime in a test, I'll post when I find it.

40 hours until it stops lighting up.

 

[uplite]

I see you did not read anything in those links, such as Silverfox's testing...
...
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=79302

:sigh:

I'd rather not continue an off-topic debate in this thread...Jida, my sincere apologies! ...BUT I do have an obsessive need to fight misinformation in public forums.

marduke...please look at the NUMBERS:

Sanyo 2700 - 3.088 watt hours

Eneloop 2000 - 2.320 watt hours

Those are from Silverfox's 1.0 amp test, which you just quoted.

If you want to assume that everything in the Sanyo-Twicell marketing material is accurate...🙄 😛...first look at the CPF tests you have linked, which contradict that "data" (e.g. for interal resistance). Regardless, the 2700 cells will have even more capacity at low currents...10mA, 100mA, etc.

Remember...long runtime is the topic of this thread. 🙂

The other tests posted on CPF have found that:

1. after 90 days, a sanyo 2700 cell has 20% more power than an eneloop (2324mwH vs 1920mwH)
2. after 100 charges, a sanyo 2700 cell has 20% more power than than an eneloop (2179mwH vs 1788mwH)

'nuf said. Let's do the math. 90 days between charges, 100 charges, that is 25 years of battery use, and the 2700 is still 20% better. 😛

Maybe the "eneloop" brand will catch up to the high-cap cells in 100 years. But I expect to be using a different battery technology in just 10 years. These nimh cells will be trash, just a historical footnote. 🙂

That is ALL I will say on this thread. Please do your homework. If you want more info, PM me. If not...take comfort in your eneloop religion. 🙄 😛

Over & out!

-Jeff