Just for fun what's the best light you could come across in a survival situation - e.g like Tom Hanks' depiction of a castaway survivor. We're probably looking at long term (obviously no lights gonna last for the duration depicted ) minimal lighting for those lonely dark hours alone and the durability to offer that light for the longest after having withstood a pretty calamitous stuation in the first place?
The best long term survival light
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Size15's
Flashaholic
One of those LED lights that was either hand-windup or the induction magnet powered.
Although, I tried the induction model and it seemed a lot of effort for rather small amounts of light...
I believe this thread may be moved to the LED section if it turns out most talk is about LED models.
Even a battery-powered model that had a runtime in the hundreds of hours may not be enough in a medium-long term survival situation.
Al
Although, I tried the induction model and it seemed a lot of effort for rather small amounts of light...
I believe this thread may be moved to the LED section if it turns out most talk is about LED models.
Even a battery-powered model that had a runtime in the hundreds of hours may not be enough in a medium-long term survival situation.
Al
Size15's
Flashaholic
Perhaps it's an important psychological feature of that specific survival flashlight?
Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif
Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif
Gotta be one of those Dynamo charged lights... You wind, you get...
And in this case, an LED is king... Maybe a 1W LS in a Dynamo wound-up...
Speakin' of which, somebody needs to mod one...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
And in this case, an LED is king... Maybe a 1W LS in a Dynamo wound-up...
Speakin' of which, somebody needs to mod one...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
tsg68
Flashlight Enthusiast
Be nice if it included a short wave radio while we're at it eh? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
flownosaj
Flashlight Enthusiast
If you're on a desert isle, why not a swiss lightII for all those late night trips to the beach /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Jason
-Jason
I think the action I was referring to is more applicable to these: http://www.nightstar-flashlight.com/
rodmeister
Enlightened
A few Swiss Lights or Freelights would be perfect. They'd last a few years and provide 2+ hours of light each, per day. Solar powered, no mechanicals to break, though the glass could crack, but so small you could carry a bunch of them.
tsg68
Flashlight Enthusiast
Those are good ones Jason and Rodmeister, I think Nick and Frank at Countycomm just reviewed these lights since the got them in! Look for the "Well it works great!" thread.
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Catman10
Enlightened
It's obvios that the X990 is the way to go. Just ignight any planes or ships that might pass your way. Perhaps you could help crash another plane and have some company.
hotfoot
Flashlight Enthusiast
For the most rudimentary lighting needs, I second all votes for the Swisslight (solar-powered) and the shaken-but-not-stirred Nightstar. "No-batteries-needed" is a huge plus when you're in the boondocks!
For task lighting I'd wish to have with me an Eternalight loaded with lithium AAs. 4-LEDs is plenty bright for many at-hand tasks, with the incredible ability to dim down to a fraction of its power enabling it to last 700 hours or more! Waterproof, floats and has some signalling capabilities to boot.
And a luxury emergency item I would love to have if stranded anywhere would be any 3x123 SF (better still if it were an LED). This would only be used to attempt to gain attention of any passing vessels or aircraft, or perhaps as a defense against attacking animals...etc.
For task lighting I'd wish to have with me an Eternalight loaded with lithium AAs. 4-LEDs is plenty bright for many at-hand tasks, with the incredible ability to dim down to a fraction of its power enabling it to last 700 hours or more! Waterproof, floats and has some signalling capabilities to boot.
And a luxury emergency item I would love to have if stranded anywhere would be any 3x123 SF (better still if it were an LED). This would only be used to attempt to gain attention of any passing vessels or aircraft, or perhaps as a defense against attacking animals...etc.
Brock
Flashaholic
I think the longest running battery light would have to be the Tektite 3C with a single 5mm LED. I bet that thing would run 6 months constant on, and it even had a somewhat adjustable beam size.
I don't know if the Freelight 2 is waterproof? The freelight one is pretty waterproof. The shake light is nice, but could damage any electronics near it with those strong magnets?
I don't know if the Freelight 2 is waterproof? The freelight one is pretty waterproof. The shake light is nice, but could damage any electronics near it with those strong magnets?
I would expect a 2D cell light with a Versalux 2cell PR LED to run near six months before there is much difference in brightness. That's if it was constantly on. It will run at reasonably brightness all the way down to .8 or .7 volts.
Rothrandir
Flashaholic
1w 3d direct drive mag mod...
that thing ran for over 2.5months (extremely dim towards the end of course) before i finally gave up on the runtime test!
of course, if i had more money, i would consider making a sla battery and a single underdriven 5mm nichia /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif (with a solar panel of course /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif )
that thing ran for over 2.5months (extremely dim towards the end of course) before i finally gave up on the runtime test!
of course, if i had more money, i would consider making a sla battery and a single underdriven 5mm nichia /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif (with a solar panel of course /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif )
No doubt what I'd pick...SWISSLIGHT II ! (Got one on order)
My daughter spent a month in the back country of the Phillipines doing researh on worms. They were on the move virtually every day with no "base camp" and no access to fresh batteries or electricity.
The only flashlight that keep working was the Infinity (amber).
The Swisslight II would have been perfect. Just keep it on the outside of your pack or on your hat during the day...and you've got 2 hours of light every night! It's true the glass solar cell could crack...
So...maybe I'd take both /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif (shakelight too).
My daughter spent a month in the back country of the Phillipines doing researh on worms. They were on the move virtually every day with no "base camp" and no access to fresh batteries or electricity.
The only flashlight that keep working was the Infinity (amber).
The Swisslight II would have been perfect. Just keep it on the outside of your pack or on your hat during the day...and you've got 2 hours of light every night! It's true the glass solar cell could crack...
So...maybe I'd take both /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif (shakelight too).
Charles Bradshaw
Flashlight Enthusiast
Best Long term survival flashlight?? Hmmmmm......
No batteries and LED would certainly qualify. So does the 2D + Versalux PR-2, as Empath mentioned. My 2D Mag has one installed, and it is very bright and very tightly focused, with good side spill.
Single AA with a solar battery charger (C. Crane at least used to have those solar chargers).
CMG Infinity on a Lithium AA for best brightness and longest runtime. (NiMH in this one is as bright as the Lithium.) You are looking at about 80 hours per lithium AA in this one.
The Infinity Ultra would also be a good choice.
Both the Infinities are very rugged.
The eternalight Elite Marine on lithium AAs is another very good choice, as it also floats with lithiums installed.
No batteries and LED would certainly qualify. So does the 2D + Versalux PR-2, as Empath mentioned. My 2D Mag has one installed, and it is very bright and very tightly focused, with good side spill.
Single AA with a solar battery charger (C. Crane at least used to have those solar chargers).
CMG Infinity on a Lithium AA for best brightness and longest runtime. (NiMH in this one is as bright as the Lithium.) You are looking at about 80 hours per lithium AA in this one.
The Infinity Ultra would also be a good choice.
Both the Infinities are very rugged.
The eternalight Elite Marine on lithium AAs is another very good choice, as it also floats with lithiums installed.
Those portable solar chargers aren't such a good choice...
My daughter took one on her trip to the Phillipines and it was useless. Partly because they were on the move and there was no place to sit it. But also partly 'cause you need a lot of surface area to charge very much battery.
The Swiss Light II works 'cause it is an LED and only provides 2 hrs of light...so, modest light being provided gets away with a VERY modest solar cell for charging.
My daughter took one on her trip to the Phillipines and it was useless. Partly because they were on the move and there was no place to sit it. But also partly 'cause you need a lot of surface area to charge very much battery.
The Swiss Light II works 'cause it is an LED and only provides 2 hrs of light...so, modest light being provided gets away with a VERY modest solar cell for charging.
I think I would probably want to whip out a 4" round tritium sphere (Wilson?) and place it in the focal point cradle of a 3' diameter parabolic reflector which was also used as a solar barbecue during the day. I don't know about you guys but I *never* leave home without these... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Oh yeah, my GID speedo and matching mesh tank top would also come in handy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
Oh yeah, my GID speedo and matching mesh tank top would also come in handy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
