TSHTF light kit

[fizzwinkus]

another thing to think about is if stores are being raided, the aa/aaa types will be the first to disappear. a more rare cell like cr123 won't draw nearly as much attention.

[nevermind above, just just caught cesium's reply]

my bob only has a single saint minimus for long runtimes off a single cell. still need to get a surefire spares carrier.

 

[etc]

It's not that the stores might or might not have it, but what happens if the grid goes down - in that case, you couldn't buy anything. And even if you could, you probably couldn't get to it if the stoplights are out, streets jammed. And if you do get there, they will probably be looted clean of everything and anything. Take a look at pre-hurricane store pictures - empty shelves. Don't rely on the grid in any way.

Another option is to take the M60LL module and stick it into my EDC, which is Surefire 6P. Then I have crazy long runtime. Once CR123A cells are gone (Not likely), I can put it in the 3xAA body and then get even more crazy runtime.

Another idea is, I will include a few high-capacity 18650 cells, unprotected. You get 18 hours per cell with M60LL. I like them a lot more than NiMH cells as they don't self-discharge.

 

[John_Galt]

Nice kit.

I too second the comment about a low profile. I keep a mini-mag LED on hand for that very reason. And a Photon.

The Ra, Fenix and Quark will only be used in private, and be used minimally.

 

[cottonpickers]

Nice Kit. VERY Nice!!

I think there's something about having it all in a single case,with all supplies ready to go that is particularly appealing. Anyone can have the lights and batteries, but its all together in one place it takes on a different purpose.

Its the sort of thing that you could pick up quickly in any situation - doesn't need to be a SHTF scenario - I could see you might pick that up if you went potholing, camping or in a hurry somewhere and you grab it before you leave the house. I love that it will *always* be more light than you will need - no matter what the situation :devil:

Of course, my solution is *bound* to be small and solar - I need a little less S in my situation ;-) or I need the S to last a very long time!!

Here it is wrapped up, and ready to be clipped on a backpack:

And inside is an ITP A3 cut down to fit a 10280 cell (courtesy of ma sha's instructions.) along with an 80ma solar panel/charger.

Anyway, I think it gives the opposite end of the spectrum -although on turbo is still amazing bright.

Have you thought of expanding the case to include anything else? (lighter / laser / compass etc) You could turn in to quite a nice gadget case.
http://a.imageshack.us/img714/7560/img0986n.jpg

 

[etc]

Interesting. But what happens if you are stuck inside? Not much use for the solar charger.

But it is an interesting addition.

 

[Ronin28]

Very cool kit.

With regards to batteries in a TSHTF scenario, I keep a large quantity of several types, i.e., Alkaline AAA, AA, C, D, 9V (I know Alks are generally frowned upon here but they are better than nothing.), 123's, NiMH AAA, AA (Eneloops), and that's about it. In a worse case scenario where the Grid is down for a long period of time (month or more) I have enough batteries to last for probably 3 months or more (for Flashlights, batt. powered radio, etc.).

The bigger concern would be food, water, protection, etc., but I have that covered also. My philosophy: Be prepared for anything. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

[etc]

I also keep one of those new 2D Mags in the trunk, with a few Alkaline D cells (stored not installed). I don't intend it for myself but to either trade, sell or just give away in a "situation". Then, it could be invaluable.

I don't really plan to use it myself, don't rely on it, thus it's not a part of the kit. Nice lite in theory but with 6P sized lites generating 200 lumens not much need for it. Still, good price and value.

 

[Larbo]

Why draw attention to yourself when other (desperate) people may want your stuff, badly?

Thats what the 12 gauge autoloader is for. ;)

 

[red02]

Using L91s in the GUI is probably a waste. All mine gets is AAs that are ready to leak from overuse...

Have you thought about getting a resistored switch to preserve those CR123s a little longer?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I don't know how important keeping a "low profile" is as far as selecting generic flashlights that might under-perform. Problem is if you're situationally aware, you aren't shining lights around crowds of desperate folks. Folks in a tight spot know you have something they don't otherwise, regardless of what light you have. They'd have to be within 5-10 feet of you anyhow to identify what kind of light you're carrying, which is already a tactically critical mistake. And I doubt people will be "oh, its just a minimag" and leave you alone whereas the same person will go "oh, its a ti gatlight, I'm going to jump this mofo!"

Interesting. But what happens if you are stuck inside? Not much use for the solar charger.
But it is an interesting addition.

If you're inside, that implies there is an outside :) I'm sure you can covertly put a solar charger next to the window if you're holing up. If your windows are boarded up, you can probably set something outside during the daylight on the patio or roof or some other area. The pocket ones out there are too small to be identified as solar chargers unless you know what they are and get much closer to verify it.

 

[red02]

I also think a bright white-blue LED beam will draw a crowd faster than a dim incan light. I wanted to get a Quark WW for this purpose, but...:broke:

 

[Monocrom]

For dealing with crowds, a cheap coin-cell light is best. Something like the Lighthound squeeze lights that are .99 cents each. Turn off your main light, flick on the lighthound model to the "on" position, then toss that towards the crowd. Let them fight over it like wild animals if that's their choice.

 

[etc]

Using L91s in the GUI is probably a waste. All mine gets is AAs that are ready to leak from overuse...


Maybe. It's obviously brighter on Lithium. The runtime is less than with Alk. The second issue is that when keeping it in the car, it's risking getting ruined from leaking battery. I suppose I could solve that by not storing the battery inside. Thirdly, an alkaline will not work in freezing weather.

Infinity: No digital stuff and impossible to break. Nice lite and well worth 10 tokens. Although to be honest I wouldn't pay a dime over that amount.
Now if you want a discreet lite, red Infinity Ultra is the way to go. That thing is dim and will preserve your night vision.



Have you thought about getting a resistored switch to preserve those CR123s a little longer?

Yeah... thought about it. My main concern is reliability. Surefire twisty is bulletproof, but once you add "features" they might reduce reliability.

With this setup I have, it gives you hundreds of hours of runtime. If that's not enough, maybe time to reassess the tactics involved. Maybe runtime is not the problem.

 

[red02]

How exactly can the switch break? If its dropped enough to kill it, it will die anyway. The worst that can happen with a resistor 2 stage switch is that the resistor falls off. Even then your back at what you have now.

Besides, you don't have to mess with the Surefire twisty. Just mod a mcclicky and replace the switch meat inside the Z44 or whatever No. switch is.

 

[etc]

But it's solving a problem that doesn't exist - the lumen level is quite nice the way it is.

The 6P clone generates 140 lumens, the 3xAA FiveMega should be around 40-80 lumens depending on where you are in the runtime and what cells you use.

I really wouldn't want any less (fewer) lumens and if I did, I would just take Infinity.

 

[red02]

Perhaps, but I would argue that anytime you -need- artificial light batteries will be hard to come by, and 140lm will burn through batteries faster than 20 or 10lm.

I am just as happy with a photon freedom on hunting and camping trips, less is sometimes more.

 

[etc]

10 years ago I would have considered 10-20 lumens adequate but today the norm for me is 120 lumens. Especially given how you can have relatively long runtime compared with a few years ago.
Nice runtime and quite adequate in any situation.

 

[KiwiMark]

This is meant for some serious TSHTF time, as in when the grid goes down with no sign of coming back up.





The contents: Malkoff M60LL in a FiveMega 3xAA body, with AA Lithiums.
Gerber Infinity Ultra, with 1xAA Lithium so it won't melt in the heat. If you have to share a lite, it's a good choice.

12 123 cells
16 Energizer Lithiums AA cells
12 Alkalines
4 Eneloops

I have to wonder why have the 12 Alkalines? I would rather go with 12 more Lithium AA cells for their superior capacity & shelf life or 8 more Lithiums & 4 more Eneloops. Maybe it's just my anti-alkaline prejudice showing.

Anyway I like the idea - it is good to be prepared. I would have at least 3 lights with a very low low mode in my kit - something that can run on one AA lithium for many many nights of normal use. Of course there should be the option to bump up to a brighter setting for when you need the extra visibility. The good thing about low mode is that it doesn't stand out to other people, they probably wont even see the glow unless they are very close to you. It is also less tempting to thieves, they will assume your dull little light is just about out of power and is useless.

 

[fizzwinkus]

It's not that the stores might or might not have it, but what happens if the grid goes down - in that case, you couldn't buy anything. And even if you could, you probably couldn't get to it if the stoplights are out, streets jammed. And if you do get there, they will probably be looted clean of everything and anything. Take a look at pre-hurricane store pictures - empty shelves. Don't rely on the grid in any way.

If you're not expecting the grid to come back up, all that's left are solar powered lights and backup solar powered lights.

 

[KiwiMark]

If you're not expecting the grid to come back up, all that's left are solar powered lights and backup solar powered lights.

Kinda - but when there is enough light to power solar cells then you don't need the flash light, when it is dark there is no solar power available. The only way solar powered lights are useful is if they have some sort of rechargeable batteries. But over the years the batteries decay and become useless. Depending on how many you have and how sparingly you use them it might work out better to have Lithium AA cells. But eventually you will have nothing that will work.

This all depends of whether you are talking weeks, months, years, decades or never ever.