What to send a friend in dire need of light?

[pangris]

Greetings, everyone.

I'm a die hard Surefire guy but am faced with a problematic decision. I have a friend in Africa (Ethiopia to be exact, on an economic mission with the USAID group). I gave him a Surefire G2 as a gift when he left, and he loved it. He got an additional P61 lamp assembly and 24 batteries. I thought he'd be good to go.

Well the dip $%!^ put the second set of batteries in backwards, blew a lamp, and apparently did something weird in that the second lamp (a P61) blew soon after.

Well, light after dark in Africa is hard to come by so I am sending him a new light or lights - but I'm trying to figure out if I should send -

A) A Surefire L4 (5 watt LED) or Aviator A2 (incan & LED combo)

OR

B) Several Streamlights - I could buy three nice LED (or LED Xenon combos) Streamlights for the cost of one L4 or A2

OR

C) Another G2 or 2 G2s, and a couple Streamlight 1 watt LEDs...

IN my mind, it comes down to this -

The Surefire L4 or A2 are bulletproof, but if he loses that one light, he is screwed.

The budget for crazy friends in foreign lands is about $150... less would be better, but I'm perfectly willing to spend a little to keep him alive /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thoughts on what YOU would send?

Thanks for your expertise!

Paul

 

[d'mo]

Argh, bulbs. LEDs are definitely the way to go. If he can affored and find the batteries, the L4 is a great light. I'm also a big fan of the Arc LS in practically any incarnation and have found it to be a great performer in my travels to the very rural Philippines. Just MHO.

 

[jayflash]

The lamps were, somehow, damaged. Battery polarity has no effect on incandescent lamps.

 

[pangris]

I was wondering about that - the batteries backwards thing thing. Didn't see how. I guess the lamps could have been bad, or possibly some issue with the G2 itself - it was a new light.

 

[DougNel]

You don't say if there are any other conditions you are trying to satisfy, such as water resistance, type of batteries, runtime, size, or type of use (does he need a lot of throw?). In any case, I would suggest you think in terms of more, less expensive lights, that use one type of common battery. I think the best battery for "off the beaten path" situations is the AA, which is often available in even the most remote areas if any batteries are available at all.

Take a look at this thread, which was trying to come up with emergency lights on a budget:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=384953&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

This came up with the TEC 40 and the Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA 7LED, which together would combine long runtime with throw, using all AA batteries for about $45. I would then add in a headlamp, which in many cases is more useful than a flashlight. I would recommend the Photon Fusion, which can be had for $47 here:

http://alphanet.zoovy.com/category/photon_microlights_by_lri.fusion_head_flash_light/

The Fusion is LED based, regulated, dimmable, water proof, uses AA batteries, and can double as a table lamp or flashlight.

With these three you would have spent under $100 and given your friend a lot of flexiblity (and light!).

 

[Double_A]

Send him a couple of 4-AA cell lights. Streamlight has their ProPoly LED model (about $25) and maybe a PT40 4-AA incandescent light (about $15).

Some people just kill flashlights, in the same way that others swear they can't wear a watch because it stops. If this guy is not a flashaholic, then he probibly has a total disregard for flashlights and tosses them 30 feet to his bed and misses. Drops it constantly from the top of a ladder. Throws it to a another fellow, who drops it. etc etc.
you see where I"m going with this.

I would get hiim a couple of the LED lights and one of the incandescent versions.

Having said that, does he have a flourescent lantern? One of the $15 Everready folding lantern is great or even an LED one although I''m not familiar with them. These tend to be carried less, moved less, less inclined to suffer damage.

I would not buy this guy another flashlight...even more expensive than the last one he killed!


GregR

 

[chamenos]

whichever light you choose, remember to include an arc AAA, arc AA or CMG infinity as his backup light /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i personally like the A2 but the incandescent lamp might be a liability.

 

[Flashlightboy]

I like the Infinity Ultra, Arc AA, Streamlight PP 7 LED, Tec 40 and a incan/led headlamp like the PT Yukon or the new Petzel lights. Quickbeam has a great review.

How about sending him some spare SF bulbs too.

 

[Double_A]

Also consider the Swiss Light III.

It is a Solar cell rechargable LED light about the size of and shape of a dog tag. It could be the ultimate backup.

They appear sturdy and are covered with a tough rubbery casing. Although the solar cell which measures .75 x 1.25 inches could be smashed upon impact.

I know County Comm sells them for $22. The previous models I guess had some problems with the internal circuits, but I never did.

GregR

 

[Blikbok]

Sadly, I've got to suggest that you avoid SF lights for this gift. A proper selection of <$20 AA-powered lights will be much more cost effective. Also, when in near completed darkness outdoors, a full-power incandescent light is way beyond what is needed.

When I'm in the backwoods, at least 90% of my lighting needs are met by a brace of CMG LEDs, one Infinity white, one Ultra white. I take my SF A2, but again, the vast majority of it's use is just the LEDs. The Solar Swisslight is a great backup. Having the lower-powered lights will also save the batteries in the more powerful lights.

 

[Frangible]

If he's putting the batteries in backwards and destroying them, he's probably not ready for a L4 😛

 

[ZENGHOST]

I would stay away from incans--since he's probably just dropping them. The Streamlight 4AA 7LED that was mentioned earlier is a very good suggestion. It's cheap, waterproof, and pretty durable. I have to say, though, if he's already sitting on two dozen 123 batts, it may be good to get him something that uses those. If you want to stick with an incandescent then a Pelican M6 (or maybe the new LED version of the M6 when it comes out) would be a good (i.e. cheap) buy.

I would also second chamenos' suggestion of adding an Arc AAA or similar as backup.

 

[BlindedByTheLite]

i think you should send him ummmmmm:
Streamlight 3AA Luxeon Tasklight.. $35 or so..
Elektrolumens Blaster 6.. $90..
another Surefire G2.. $25 or so.. (he must have some cr123's left over)

i think that's in your budget.. i didn't add it up tho..

 

[rlhess]

I concur with the Streamlight 4AA LEDs.

The SL 3AA Luxeon Tasklight might be a good choice, too.

I like the Underwater Kinetics 4AA incandescent for more reach, but still not up to the G2.

I'd send him one each of all three and two more P60s for the G2, but just to use up the lithiums he has. If he sees that as a special use BRIGHT light, maybe it will survive.

AAs are probably worldwide the most common battery.

I have more ramblings on my lights page on my Web site.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[Turt]

SL TL-2 Led might not be a bad idea for this since he already has the batteries for it... much cheaper than an L4 and not overly bright for dark dark settings.

 

[Phaserburn]

How about runtime? Sounds like where he is, bright is great but long might be important. For 150, you could get a bright incan (PM6?), a single led (Ultra), and a long runner (Everled/2D/4AA or EL version with 20+ hours runtime). Depending on what he is doing in the night, perhaps a headlamp.

 

[fivebyfive]

Being that he's in Ethiopia, I doubt there's a Target or Walmart anywhere even remotely close, so you should send him a flashlight that can meet these criterias.

1. easy to replace bulb(pr type) or long lasting bulb (LED)
2. easy to find battery source (AA, C, D)
3. durable flashlight (princeton tec, underwater kinetics, streamlight, surefire)
I personally would suggest pt-40, sl4aa7led or sl4aaxenon.

I hope this helps.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I would agree completely on the PT Tec40 and Streamlight 4AA 7LED. Both using 4AA, PT using cheap PR bulbs (I highly recommend the M*g Xenon Star!) and tossing decent light at least 150 feet.... SL good for close range tasks.

Also I agree with a 1AA Led light, for the darkest times it is PLENTY of light, DURABLE, and with good runtime (in my case Infinity Ultra)

Those three lights, a couple extra M*g bulbs, and a whole bunch of batteries should come in well under $100.

 

[arioch]

1.)Brinkman LX + 2 extra bulbs($20 + $10)
2.)SL TL2LED($60)
3.)UK Q40 + 48 pack of AA batteries($16 + $10)
4.)Russian Dynamo flashlight + 4 krypton bulbs($10 + $3)

1.)Bright compact light; bulbs cheaper than SF; uses 123 battteries.
2.)Bright LED light; 1 watt LS; decent runtime; uses 123 batteries.
3.)Bright compact waterproof light; uses readily available AA batteries.
4.)Doesn't need batteries; uses cheap krypton bulbs.

Total price tag: about $130.

Wide range of lights for a wide range of uses. Any of the 4 lights could be used alone, but variety allows a choice of uses for about the cost of a SF L4. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Wolfen]

A lot of good lights recommended. Don't forget the headlamp!

Princeton Tec Matrix LED Headlamp / 2AA batts. $35.00