You need them the most thats when they fail

[hiluxxulih]

OK the last two times I really needed a flashlight they went bonkers on me I was at an old telephone switching station and my Olight started flickering and going bonkers then the other day I pulled my truck over to lock down the ice cream freezer in the back at about 1:00 AM and my Mini Mag 2AA LED started flickering and going bonkers , I better take a spare if I ever go caving

 

[Glock27]

Was it the flashlights or the batteries?

G27

 

[hiluxxulih]

I dont know but the mini is working fine now with the batteries that were in it , maybe gremlins those evil little *******s

 

[John_Galt]

Well, AFAIK, the standard accepted for caving is:

3 light sources, usually a headlamp, more throw oriented hand-held, and a bomb proof back up.

Plus spare batteries for each. I'd probably also take a few of those tritium fobs with me. One attached to each light, plus another on each battery container.

 

[skyfire]

I dont know but the mini is working fine now with the batteries that were in it , maybe gremlins those evil little *******s

LOL:devil:

its happened to me, its why i carry multiple lights. when one acts funny, i dont have time to fiddle with it, i just holster it and pull out another light. i usually carry 4 on the job:naughty: flooder/thrower/headlamp/edc

 

[Imon]

Well, AFAIK, the standard accepted for caving is:

3 light sources, usually a headlamp, more throw oriented hand-held, and a bomb proof back up.

Plus spare batteries for each. I'd probably also take a few of those tritium fobs with me. One attached to each light, plus another on each battery container.

Back when I use to cave sigh: Good times) I would carry three flashlights and a headlamp with me. Funny thing, this was about 5-6 years ago so I was still using a incandescent headlamp . Backup batteries for each, glow sticks, and reflector tabs....

All this is totally off topic but I guess the lesson for the OP is one is none and two is one... or something
Or you can EDC one very high quality light and hope it's not one of those very rare cases of failure.

 

[carrot]

I just realized, your name is a palindrome.

 

[nbp]

I just realized, your name is a palindrome.

That made me laugh out loud carrot.

 

[jamesmtl514]

That is the main reason I have invested in lights that have a reputation for being tough as nails and reliable under the most harsh circumstances.

 

[Schuey2002]

That is the main reason I have invested in lights that have a reputation for being tough as nails and reliable under the most harsh circumstances.

Ditto!

That's probably the reason that I have not purchased one of the many flavor-of-the-month Chinese-made lights. I'll stick with something that has earned my trust over numerous years of flawless usage. Notably something that is American-made, and that probably has been blessed with Paul Kim's approval at some point in its history....

 

[abarth_1200]

Buy more relaible lights. I only have a small collection but none of them have cost me less than $100

 

[Hevy Lite]

OK, posters, name these lights you know of or have that are more reliable.

Give us some brand and model guidance, don't just post that there are better ones.

Enlighten us with the names of the lights.

Put some light on the subject.

Shine a beam on the names....

 

[jamesmtl514]

I have made my thoughts clear on lights that are prone to failure (notably made in China)
If you see my signature, All Surefire and one custom. None have failed.

I know I can carry any of these lights and they'll work in any situation I might find myself in.

 

[John_Galt]

Ok, Hevylite, I will.


-Surefire
-Ra/HDS Systems
-Peak

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

I better take a spare if I ever go caving

The general rule is to carry at least three lights if you ever enter a cave.

 

[angelofwar]

I better take a spare if I ever go caving

Or just an SF...Just Kidding! Two is one, and one is none, regardless of brand. Sorry to hear though...some of my older lights did that...just start going bonkers for no reason, like the circuitry got messed up or something. I would try everythnig...changing batteries, etc., nothing helped. Now, 95% of my lights are SF's casue I got tired of that happening.

 

[chanjyj]

OK, posters, name these lights you know of or have that are more reliable.

Give us some brand and model guidance, don't just post that there are better ones.

Enlighten us with the names of the lights.

Put some light on the subject.

Shine a beam on the names....

In no order of reliability or preference

1. Ra 170 / 140 / High CRI
2. Fenix TK10 / TK11
3. Fenix TK30
4. Fenix TA21 / TA20
5. Krill Light (Does this count?)
6. Barbolights (All)

 

[hiluxxulih]

Or just an SF...Just Kidding! Two is one, and one is none, regardless of brand. Sorry to hear though...some of my older lights did that...just start going bonkers for no reason, like the circuitry got messed up or something. I would try everythnig...changing batteries, etc., nothing helped. Now, 95% of my lights are SF's casue I got tired of that happening.

My Surefire M6 is kind of big for caving

 

[defloyd77]

In no order of reliability or preference

1. Ra 170 / 140 / High CRI
2. Fenix TK10 / TK11
3. Fenix TK30
4. Fenix TA21 / TA20
5. Krill Light (Does this count?)
6. Barbolights (All)

Are Krill Lights reliable? I thought I may have read that their EL panels were fragile or something?

 

[chanjyj]

Are Krill Lights reliable? I thought I may have read that their EL panels were fragile or something?

Never experienced any mechanical failure, only user failure.

The EL strip doesn't last for very long though. Around 3000h.