SOLAR Charged Lights ???

In the process of getting some lanterns and emergancy lights, and it got me to thinking about solar charged lights.
Lets get a collection of all the ones we think are good performers.
Here are a few I found, but dont know much about.

SolLight LightCap 300 lights, thought they were pretty cool, I like that they are solar charged.
Anyone have one, or know anything about them? And guess to how many lumens they are, or if they are regulated?
http://www.sollight.com/products/lightcap.cfm

3 LED Solar Keychain light
Neat, but wont get much sunlight if its in your pocket with your keys.
Might me nice worn during the day as a dogtag though.
http://www.kooing.com/Other/Solar-Keychain-with-3-LED/

Tri_Solar flip out panel LED light.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._-Solar-_-Solar+Light+Technologies-_-82524007

~John

Here is a neat clip on hat one.
Seems to have a fairly flat runtime for at least 10 hours.
http://www.newlite.com/catpage/cliplight.html

I learned of the BoGolight and ToughStuff LED Lamp from the following thread :

Long term light for Africa, no electricity or batteries, what do you recommend?
(There is mention of some shake lights and crank lights as well).

And here's another keychain light..
Skylight Swiss

I have a couple of those solar keychain lights. They are not bad for the price. I keep on the dashboard of my cars for grins. A few years ago I bought several of the Swiss light solar keychain lights. http://www.skylight-swiss.com/en/ they are real nice. They were expensive but I found a place that was clearancing them out for less than $5.

I sent on to Iraq with my son. He loved the thing and used it quite a bit. It ended up dieing a horrible LED death after soaking in a black water canal for 8 hours or so. The others that a bought are still going strong.

ohhhhhh the BoGoLight SN-2 looks very very nice !!!!!!
I think I will HAVE to get one of these, if nothing else, to leave laying on the dash of the Jeep for emergencys!

Love the fact that is has changable batteries, has 3 output levels for spot AND flood.

~John

Member Cottonpickers on the marketplace has some unique solar chargers.

A panel in the size of your choice that has a usb output, and a mini usb charger with magnetic leads to charge li-ions.

Not production, but is a nice solution to charge our lithium by the sun.

i have one on the way to test, has anyone else gotten one

I've got one of the 3LED keychain lights. It's been hanging near a window next to me for almost a year. Still works anyway. It's too bad the switch won't lock on.

Geoff

Flying Turtle said:

I've got one of the 3LED keychain lights. It's been hanging near a window next to me for almost a year. Still works anyway. It's too bad the switch won't lock on.

Geoff

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The Swiss light skylight I posted the link to has a soft electronic switch that allows it to stay on. That is much better than the momentary on the 3 LED version.

jtice said:

SolLight LightCap 300 lights, thought they were pretty cool, I like that they are solar charged.
Anyone have one, or know anything about them? And guess to how many lumens they are, or if they are regulated?
http://www.sollight.com/products/lightcap.cfm

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Anybody have one of these? I have been eye balling them for awhile now but dont know if they are worth the money.

Brian321 said:

Anybody have one of these? I have been eye balling them for awhile now but dont know if they are worth the money.

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For $30 you can buy a 4x5mm AA light at walmart and about 80 or more AAs for it which would work even if it was overcast outside or if you ran it 10 hours and it dims you could swap in fresh batteries instead of being in the dark.

Lynx_Arc said:

For $30 you can buy a 4x5mm AA light at walmart and about 80 or more AAs for it which would work even if it was overcast outside or if you ran it 10 hours and it dims you could swap in fresh batteries instead of being in the dark.

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Yea but how cool would it be to drink water from your lantern? ( Although your water might get hot while charging your light lol)

I always have a light with me, but I was just wondering how bright these things are and how long they run for. It would be neat to take camping.

Brian

Brian321 said:

Yea but how cool would it be to drink water from your lantern? ( Although your water might get hot while charging your light lol)

I always have a light with me, but I was just wondering how bright these things are and how long they run for. It would be neat to take camping.

Brian

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There is a guy in the marketplace that sells solar charging kits in the $30-$45 range that can charge li-ion or usb devices, I would rather invest in that as I have a USB nimh charger.

I ordered a BoGoLight SN-2, looks like its a really nice light and very versatile.
Will post back here my thoughts on it once it arrives.

~John

triple post sorry

there is the photon rex look alike and its rechargeable and is 40+ lumens using nichia gs leds. Its solar and usb rechargeable.

I quite llike that Rex lookalike. What's it called, how much and where ???

Jay R said:

I quite llike that Rex lookalike. What's it called, how much and where ???

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It is the Blackburn Flea, they are $29.99 with the solar kit on Amazon.

http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html

Thanks.

As already mentioned, CPF'er cottonpickers is selling solar charger rigs of various outputs in the MP - they look very neat units and are definitely worth a look. His sale thread is here.

jtice said:

In the process of getting some lanterns and emergency lights, and it got me to thinking about solar charged lights.

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It may be a little "off topic" but wind-up & dynamo powered flashlights would be an excellent addition to any emergency preparedness pack (or B.O.B.) :thumbsup:


Back to Solar Lights!

Lately I've seen a lot of a Maglight styled solar lights (placed under 4X4 windscreens) in tourist vehicles passing through, I've found a review of it at GizmoScene.com it's called the EFO Solar Torch, opinions are divided as to the actual duration of usable light output with the manufacturers claiming 8 (from 6h sunlight) & an independent review @ digitalreviews.net claiming only 3h... QC issue perhaps? :thinking: