How Much Thought Have You Put Into Your Flashlights?

Doomsday Prepper Forums

Help Support Doomsday Prepper Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Flashlight/torch are part of the preppers gear, evaluating, reviewing or even discussing a flashlight/torch is no different than evaluating, reviewing or even discussing a bug out bag, compass, fire tools, axe or water filters, it's all part of the preppers gear. It's all important in one way or another. If a member opens a thread to discuss a specific gear and if we find the topic mundane we can opt not to participate in the discussion without criticism, it's only fair to the OP and the ones that choose to participate!?!?
 
yes I will, i'm just saying that it proves that some people are focussed on the latest gadget and toy, rather than skills which will help us survive when all the toys and gadgets are broken and worn out. that's it I've said my 2pence worth, i'll shut up now!;)
 
Well, to be fair, bigpaul...

Two days ago we had straight line winds rip through here and downed power lines all over town. The power was off from around 12 noon until nearly midnight. The power company initially said the power would be restored by 4:30 pm, so I didn't expect to need lights. When it got dark I pressed some of my "drawer queen" flashlights into service and the El Cheapo Walmart flashlights worked just as well as the $200 flashlights. None of the high tech gimmickry really made any difference. Light is light.

As I was cooking something on the gas range by flashlight my wife walked through the kitchen and said "It's like we're in the 1800s." The only thing I had hooked up to the genny was the refrigerator and freezers, expecting the power to be restored any minute, so the whole house (and the whole neighborhood) was pitch black except for the rooms where we had a flashlight or lantern on. It was literally like walking around with candles in the 1800s...
 
For what I need light for around here at night, I prefer a battery powered lantern. That way I can set it down or hang it up when I need both hands. Or if nothing else hang it around my wrist. Trying to do something with a flashlight in my mouth or tucked under arm or inbetween knees to hold is just awkward for me. Mostly I am out checking fence lines or out in the barns checking on critters or tending to one that is sick. Just try to wrestle with an animal who doesn't want it's meds and control a flashlight. Lanterns give off more of a general light for me to see than a focused lighted area. Comes in handy when you have to straddle to force open a mouth and then my goats wants to dance around or a couple week old calf. They are pretty strong if you have never experienced doing it. Just my preference.
 
yes I will, i'm just saying that it proves that some people are focussed on the latest gadget and toy, rather than skills which will help us survive when all the toys and gadgets are broken and worn out. that's it I've said my 2pence worth, i'll shut up now!;)


I am getting so tired of reading this. My knowledge and experience with flashlights is not a testament to my level of knowledge when it comes to bushcrafting skills or survival techniques so stop assuming you know anything about me simply because a flashlight topic made it to 4 pages. I have built a cabin with my bare hands in The Blue Ridge Parkway and it sits waiting for me to utilize if ever needed. I grew up in The Smoky Mountains and learned a ton about survival and homesteading so stop insinuating my knowledge is subpar to my "shiny toys".
You may only view flashlights as a means of survival on your compound in the middle of nowhere but I live in an urban area and work in Emergency Management and Crisis Response. I have needed and used bright flashlights and hand held spotlights in my line of work for many years and a handheld crank flashlight would be vastly inadequate. Bright lights are not a luxury item, they are a necessity....and are far from mundane. They serve a real practical purpose in urban environments during crisis situations. Downtown Tampa was evacuated for Irma so I, along with about 15 other guys, was held responsible for the TCC, Amalie Arena, Marina area. Our bright lights were absolutely vital.
If SHTF and I was forced to take my family to the cabin I would abandon my bright flashlights for dimmer, more warm tinted flashlights which operate on rechargeable solar batteries. I have thought this through.
It seems since YOUR experience with flashlights is minimal you blow off anything you don't understand as being trivial and not worthy of a "real bushcrafter".......but criticizing and judging others over something which you hold little to zero knowledge is the textbook definition of ignorant.
 
Was there anybody around offering to barter with you? That is the answer, when you really need one, it is because there is not one around. If they are available, then they will not be real high in the barter category. For barter, need vs. want and usually, the want win's out. i need light but I want a cigarette. I will make due with a candle and barter for the cigarette. You were willing to pay $1,000 then but what would you pay now as you enter the store?
I would pay normal price, as I'm not having a crisis.

As a medic, I once got stuck in a crawl space/tunnel, and my light died when a rock fell on it, and I was underground with no light and lots of rats, and couldn't figure out which way to move.

My point in the prior post was just speculation that maybe flashlights would be a good barter item.
 
For what I need light for around here at night, I prefer a battery powered lantern. That way I can set it down or hang it up when I need both hands. Or if nothing else hang it around my wrist. Trying to do something with a flashlight in my mouth or tucked under arm or inbetween knees to hold is just awkward for me. Mostly I am out checking fence lines or out in the barns checking on critters or tending to one that is sick. Just try to wrestle with an animal who doesn't want it's meds and control a flashlight. Lanterns give off more of a general light for me to see than a focused lighted area. Comes in handy when you have to straddle to force open a mouth and then my goats wants to dance around or a couple week old calf. They are pretty strong if you have never experienced doing it. Just my preference.
Have you tried a light that straps around your head? It illuminates well in front of you, and leaves your hands free.
 
I would pay normal price, as I'm not having a crisis.

As a medic, I once got stuck in a crawl space/tunnel, and my light died when a rock fell on it, and I was underground with no light and lots of rats, and couldn't figure out which way to move.

My point in the prior post was just speculation that maybe flashlights would be a good barter item.

I was not making fun of you. In a crisis and in your experience, that certainly qualified, then anything needed is worth a fortune or your life. During a barter session, not so much. Normal price during a barter session and is it needed or wanted? Sorry about your experience, I would have been willing to pay dearly too.
 
I have, in fact that is what hunny likes to use when we are feeding at dark times. I usually have my hair pulled pull in a claw so they are not comfortable to me. His has a band that fits around and also one that goes on top of his head. I'm sure they do make them that are adjustable as a headband type or at least I think they should. I tend to work with what I have on hand. I do borrow his when I have to work on the underside of my sewing machine though.
 
the remarks about the 1800 made me chuckle, there was a power cut somewhere in the south east of England and some guy said to the tv reporter" its like living in the middle ages", no its not you dumb smuck-its a couple of hours without power.
wait until its SHTF for real these people are in for one big shock.
 
There is a mega difference between prepping for local disaster AND for when social order bugs out permanently. I don't spend any time considering what my flashlight can do, I only care that they light. That is because I don't plan on them being viable for long after the SHTF or WROL or TEOTWAWKI hits. All batteries will eventually give up the ghost. Bulbs break, lens break, switches break, housings break. Flashlight are for short term events, not for the big one. Better to learn how to make candles verses learning what a type or brand of flashlights can do. On / off, that is enough for me. I don't plan to build them, so I will NOT spend my time learning about them. I will develop a skill set that will be needed down the road. Now there is nothing wrong with enjoying flashlights, collecting them or being addicted to them but they are not the end all. They are just a temporary tool to handle small temporary problems. Tech is cool until tech stops working. Like Keith, BigPaul and many others, I plan for when there is no cool tech still working. JM2C
 
I have, in fact that is what hunny likes to use when we are feeding at dark times. I usually have my hair pulled pull in a claw so they are not comfortable to me. His has a band that fits around and also one that goes on top of his head. I'm sure they do make them that are adjustable as a headband type or at least I think they should. I tend to work with what I have on hand. I do borrow his when I have to work on the underside of my sewing machine though.

You can definitely get headlamps with adjustable elastic headbands. https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/CLASSIC-headlamps/TIKKINA
Similar but cheaper ones are available at Walmart. I remember my brother had one with an option for a red light as well which was great for maintaining night vision while still having enough light to see.
 
There is a mega difference between prepping for local disaster AND for when social order bugs out permanently. I don't spend any time considering what my flashlight can do, I only care that they light. That is because I don't plan on them being viable for long after the SHTF or WROL or TEOTWAWKI hits. All batteries will eventually give up the ghost. Bulbs break, lens break, switches break, housings break. Flashlight are for short term events, not for the big one. Better to learn how to make candles verses learning what a type or brand of flashlights can do. On / off, that is enough for me. I don't plan to build them, so I will NOT spend my time learning about them. I will develop a skill set that will be needed down the road. Now there is nothing wrong with enjoying flashlights, collecting them or being addicted to them but they are not the end all. They are just a temporary tool to handle small temporary problems. Tech is cool until tech stops working. Like Keith, BigPaul and many others, I plan for when there is no cool tech still working. JM2C
like I have said before on many forums, use tech to get to a place where it is no longer available or no longer works and you can live without it.
 
With proper care a quality flashlight should last 20-30 years or more. I have a Mag Light that I found in the road about 30 years ago. It's packed away somewhere but it was still working fine when I packed it. I think it takes D batteries.
Would rechargable batteries and an AC/solar charger be the way to go for long term use? How many charges can you expect to get from rechargable batteries?
Since this thread came out I started evaluating my flashlight needs. During summer I almost never need a flashlight because I usually go to bed when it's dark. In winter I do use one occasonally around the house and barn and when I have to check on the pump house. In cold weather I may make several trips a night down to the pump house to check the temp.
Earlier this winter I got stuck in the road and had to walk home in the dark without a flashlight. That was a wake up call that I need to get serious about putting a flashlight in each vehicle and in my EDC bags.
 
With proper care a quality flashlight should last 20-30 years or more. I have a Mag Light that I found in the road about 30 years ago. It's packed away somewhere but it was still working fine when I packed it. I think it takes D batteries.
Would rechargable batteries and an AC/solar charger be the way to go for long term use? How many charges can you expect to get from rechargable batteries?
Since this thread came out I started evaluating my flashlight needs. During summer I almost never need a flashlight because I usually go to bed when it's dark. In winter I do use one occasonally around the house and barn and when I have to check on the pump house. In cold weather I may make several trips a night down to the pump house to check the temp.
Earlier this winter I got stuck in the road and had to walk home in the dark without a flashlight. That was a wake up call that I need to get serious about putting a flashlight in each vehicle and in my EDC bags.

Honestly with the amazing technology out today, Maglites are now better used as a baton. There are a ton of lights that are keychain size that put out five times the amount of light of even the 6-cell Maglite. If you do choose to use it I would recommend sitting the batteries beside it instead of inside. Alkalines can corrode over time and ruin your light. I have lost several great Maglites over the year to this. My recommendation is check out sites like batteryjunction or goinggear for a light to suit your need. They also sell solar chargers and rechargeable batteries. Quality lights made by Surefire, Olight, Fenix, Nitecore, Jetbeam, Eagletac or Klarus will last you a lifetime and the batteries can be purchased in bulk for great prices on those same sites. The great thing about the CR123 lithium batteries is the incredibly long shelf life. I just pulled an old Huntlight out of a responder bag that I haven't opened since 2008 and it lit up just as bright as ten years ago. Even for lithiums I was shocked at this. No way a light with alkalines would have lasted that long without corroding and ruining the light.
 
I have a USB charger that works with both the 18650 (for the SK98) and the 14500 (for the SK68)

Anwhere I can charge a phone I can charge the batteries. Including my solar USB battery pack.

This is a perfect example of why I'm really glad I stumbled across this forum. I have been looking at flashlights to add to my BOB and the home stash, and most of the lights I am finding on Amazon at this point (because I am a big Amazon shopper) are run on rechargeable batteries. I was unaware that I could get a solar battery pack to recharge items like that. It just wasn't anything that I had ever thought of before. (Yes, I still have a long way to go.)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top