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Post by brownbear on Jul 15, 2020 1:40:41 GMT -6
As the thread title says, what do you think are the best torches for survival and bug out situations.
For survival in a fixed location it is a D-cell Maglite for me every time. They are often derided as "old technology" but their range has been brought up to date in the form of the ML300L model with various light settings and battery run times. I have always liked them as they are easy to strip down and rebuild and I have a small stock of spare parts for mine. They are also a good self defence weapon if needs must.
For bugging out and just being "out and about" I use an LED Lenser P7. Small but still giving out light at 450 Lumens I find it ideal for walking on the roadside or when out wild camping. They do have mixed reviews but, to date, mine has performed faultlessly. I also find that carrying spare AAA batteries (in a powerpax storacell obviously) is easy as they are small and just slip into a pocket.
For power outages I have a couple of Nitecore LA10s. I find them a good (and safer) alternative to candles, plus the run on AA batteries and I have an AA solar charger that keeps them running even on the shortest of daylight days. I also find they work when when out bush crafting is I can hang them from my tarp line and they provide just about the right light for me under those circumstances.
What do you guys use?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2020 2:44:28 GMT -6
I use a hand cranked torch/flashlight, I use a Task brand one which has a double light which I like. no batteries to wear out and the crank feature is easy to use.
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Post by kelabar on Jul 16, 2020 5:17:29 GMT -6
I use a couple of torches/flashlights. There is a mini-Maglite in the BOB. Incandescent bulb version. I also have an Inova LED one which runs on 2 CR123 batteries. Excellent torch, very bright and rugged but CR123s are ridiculously expensive here in Aus. I usually use a $2 cheapie that runs on 3 AAAs so it doesn't matter if I lose or break them!
I like headlamps. Invaluable when camping. My daily-use one is a Kathmandu model which runs on one AA. Lasts for ages, very bright and has 4 settings. Bright white, dim white, red and flashing red. Some light does leak into my eyes (a big drawback in headlamps) through the white part of the plastic housing (darker versions are available) but not enough to make it unusable. The white modes are good and the red too but I find that there is absolutely no contrast under red light. So constantly stumbling in holes which aren't visible like they would be under a white light.
I also have a Coleman brand one which runs on 3 AAAs. Excellent. Very bright, aluminium body(?) so durable, lasts a long time and because of the great design no light shines into your eyes.
As well as about 2 dozen others that were impulse buys!
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Jim_K7JLJ
Junior Member
JN14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me...
Posts: 64
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Post by Jim_K7JLJ on Jul 16, 2020 5:19:18 GMT -6
18650 rechargeable - Streamlight 88063 ProTac 2L-X 500 Lumen
Reliable, bright and weapon recoil proof on 556mm.
For around the house a headlamp with a red led option is the way to go. I bought 3 of them from COSTCO for less than $20.00
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Post by drhenley on Jul 16, 2020 12:35:07 GMT -6
Torches for survival? Wrap a shop rag around the end of a section of metal pipe and soak it with whatever flammable liquid you have on hand. OH YOU MEAN FLASHLIGHTS The only flashlight I use anymore is a SK98, which uses a 18650 Li-Ion battery, fits in the palm of your hand, lasts a long long time on a charge, and is more powerful than any Maglite I ever had. The only light I had more powerful was a spotlight that plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet. I have a USB charger and a solar powered battery bank with USB charging port. The battery can be charged from a vehicle, home, laptop, or the solar battery bank. My backup flashlights are SK68s which are scaled down SK98s and can use either standard AA or Li-Ion 14500 batteries.
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Post by brownbear on Jul 19, 2020 2:27:49 GMT -6
Haha, yes flashlights are torches on the UK. Just to make thinks more confusing torches are also torches I'm wondering about power, I have just received a Nitecore LR12, which is a lovely thing and has several power levels, the highest being 1000 lumens. That makes the room as bright as daylight, but I would not wish to use that setting outside and my eyes would take some time to readjust afterwards. So, I'm figuring for outdoor "general use" maybe something around 150 lumens would be as bright as I would want to go. I guess beam distance is also, perhaps, more useful?
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