MAGLITE ST3D 3-D Cell LED Flashlight

MAGLITE ST3D 3-D Cell LED Flashlight

Maglite brings LEDs into focus. The Maglite three D-battery LED flashlight, well known for its quality, durability and reliability is now available with New MAG-LED Technology. Designed for professional and consumer use, benefits include: A Powerful Projecting Beam that focuses simply by rotating the head. Balanced Optics, combining a highly refined reflector with a quality LED, for a brilliant adjustable beam. Intelligent Energy Source Management (patent pending) balancing high brightness with efficient power usage. Water and shock resistant. Limited lifetime warranty.

• 3 D-cell flashlight with 3-watt LED
• Aluminum alloy case
• Water and shock resistant
• Efficient power usage
• Durable and reliable
• Available in Matte Jet Black, Gunmetal Silver, Cool Blue

Neiko Super-Bright 9 LED Heavy-Duty Compact Aluminum Flashlight

Neiko Super-Bright 9 LED Heavy-Duty Compact Aluminum Flashlight

9 super-bright LEDs in a heavy-duty, compact flashlight. LEDs last 100,000 hours, emit pure white light–not heat–for 20+ hour battery life. Perfect for glove-box, tool-box, purse or desk drawer. Uses 3-AAA batteries (INCLUDED). Unique positive-action weather-proof switch prevents accidental battery drain. Anodized aluminum barrel, water-resistant and shock-proof. 3-pack combo set, comes with Blue, Jet Black, Gunmetal color. This amazing compact flashlight is like a spotlight you can carry in your pocket or purse! NINE light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs produce a flood of pure, white brilliance but because LED bulbs produce very little heat, three inexpensive AAA batteries will last for over 20 hours continuous. Positive-action switch (click on/click off) won’t go on accidentally in car, toolbox or pocket. Heavy-weight anodized aluminum barrel is corrosion- and water-resistant.

• 9 super-bright LEDs in a heavy-duty, compact flashlight.
• LEDs last 100,000 hours, emit pure white light–not heat–for 20+ hour battery life
• Perfect for glove-box, tool-box, purse or desk drawer. Uses 3-AAA batteries (INCLUDED). 3-year warr
• Unique positive-action weather-proof switch prevents accidental battery drain
• Anodized aluminum barrel, water-resistant and shock-proof. Also in Cool Blue and Jet Black.
• 6.1 ounces
• 6.8 inches long
• Available in Matte Jet Black, Gunmetal Silver, Cool Blue

Dorcy 41-4750 180-Lumen 4AA High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight

Dorcy 41-4750 180-Lumen 4AA High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight

The Dorcy CyberLight LED flashlight runs on common AA batteries and has a single bright LED measuring 180 lumens. Dorcy CyberLight has a Truespot® smooth reflector that gives a tightly focused beam of light.

• Durable Construction – 8ft. Drop Test
• Rubber Grip
• True Spot Reflector
• Rubber Booted Push Button Switch
• Lifetime Bulb – never replace
• 5 Hour Run Time
• 1000 Foot Beam
• Includes 4 AA Cell Alkaline Batteries

Product Specifications
• Lumens: 180
• Run Time: 5 Hours
• Beam Distance: 1000 Feet
• Bulb Type:
• Batteries: 4 AA Alkaline
• Product Dimensions: 7.8”L x 1.5” W
• Bezel Diameter: 2.25
• Product Weight: 0.0 lbs
• Additional Features: 1.Lanyard included
• Available Color(s): Yellow / Black
• Switch: Push Button Top

Petzl E49P TacTikka Plus 4-LED Headlamp

Petzl E49P TacTikka Plus 4-LED Headlamp

The Petzl TACTikka PLUS alternates easily between white and red light simply by moving the pivoting filter over the LEDs – 35 lumen model.

Compact design incorporating 4 white LED’s. Tilting head and push button on/off make for easy operation. The Petzl TACTikka Plus has 3 power levels and one strobe mode. One click of the push button gives you maximum brightness. Another click after two seconds turns the light off. To select other power levels just continue clicking to cycle through high, medium, low, and strobe modes. After a 2 second delay the light turns off with one additional click.

• 4 lifetime white LEDs

• new LED technology: 80 percent brighter than older models

• 3 lighting levels: maximum, optimum, economy

• provides even, white or red proximity lighting

• RED flip-down filter makes it easy to switch between red and white light

• up to 150 hours of runtime

• runs on 3 AAA batteries, included

• compact and lightweight

• tiltable light body to direct light where needed

• comfortable and stable to wear

• water resistant for all-weather use

• lighting distance: 17 m

What you Should Know in Choosing the Brightest Flashlight

If you are an avid outdoorsman then you know how important a good flashlight can be. Even if you aren't into outdoor activities it is nice to know that you have a bright flashlight available in case of emergency. You simply can't depend on a regular battery operated, household flashlight to work if the power fails. The batteries may be dead after years of storage and if they aren't dead they certainly won't last very long.

For your peace of mind and your family's safety, it is important that you choose the best and the brightest flashlight. The best and most versatile flashlight on the market today would have to be the World's Brightest Flashlight.

The World's Brightest Flashlight will produce 15 million candlepower! How bright is that? Well, it is equivalent to 150 60-watt bulbs. This flashlight was tested and produced a beam of light that could be seen up to 6 miles away.

The bulb that is used for this flashlight is a 60-watt high-powered H4 quartz halogen bulb that is built to last for approximately 1,000 hours. While this is on the extreme end of the scale and not something the average person would ever need, it just goes to show you how far flashlight technology has come over the years.

For almost everyone, the best way to choose the brightest flashlight is to understand the different types of bulbs used in flashlights:

Incandescent

These are gas filled lamps used for high performance. Streamlight flashlights uses either xenon or halogen bulbs. The halogen bulbs darken less with age than the xenon. Both can fail with extreme impact and both eventually require replacement. They are the most powerful and easily focused for long distance.

LED

This stands for light emitting diodes. These are longer lasting bulbs, approximately up to 10,000 hours. They are very durable and good for close work.

Luxeon

This is the latest achievement in LED technology. A very durable lamp that can last as long as 50,000 hours and give the illumination of an incandescent.

LED/Incandescent combination

This is the best of both worlds. A Streamlight exclusive that combines the durability and longevity of an LED with the illumination power of an incandescent.

Another aspect of picking a good flashlight is the battery. Do you choose one with a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery? Factors to take into consideration is the frequency of use and how long you will be using the flashlight. The rechargeable may save money on replacement batteries, however they tend to discharge at a faster rate when in use, than a battery flashlight.

Keep in mind nothing is more important than your safety while engaging in outdoor activities or during a disaster. Choosing the best and brightest flashlight for your needs is a vital step in ensuring the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Buy the best flashlight that your budget will allow and have the peace of mind that you are prepared for anything.

How is flashlight made

Background

A flashlight is a portable, battery-operated device used for illumination. A typical unit consists of one or more dry cell batteries arranged in a line inside a battery compartment that forms the handle of the light. The flow of electricity from the batteries to the bulb at the front end of the light is controlled through a switch mechanism placed between the batteries and the lamp.

History

Practical, portable light sources have been sought throughout history. Torches and candles were early sources of light but these were largely replaced with lanterns as people learned to burn various animal and mineral oils. However, it was not until the nineteenth century that electricity was harnessed to create light. The modern battery powered flashlight was created in 1898 by Joshua Lionel Cowen, the original owner of the American Eveready Battery Company. Cowen originally developed an idea for a decorative lighting fixture for potted plants. His fixture was composed of a metal tube with a lightbulb and a dry cell battery. Cowen passed his idea to one of his Eveready salespersons, Conrad Hubert, who turned the metal tube, lightbulb, and battery into the world's first flashlight and started selling the batteries and the flashlight. In the last hundred years, advances in technology have resulted in flashlights with hundreds of different styles and features. For example, flashlights are now made with rechargeable batteries that can be used multiple times. Other lights are designed for special operations, such as working underwater or in high-temperature conditions.

Design

The most common flashlight design is the simple household light that consists of a tube-like handle that contains the batteries. This handle is affixed to a threaded head assembly that houses the bulb mechanism. These units operate on standard batteries and provide a typical light output. Special designs are required for industrial or professional use. These lights are made from heavier gauge materials, and are more durable. They are also intended to produce a brighter beam of light. Flashlights with brighter beams are used by the police, firefighters, and the military. Camping lanterns are larger units, usually powered by heavy duty batteries. These frequently use fluorescent tubes as their light source because of their greater energy efficiency, however, this type of bulb does not cast as strong or directed a beam of light. Furthermore, the increased size and weight of this type of lantern limits its portability. Novelty flashlights are designed for use by children. These tend to be made of lightweight plastic and are notable for their visual design. The body of the light may be adorned with decorative plastic overlays that increase the child-appeal of the unit. Their designs are often based on favorite characters from popular cartoons or children's books. Finally, there are a variety of specialty lights designed for particular uses. For example, snake lights, flexible tubes that can be bent or twisted to provide light in hard to reach places. Others are designed to be small enough to fit on a key chain to illuminate keyholes.

Factors to consider when designing flashlights include light output, durability, and the ability to operate in special environments. Battery life is also an important factor, and some lights are designed to be plugged into an electrical outlet to be recharged or to maintain a charge until it is needed. Other lights use special bulbs, like the new generation flashlights built with light-emitting diodes. These are not as bright as conventional incandescent bulbs, but their power consumption is so low that they can last hundreds of hours on a set of conventional batteries, as compared to a few dozen hours for incandescent bulbs.

The Manufacturing Process

Plastic housing

The plastic components used in flashlight construction are typically injection molded using polystyrene and other durable polymers. In this process, plastic pellets are mixed with plasticizing agents and colorants. This mixture is liquefied by heating and then injected into appropriately shaped molds via an injection plunger. The mold is then subjected to high pressure to assure that the molds are completely filled, and to hold the molds together against force of injected liquid plastics. The end closures are also molded, where usually both internal and external threads are molded. Pressures as high as 2,500 tons may be used for high-speed or multiple-cavity production molders.

After the injection process, the molten plastic is cooled by forcing water through channels in the mold. The plastic hardens as it cools and the pressure is released. At this point, the two halves of the mold are separated and the plastic part can be removed for finishing. The plastic polymers used in this process are thermoplastic, meaning they can be repeatedly melted so the scrap pieces can be reworked to make additional parts. Therefore, there is very little wasted plastic in this process. Subsequent operations may be required to polish, cut, and finish the plastic parts.

Light source

Incandescent bulbs are the most common light source used in flashlights. These consist of a metal filament sealed in a glass bulb. When the filament is exposed to an electric current the resistance of the wire causes it to heat up and emit light in the visible wavelengths. The filament is welded to two wires that pass though holes in a cylindrical glass bead that forms the base of the bulb. This structure is placed in a fixture and a cylindrical glass envelope that is closed at one end is placed over the filament. The open end of the glass envelope rests against the glass bead.

The structure is placed inside a vacuum chamber and heat is applied to seal the glass envelope to the glass bead. The heat causes the glass to soften, and may cause the filament to be displaced to one side. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure the filament is properly aligned or the bulb will not project a beam of light in the right direction.

Other possible light sources include fluorescent bulbs, which are often used in camping lanterns. These bulbs emit light due to the excitation of gas molecules inside the bulb. LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are used in some specialty lights; these emit light when exposed to extremely low levels of electric current. The bulb is often fitted in front of a polished aluminum reflector that helps to focus the light during operation.

Switch and controls

The electronic circuitry of a flashlight varies depending on its design. Simple lights rely on an off/on switch to make the connection between the wires connecting the battery terminals to the wires extending from the base of the bulb. This type of switch is most commonly a slide type that moves up or down to make the proper connection. The switch assembly is more complicated in the more sophisticated lights. One United States patent describes a flexible metal strip that is depressed to create a contact between the wires.

Assembly

6 Depending on the design and the manufacturers capability, units may be assembled on an automated conveyor line or by hand. Some models, particularly those using small watch batteries, have the battery inserted during assembly. Otherwise, the unit may be assembled without the batteries that are inserted later by the consumer. This operation involves screwing the lamp assembly onto the threads on the casing.

Packaging

Assembled units may be placed in some form of outer packaging, such as a clear plastic blister pack or clam shell. The plastic shell may then be attached to a cardboard display card or packed in a box prior to shipping.

Quality Control

Completed flashlights undergo a series of quality control tests to ensure they function properly. First, the bulb must be checked to ensure it is properly aligned with the reflector; if it is misaligned performance may suffer. Second, the switch assembly is evaluated to determine if it makes proper contact with the electrical leads. Third, the seal on the battery compartment must be checked to determine if moisture will not inadvertently enter the battery compartment. This seal must allow venting of gasses that may be formed during battery operation.

The bulb itself must meet separate quality standards. Generally, Division 2-approved flashlights are temperature-rated as TI to T6, where Tl is a temperatures less than, or equal to, 842°F (450°C) and T6 is less than, or equal to, 185°F (85°C). Testing labs used by flashlight manufacturers include Factory Mutual Research Corporation, Underwriters Laboratories, and Demko.

Hazardous environment

Any flashlight that will be used in a hazardous environment or confined space must be properly tested to ascertain that it meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards for those locations. Hazardous Locations are defined by the National Electric Code and include the following classifications. Class I locations are areas where flammable gases may be present in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or flammable mixtures. Class II locations can be described as hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust. Class III locations contain easily ignitable fibers and filings. Hazardous atmospheres are further defined by "groups." These include atmospheres containing acetylene, hydrogen, or gases or vapors of equivalent hazard, such as ethylether vapors, ethylene, cyclo-propane, gasoline, hexane, naptha, benzene, butane, propane, alcohol, acetone, benzol, lacquer solvent vapors, or natural gas. Metal dust, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, may also create hazardous atmospheres. Environments containing carbon black, coal or coke dust, flour, starch, or grain dusts, are classified by the Code. Flashlights designed for use in these environments are individually tested before leaving the factory.

The Future

Manufacturers continue to improve upon the design of their flashlights. New models with improved power sources are becoming increasingly popular. For example, the power plant of a new self-powered flashlight is the revolutionary Freeplay Generator, which is a unique and patented mechanism that stores kinetic energy in a carbon steel spring as the user turns a winding handle. This energy is released as electrical energy when the light is turned on, thus powering the light without any other external power source.

Other improvements in flashlights include tougher polymers for improved durability and smarter computer technology that will allow automatic shut off mechanisms to conserve battery life. Finally, increasingly sophisticated molding techniques will allow the creation of novelty flashlights in a wider variety of shapes and colors.

How To Choose The Best Flashlight For You

What are the most efficient flashlights available today? With so many choices out there, how do you find the best fit for you? Here are a few suggestions that should help you make the decision of which flashlight fits your needs best.

Personal Flashlight or Tactical Flashlight.
You need to decide between a personal flashlight or a tactical flashlight. Your environment and situation will help dictate the best fit for you. Do you need the flashlight to be waterproof? Generally a tactical flashlight means it is much more durable than a personal flashlight. It usually has a strobe and or can be used as a weapon in a life or death situation. A tactical flashlight needs three basic things: reliability, easy use, and mission specific features. Do you need an extremely durable flashlight or will a cheaper model work for you?

Size
The size of a flashlight is something you should consider. For those who are always busy or for those who have limited space, you might think about choosing the more condensed size. They are easier to carry around and you can quickly remove them from a bag or pocket. Be sure that the size does not compromise the efficiency of the flashlight.

Type of Light
What lighting technology so you prefer? There two most basic types of flashlights are LED flashlights or Incandescent flashlights. Incandescents are are gas filled lamps used for high performance. LED stands for light emitting diodes. LED bulbs are very durable and longer lasting. If you want the more impressive light, you should consider LEDs. LED's are far more durable as they do not have fragile parts inside. Most of them are also shatter-proof so they can still work even if you drop it. LED lighting also boasts much longer battery life and longevity of the bulb. This means there is less maintenance required and much more reliability

Type of Power Supply
What type of power supply is most convenient for you? Many flashlights use standard batteries such as Double A, Triple A, D and C cell. Flashlights that use this type of power supply can be expensive and frustrating if you run out of new batteries. It is much more convenient to just purchase a flashlight that uses rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable flashlights will save you money over time. There are also solar powered flashlights, but you will still need to recharge solar energy flashlights. This could be a great choice if you do not have access to a charging station.

Read The Reviews
When you finally think you have made a choice, make sure to read some reviews. There are many free flashlight reviews available on the internet. These reviews can be very helpful in helping you find the flashlight that works well for your needs. Don't base your choice purely on review sites alone. Sometimes manufacturers pay those review sites. You also want to read reviews from customers just like yourself. Someone who has actually purchased that model. Choose brands that have been rated highly as they typically tend to undergo more quality manufacturing.Flashlights can be very convenient to have on hand. You can use them in your home, garage, car, workplace, RV, boat, etc. You can use them in an emergency situations. Flashlights can also be used as a self-defense weapon. This is why choosing the most trustworthy flashlight is necessary. You want it to be reliable when you need it the most. You want to choose something durable, reliable, easy to handle and easy to use (especially under stress).