I am trying to get some kit that is self working. I am looking at wind up torches. Are these torches good, bad, gimmicks etc? Can anyone recommended a good one assuming there's such thing. Thanks. DD x
Ask the Audience. Wind up torches.
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I've had a few over the years, and honestly, they're mostly an annoying pain. They cramp the hand, they're very noisy, especially at night, and their light isn't always brilliant.
That said, I have a child's Ikea one that is superb, and I've had it for over ten years now and it's still working.
It's also a different shape to the usual crush it dynamo thing. This one has a wee handle at the end to turn.
It was called Ljusa, and they're still selling on eBay.
Pretty sure I paid well under a tenner for mine though.
Looks like this...
That said, I have a child's Ikea one that is superb, and I've had it for over ten years now and it's still working.
It's also a different shape to the usual crush it dynamo thing. This one has a wee handle at the end to turn.
It was called Ljusa, and they're still selling on eBay.
Pretty sure I paid well under a tenner for mine though.
Looks like this...
IKEA LJUSA Red Plastic LED Flashlight Hand-Powered Wind Up Dynamo Torch Action | eBay
The IKEA Ljusa Red LED Hand-Powered Wind Up Torch is a manual torch designed for camping and hiking activities. With LED lighting technology, it provides a bright and long-lasting light source. Perfect for illuminating your way in the dark without the need for batteries.
www.ebay.co.uk
Thanks. Noted and stashed in the info section of my brain. xI've had a few over the years, and honestly, they're mostly an annoying pain. They cramp the hand, they're very noisy, especially at night, and their light isn't always brilliant.
That said, I have a child's Ikea one that is superb, and I've had it for over ten years now and it's still working.
It's also a different shape to the usual crush it dynamo thing. This one has a wee handle at the end to turn.
It was called Ljusa, and they're still selling on eBay.
Pretty sure I paid well under a tenner for mine though.
Looks like this...
IKEA LJUSA Red Plastic LED Flashlight Hand-Powered Wind Up Dynamo Torch Action | eBay
The IKEA Ljusa Red LED Hand-Powered Wind Up Torch is a manual torch designed for camping and hiking activities. With LED lighting technology, it provides a bright and long-lasting light source. Perfect for illuminating your way in the dark without the need for batteries.www.ebay.co.uk
They're like buying an exercise bike, hoping it will save you money on petrol.
Knowing about how /where you live -is it an actual torch you are looking for? or a general area illumination for low/no energy cost?
GravityLight 2: A light made in Africa
The inventors behind the original GravityLight have submitted an Indiegogo campaign to fund a new version called GravityLight 2 claiming to design even better solution as well as helping local community creating local jobs with local assembly in Kenya.
www.windup-battery.com
LuminAID Solar Lanterns and Solar 2-in-1 Phone Chargers
LuminAID Solar Lanterns | The Original Solar-Powered Inflatable Light! Our solar lights are designed to serve as a source of light and phone chargers when it's needed the most, from camping to disaster relief.
luminaid.com
Nah TD. In my day to day life I have more different sources of light than Jesus. I am looking for an item for my bug out/grab bag. I have got small USB O lights which are ideal if I get a small solar panel to charge them or I can get a wind up torch hence my asking.Knowing about how /where you live -is it an actual torch you are looking for? or a general area illumination for low/no energy cost?
GravityLight 2: A light made in Africa
The inventors behind the original GravityLight have submitted an Indiegogo campaign to fund a new version called GravityLight 2 claiming to design even better solution as well as helping local community creating local jobs with local assembly in Kenya.
LuminAID Solar Lanterns and Solar 2-in-1 Phone Chargers
LuminAID Solar Lanterns | The Original Solar-Powered Inflatable Light! Our solar lights are designed to serve as a source of light and phone chargers when it's needed the most, from camping to disaster relief.
x
I’d go for the portable panel.
I’ve worked with relief agencies and I would always give preference to the item with the fewest (or no) moving parts. Many of those pale blue wind up lamps of fifteen years ago had plastic gears wheels.
Isn’t “Bug out” a short term thing, an escape to a new refuge? A pack of four rechargeables attached to a small solar panel will see you right in my opinion.
I’ve worked with relief agencies and I would always give preference to the item with the fewest (or no) moving parts. Many of those pale blue wind up lamps of fifteen years ago had plastic gears wheels.
Isn’t “Bug out” a short term thing, an escape to a new refuge? A pack of four rechargeables attached to a small solar panel will see you right in my opinion.
Nah TD. In my day to day life I have more different sources of light than Jesus. I am looking for an item for my bug out/grab bag. I have got small USB O lights which are ideal if I get a small solar panel to charge them or I can get a wind up torch hence my asking.
Honestly - in the very unlikely scenario you do need actually need a BOB ( and lets be honest , its more a fantasy we all want to live in theory than practicality - abit like Tobacco Tin survival kits ) you either want LOTS of light ( Think amped up headtorch to leave your hand free so you can b##ch slap the zombies as you run by them ) - so battery powered.
Or very/low light - just enough to see an work and Navex away. In which case these 9v PalLightS are quite good ( imo ) - 9V battery can be found in most fire/smoke alarms and shops but far less "desireable" than AA or AAA , which , IF ( Fantasy ) there was a big event would be the first type of battery to get ransacked by everyone and their uncles as most torches/flashlights take AAA/AA.
I like the PalLIGHTs as they emit a constant 'glow' even when off and the long term draw of power is minimal.
I think you maybe overthinking , and thats something I have experience of.
I agree - but its been skewed and adopted to meet a more longer term INCH ( I'm never coming Home ) type exceptionally low probability fantasy based ideal.
Lol. Bug out bags???? fantasy or no. its better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it. The other thing is that it is going in my van permanently so just handy and it will get used on a regular. basis, Of that I am certain.
Going back to the thread. I am glad I ask things on here because it makes me stop and think and not impulse buy. Having considered everything everyone has said. I think the O light and small solar panel is the best way for me. Your Idea TD of a head torch is tempting. I will pass on it but it brought about the idea of a thin elastic headband that will hold the o light. Best of both worlds I reckon x
Your Li-ion batteries have a shelf life of around 10 years, it’s a no brainer to have something small and reliable than something mechanical, inefficient and breakable. Easy to replace a battery, not so part of a dynamo type generator.Nah TD. In my day to day life I have more different sources of light than Jesus. I am looking for an item for my bug out/grab bag. I have got small USB O lights which are ideal if I get a small solar panel to charge them or I can get a wind up torch hence my asking.
Make certain that the batteries are taped one end or isolated with one of those little discs the manufacturers use as many torches have a slight parasitic drain on a battery. Not sure with the Olight, it’s certainly possible.
I'm not knocking your option to explore BOBs - have fun , i think most people do at one stage. Like tobacco survival tins its a sort of rite of passage/itch to be scratched..
But realistically having BOB on standby is really only applicable to a very small amount of civilians - ( in my opinion ) - If you work in an area ( Likely abroad ) in somewhere that isn't stable for rule-of-law or if you're in the UK and live within an area where its relative more probable that you will need to evacuate at a moments notice.
Living next to a Gas processing facility , Nuclear facility , rowdy weatherspoons...
There is also nothing wrong with having a bag of useful bits and pieces in a van especially if you live in/out of it.
I'd suggest thats unlikely in Dales situation.
However its been a while since I've touched base with where Science and the cultural vibe is at.
If it's about emergency lighting, then the candle is pretty foolproof, and has other uses. But as regards electronic stuff in BOB's I personally could not trust myself including such items because when I need them pound to a pinch they won't be working or at least not as well as expected . Because with me if I am going to create such a facility, I want to create it throw it in a corner and forget about it until I do need it if I ever do
But lighting I do carry in my day bag, lighting and spare batteries of which I'm using often to ensure their continued serviceability
But lighting I do carry in my day bag, lighting and spare batteries of which I'm using often to ensure their continued serviceability
…….. and then again:
Do you carry an electric tyre pump with non-serviceable parts or do you carry a mechanical foot pump for which you can make parts if you need them.
If this is your thinking then I’d tend to agree with a bag containing candle lantern, ferro and a few spare candles. Shove into a rat proof tin and you and your descendants are all set.
Do you carry an electric tyre pump with non-serviceable parts or do you carry a mechanical foot pump for which you can make parts if you need them.
If this is your thinking then I’d tend to agree with a bag containing candle lantern, ferro and a few spare candles. Shove into a rat proof tin and you and your descendants are all set.
How about multi use stuff ? stuff that gets used and kept fresh because it's useful.
A wee tube of vaseline is not only good to stop chapped lips, heal hacks on fingers, good on grazes, etc., but squirted on a bit of stick it'll start a fire with a match, at least as well as any firelighter. It'll also burn with a candle like flame if something wick like is inserted into a (one of those wee metal nightlight holders works to contain the vaseline) glob of it.
M
A wee tube of vaseline is not only good to stop chapped lips, heal hacks on fingers, good on grazes, etc., but squirted on a bit of stick it'll start a fire with a match, at least as well as any firelighter. It'll also burn with a candle like flame if something wick like is inserted into a (one of those wee metal nightlight holders works to contain the vaseline) glob of it.
M
