Would you put this in your kit?

[LaPlaceFF]

I saw a commercial for this on the Weather Channel

http://www.everlifeflashlight.com/

[GalvestonDuck]

I'd rather have the guarantee of new batteries. That one doesn't need them, so what happens if it doesn't live up to its guarantee? "It should never need replacement" doesn't mean that it won't. But then, I'm a skeptic. Who knows? Maybe it does last a lifetime.

[Rainband]

Looks like the proverbial chia Pet Of Hurricane supplies.

[baygirl_1]

Also... after boarding up before the storm and cleaning up after the storm, who wants to use those sore musles to keep shaking the flashlight to make it work?! Pass the Duracells and Energizers for me...

[beenthru6]

I am sure whoever invented this will make a ton of money, but I think this is like the hand crank no battery radio. It sounds really good, until you are the one who has to keep shaking (or cranking). I also wonder if the light really lasts for 5 minutes.

[Rainband]

don't wanna find out in a storm

[beenthru6]

don't wanna find out in a storm

Me either, which is why I will stay stocked up on batteries and oil for my oil lamps.

[alicia-w]

I wouldnt but what we do have is one that has the flashlight and a radio all in one. pretty neat. Not primo stuff but cheap enough that you can buy a new one every year if you have to.



http://shop.store.yahoo.com/digitalgiftstore/jxffl80.html

http://www.usaplaza.com/cgiftworld/37.htm

http://www.batterysavers.com/Emergency-Flashlight-Radio-Combination.html (This is the one we have...)

[Roxy]

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/digitalgiftstore/jxffl80.html

that's really awesome!! Might be a good fathers day gift, and I can get one for myself while I am at it!

[USCG_Hurricane_Watcher]

File this one under the same category as holiday fruitcake...we bought a couple to validate their claims and this is what we found:

The light actually lasts three to four minutes, with max illumination lasting about a minute and a half.

If you have a requirement to use an explosion proof flashlight, forget about it. (i.e. flammable vapors are present)

The LED is pretty bright, but they have a considerable amount of draw.

We couldn't find any replacement parts, extra bulbs, etc. You've got to purchase another entire flashlight.

[Anonymous]

I bought one of these flashlights, only thing it is good for is a sore arm. It is one of the worst products I have seen in awhile. In my honest opinion you get more light from stricking a match.

JMO

[NoceoTotus]

The best "no batteries required" flashlights are the wind-up generator kind IMO. You may want to take a look at http://www.thinkgeek.com/ for some interesting ideas as well. Yes, the site is rather computer centric but it does have a tendency to carry some interesting gagdgets that can be tough to find elsewhere including emergency lighting and flashlights.

I have tried the "shake it up" flashlights and they just don't last long enough (duration of the charge) to make them worth it for home use. They are not bad for having in the car though for doing a quick check of the engine or some such.

[southerngale]

This is a very neat item. The flashlight takes batteries and can be used inside the unit or taken off and used separately. You can use rechargeable batteries and they'll charge while the unit is on. It has a weatherband radio.

I bought mine from Sam's Club auctions at a much cheaper price though.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846

[KG4HPN]

Check the C. Crane company: http://www.ccrane.com

Many of their products were developed for third world countries where commercial power was intermittent to non-existent. The wind-up radios and lights you see at Wal-Mart and Radio Shack are cheap knockoffs of C. Crane products. I've gotten several from them and they have worked exactly as advertised. They also cater to the "The End is Nigh" crowd, which, while willing to try just about anything, is very intolerant of items that don't work they way they're supposed to.

-Jet

[scandan780]

I went to the batterysavers.com web site and about half way down the home page is a battery operated fan for $49.95. I bought the same exact fan at Wal Mart for $12.95!

[cswitwer]

I'd keep one around for when I'd used up all the batteries and really needed some more light. I tend to go through batteries pretty damn fast and can't seem to keep enough on hand. If the power is out for two weeks, I just KNOW I'm gonna need something else!

[Acral]

They are good. When Dennis knocked the power out in Bay Minette, these little jewels came in handy.

[Hurricaneman]

Its a good idea if it works

[EDR1222]

Might not be bad to have one around as a back-up. I still would want some regular ones with a good supply of batteries.

[NFLDART]

CYALUME lightsticks... Store forever (almost) create no heat and last a long time.