Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Another Way Cool LED Light! - No, REALLY!

    A while ago I wrote an article about an inexpensive LED light that was so good, two of them have garnered a permanent place affixed to the side of my metal range hood. The only drawback they had, was the inability to aim the light without holding it in your hand (or more likely in your mouth!). You couldn't really balance them on anything.

Well...I ran across one that you can AIM and is less expensive and even brighter. So far...what's not to like?

It's Really nice!
Well, let's start with the good. It's brighter since it uses a newer technology style of LED bulbs and there are 20 of them! It has the same flood light and flashlight modes. However, the flashlight side is still 3 older style LEDs. It's just as bright as the old one, so I guess that's OK. Same method of operation. One click for flashlight, click again for flood light and once more to turn off. Simple to operate. It still has a folding hanger on the back, which is great. There is a stand attached with a hinge on the sides of the light -- this can act as a stand or a handle. Built into the stand is a strong magnet.  This is where it wasn't Quite as useful as the old one -- storage.

I have two of the old style lights attached to the side of my range hood. The magnets are flush with the back of the lights, so they stay flat and secure while underway. The new light forces the light to "stick out" from the surface and a bump in the road will cause it to drop off. It also sticks out far enough to get in the way, generally. I still like this light. A lot! And with a $2.50 price point (including batteries) at any Wal-Mart, it's a bargain. My other lights are usually $2.99 to $3.99, depending on the current sale. I couldn't take a photo of the light while it was on -- it's really too bright!

I often wonder if there is a "flashlights anonymous" program. I mean, I see something unique and new and I have to have one. I guess as far as vices go, this one's not too terrible.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

11 comments:

  1. I wish you would have product links in your articles...or at least a better description of the item, such as the manufacturer. I searched and could not find this light at Walmart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chobe,
      I really can't link to products in my articles since they are "alive" for way longer than the deal would be around. The brand is Ozark Trails and is only available in stores NOT at their online store.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  2. Here's an LED light that can be used as a flashlight, expanded to be a table lamp, charges my phone through a USB port, and can be charged via solar or USB. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014H4036A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From the editor: If you want to order this from Amazon, here is the link via RVtravel.com: http://amzn.to/2k0w06o Thank you. Diane at RVtravel.com

      Delete
  3. https://www.amazon.com/Ozark-Trail-Flashlight-Camp-Light/dp/B01A4ODGHK/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1485012805&sr=8-18&keywords=Ozark+Trails+LED+lights

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Editor: Here's the link via RVtravel.com for that flashlight: http://amzn.to/2iXAqt2 Thank you. Diane at RVtravel.com

      Delete
  4. Re: "Flashlights Anonymous" -- if there were such a club, I'd be one of the founders and chief "Testimonial" -- I literally have around 100 flashlights, partly because of "upgrading" or "trying out" new designs, and then of course redundancy once I like a certain model (a flashlight is no good if not with you in EACH vehicle / within reach around the house/shop, right?).

    MY current RV/car faves:

    2000lm CREE Tactical Light ($5) - runs on LiPO 18650 cells, and is quite brighter than headlights for 2 hours per charge, less hideously bright for up to 4 hours on low.
    Yes, I said $5... and it outshines my $300 professional Tactical Light.

    300lm 1xAA or 1x16500(?) LiPO Light ($3) -- great little flashlight that's BRIGHT for a single AA. I make mine rechargable and have on in each coat/room/car...

    20-160 LED PIR/Solar lights -- these ($15-30) lights are NOT the little garden lights you're thinking -- they charge 2 x 18650 Lipos and can be set as dim area lights AND sensor-activated BRIGHT floodlights perfect for sheds or (imagine this, Wanderman) hanging on the side of your RV as boondocking welcome/locator light and Dog Walking At 3AM light. And -zero- RV battery used since it's solar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wolfe,
      Much as I like to buy american, it is REALLY tough to eat the knockoffs. Even if you have to buy 3 of them to get a good one...it's still a bargain.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. I've had very few bad items from my Chinese suppliers, and they always refund/replace duds -- the things I DO NOT order from China are rechargeable (LiPO and NiMH) batteries, as these are often burnt out and meant to be recycled QUITE a different way than relabeled/resale! Since I work with electronics, I have professionally tested some Chinese cells as holding 300mah out of 2400, insane internal resistances, etc... Panasonic batts seem the best for still affordable cells.

      All the flashlights I mentioned above run on normal or NiMH batteries as well as LiPO, so you don't NEED to make them rechargeable.

      Delete
    3. Wolfe,
      I agree...I just wish we could get the products sooner! My favorite light (which i did write an article about a long time ago. is a China supplied LED that has fantastic output and runs many hours on a single, readily available AA battery.

      i do have lots of lights that run on 16450's and cr123's bu that's a different story.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  5. Billy,
    Such a deal! The new cool light AND another flashlight AND batteries...nifty.

    Rich "The Wanderman"

    ReplyDelete

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