SURVIVAL LIGHTING : Part 2 of 6 – Introduction & Flashlights

Introduction

Among all the individual equipment necessary for the survivalist, the survival lamp is undoubtedly one of the most important. It has two main functions: to enlighten of course, but also to defend you when a criminal tries to attack you. In a hostile forest, it will also help to repel wild animals.

Lighting is not something vital for survival, you can do without it. However, it can be useful to have a suitable light device with you, whether it is to facilitate certain tasks at night or to explore a place plunged in darkness.

There are of course the bushcraft solutions, like homemade candles and vegetable torches , but they are very showy and make fragrant smoke. Not very discreet in certain circumstances, we prefer to use these infallible methods for bushcraft situations.

When you need to consult your map for 10 seconds, look for something in the dark, send a light signal, light up a suspicious bush … an electric torch or a headlamp are very practical.

A good survival lamp must be energetically autonomous

The autonomy of the survival torch

The ideal lamp should give you the longest possible battery life. It would be a shame if it failed let you go when you needed it most. The autonomy nevertheless depends on the functions and power of your survival lamp . A simple flashlight intended only for lighting purposes will always have a greater autonomy (i.e. greater duration / longer life) than a blinding lamp intended for your protection.

However, these are the features/characteristics that allow you to benefit from the best autonomy:

Rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery?

A rechargeable battery is always more economical. You buy it only once and you just have to charge it periodically. On the other hand, you have to be sure to have an autonomous generator, which will allow you to recharge it if you are dry.

A non-rechargeable battery is less expensive and is available from all merchants. You can find it more easily when you run out of battery.

Whether it is a battery or batteries, we advise you to store a certain number of recharges, which will always be useful to you (note: a rechargeable battery tends to discharge when it is not in use).

Prefer Lithium-ion batteries ?

Admittedly much more expensive than regular alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer much better performance , whether rechargeable or not. They are therefore more durable and reliable for long shipping.

The Crank lamp, a good idea?

There are crank lights that you can recharge by cranking the crank. They have the advantage of never leaving you without juice. However, their power is very limited and these lamps are intended only for lighting. No tactical flashlight offers hand crank or solar charging .

The crank lamp can be a great asset to light up your home. On the other hand, it is too noisy and too impractical for outdoor use.

In addition to autonomy, power and versatility, a survival lamp, to be effective, should not be too bulky. It is still an EDC lamp that you must be able to carry with you at all times, on you or in your bag.

There are a number of light devices we recommend :

1. Flashlights
2. Head torches
3. Lanterns
4. Battery Charging Devices
5. Candles.

In this Part 2, we’ll discuss the Flashlights. This discussion will also include an appropiate reference to the tactical flashlight.

If you’re going to invest in just one flashlight, there are a few things to consider. Does it need to be waterproof, so you can use it outdoors in all types of weather? Might you need to use it for long periods, in which case it might be smart to go for something lightweight? Will you require a variety of lighting modes for different situations? And what about power – are batteries fine, or do you want something rechargeable?

Flashlights in general are not really great for survival situations – especially when compared to headlamps.  However, they do have the benefit of being relatively inexpensive in comparison.  High-lumen flashlights are particularly useful are when you need bright task lighting and have someone who can hold the flashlight for you.

What is a tactical flashlight?

The tactical flashlight is a specific variant of the survival flashlight. 

It is the multi-use lamp par excellence since in addition to the lighting, it is also equipped with a self-defense blinding lamp. It is the same kind of flashlight used by police, military and gendarmes .

Usefulness of a tactical flashlight

This lamp has the particularity of delivering an extremely powerful light, capable of instantly impairing the sight of an attacker – a strong light, shone full in the retina is painful and can noticeably disorient your opponent. Selecting your tactical flashlight will be difficult since there are many factors and features to take into account. As well as lighting power (which is expressed in lumens), you need to consider the shape and weight that will give you perfect maneuverability when using the device.

In addition, depending on the use you plan to make of it, it may also be interesting to opt for a lamp with additional characteristics: waterproof or shock resistant in particular.

The various types of tactical flashlight

The light is even more intense with a strobe flashlight model . This delivers a flashing light which acts directly on the retina to plunge your attacker into complete darkness for about twenty seconds. In the event of an imminent threat, you can use it to generate a mini crisis in the other in order to regain the ascendancy over him or to flee.

The best tactical flashlights are of a specific shape so that you can use them as a lethal weapon. Some are equipped with dentition/s or blunt points that administer extreme pain to your attacker, especially in the areas of the face, eye, nose, mouth. It is a good alternative to the taser.

IMPORTANT : unlike the taser, you can freely equip yourself with a tactical flashlight, even when travelling by air.

Since the demands of a cheap/economical flashlight are obviously different from those of an expensive, more professional model, we have divided our reviews and recommendations accordingly : models up to 50€ and those over 50€. This helps to create a distinct boundary between inexpensive entry-level devices and others that are more aimed at serious enthusiasts and professionals.

However, always bear in mind that no single flashlight device is perfect and suitable for all uses. Consequently, we have therefore based recommendations on various requirements, not least budgets / spending limits – refer to ‘groups 1 and 2’ below.

Following these discussions/recommendations, there are separate sections dedicated to Keychain Flashlights (Group 3) and, finally Group 4 which is a device for kids and teens.

Tactical Flashlights Review – Group 1A (< $50 / €50)

Tactical Flashlights Review – Group 1B ( Also <$50 OR <€50 )

Tactical Flashlights Review – Group 2 (> $50 / €50)

SUMMARY

Before choosing a portable lamp, it is necessary to take stock of various Specification & Functioning criteria: 

lighting power , type of power supply , autonomy , weight and size of the lamp , waterproof option , the selection criteria varying according to needs but DON’T FORGET to take into consideration the width of the beam :

A wide beam is recommended to illuminate correctly at a short distance (the basement of the house, for example), while a narrow beam has a great range and is more suitable for outdoor use.
In addition,consider also these additional criteria ...................

(i) For occasional lighting

A flashlight with a power of 10 to 200 lumens is sufficient for occasional lighting.

• A model with a wide angle is useful for lighting around you , for example during a power cut; check the range (it is expressed in meters).
• A small, lightweight flashlight is easy to store and can be taken anywhere .
• A rechargeable model allows you to always be operational .

(ii) To light up while working

A minimum power of 100 lumens is required to work comfortably.

• For work requiring powerful and targeted lighting, the worksite light is ideal.
• To illuminate a very precise area, while having your hands free, the headlamp is perfectly suited. (We’ll discuss this in PART 3).
• To illuminate a site in a large and efficient way, a projector with a minimum power of 700 lumens is recommended.

Beneath its innocuous appearance, the flashlight can hide many third-party features. Of course its primary function remains to enlighten you, but you must take into account its power, its autonomy, its ergonomics, the range and the color of the beam … This guide’s primary objective was an attempt to try and answer as many of your queries in order that you can purchase with greater understanding and conviction.

Group 3 : KEYCHAIN FLASHLIGHTS

A Keychain Flashlight is a small, lightweight flashlight designed to fit onto a keyring, which typically features multiple lighting modes for extended battery life.

(1) For whom are mini flashlights suitable?

Flashlights for the key fob are basically suitable for people who travel a lot and always want to have a light source with them. Even children can benefit from the mini flashlights, for example to draw attention to themselves in winter.

In the outdoor area, slightly larger flashlights are often the better choice to better illuminate paths. Nevertheless, mini flashlights can also be useful here, for example to blind attackers or as an SOS signal. The lamps can also be used as tent lighting if they are equipped with this extra.

(2) Functions

You often can’t expect much from a mini flashlight, but some models are equipped with some helpful extras.

Some lamps can not only be used as flashlights – they are also suitable as mini lights, for example to hang them up as lamps in the tent. The light cone can also be varied on some models so that the lamps shine a little more or less brightly.

(3) What are the disadvantages of keychain flashlights?

Of course, the question also arises as to whether mini flashlights can also have disadvantages. One of the biggest downsides is definitely the size. Although mini flashlights can score with compactness, they are often difficult to handle due to their small size.

For example, many people have trouble turning lights on or off quickly, especially if they’re equipped with a small push button.

Mini-flashlights are also often only characterized by low luminosity, which is why they can hardly illuminate a completely unlit path. Thanks to the additional function, the light can often be dimmed as desired, but this function comes into its own with larger flashlights.

Furthermore, the low light level is often cited as a disadvantage. Although most mini flashlights are equipped with a powerful LED, the performance of a single LED is not comparable to seven LEDs.

Slightly more expensive lamps can shine up to 120 meters, but they usually don’t illuminate the side area so well.

Since the use of smartphone light is such a common habit of many folks (including myself !), I was very interested to come across this article from 1lumen.com which highlighted their preference to use a keychain flashlight rather than that from a smartphone :

1- Many keychain lights have replaceable batteries. So in case of an emergency, you’re likely to be able to find a spare battery, and your phone doesn’t. You likely want to save battery on your phone in these situations. 2- Smartphone lights don’t light up things farther than a few feet away from you. So a dedicated keychain flashlight is likely going to let you see farther away than just a few feet in front of you. 3- A keychain light can take some abuse, and it’s easier to lend out to somebody. Especially if you only have an expensive smartphone. 4- In case of an emergency, you might need both at the same time, so having an extra keychain light with you can be crucial. 5- In most cases, your cellphone light is very limited in terms of functionality. It’s usually an on/off, and no options like high mode, low mode, to extend battery life or have an SOS feature to let other people know where you are. 6- Keychain lights are likely easier to use when you need both hands than your mobile phone. 7- If it’s a real emergency, you want to save your phone’s battery 8- Most keychain lights are much more powerful and can light up a larger area / space 9- A keychain light is smaller, and therefore much easier to take with you than a phone. 10- Keychain lights can be used by smaller children, and you don’t need to worry about them breaking your screen 11- You can lend out your keychain light while keeping on to your phone in an emergency situation 12- Keychain lights are more water-resistant 13- Keychain lights are more impact resistant 14- 2 is one, and 1 is none.

Below are 3 recommended Keychain Flashlight devices which would satisfy most if not all of the criteria discussed earlier.

Group 4 : On a final matter, here is a recommended flashlight device for the kids :

Next Topic (Part 3) -> Headtorches for Survivalists & Preppers.

CLICK THIS LINK

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