http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Free-E...pr_product_top

I got some thing like this, can't remember where. The quality was awful, the
generator was irritating, the light lasted about 10 minutes. The light
spread was awful. I ended up giving it away.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:21:19 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Free-E...pr_product_top

I got some thing like this, can't remember where. The quality was awful, the
generator was irritating, the light lasted about 10 minutes. The light
spread was awful. I ended up giving it away.

I got one from Harbor Fright when it was on cheap, cheap sale. Liked
it so well I went back for three more. I've used it enough to trust it
as the long term light source in my BOB.

The only complaint I can make is that it has a 1 LED and a 3 LED
option. I can't tell them apart by intensity or light pattern. All in
all, very happy with it.

On Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:47:22 -0700, Winston_Smith
wrote:

On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:21:19 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Free-E...pr_product_top

I got some thing like this, can't remember where. The quality was awful, the
generator was irritating, the light lasted about 10 minutes. The light
spread was awful. I ended up giving it away.

I got one from Harbor Fright when it was on cheap, cheap sale. Liked
it so well I went back for three more. I've used it enough to trust it
as the long term light source in my BOB.

The only complaint I can make is that it has a 1 LED and a 3 LED
option. I can't tell them apart by intensity or light pattern. All in
all, very happy with it.

I've never understood the attraction of those things. They put out
lousy light and are a pain to use. Batteries today last 10 years on
the shelf. Why not just buy batteries and rotate them every few years
so your BOB always has fresh ones? I don't think the apocalypse will
be longer then the battery shelf life and if it is you'll have more
things to worry about then whether you stockpiled batteries versus
used a crank lantern.

I like the palm phaser lights, they don't give me
carpal tunnel syndrome, too badly.

You're right, that some good batteries and a LED
light or two make sense. NiMH cells and solar charge
also make sense.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Ashton Crusher" wrote in message
...

The only complaint I can make is that it has a 1 LED and a 3 LED
option. I can't tell them apart by intensity or light pattern. All in
all, very happy with it.

I've never understood the attraction of those things. They put out
lousy light and are a pain to use. Batteries today last 10 years on
the shelf. Why not just buy batteries and rotate them every few years
so your BOB always has fresh ones? I don't think the apocalypse will
be longer then the battery shelf life and if it is you'll have more
things to worry about then whether you stockpiled batteries versus
used a crank lantern.

On Sat, 03 Nov 2012 15:41:47 -0700, Ashton Crusher wrote:
On Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:47:22 -0700, Winston_Smithwrote:
On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:21:19 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Free-Emergency-Camping-Crank-Lantern/dp/B000RZ8RD0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I got some thing like this, can't remember where. The quality was awful, the
generator was irritating, the light lasted about 10 minutes. The light
spread was awful. I ended up giving it away.

I got one from Harbor Fright when it was on cheap, cheap sale. Liked
it so well I went back for three more. I've used it enough to trust it
as the long term light source in my BOB.

The only complaint I can make is that it has a 1 LED and a 3 LED
option. I can't tell them apart by intensity or light pattern. All in
all, very happy with it.

I've never understood the attraction of those things. They put out
lousy light and are a pain to use. Batteries today last 10 years on
the shelf. Why not just buy batteries and rotate them every few years
so your BOB always has fresh ones?

They will last a few years until you use them. Then you are down to no
more than a few tens of hours at best.

I assume you are in the home repair group, not the survival group.
Stromin' hangs out here and just cross posts to other assorted groups
when he wants some extra attention, so my reply was really to my
group.

A BOB (bug out bag) should have several levels. At least preps in
general should. Technically, in it's original meaning, a BOB is just
to support you while you get to a pre-planed safe place. A three day
or week long hike if everything else fails and then it's used up and
it's done it's job.

The term BOB has come to mean a lot of different things to different
people. Let's talk preps in general and then I'll say that I apply as
much of that to the BOB as practical.

I think in terms of three time frames. Short duration, a few days, the
classic BOB. Besides it's classical use for bugout, mine is also a
three day bag - ride out a storm or power burp where you are. Or
maybe just give you amenities if a chemical spill makes you evacuate
for a day or two. What you say about flashlights and batteries are
perfectly good in that situation.

Second level is long duration. Things are going to recover but it's
going to be a long slog before it does. For that I have long burning
candles in a windproof lantern (google "UCO candle lantern") which
will give me a few weeks of light if carefully Sheppard.

The third level is the forever bugout. It ain't coming back, deal with
it. No more batteries, no more candles. At least not until you get
something going to make them. Still need light. Take more if you can;
you should have your retreat stocked, but s*** happens.

Technology was a great tool in the beginning. Now it's useless. No
fuel, nothing with a predictable and limited use life is still
available. Sure the wind up will wear out if it doesn't break. But
once a particular design/specimen is tested and proven, the odds are
it will work without input for a very long time. If you settle down at
night and live by the sun, you only need a little light and for short
periods. The windup is one solution.

Another is a small solar panel with rechargeable batteries and a small
led light bar. That's good until the batteries won't charge anymore,
which can easily be years with good quality rechargeables.

Every thing in a BOB should be multiple use and there should be
multiple ways to fill each need. If things have truly hit the fan, you
want belt and suspenders and a length of stout cordage too.

I don't think the apocalypse will
be longer then the battery shelf life and if it is you'll have more
things to worry about then whether you stockpiled batteries versus
used a crank lantern.

Your assessment of possible risks and ours are different. So be it.
The odds are diminishingly small. You have decided to take the risk,
some won't.

And yes, we would have a great many things to worry about. Isn't it
nice to have the obvious covered so you can get on with it?

Winston_Smith wrote:

Second level is long duration. Things are going to recover but it's
going to be a long slog before it does. For that I have long burning
candles in a windproof lantern (google "UCO candle lantern") which
will give me a few weeks of light if carefully Sheppard.

Speaking from experience, the UCO candle lantern will also give you a hell
of a mess to clean up if you leave it in your pack inside a vehicle in the
summer.