Walgreens Illuminator LED Flashlight

Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
Just recently heard about a new flashlight which I think is loosely based on the "Bayliss" generator (you know those people who made a small fortune sellling the "windup" flashlights and radios pre Y2K.)

I always wanted one of those radios or even the windup flashlight but the cost (nearly $100 pre Y2K) always inhibited me.

Now, Walgreen's Pharmacy offers an LED light with windup feature for $14.99? (thru August 27th) No batteries needed EVER? Seems like a deal too good to pass up? See http://weeklyad.walgreens.com/walgr...=2425640&searchtext=Flashlight&go.x=10&go.y=6

*****Admin ****
I could not get that link to work, but this one did:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100417&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod1401809

HeliumAvid
Administrator/TB2K
******************



Batteries combined with LEDs are a pretty good combination. I've bought several LED/battery flashlights and am pleased with the results. But batteries do have a life and it makes a lot of sense to get away from batteries if possible. (Sustainability, environmental aspect, TEOTWAWKI concerns, cost of batteries, etc, etc.)

LEDs combined with clockwork (windup) generator should be even better, if that's what this is. However, a lot of cheap import lights have been marketed such that when you turn the handle they store their electric charge in NiCad or NiMH batteries - and this storage media does have a limited cycle life. Clockwork should be much more lasting.

Does anyone have any experience with these lights? They seem available from a few difference sources at a few different prices on the internet.
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Best,
Joe
 
O

ofuzzy1

Just Visiting
Just bought the clone @ costco 2 for $20.

They hold a full brightness for about 10 minutes of 1 mintues worth of winding.
Easy to wind in either direction.

Really bright!

Would I buy more?
Yes.

Will I be able to probably not, they're * == last batch.
 
inskanoot

inskanoot

Veteran Member
Have to run to Costco and get more.

We thought they were well worth it at $20 each. There's a thread in the archives about them.
 
D

data junkie

Membership Revoked
I've been seeing a commercial for a battery-free hand held for 19.95. it comes with a free thumb sized light too. the body is clear plastic, which is cool cause you can see the guts working, and you just shake it instead of having to wind it up, so it's one-handed...i dug up the website, and see there is no shipping charge, but walmart and other chains carry the "as seen on tv" brand so i expect that this offer will be available there for at or below cost. in the ad, they show a car driving over it to demonstrate that it is indestructible.

anyone ever try one of the shake models? the commercial said the beam reaches i think 3 miles...

from the ad: Just shake the light for about 30 seconds and the EverLife Flashlight will provide about 5 minutes of light. During prolonged use it can be shaken for 10-15 seconds every 2 or 3 minutes giving you an unlimited supply of light.

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/everlife_flashlight.html?gid=

I clicked thru the offer, and they let you pick other free bonus gifts. i clicked on a couple, and those also had no shipping charges, so it looks like you can get a lot of kooky stuff no one really needs for the 19.95, fwiw. :lol:
 

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Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
With thanks to inskanoot...

...I was able to find the previous archive discussion which contained the term "Illuminator." Through one of the links I learned that the Illuminator flashlight contains a rechargeable LIR2032 3.6v Lithium Battery 35ma.

Doesn't sound like my preferred level of permanence, sustainability, reliability, etc. Perhaps only slightly improved over the NiCad import lights which can be considered at best "consumer grade disposable electronics."

An informed consumer is an unprofitable consumer.

Best,
Joe
 
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nanajo

Veteran Member
I've got 2 of the illluminator flashlights and love them. We camp a lot. Plan to get 2 more now that I know I can pick them up at Walgreens. Paid 19.95 each for the ones I have. Found them in the gift shop of the Lake Michigan Car Ferry on a recent trip. Let there be light! nana
 
N

Nuthatch

Membership Revoked
I was just at a Walgreen's on a trip and they they have this Illuminator for $15.

I mentioned this on another thread--but I really like it. It has 3 options (1 or 3 LED) and for my purposes, besides the bed lighting if the power is out) it is handy and works well.

www.sierratradingpost.com has Gerber brand LED lighting, including a flex light and a 5 LED combo light, on sale now for under $25 each.
 
jazzy

jazzy

Advocate Discernment
i have several of these windup ones from walgreens and love them. they are excellant, i wind for 60 seconds and get light. i did an experiment, wound it up, turned it on the low setting and set it on the night stand all night. in the morning it was still on but very faint. i have also wound it, turned it on and let it set for an hour. it lasts pretty good for tha hour.

i bought extra and gave them as gifts to my kids and other family members--i keep on in my car, one in the night stand, in the living room, wherever i might want to grab one---also have several stashed. great potential barter item maybe, but im not sure ill want to part with any ;)


jazzy
 
O

ofuzzy1

Just Visiting
Windups: Costco has them TWO for $20.

Beware of the shake lights, some just have a lithium battery in them.
It is a legit light if your compass goes nutz around it.
 
fairbanksb

fairbanksb

Freedom Isn't Free
I bought a couple at Lowe's a few weeks ago. Same design just different functions. Press the on/off button once and it is an emergency flasher, press again and 3 bulb led flashlight.
 
Signwatcher

Signwatcher

Has No Life - Lives on TB
DH got one at Walgreen's that has an AM/FM radio on it too. Even has an antenna that pulls out.

It was $19.99 IIRC.

I had purchased a couple of the ones without the radio last year for $14.99.

Nice bright light even if it is blueish.

I got a really nice windup radio/flashlight at Radio Shack last year for a bit under $50. It's bigger than the one from Walgreen's and the radio is more than AM/FM.

Both will be good in an emergency (hopefully).
 
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