So I got this neat little flashlight to test out. It’s a “hybrid” solar/battery backup job. A few tidbits from the website:
- Ultralight 4oz flashlight, 7 inches long
- Provides 40 lumens of power
- 8 hours of use on a full charge
- Holds a solar charge for up to 3 years (can be stored anywhere)
- Waterproof in up to 80′ of water
- It floats
- Fits almost anywhere
- Recharges using any light source (ambient or artificial light)
- Can be stored for 7 years and will retain 90% of the original power provided by two back up lithium batteries
- Lithium batteries provide 50 hours of backup power when called upon
- The most popular of the Hybrid Lights line of products
- 100% money back guarantee
- Guaranteed to work every time you pick it up and “click”!
I put the light on the windowsill to charge and left it there for a day, then turned it on that evening. And left it on. It’s a bright sucker, that’s for sure.
Seems well made, the switch works good, has o-rings on both ends to seal it up.
Being the skeptic I am, I had to take out the batteries and try the light then.
It works! And the solar charge holds well; I’ve had the light on several hours a day for several days without recharging. You can has one of your very own by going to Hybrid Flashlight. They’re $24.95 each, but those folks have been kind enough to offer y’all here 20% off, and free shipping when you enter the coupon code “simple” in the checkout box. No batteries to worry about. Charge by day and use at night. That’s cool. I do believe there will be a couple of these up for grabs in the raffle at Coastal PATCOM, and my sample will be there as well.
I like it…..
It is a pretty nifty gizmo.
If it floats, then the only way it’s gonna get to 80 feet is if you take it there. At that depth, I don’t think a flashlight’s water integrity will be your main concern.
Depends on how and why you got to 80 feet : )
Very cool indeed! We use a hand crank one and one that has a magnet and steel cylinder in the center that when shaken for five minutes, produces a charge that lasts for a half an hour. The solar one is cool because it can just sit in the window until you need it, then it will always be fully charged. It’s a bit spendy, but I like it!
Considering some of the junk flashlights I’ve had, and what I paid for them, I think it’s a pretty good deal.
And it’s made where?
Don’t know. Doesn’t have “made in China” anywhere on it. I have inquired, and will let you know.
Alas, they are made in China I find. Not surprising though, sadly enough.
Pretty handy light to have…just in case! Thanks for the tip!
Yer welcome!
Very cool flashlight, I can’t count the times I’ve dug out my old 2D cell military ‘elbow’ (turns 90 degrees at top) light from the center console and found I was still in the dark. Too, the spare set I’d have were often toast as well.
I’d still have to remember to charge this, but at least, its fixable on site,
I hear ya. Checked the lights in my bugout boxes and they were dead. So were the backup batteries (almost, lit up for maybe 5 minutes before petering out). They say these will hold the solar charge for 3 years, which is much better than the couple years of those flashlight batteries!
Looks like they use the same lithium cells that make up the power for the “Keep alive memory” in computers. Those take a long to time to go south, as long as there is some current to them. I wouldn’t store this in a dark closet or anything due to the fact that the Solar panel is what provides that trickle current.
Gonna have to order one now since my ‘back up ‘ light recently stopped taking a charge.
The batteries are supposed to last 7 years in storage. But mine will sit in the sun when not in use.
That sounds like a nice light. Not having to worry about the batteries is a huge plus. Thanks.
So far so good. Yer welcome.
Thanks for the link, ordered one today,Good luck on your meeting, le me know if you need any graphics
Richard
Hey Richard, I think you’ll be happy with it! And since you offered… : ) Something that works for Coastal PATCOM theme. Mention Kleberg County Beach, and my blog addy. Run with that, I know you’ll turn out something good!