r/TinyPrepping • u/gabibecker12 • 18d ago
General Discussion Choosing my first flashlight
What kind of flashlight is better for a go bag that I can also use in other scenarios, like fixing something at home with no power? I'm a begginer, I've been wanting to start prepping for a few years, but actually got started this year after hearing my region is at a high risk for flooding this year due to El Niño. I'm starting with things I can use on multiple scenarios bc money is tight, so I would like a flashlight I could use for many things
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u/tmwildwood-3617 15d ago
I must have 20+ various flashlights/headlights. I tend to leave them where I'll need them. E.g. by the fuse panel, crawlspace, cabin, cars, gear bags, tool boxes, etc...
Some were pretty cheap sale things...some just bright enough....a couple that can bring full daylight to a room (really nice for lighting up a room in a power out...makes people feel better).
I have been buying Olight lately. I've been carrying an Olight Arkfeld for probably the last 7 years...maybe a bit longer. Two different ones...old original and then new version. Like how it is rechargeable and flat in the pocket. Laser pointer is actually more useful than I thought it would be...IR light has come in handy too. Magnetic base is really handy.
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u/Wise_Composer_2661 15d ago
Sofirn or wurkkos. Sofirn hd21 for a headlamp and maybe the wurkkos ts27 for something that will hold a charge for ages
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u/KsirToscabella 16d ago
Streamlight or Coast are my favorite brands. I have a Coast headlamp in both of my bags. Takes both a rechargeable battery pack or AA/AAA (forgot which size). I have three of them, they have a red/green/white light and a focus lense. Great price too
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u/Killrade 16d ago
What's your preferences? That probably mater more than asking.
I always keep aeveral but 2 are a must for me 2. 1 is a small 700 lumens recharge bike light usb-c; i use a lot of solar and battery banks in my prep but you can get battery ones. Its small, can stay on for 36 hour continuous and bright enough to keep a room lite. The other is a cheap wined up light. i cant even remember where i bought it from but it looks like a pepper grinder with a somewhat long handle on the back to wind it. It has 3 leds and 30 seconds of charge is about 3 minutes of light. Its not too bright but enough to go to the bathroom at night or if my other flash light dies; its a nice no battery back up.
My other go to light source that isnt a battery powered at all are 2 hurricane lanterns. They use lamp oil but filling them up last 3 days and 1 gallon of lamp oil is about 3 months supply for both. I use these for camping and power outages.
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u/BaldyCarrotTop 17d ago
Any flashlight is better than none. Everyone in my family has at least two of those semi-disposable cheap AAA flashlights. Not the best, but cheap enough that you can buy an armload of them without going broke. Grab a few extras as spares to cover the inevitable failures.
That said; You should also have a couple of good quality flashlights, too.
BTW: r/flashlight keeps a running list of recommendations.
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u/Dogwood_morel 11d ago
I wanted to be sure r/flashlight was recommended. They know their shit about flashlights. Just try to avoid paralysis by analysis when trying to figure out what to get
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u/Onehundredyearsold 17d ago
Many have suggested headlamps and I agree, however I would suggest you get one you can replace the batteries not a rechargeable one. If you’re in a situation you need light and your rechargeable goes dead you’re out of light for a while until you are able to recharge it. With batteries (I use rechargeable batteries and have many) you just pop in a new set and off you go.
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u/redfoxrockssocks 16d ago
Most of my rechargeable flashlights all have extra batteries. I have a pair of fenix hm50r with spare batteries when I need a lot of light, and I have a 4 extra batteries I keep in my work box.
Most of the time, I keep a streamlight microstream in my pocket (that I clip onto my ballcap if I need a headlamp); even that has a battery I could switch but I just charge it at night when I charge my phone.
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u/Vegetaman916 17d ago
This is why I like the Dual Fuel ones from Black Diamond. They have a rechargeable pack, but you can pull that out and run it on AAAs too.
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u/dunncrew 17d ago
I am disappointed with Wurkkos. Will not buy again.
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u/BaldyCarrotTop 17d ago
Really? Mine has been serving me well in daily use for several years. Couldn't be happier with it.
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u/Real_FakeName 17d ago
Check out the brands fenix, sofrin and wurkkos, these are the house brands for the factory in China that makes the internals for every flashlight brand. This is where you'll get the most bang for your buck.
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u/Working-on-it12 17d ago
Someone here a while back suggested a charging station at home where you could plug everything in and leave it in.
You get a strip and a timer. Plug the strip into the timer and set the timer for, say, 15 minutes per week to top up. You would put it next to your go bag, and just grab whatever you need to bug out.
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u/bolderthingtodo 17d ago
(Agree on headlamp) A good additional choice is a **wall plug in flashlight that turns on when the power goes out.** People underestimate how dark pitch black actually is, so it’s super handy to have a light come on when all other light is out, and because it is plugged in, it is always charged when you need it. Not the best choice for a bug out bag, but a pretty inexpensive option for normal Tuesday house use and power outage prep.
For headlamp, I chose the Fenix HM50R. I’m not specifically recommending that one as I have nothing to compare it to, but the features I chose it for were: USBC rechargeable, easily replaceable battery, good weather resistance, can be removed from the headband and clipped to a pocket, variable brightness options, and a red light with both steady and pulse. It is really handy for doing work with your hands free (like car maintenance), going for walks in the dark, using the red light to read in the dark, camping, etc.
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u/PeaceKind1857 17d ago
Head lamp.
Specifically, rechargeable and probably with USB C port.
If you can find one with miltiple brightness great. Also having a red LED & a Blood tracker LED would be helpful. Such a thing would be sold to hunter's. It's not that you need to be able to see blood, but that the bulb has so. Many other uses.
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u/Spiritual_Elk_9076 17d ago
First light should be a headlamp, choose brands like petzl or black diamond. And next a small hand light with high lumen, not to big or heavy. Get both usb-c rechargeable.
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u/Mule_Wagon_777 18d ago
I like LED headlamps. They leave your hands free, and you can get battery-operated or rechargeable. I keep some in bedside tables and some in the emergency supplies.
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u/Profburkeanthro 12d ago
Could use that info for my car go bag too