flashlight : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

A battery powered light. Usually the bulb is an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) or group of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes), but older styles may use a small incandescent bulb. An LED is preferable since it will not burn out and it generates more light for the same amount of power.

1. Small flashlights fit on a keychain to help you find the lock hole in the dark.
2. Flashing lights you attach to pedestrians, bicycles and pets to make them more visible at night.
3. Medium size flashlights let you examine the inside of computers.
4. Full size flashlights let you find your way in the dark.
5. Supersize flashlights let you illuminate a campsite/tent for many hours. Often gas-powered lanterns are used instead for this purpose.

Judging Quality

• There are lots of trustworthy name brands (Olight, Fenix, Ray-O-Vac, MagLite, Duracell, Energizer, Eagtac…)
• Look for the cells to be sealed in a screw-tight metal container, ideally waterproof. Even atmospheric water can corrode the battery contacts.
• The brightness should be specified in lumens. You will find an order of magnitude difference in brightness with same battery voltage. The advantage of low brightness is the battery will last longer.

Caveats

• One problem with small flashlights is the tiny replacement batteries can often cost more than a whole new flashlight. AA and AAA are relatively cheap. Lithium cells are about $6 each. Others are $20 and up.
• Sometimes flashlights are sold as suitable for keychain use that are either ridiculously large or have no proper loop to attach the keychain. Read the size specifications. Don’t just guess from the illustration.
• Double check you are getting an LED not an ordinary incandescent bulb. It should be 80+ lumens.
• Even on some high end lights, you can’t replace the bulb or batteries.
• Lights that you turn by twisting the cap on tighter are easy to turn on by mistake, and drain the batteries.
• Get a different model of flashlight for each set of keys. That ways the keys will be distictive.

Care

Before first use, treat the battery contacts with DeoxIT to protect them from corroding.

Shopping

electronic link to Dorcy 41-4750 190-Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with Alkaline Batteries, Yellow

	recommend electronic⇒Dorcy 41-4750 190-Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with Alkaline Batteries, Yellow
	asin	B002OOZERY
Floats. Waterproof. Also comes is lime, pink, purple, blue. 190 lumens. Takes alkaline AA batteries.
Online electronic stores carrying Dorcy 41-4750 190-Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with Alkaline Batteries, Yellow amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Flashlight, Baomabao XLightFire 30000 Lumens

	recommend electronic⇒Flashlight, Baomabao XLightFire 30000 Lumens
	asin	B01L8E1B90
This product is not in stock at any of the Amazon stores. This is about as bright as they get. It uses 12 LEDs. It requires 3 × 3.7 volt rechargeable lithium batteries, not included.
Online electronic stores carrying Flashlight, Baomabao XLightFire 30000 Lumens amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to MagLite ST3D016 3-D Cell LED Flashlight, Black

	recommend electronic⇒MagLite ST3D016 3-D Cell LED Flashlight, Black
	asin	B000IXAJVY
Three big D-cells. Also comes is blue, red, grey and silver. 3-watt LED. 131 Lumens. Batteries not included.
Online electronic stores carrying MagLite ST3D016 3-D Cell LED Flashlight, Black amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to J5 Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight

	recommend electronic⇒J5 Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight
	asin	B00V7T1YRQ
	dim	2.59 × 9.40 × 2.59 cm 1.02 × 3.70 × 1.02 in
300 lumens, relatively low power which means long battery life. LED. Uses single AA battery.
Online electronic stores carrying J5 Tactical V1-Pro Flashlight amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock