Is solar flashlight superior to normal flashlight ?

[jessie258]

My flashlight is broken and I want to buy a new one, some friends are using solar flashing without battery, maybe it is much lighter than the normal flashlight and maybe more convenient since it can be recharged by sunshine easily. Anyone who has the solar flashlight? Is solar flashlight really superior to normal flashlight ? http://www.suntekstore.com/subject/flas ... index.html

[majorhavoc]

Sorry, am I missing something jessie258? The flashlight you linked to, the "ANOWL AK51 CREE SST-50 LED 5-Mode 1300LM Flashlight Waterproof" appears to be a Hong Kong sourced knock off of a Surefire. There's nothing solar about it except the name of the company is the "Suntek Store". None of the other lights listed below it appear to be solar powered either.

I'd address your broader question about the merits of solar flashlights, except that for the moment, I honestly can't tell if you're spamming us or not.

[ninja-elbow]

Yeah ... not one solar flashlight on that link. Just a bunch of knockoffs.

To answer your question - there are not that many solar flashlights ... or hand crank... or other alternate energy flashlights... that are really superior to a good flashlight today.

[Regular Guy]

I have an energizer solar and traditional battery powered flashlights. The Solar also has a hand crank. It will run for a few hours without a crank but is not even good for walking unless you crank the thing the whole time. Not bad but not good. The traditional one is very bright and has lasted years on 3 AAA batteries. I wish solar/crank worked better but they sadly don't.

[sigboy40]

In a matter such as this, I would suggest a good AA flashlight, a solar charger, and rechargeable AA batteries. This solves all your problems in one swoop, while only adding about a pound of weight.

Granted, for short trips I rarely even pack spare batteries, I just install new before leaving. Its rare that I can kill either my flashlight or my headlamp in a three day trip, but this isnt a ultralight backpacking forum, it's the MF'ing Zombie Squad, and we prep for the worst, not the best.

[CryHavoc]

I think they meant to link to this or something similar.

http://www.suntekstore.com/goods-130011 ... r_-_l.html

The only problem with solar powered equipment is that if you have a very overcast day, your equipment isn't going to get very charged. If you can, get one that also has a handcrank.

[jessie258]

I think they meant to link to this or something similar.

http://www.suntekstore.com/goods-130011 ... r_-_l.html

The only problem with solar powered equipment is that if you have a very overcast day, your equipment isn't going to get very charged. If you can, get one that also has a handcrank.

I usually buy my electronics from this site since it is not bad, there are only several solar flashlights when I search http://www.suntekstore.com/search.php?e ... U3MTgxO30=

I compare them with the amazon and ebay, seems the price is cheaper. So, buy the solar one ?

[supermarvio]

I have one of those hand cranking flashlights with a siren and button compass. Has yet to fail thus far.

[Woods Walker]

My advice is to buy a real flashlight.

[GunsUp]

Those solar/hand crank flashlights tend to have really weak output and are like 3x the size of any other flashlight. Not bad for a vehicle where you have problems with batteries dying in the heat.... but for a bob or the house definitely get a real flashlight.

I like the fenix E11. runs up to 8 hours on a single AA battery, weighs nothing, as bright as an old-school 3D maglight and $27 shipped from amazon. It's my EDC light.