Battery flashlight: overview of models

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

There are little things in a person's life that are difficult to do without. A rechargeable flashlight is one such item. Modern multifunctional gadgets can replace them to some extent. In some situations, flashlights are exactly the tool without which it is unthinkable to perform certain tasks. They are included in professional equipment and can be equipped with additional features.

Lantern

A lantern itself is a stationary or portable light source. They are divided into two large groups: stationary and portable. The main task of a rechargeable flashlight is to provide lighting in the absence of electricity. Almost every home has some type of flashlight. It is difficult to do without them at home, on vacation, on a trip.

Modern industry offers a huge variety of models. They differ in the material of manufacture, power supply, technical characteristics, lamp options. Latest Energy Saving Trendstechnologies gave impetus to the production of portable light sources based on LEDs.

LED

LED rechargeable flashlight is a versatile portable lighting option. There are many LED models, but not all are suitable for use in flashlights. Demanded options are:

• DIP - are a design of a plastic case with a built-in lens on two metal pins, easy to operate.
• SMD - flat, voltage is applied to the reverse side of the LED, where the terminals are located, have good light output and brightness.
• OWL is a modern design, a large number of crystals provides a more intense light output.
• RGB - devices of this type are capable of emitting all shades of the light spectrum, three LEDs are used in one crystal - blue, green and red (by changing the intensity of the glow of each of them, the color of the emitted light changes).

The advantages of LED lights can be specified as follows:

• miniature dimensions and light weight;
• high light intensity;
• The light output is diffused at 90-140°, eliminating the need for focusing lenses;
• high color rendering;
• economy of charging consumption ensures the duration of the device;
• mechanical durability allows LEDs to withstand repeated drops, shocks, vibrations;
• operational safety, does not heat up during operation;
• easy to use, easy to wear, safestore, easy to maintain.

Views

Depending on the use, the following types of lanterns are distinguished:

• Manual. They can be full-size with high power, designed for a long time of work. They are available in different sizes, are ergonomic (designed for constant holding in the hand), and are easy to transport. Compact hand-held flashlights are more often used for short-term illumination of the road, searching for small objects in the dark, and illumination in everyday situations. Portable models for effortless daily wear.
• Headbands. A special mount allows you to fix the device on your head. A very convenient option when you need both hands to perform any work in poor lighting. The lighting range can reach 30 meters. Usually equipped with a function for selecting the mode of light flux. The rechargeable LED headlamp is widely used not only in everyday life. For a good lighting range (up to 30 meters), it is often preferred by tourists, cyclists, doctors, hunters, motorists, fishermen, cavers, builders.

• Bicycle. A special mount allows you to fix it on the handlebars of a bicycle, like a headlight. The power of light is enough for good illumination of the road in the dark.
• Tourist. Practical, compact, resistant to mechanical damage, moisture resistant. Light intensity is high. There is a function of switching modes. Nearly all models can run on both battery and battery.
• For diving. Mandatorycondition - high water resistance. Equipped with the function of changing the color of the light beam and switching modes. Good illumination range is ensured by high light brightness.
• Trinkets. Small items worn on a bunch of keys. The main task is short-term dim illumination (for example, when opening a lock). Brightness and power are low. Very light and easy to use.
• Tactical. Comes with a weapon mount. The main task is to highlight the target. The underbarrel rechargeable flashlight has an excellent illumination range - up to 50 meters. It has a narrow glow angle, small dimensions, the case is made of metal, moisture resistant, equipped with a mode switching function.
• Search engines. The lighting range of the powerful LED rechargeable flashlight reaches 500 meters. It is possible to change the angle of illumination. A special feature is the large battery compartment. Quite heavy devices with large dimensions. Many models are equipped with three LEDs.
• Camping. Purpose - to illuminate a large area. They can be hung from a tree or placed on the ground. Economical, very effectively illuminate the surrounding space due to diffused rather than directional light. They have decent dimensions, so they are inconvenient to carry in your hands.

Professional. Their equipment and characteristics depend on the requirements of a particular profession. For example, firefighters need a device that is rugged, compact, powerful, and has a long run time. At explosive enterprisesuse explosion-proof lanterns (sealed housing prevents sparks in hazardous environments)

Food

Flashlight can be powered by replaceable batteries or rechargeable battery. The battery container can be built into the case or be in a remote unit. Both options have their pros and cons. The rechargeable flashlight is considered the most productive and efficient. The device can be charged from the mains without disassembling the structure itself. Commonly used nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels. The most common lithium cells. Their main advantages:

• low self-discharge;
• large capacity;
• no charging or discharging required when using;
• easy to maintain.

They are available in various sizes. An absolute plus is the ability to replace a failed battery. Select with the same power. There can be several batteries in one device, in addition, there are models that are charged from the sun.

Specifications

LED lights can be judged by their technical characteristics, such as:

• Power of light. Measured in lumens, it measures the total amount of light emitted from the flashlight.
• Illumination. Measured in lux, it takes into account the surface density of the light flux.
• Brightness. The total amount of light, regardless of the focus, quality and direction of the beam.
• Range. It does not depend on the numberlumens The distance directly depends on the quality of the optics and the focusing of the light stream.
• Working time. An ordinary household appliance can withstand several hours of operation, a caver's powerful rechargeable flashlight will last for several days.
• Type of light source. Modern models run on LEDs. Manufacturers can install one powerful or several medium-sized ones. In the past, there was nothing but an incandescent lamp.
• Water resistant. The degree of protection against moisture is different, household flashlights will calmly endure rain, tourist ones - short-term immersion to a depth of up to a meter, diving equipment will withstand many hours of work under the water column.
• Explosion proof. This characteristic testifies to the reliable tightness of the lantern body. Any possibility of creating a spark is excluded.
• Adapted beam. The device is able to capture reflected light and adjust the beam width accordingly.
• Optical system. The concentration of the light flux directly depends on the optical system. Cheap products don't have it. A high-quality rechargeable flashlight is equipped with mirror reflectors. They can be of two types: smooth (provides lighting range) and textured (gives uniform dispersion).

Advantages of LEDs

LEDs are the most popular light source in today's portable flashlights. This is due to a number of advantages over other analogues:

• heating temperature is much lower than in halogen orxenon lamp;
• heating the LED consumes very little energy, so they have the highest efficiency - 45%;
• unlike xenon, when the lamp is turned on, the LED immediately starts working in the required mode;
• The best light output from battery powered flashlights is about 95 lumens per watt.

Accessories

Different models of products may have additional details that facilitate its operation. These include:

• mounts (this applies to a rechargeable headlamp or a bicycle lamp);
• spare case;
• metal mounting clips (for camping lights);
• cases for spare batteries (especially relevant on long trips);
• silicone grease, helps extend the life of rubber surfaces;
• red filters, diffusion caps, color filters;
• additional fastening straps for fixing the flashlight on the hand;
• tactical and bicycle models are supplied with cables for remote control of the product.

There is a model of a lantern-protector. A fairly powerful shocker is built into it, capable of easily breaking through a dense down jacket. With it, you can scare away not only hooligans, but also dogs. Many modern devices are additionally equipped with a clock, compass, radio. Camping dynamo lights are supplied with a rotating handle. They do not require charging from the network at all. It is enough to make a small physical effort and in the area withoutany hint of electricity will be light, and the ability to connect the receiver, and even charge the phone. To do this, you must purchase the appropriate adapter kit.

Choice

When choosing a flashlight model, first of all, you need to determine for what purposes it is purchased. There is no universal product. Even the very popular rechargeable LED headlamp has its limitations. Most importantly, it only shines in the direction where the person is looking, there is no room for maneuverability, like a hand-held flashlight.

A high-quality flashlight is necessarily multifunctional. Household appliances should be light and comfortable. You should not take a copy stuffed with electronics: firstly, it can be difficult to deal with it, and secondly, repairs will be expensive. It is better to buy professional models in specialized stores and give preference to trusted brands. It is worth remembering that there are no eternal flashlights, sooner or later even the most reliable products expire.