As always, I will begin by saying I have an addiction to flashlights. I can't resist buying one when I see something new. Thankfully, MOST of them are inexpensive and have lots of great uses. I mean, who doesn't need to see when it's dark? Over the last few years I have devoted lots of articles to my addiction. Covering
portable lights,
LED lanterns,
tiny portable LED lights,
head mounted LED lights, and
ultra-bright high output LED flashlights. This time I found something very simple that fits in the "Why didn't I ever see that before?" category. Want to know more? Read on!
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| Only $1.00! |
Very often I find myself needing to spot-light a particular task. Typically it's when I am in an ungainly and uncomfortable position working deep in my RV's cabinets or under the dash and need to have some light aimed at the stuff I am working on. Most of the time, I can find something magnetic to attach one of my general task lights to, but often I resort to balancing a flashlight against or on something while I work. As we all have experienced, they don't stay aimed very long. Either you shake the area enough to dislodge the light or just knock it out of place with your body -- either way it's aggravating. I wish I had a third hand and arm for these situations, but that won't happen AND it would be very difficult to find Hawaiian shirts with three sleeves. How about a simple aim-able light that would clip on and stay where it's put. Well, this is it!
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| Look At The Thin Stem. |
The clip isn't crazy-strong, so it won't damage what it's clipped to. That make it worthwhile even if you only clip it to wires under the dash! The light is very directional and very bright so tasks are well lit. There's a socket and ball base mount that allows it to be aimed and re-aimed exactly where you want light. So far, I've used it for over an hour of run-time and it hasn't gotten any dimmer. So far, so good. It's entirely made of plastic, so it's not very strong. I worry the thin "stem" that holds the light to the clip will eventually get snapped, but if you are careful that shouldn't happen.
So, what's the downside? First of all, the packaging says it has "NON-REPLACEABLE" batteries. Three LR41 cells to be exact. I did manage to take the light apart, and you CAN replace them, but it's not easy and you have to re-glue the front chromed plastic cap to hold it all back together. The verdict? It's very useful, but I would only use it when needed. Not as my "go to" light for all projects. Just another tool to be used to make a maddening task less maddening. You know?
And for just a buck...not too shabby. I have seen this light and similar ones at Walmart and at MANY shops like it. If you come across one, it's a worthy buy, especially if you work in hard-to-reach places and don't have another hand to hold the light. Yup, that describes me. I am sure I will be finding other uses for this cute little light. Right now, I'm happy to have found it.
Be Seeing You...Down The Road,
Rich "
The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com
So, what's the downside? First of all, the packaging says it has "NON-REPLACEABLE" batteries. Three LR41 cells to be exact. I did manage to take the light apart, and you CAN replace them, but it's not easy and you have to re-glue the front chromed plastic cap to hold it all back together. The verdict? It's very useful, but I would only use it when needed. Not as my "go to" light for all projects. Just another tool to be used to make a maddening task less maddening. You know?
Rich,
ReplyDeleteI'm reading your article on this clip on flashlight. On the same page is another light that is very compelling for the "Taclight 1100" supposedly the best thing since the invention of the flashlight. I can order this light at a 75% discount but only until Sept 30 because of the high demand for the tidy sum of $71.00. I think wow, this must be some light for that kind of money.
So I do some more investigation and come to find out this flashlight is sold for as little as $19.95 and is in fact just another Made in China POS.
The reason I'm writing this reply is mainly in response to Chucks article about fake news and how this mag does not condone the practise blah blah blah.
I suggest RV Travel practise what it preaches.
Dennis R
Dennis,
DeleteThat is WAY expensive. Take a look at the china sourced copies and be amazed at the price reduction. Buy 5 if several fail!
Also, ads on the page are context sensitive and NOT placed by any of us!
Rich "The Wanderman"
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI'll jump in here before Rich, but he can add to my response. Some of the ads on RVtravel.com are put in by Google and we have no control over them. It doesn't mean that we endorse them. An ad for a flashlight probably popped up because the post was about a flashlight -- but we didn't put that ad in. It is impossible for us to see all these ads ourselves. Many are served based on where a reader lives, or the content of the post. All we can advise is "buyer beware" regarding any of the ads that show up which are out of our control. Thank you for calling this to our attention. --Diane at RVtravel.com
Rich's articles about his finds aren't useful unless he tells us where he "found" the items!
ReplyDeleteLelia -- Rich usually indicates where he finds the items he writes about. In this article he mentions, "I have seen this light and similar ones at Walmart and at MANY shops like it." I hope that helps. --Diane at RVtravel.com
DeleteI recently bought a clip-on LED book light, similar to to this, for the purpose of telling me where by wheel cut is on a 40 ft motor home. When I'm staring straight down the side of the motor home whether pulling in or backing up, I can't see where my rear wheels are. With the clip-on - even in daytime without the light - clipping it onto the side above the wheel hub has made it much easier to get into and out of tight spots. Thought I'd pass that tip along as yet another good use for these gadgets.
ReplyDeleteRich T,
DeleteThat is a great idea, for a guidance light.
Thanks,
Rich "The Wanderman"