Coleman MAX.
Okay, after reading the all-positive website reviews, I had to go look at it. (Coleman certainly has a lot of flashlights.)
Coleman Max Bubba Weather-Resistant LED Flashlight:
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/1384869 ... htm?page=2
Bought it. Brought it home and tried it. Wow!
Took it over to show my neighbor lady. She said "You and your toys."
Turned it on. Shined it on my hand and the reflection was too bright for her. Now she wants one.
Figure we probably need two each. One in the car. One beside the bed.
Thanks for the information.
Spare batteries.
(added) I like the idea of having a spare set of batteries around for when needed, but don't want to carry an extra set.
Using the idea already mentioned above, I cut a circular piece of stiff thin cardboard and put in between the second and third batteries in one of the battery tubes---effectively disconnecting that tube. In this way, I have a spare set of batteries for when the first set goes bad at 13 hours.
In testing, the cardboard falls in easily and lays nicely flat on top of the second battery before the third battery goes in.
In testing, the second battery easily pushes the cardboard out.
(edit) When the first set goes bad at 13 hours (assumed), just discard the first set, remove the cardboard from the second set and I'm back in business. And I'll know I have another 13 user-hours (assumed) to reinstall a replacement set.
Sounds more user-friendly than going 26 hours and maybe needing new batteries and not having them.
(added) This idea assumes that one set of batteries is enough to supply the correct amount of current to get the full run time. If we are drawing too much current from a single set of batteries, then we might not get the full 13 hours estimated from one set. This could be the reason the flashlight was built with two sets in parallel.
(added) Guess it would not hurt to burn one set in testing. It's on my list.
Done.
Key chain penlight.
(edit) Okay. Now what's the most useful, convenient, small, long lasting---but maybe not the longest, bright---but maybe not the brightest, cheap 1-AAA (or maybe 1-AA) LED key chain penlight? Something that will be easy and automatic to carry everyday on my key ring.
(Added) Coleman MAX test results.
1 Dec update.
Below is my first post of my test results. I'll post another when the batteries dies. My problem is... the batteries will not die!
As of this writing, I have over 100 hours on 3AA batteries and the MAX has been on for 5 days continuously! Of course, the light is now only as bright as a night light (tail standing on the bedroom dresser), but it's still a better quality light than from my MiniMag Solitaire.
Please ignore any negative impressions below (I'll fix them later) as the MAX is amazing and I did get 13 hours of very bright light off one set of 3 batteries. (Without instrumentation, I can't know exactly when it dropped below 137 lumens.)
Don't worry about spare batteries as you will have a very long time to replace them if you no longer like the light level off weaker batteries.
The MAX is very bright, rugged, water resistant, and very long running. What's not to like?
The MAX is advertised to give 137 lumens and 26 hours of run time on 6-AA batteries. As the batteries are in two parallel 3-AA tubes, I wanted to know if we could get 13 hours of run time on one set of batteries.
Assumption #1. I assumed the MAX had a DC to DC converter power source to keep the voltage constant and that the flashlight would produce its maximum 137 lumens until the batteries were completely exhausted and the light extinguished.
Assumption #2. I assumed a critical light failure would be an inconvenience and that it would be nice to have a spare set of batteries on hand. This is why I wanted to test the one-tube run time, so I could use the second tube for spare batteries.
I have no instrumentation so all conclusions are subjective. I compared the MAX light output against my existing lights.
Ray-O-Vac Sportsman 2-D flashlight. This 30-yo incandescent flashlight has a very bright center spot and very weak flood area. I keep it in my car for finding and reading house numbers at night---works well. I changed the batteries before the test, however, the new batteries came from my refrigerator and were Duracell’s with a Mar 2009 expiration date. If there is any truth to the rumor that refrigeration extends battery shelf, then perhaps these batteries may be considered “good enoughâ€
by GPW » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:53 am 
