Drop resistant flashlight

[gafftapegreenia]

So here's my problem, I love small, compact bright LED flashlights, but I seem to have a bad habit of abusing them to death. I've killed several MAG lights, both Incan. and LED, several "no name" LED's, and I  think I've damaged my Serac S3. (Actually the Serac is almost too small for me) It's not like I throw them across the room, it's normal just a 3 foot drop when my grip slips. Now, I've read all types of reviews about how bright a light is, how long the run time is, etc etc, but few people ever mention how much drop abuse they can take.

Heres what I need: A pouch sized two AA or CR123 size light that can withstand being dropped from three to five feet on a concrete floor. Any suggestions?

[Zack]

May I suggest a lanyard.  I can't really think of any light that is going to be drop resistant.

[Chako]

http://www.energizer.com/products/flashlights/worklights/Pages/hard-case-flashlights.aspx


Energizer Hard Case flashlights. I have a spot that has seen some abuse and it keeps on ticking.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've dropped my Gerber Infinity from about 20 feet (was on a lighting gantry at the time) and apart from chipping the anodizing it was fine

Not really the form factor your after I know, but It's the only light I've dropped

A lanyards a must when working at heights though

[gafftapegreenia]

Of course lanyards are great at heights, but really it's just me fumbling with a light at waist height.

[John]

You can throw the Ra against a wall several times and it will still work,one point about led they're usually shock proof  



[edit] TBH any led based light will work after being dropped from the height you specify 

[ryan1835]

I've dropped my Fenix down a lift shaft and not a scratch to it

[John]

If I can get around to it I'll prove it tomorrow with a cheap led light  





[edit] Hold on I'll do it now 

[Turnstone]

I have dropped my Fenix L2D several times on about any terrain, and even dropped it into a small river. No problem 

[John]

....

[Chako]

I would still get that Energizer Hard Case. Rated to survive a 30 foot drop.


It would be interesting to see if you could kill one of those during normal usage.

[John]

I would still get that Energizer Hard Case. Rated to survive a 30 foot drop.


It would be interesting to see if you could kill one of those during normal usage.

Chako that light has been higher than that and dropped,I was just trying to make a point led in general(whatever the brand) will take knocks  

oh and note: I threw it 

[Chako]

Yes, but that still does not mitigate gafftapegreenia's statement of breaking flashlights.

So why not go for one that is rated for a 30 foot drop by the manufacturer, and is designed for the construction industry. Your cheap flashlight may take several bounces, but will eventually fail as it was not rated for such abuse. LED or not.

Just my two cents.

[John]

Yes, but that still does not mitigate gafftapegreenia's statement of breaking flashlights.

So why not go for one that is rated for a 30 foot drop by the manufacturer, and is designed for the construction industry. Your cheap flashlight may take several bounces, but will eventually fail as it was not rated for such abuse. LED or not.

Just my two cents.

Actually you are totally wrong every led is rated for shock proof,now how the Manufactures bond them to a flashlight is totally different  it all depends on what quality bonding they choose to make  oh and don't read to much into ratings 

[John]

And just to end I indeed had one(rated) from sunlite who are for industry and it failed,$128 is not cheap  

[edit] But the $1 light still shines  

[Screwtape]

You might try peli lights, they're a little behind the group on led tech but as far as cases, water proofing and just taking a beating they are top notch,

They also have a life time no quibble guarantee, which means what ever happens just take it to a dealer and they'll give you a new one there and then, doesn't matter how trivial the damage is either I've seen this happen when someone snapped off the pocket clip off theirs

[Chako]

Fair enough. I know myself; I have broken a few LED flashlights. Yes, they are not as fragile as bulbs...but I can still break them unfortunately. You probably are right also, the LEDs could still be good, but it doesn't seem to do me a lot of good when everything else fails around them.

[John]

Fair enough. I know myself; I have broken a few LED flashlights. Yes, they are not as fragile as bulbs...but I can still break them unfortunately. You probably are right also, the LEDs could still be good, but it doesn't seem to do me a lot of good when everything else fails around them.

everything around it,PROTECTS IT 

[Andreas]

Get a decent LED light and wrap it in paracord to add some protection. If something breaks it will be the Cree LED falling off the PCB from the shock.

[Chako]

---

[John]

Get a decent LED light and wrap it in paracord to add some protection. If something breaks it will be the Cree LED falling off the PCB from the shock.

LOL  you use super glue yes? well FYI the led is held in place with what you choose 

[Andreas]

Super glue for the paracord you mean? The cree LED is naturally on the PCB when you buy the flashlight -__-
I have had the actual LED fall off the PCB on a stock flashlight, hence why I know that is the failing point

[John]

Super glue for the paracord you mean? The cree LED is naturally on the PCB when you buy the flashlight -__-
I have had the actual LED fall off the PCB on a stock flashlight, hence why I know that is the failing point

you can have your opinions but how the led is bonded to the board makes a difference 

[Andreas]

Sure, but how in heck am I supposed to know what manufacturers use for that procedure? You comment asking me if I use super glue makes absolutely no sense, that's like asking someone what type of brass rod they used to put together a SAK they just bought from a store

[John]

Sure, but how in heck am I supposed to know what manufacturers use for that procedure? You comment asking me if I use super glue makes absolutely no sense, that's like asking someone what type of brass rod they used to put together a SAK they just bought from a store

No! I said you like super glue SO WHAT!. What I'm trying to say is: led boards DON'T use super glue  

[Andreas]

That doesn't mean they can't fall off. I've had it happen. After all, most of the electronics in such a light is protected within the light, but the reflector can transfer shock to the LED itself, and that might make it come off if its surface mounted like most are. I'm not saying it will happen, I'm just saying that if anything on the light is going to break, that's likely to be it.

Also I don't like super glue in any particular way; I use it on SAK scales because it works perfectly. I still fail to see what me using super glue for SAK scales have to do with manufacturers not using super glue for LED flashlights.

[John]

That doesn't mean they can't fall off. I've had it happen. After all, most of the electronics in such a light is protected within the light, but the reflector can transfer shock to the LED itself, and that might make it come off if its surface mounted like most are. I'm not saying it will happen, I'm just saying that if anything on the light is going to break, that's likely to be it.

Also I don't like super glue in any particular way; I use it on SAK scales because it works perfectly. I still fail to see what me using super glue for SAK scales have to do with manufacturers not using super glue for LED flashlights.

Then it makes no difference who makes it cheap/expensive makes no difference if they bond it in the same way  

[Andreas]

I never said they bond it the same way... I think you need to start reading sentences better, would help avoid a lot of confusion

[John]

I think you need to start reading sentences better, would help avoid a lot of confusion

I really must 

[thetopher]

+1 to everybody saying the energizer hard case lights.


I work pest control and part of that involves climbing into some pretty nasty holes under houses.  When you're on your way out, gently placing your light down is the last thing on your mind.  My lights have fallen 4-6 feet onto concrete more times than I can remember.  Neither of my two hard case lights ever broke.  The only reason I stopped carrying them is I want something with a little more "heft" when I'm working in the inner city, if you know what I'm mean.  So I switched to a 4D cell Maglite LED.  This one has taken just as much abuse and keeps on ticking.

If you want something super small, I have a Maglite solitare with a custom LED upgrade in it on my keyring that gets thrown around and bashed around. The finish is so scratched up you can barely tell it used to be black.   Still works perfectly though.

Hope that helps a little.