[mdlug] SUSPECT: RE: OT: DIY Geek Tools

[M. D. Krauss]

On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:53:22 -0400
Dan Pritts <danno at umich.edu> wrote:

> On Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:07:52PM -0400, M. D. Krauss wrote:
> > Yeah, this is why I keep wind-up LED flashlights around.
> 
> Can you recommend one that's stood the test of time?  My paranoid
> friend bought a bunch of wind-up flashlights before y2k for his
> place up north.  none of them lasted through 2001.

This is not something that I had considered.  I've had these for
probably over a year and they work fine so far, but that's not exactly
a long time. They are DuraPROs.  Came in a pack of two at Costco, good
price as I recall. They look kind of like Star Trek phasers or
something.  They are good for computer work as the handle that charges
them also makes for a decent prop.

There is a sticker on them that says "IMPORTANT: For optimum
performance it is recommended that you charge the light by winding the
handle for one minute at least once every 3 months even if the
flashlight or flashers are not in use."  Maybe this is why your friends
flashlights died?  Kind of like if you don't start your car for a
while.

More recently I have noticed a similar model available with a built in
radio.  That seems like a great idea.

If anyone else has better information on this, I would love to know.

Matthew