My Favorite Off-Grid Flashlight (Ever)

Every once and awhile I run across an off-grid tool that promises a lot and actually delivers.  These gems are few and far between since most products today oversell and underwhelm.  So it is with some excitement that I finally get around to writing about the best off-grid flashlight I’ve ever used.

The flashlight that came with some power tools I had purchased before we moved down to Texas stopped working… or I should say the bulbs kept burning out.  We also had experimented with some LED headlamps that worked but it seemed like I was always having to charge the batteries at the most inconvenient time… when I actually needed the light to be bright and working!  So last October (2012) I purchased a 2-pack of these “Hybrid Solar Powered Flashlights“. They were well rated on Amazon.com so I thought I would give them a shot.

(Take out the backup batteries and you still have a fully working flashlight.)

The key to this flashlight is that it does not need any batteries…ever (though it does come with backup batteries if you want to use them).  Now if you are like me and have ever experimented with the “shake lights” that also make this claim you were probably disappointed.  The shake lights are generally loud, very dim, and hardly hold any charge or usable light.  They might work in a pinch but otherwise are not very practical.  On the other hand, these “Hybrid” lights charge off a built-in solar panel and they charge capacitors (super capacitors, ultra capacitors) instead of batteries.  Capacitors can be reused for all intents and purposes forever (compared to batteries) and in this case they hold a charge that produces bright white light for a long time.   2 AAA batteries (rechargeable) that are inside, which are not replaceable.  When I first wrote this review I was under the impression it charged capacitors… I was incorrect (and somewhat disappointed by that).  However, for what it does, it is still a great flashlight.

(Red light indicates it is charging off the solar panel.)

Okay, so you are probably wondering how bright these things are.  I used to think Maglites (the old 1 and 2 AA kind) were great lights that provided a lot of light.  This Hybrid Light is as bright as a Maglite in my opinion.  Plus, if fully charged they maintain full brightness for at least an hour of constant use.  Thereafter they start to get a little dimmer but the light is still quite usable for several more hours and much better than shake lights. (Perhaps I will turn one on some night and record how long it gives light as a test…stay tuned as I may update this.)  For us, this is perfect because I just set the flashlight outside in the morning and I’m ready to go every night.  You don’t have to put it in direct sunlight either, it can charge next to a window, etc.  So someday I might rig it up to just sit in our westward facing window for a late afternoon charge.

(A picture of the light output in our camper closet.)

The key benefits for us have been:

• No batteries to change/recharge, etc.
• Very inexpensive (around $13 a light at the time of this writing)
• Durable (I’ve dropped it and knocked it off from ledges many times and have not broken it yet after 5 months of daily use)
• Solar power built-in
• Bright enough light and long enough for some reading, putting chickens away, getting firewood after dark, going to the bathroom at night, etc.

The only downside to the light is that I can’t strap it to my head… but I imagine we could make a head strap someday to accomplish that task.  Okay, I guess there is one other downside.  You have to click twice to turn it off because it cycles through solar power (capacitors) and the backup battery before turning off.  For me personally, I would rather have a model that didn’t even have backup batteries. These are minor issues though.

So after 150 or so days of daily use and counting I can definitely recommend this flashlight and I can say that you actually get more than you pay for on this one (in my opinion).  We have three of them and I gave a fourth to my dad who also has enjoyed using it (even though he lives on the grid).

If anyone can find a better flashlight like this please let us know.  Until then, I’m sticking with this one.