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Lights Department
Buying Guide:
Solar, Dynamo, & Self-Powered Flashlights
Just about everyone sells flashlights, and there are dozens of models to choose from. What makes us different is that we focus on models that don't require conventional batteries or plugs. This page outlines the models carries by Modern Outpost, and highlights a number of technical details that you will find useful in making a choice among any of the models available on the market. Modern Outpost promotes some of the best models available anywhere.
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Models... |
Freeplay
Sherpa LED
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Lightstorm
SL1
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Lightstorm
CL1
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5-LED
Zipcord
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Illuminator
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Helio
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Mini
Solar LED
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Nightstar 4
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Appeal |
Highest grade dynamo & rugged construction |
No batteries of bulbs to fail.
Ideal for emergency kits. |
No batteries of bulbs to fail.
Ideal for emergency kits. |
Rugged, & easy to charge |
Charging options plus lantern & flashlight modes.
Great for camping & emergencies |
Charges itself in any bright window, or give it a crank |
Compact, easy to use, & surprisingly bright |
No batteries of bulbs to fail.
Ideal for emergency kits.
Not as bright as the dynamo models |
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Bulb Type |
7 LED |
3+1 White LED
3 Red LED |
2 Flood LED
1 Spot LED |
5 LED |
3+1 White LED
3 Red LED |
3 LED
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3 LED
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1 White LED
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Power Source |
Dynamo
(wind-up)
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Dynamo
(wind-up) |
Dynamo
(wind-up) |
Dynamo
(pullstring) |
Dynamo
(wind-up) |
Dynamo
& Solar
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Solar |
Kinetic
(shake) |
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AC/DC Charging |
AC adaptor included |
No |
No |
No |
USB cable included |
No |
No |
No |
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Power storage |
Internal NiMh Pack |
Carbon ultra capacitor |
Carbon ultra capacitor |
Internal NiMh Pack |
Internal NiMh Pack |
Internal NiMh Pack |
Lithium cell |
Carbon ultra capacitor |
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Run-Time |
Full charge:
High: 3.3 hrs
Low: 20 hrs
30s winding:
High: up to 3min
Low: up to 20min |
up to 17 minutes on full charge |
up to 20 minutes on full charge |
up to 24 hrs on full charge
60sec pulling:
up to 10 min |
FLASHLIGHT
Full charge:
up to 4 hours
1 min winding:
High: 13 min
Low:
23 min
LANTERN
Full charge:
up to 100min
1 min winding:
High: up to 5min
Low: up to 11min |
Full charge:
up to 1.5hrs
1 minute of winding:
up to 10min
20hrs of sunlight:
up to 10min |
6 hrs of sunlight:
up to 2 hrs
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60s shaking
up to
15 Minutes |
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Dimensions |
160x6.0x5.5cm
6.3x2.4x2.1"
370g / 13oz |
10x4 cm
(4x1.5")
209g/7.4oz |
15x5x4.4 cm
6x2x1.8"
207g / 7.3oz |
23x4x6cm
7.25x4.5x1.25"
440g / 15oz |
21.5x6x6cm
8.5x2.3x2.3"
240g / 8.5oz |
12x5x3.5cm
4.75x2x1.4"
120g / 4.2oz |
6x3.5x0.9cm
2.4x1.4x0.35"
24g / 0.9oz
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20x4.4cm
7.8x1.75"
230g / 8.4oz |
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Other Features |
High & low beams |
Optimal charging rate indicator light
Glow-in-the-dark band
Hook hanger handle (integrated in the body) |
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Universal battery charger included for using the flashlight to charge almost any small phone or PDA battery pack |
High & low beams in both flashlight & lantern modes
Can be charged from USB power source (including solar USB chargers) using included cable |
Integrated high-sensitivity solar panel to keep the flashlight charged when kept in a bright window |
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NOTE:
magnet should be protected from sensitve electronics & magnetic tapes
Download our shakelight info
Performance comparison |
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Outpost Price |
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Back to...
Lights Department
A Few Notes...
Magnetic Shake Flashlights...
The first shake flashlight came on the market a few years ago as the result of the improved efficiency of LED bulbs and their decline in price. Since that time, we have seen a steady improvement in the performance of shake flashlights, from a few minutes of light to more than 20 minutes following a 1 minute shaking of the flashlight. The cost & performance difference seen in the shake flashlights carried by Modern Outpost is a product of three things: the quality of the LED bulb, the size of the capacitor that stores power, and the size of the magnet & coil that generate the power. The current leader is the Nightstar II, but we also offer the low-end Economy models for those that would like to give the kids a flashlight that they will never burn-out!
Bulb Technologies...
Although LED bulbs are well known for their long life, cool operation, and low power consumption, the trade-off is their relatively weak light intensity. The exception is the new 1-Watt Luxeon LED, however its higher output results in higher power consumption. As a rule of thumb, LED bulbs consume 1/10th the amount of power in producing an equivalent amount of light to a standard incandescent bulb.
 Old flashlights with their standard incandescent bulbs could cast a beam of light across the yard, but they produce a blotchy beam, & drain batteries in only a few hours. Xenon Halogen bulbs are powerful, but drain batteries quickly.
The new generation of high-power LEDs are the way to go. With consistent, even illumination, the power to shine beyond 50m/150ft in many cases, far longer battery life, and extremely long service life. This is why we choose equipment from companies on the cutting edge of LED application.
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