[pct-l] photon/LED flashlights

[ROYROBIN@aol.com (ROYROBIN@aol.com)]

<< how long [do] these keychain flashlights last w/ the 2 lithium batteries? 
>>

Brian called just now from Gila Hot Springs, NM.  He's using the Lightwave 
Pocket-Bright flashlight.  Here's a field report:  The package advertises 
"over 100 hours of usable light".  He's using the light about 2 hours per 
night and is getting perhaps 20 hours of really usable light, i.e., light you 
can use to hike at night.  He changes the batteries about every two weeks.  
With new batteries, the light is much brighter than the Photon light. And, of 
course, the press on, press off switch is handier than the ones on the Photon 
light.  So far, the switch has been reliable.  

The light intensity seems to be linear rather than a "knee" curve, as the 
batteries grow weaker.    The thing may give some light after 50 hours, but 
not enough to hike with.  Cold weather conditions can't be good for the 
batteries, but Brian normally uses the light by tucking it under his 
balaclava in cold nights, next to his skin.  That should get some body heat 
into the light, and give better results than keeping it on the provided neck 
lanyard or visor clip.  

As I said before, this is his primary flashlight.  He's pleased with it.  The 
2025 batteries (two required) are expensive, but it's a really lightweight 
package.  Safety note, which someone on the list mentioned, and I will 
repeat:  Carry used batteries out and dispose of them properly (whatever that 
is in your book).  Batteries can explode rather violently in a campfire.