Flashlight for your car.

[Jerry1]

I'm wondering what flashlight you use in your car for emergencies. Since it doesn't get used frequently and when you do need it, you really want it to work, I'm trying to have a good one on hand. I have a couple really nice flashlights that use a 16650 rechargeable battery. I'm not sure how they will handle the heat and cold of Michigan in a car. Alkaline batteries are out because I haven't had any that didn't eventually leak. I also have a small mag light that just uses 2 AA Enloop rechargeables. Looking for some input - thanks.

 

[Al18]

I carry a flashlight with a 18650 rechargeable battery, along with a Rayovac Sportsman lantern (3 D batteries) that works for 8 hours on low power mode. The flashlight only lasts about 1 hour. I believe Rayovac discontinued the Sportsman lantern, but the Energizer LED Camping Lantern X1000 looks like a good substitute.

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[Lewis Clark]

I remove the batteries from the flashlight. My batteries and the flashlight are in a ziploc bag to keep them together.

 

[Jerry1]

I carry a flashlight with a 18650 rechargeable battery

Do you periodically recharge the battery or check it out on a regular schedule?

 

[Al18]

No set schedule, but usually Spring and Fall. I have NiMH rechargeable in the lantern - they usually last 3 years.

 

[Al18]

The 18650 Flashlights have a micro USB port, so they can be recharged in the car.

 

[Sanstar]

I use a flashlight app on my phone.

 

[fosterscik]

I use the light included with the Li-ion jump starter I carry in the car. DW and my BDays are 6omonths apart and I recharge every BDay. Haven't had any problems yet with that schedule (and I've used the starter a couple of times over the years. Can't remember using the light very often...

 

[Jerry1]

I use a flashlight app on my phone.

I’m thinking in an emergency, I’d want more light than that. I’d also want something that I could more readily use while I’m on my phone.

 

[OldShooter]

For flashlights I use only Lithium non-rechargeable batteries and have largely standardized on double-As. I use flashlights only rarely, the rechargeables tend to go flat, and for my use they are not cost-effective. I just do not discharge and recharge them that often. My lithium batts typically have storage lifetimes measured in years.

Here is my source for top-quality: Tactical & Police Flashlights | Galls This is all cop stuff and tends to emphasize rechargeable types, often with car-mount chargers. Makes sense for them but not for me.

I have a number of flashlights similar to this one: Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA Tactical Flashlight. I don't need a big one to go hunting for bad guys in the weeds.

 

[Koolau]

I use the light included with the Li-ion jump starter I carry in the car. DW and my BDays are 6omonths apart and I recharge every BDay. Haven't had any problems yet with that schedule (and I've used the starter a couple of times over the years. Can't remember using the light very often...

We are rarely out at night anymore, but we also use the "jumper" battery for our car flashlight. I try to recharge once a month. Of course, my phone also has a flashlight as well.

 

[Jerry1]

For flashlights I use only Lithium non-rechargeable batteries and have largely standardized on double-As.

That’s worth considering. I can put some lithium AA’s in my Mag Light and that would be pretty reliable.

 

[More Cowbell]

Back in the day it was a 4 D cell Maglite! Because you might need a baton as well as a light!

Then I got a Surefire flashlight, so small and bright, with a traffic wand adapter. But the SF was pre-LED, so I got a Streamlight Twintask 2L, plus a Petzl e+Lite headlamp for my trunk bag.

I need to upgrade, the SL is dim by modern standards and uses CR123 batteries, while the Petzl is too fiddly. I have a adjustable brightness Black Diamond headlamp that I may use to replace both. It uses AAA so I'd use Lithium AAA to avoid the corrosion problem of alkaline batteries.

I usually carry a Streamlight

 

[More Cowbell]

Whoops:
I usually carry a Streamlight Stylus Pro USB in my pocket or bag. But if a USB C version with a similar form factor becomes available, I will switch for standardization and because Micro USB is not as easy to use.

 

[Tetto]

I remove the batteries from the flashlight. My batteries and the flashlight are in a ziploc bag to keep them together.

I do the same thing. Batteries then last their 10 year shelf life w/1% self discharge/year. I have the Home Depot Coast brand with 1650 Lumens. Thing is incredibly bright and durable. They are in all my vehicles. In my travel backpack I have a small Duracell 250 Lumen- batteries same way with light in plastic bag.

 

[Ronstar]

Rayovac with D batteries in my truck. A rechargable Olight S2R Baton II LED mini light for my Jeep.

 

[jim584672]

I have a car battery jumper that has a built in light.

 

[old medic]

Ill bet there are at least 4 flashlights in my truck, from headband on up to a Streamlight Stinger.
The Stinger is awesome, but not cheap.

 

[Aerides]

If it's nighttime and I have a car issue and want a flashlight, yeah, relying on my phone is going to be a failure. I've used my phone outdoors at night (usually looking for a cat or something) and I invariably give up and go get a real flashlight.

But I hardly ever drive at night at all, and if I was in some broken down situation that required me to get out of the car with a flashlight? I'd be calling someone first.

 

[Jerry1]

if I was in some broken down situation that required me to get out of the car with a flashlight? I'd be calling someone first.

True enough, but you might need the flashlight in your car to help someone else find their cat. Vehicles today are virtually unrepairable by the average person, especially someone broke down on the side of the road (not including a flat tire), so yeah, I’m probably calling an UBER and a tow truck. But I can envision needing one for other reasons, though I admit, I’ve never actually had that come up. I just have this gene that won’t allow me to not try to be prepared.

 

[Car-Guy]

True enough, but you might need the flashlight in your car to help someone else find their cat.

Ain't going to happen to me.

 

[grasshopper]

Another never drive in the dark fan. But when we travel I have a LED with 18650 rechargeable with a spare, Ms G has the same flashlite and a spare also. Always nice to have for a hotel stay. My portable air compressor has a light, but I have never had to use it, or my tire plug kit I carry. Small things to be thankful for.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I got a few "Emergency Dynamo 5-LED Flashlight with AM/FM radio & Siren"s about 15 years ago; in addition to a USB port they have a crank to charge, and can charge your cell phone, and keep a couple in the house and one in every car. I also have a backup battery jumper in my frunk that has a built in flashlight/emergency flasher.

 

[OldShooter]

Another never drive in the dark fan. But when we travel I have a LED with 18650 rechargeable with a spare, Ms G has the same flashlite and a spare also. Always nice to have for a hotel stay. My portable air compressor has a light, but I have never had to use it, or my tire plug kit I carry. Small things to be thankful for.

FWIW we have small motion-activated lights that we carry for hotel room use. We'll put one in the room area where it will be triggered when one of us gets up and one near the bathroom door. If the bathroom involves a step up or a step down, the second light goes right on the step. These are the ones we have: Amazon.com We don't use the mounting frame gadgets.

 

[jollystomper]

The portable jump starters I have in each car also have a built-in flashlight function, a very bright LED.

I recently did a minor "BTD" on Temu to get multiple headlamps to also keep in the cars. Those are very convenient when you need to use 2 hands.

I also have a portable solar powered charger than contains a flashlight, that is usually in one of the cars.