Forever Flashlight - have you tried?

[yebo]

yup, rechargeable flashlights are no more reliable than those that use ordinary batteries. i have had several rechargeables in the past that i found out don't work or has batteries that don't hold a charge when i need them. the only plus for rechargeable flashlights is that you save the environment from discarded, used batteries.

as for me, since we are mostly talking here of flashlights for use in our vehicles during an emergency, an ordinary flashlight with a spare bulb and spare battery is the best. if the battery runs out, put in a new set. if the bulb burns, just pop in a new one. my wife always asks me why i have 2 flashlights (1 in the glove compartment, 1 in the tool box) and extra batteries (still sealed in the packaging) and bulbs. i just tell her she'd thank me later should we be in a situation where we will need a flashlight and one of those happen to be working.

i also have some light sticks. some say the light they emit is too weak to be able to work with (like in emergency car repairs). the secret is knowing how they work. if you heat it (like putting it on top of the hot engine) they glow as much like a fluorescent lamp does. of course they don't last as long hot as they do when they are cold, and that is the tradeoff. you want more light, you heat them. you want it to last for 12 hours, use them at room temperature.