Hand Powered Flashlight

Owning a hand powered flashlight is a good idea - and not just for camping!

There are lots of great flashlights available - but most of them have one big disadvantage: they are powered by batteries. And batteries wear out - whether or not you ever use the flashlight!

Advantages of A Hand Powered Flashlight

It can sit indefinitely, unused, and then be ready when you need it.

You can store it away with your camping gear at the end of the season, and it will still work next year!

Disadvantages

The light from a hand powered flashlight is not as bright as from a comparable battery-powered light.

A hand powered flashlight should be reserved for use as an emergency flashlight, not as your everyday flashlight.

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Types of emergency flashlights

Shake lights

NightStar Shake Flashlight

Shake flashlights were all the rage a few years ago. We bought some for our kids. It sounded like a great idea: a flashlight that was powered by shaking!

Nowadays, they are quite an expensive option!

How do they work?

I won't pretend that I completely understand the science involved, but here are the basics:

When you shake the unit lengthwise, a sliding rare earth magnet moves back and forth through a spool of copper wire.

This creates electric current that powers an LED light.

Shaking the unit vigorously and steadily for about 30 seconds is supposed to provide about 5 minutes of light.

Are they practical?

It turns out that 30 seconds is a long time to shake a flashlight! But it is reported to be sufficiently bright.

The NightStar Shake Flashlight has good reviews on Amazon.

Check it out HERE for more information!

Tips

Be sure to get a good one. The good quality models do work and will last. They just take a lot of effort.

Beware cheap knockoffs! Some are actually fakes: they look like shake flashlights, but they are powered by a small battery! Other cheap models are true shake lights, but are poorly made and break easily.

Since a shake flashlight contains a strong magnet, be sure not to put it close to your computer, electronics, or credit cards.

Years of Worry Free Operation with Zero Maintenance.

Squeeze handle flashlights

Squeeze Handle Flashlight

These are easier to use than a shake light.

How do they work?

Squeezing the handle spins a gear which spins a flywheel and magnet.

The magnet induces an electrical current which flows through the filament of an incandescent bulb, producing light.

Are they practical?

These flashlights do work, but unless they have a battery, they cannot store power.

You get light only as long as you are actively squeezing the handle!

Some models do have a battery that is supposed to be charged when you squeeze - but most reviewers say that the system doesn't work well.

Tips

These are fun to play with, but not very practical for actual use.

You could use one of these to light your way to the real flashlights!

They are a cheap option thought! For more information and the best price CLICK HERE.

Hand crank flashlights

Emergency Hand Crank Radio with LED Flashlight

This Emergency Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight is our choice for a hand powered flashlight.

The emergency weather Radio will keep your family safe.

This pocket-sized portable emergency radio's dimension is 5*1.8*2.4 inch and weight 0.5 LB, which is surprisingly small and light. Also, it comes with 1W LED Flashlight, which will cut through the blackness and maximize visibility.

Can also be solar powered or LED charged.

This is an Amazon Best Seller - for the best price and more details on this emergency equipment during your camping trip, CLICK HERE!

Solar powered flashlights

Solar Powered Flashlight

A solar powered flashlight isn't hand powered, but it too makes a good emergency flashlight.

How do they work?

When the solar panel is exposed to sunlight, it converts that energy into electrical energy which is then stored in a battery.

Are they practical?

Solar flashlights work, but they aren't ideal emergency flashlights for camping. Here's why:

Solar flashlights should be stored on a window sill so they can be exposed to sunlight.

Once a month, the flashlight should be turned on and left on for at least 15 hours, and then placed back in the sun to recharge. If you don't do this, the batteries will lose their effectiveness.

For these reasons, these are not ideal emergency flashlights for camping.

I like to store my emergency camping flashlight in the camping tub, and not think about it at all until I need it!

A solar powered flashlight would be a great emergency flashlight for home or vehicle, though.

For the best price on Amazon CLICK HERE