torches through time

Tidewatcher

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I have owned dozens of torches from my very first basic bulb torch which appeared in a Christmas stocking when my age was still in single figures until today with the latest led high tech metal bodied expensive piece of hand held illumination. Can anyone tell me why after a few weeks of use without fail you have to bash them on the table to make them work?

Is it some sort of design requirement handed down from engineers over the generations or perhaps there really are forces of darkness at play here.

I really do need to get out more......
 
Tidewatcher said:
[...] Can anyone tell me why after a few weeks of use without fail you have to bash them on the table to make them work?
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Not IME. My son bought me an LED Lenser about five years ago and it has worked properly since the day I first used it. I have a small "Ring" brand LED that uses a single AA -- also ultra-reliable. I have some "Ever-Ready" brand work lamps I use in the moho -- again, ultra-reliable. However, I also have some cheap garbage that I've had to give an occasional bash to spur into life, and it was always so with incandescents (e.g. an army surplus right-angled!
Tidewatcher said:
Is it some sort of design requirement handed down from engineers over the generations or perhaps there really are forces of darkness at play here.

I really do need to get out more......
Click to expand...
Methinks it's more about building down to a cost than up to a quality....

I too really need to get out more...
 
In a bit of a rush I recently bought an LED torch, and found it recharges from a USB cable. I couldn't believe it when I found out that it can also be set to flash SOS to overhead rescue planes, and also set to dazzle potential criminals. (y)
 
As a user of several led torches... (time spent deep underground exploring old disused mines etc)

I try not to use stuff that doesn't work OR needs manual Intervention to work....

Back up torches of several chinglese head torches powered by 18650s

And main head torch that would put a car headlight to shame....
 
Im a torch fanatic, lots of the el cheepo chingalees types are crap, but of late I have got a few really good units, one of which has a top spot and a side long led and charges from a USB, handy for van and workshop as its thine like a pencil, second unit is fitted with solar and 18650 battery which can also be charged with USB, other cheaper ones are USB charge only, used it yesterday under the floor boards when fitting a few extra plug sockets to the ring main.new led a.pnglamps b.pngled lamp c.png
 
Olight/fenix are good (if bloody expensive)

I've a raft of various 18650 powered torches
AScreenshot_20220129-215248_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220129-215228_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220129-215216_Chrome.jpglong with various 18650 powered head torches all for use exploring deep into old mines...

Main head torch is a monster with incredible battery life.

Some excellent quality chinglese led stuff out there BUT be wary of their claimed outputs ;-)
 
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I have several LED rechargeable torches, one of them was from either Aldi or Lidl as a special buy and is the best of the lot, aluminium body, adjustable beam and has not given any trouble in the 5 years I've owned it.
 
Tidewatcher said:
I have owned dozens of torches from my very first basic bulb torch which appeared in a Christmas stocking when my age was still in single figures until today with the latest led high tech metal bodied expensive piece of hand held illumination. Can anyone tell me why after a few weeks of use without fail you have to bash them on the table to make them work?

Is it some sort of design requirement handed down from engineers over the generations or perhaps there really are forces of darkness at play here.

I really do need to get out more......
Click to expand...
I have several torches ,one of the very best and brightest is an Astrolux FT03 rechargeable , Convoy are also a top make , one of the secrets you must know is only buy a GENUINE battery and just to add O use Fogstar company just look them up. One other thing there are generally speaking two types of beams ,if you want a long range spotlight type you want a thrower the other beam is more spread out if you know what I mean. I repeat do not get a fake battery !! Only genuine if you purchase batteries from Fogstar you can't go wrong.
 
Fenix torches suck in tons of darkness.
Back up night riding (MTB) and away in motorhome use. Four light modes.
Good quality, you wont be disappointed.
 
I use my last pre-smart phone as torch, nightime music player and alarm clock. Does have a specific charger but only needs it once a week if I have the usual sleepless night or 2.... It's a small grippy, waterproof phone so great for DIY too...
 
I got one of the Olight iR2 USB rechargeable key ring torches in a giveaway over a year ago and it’s been absolutely brilliant. Considering it’s on,y the length of my thumb and thickness of my little finger it has incredible lamination.
I have seen other Olights in use and I find it almost unbelievable what they can do with small units, what you would expect from searchlights. I think the one I have retails about £18 and I certainly wouldn’t spend that much but the new model is half price. If it’s anything like this I would go that much.
 
Another Fenix collector I’m sad to say.
4 at present but looking at buying a headlight type in the near future.
 
Maglite are good and have a real lifetime warranty, I bought one when we lived in Florida in 2001, brought it back with me in 2010, it stopped working in 2012, emailed them and they gave me the details of the UK distributor who sent me a new one once they had received the old one no questions asked (y) I've also got Anker ones which are a reasonable price and seem relieable enough.

Regards,
Del
 
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