Life gear glow stick
REI link

{ 1.3 oz, 7.5 inches}

runs 200 hours, 4 modes, includes ( for some reason) a whistle and is $5 at Target. Will this replace chemical lights?

200 hours @ $5 is cheaper than 10 chem light sticks ( even at .50 each and 12 hours run time= is 120 hours of light.)

check some of the offerings.
http://www.essentialgear.com/store/default.aspx

It includes a whistle because it's trying to be many things to many people.

I checked this out at REI just the other day. None of the light modes is very bright but I suppose that is a fair trade off for more modes of operation vs. chem. light sticks.

AG13 batteries are sure to be harder to find but are small enough to store away many spares without using much space.

Overall, I'd consider it an acceptable backup to a backup, but certainly not an acceptable primary light for a preparedness kit.

For the price, they make great giftsfor kids past the "choking hazard" stage.

Will it replace chemical lights?

Tell you what. Let's put you in a darkened room full of an explosive gas-oxygen mix and have you pull out a light and read a newspaper. You can either pull out a chemical light or a Life Gear Glow Stick. Knowing that any spark will mean a violent and painful death should make your choice for you.

You might also consider what you want to carry if your using the light on the ocean and will need it after it has been in saltwater spray for a few months.

Chemical lights are not perfect. They have weaknesses. They deteriorate in performance as they age, particularly if the foil wrapper is breached. The light is not all that bright, they only run for about 12 hours and once activated they can't be turned off to extend their useful life, and once expended they are useless.

On the other hand they are safe around explosive atmospheres. They are immune to most corrosive agents and solvents. They are non-toxic, cheap, reliable as long as they are rotated, and they are both light and compact.

If I were going to go for a replacement for chemical lights, I'd recommend this one:

http://www.lighthound.com/Glo-Toob-Lithium-Green_p_570.html

Glo-Toob lithium is rated for scuba diving, and uses CR123 batteries, so it lasts 24-100 hours (depending on what cycle you use). Several different colors, and it has a good reputation on places like candlepowerforums.com.

Of course, it's a lot more expensive, but nearly unbreakable, and has the advantages that CR123s offer (availability, battery life).

That link is, in my experience, a very good source for flashlights and related items - no business interest, etc.

Dave

Hmmm...I think the last thing on my mind if I were in a room "full of an explosive gas-oxygen mix" would be reading the newspaper...;^)

If the O2 content is less than 16% in that room I'd already be dead anyway no matter what kind of light I had in my pocket.

I live in an area prone to earthquakes, and the issue for us is whether there's a gas leak after a quake. We keep glowsticks on hand so we can have light while we escape without blowing the place up when we get to where ever the leak is.

We keep both electric lights and chem lights because each serves a different purpose.

Why 16%? Normal is about 20% and at 10KFT the partial pressure should be less than 16% at sea-level, I think, maybe, haven't done the math. What about <16% O2 is the killer?

Yeah, I think someone is getting numers mixed up.

Normal air is 21% oxygen - at any altitude. The problem is the partial pressure drops with altitude, so there's less barometric pressure... blah blah blah. I'd be BS'ing if I said anything else, but I know that's the big problem with elevation and altitude sickness. I'd hazard a GUESS that the partial pressure of O2 in the blood needs a pressure gradient, and the drop from altitude makes it harder to transfer.

16% is the amount of oxygen in the breath exhaled.

FWIW, I have absolutely NO idea how "little" oxygen is needed to keep alive. I know that you can get up to 100% inhaled oxygen, but not the other way. Anyone?

Sorry, I added a 1 where I shouldn't have, meant to write "6%". Other points remain, if a person is in a room full of explosive gas the last thing that they'll be doing is attempting to read a newspaper.

21% is the amount of O2 in "normal" air. Any drop below that leads to to symptoms of O2 deprivation, dizziness, nausea, etc. A drop to 12% or less leads to unconsciousness, further drop ie, to 6% or less leads to rapid death.

Considering an atmosphere of just N2 and O2:

O2 reduced from 21% to 14% by volume. First perceptible signs with increased rate and volume of breathing, accelerated pulse rate and diminished ability to pay attention.

O2 concetration between 14% to 10% by volume. Consciousness continues, but judgment becomes faulty. Rapid fatigue following exertion. Emotions affected, in particular ill temper is easily aroused.

O2 reduced from 10% to 6% by volume. Can cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of ability to perform any vigorous movement or even move at all. Often the victim may not be aware that anything is wrong until collapsing and being unable to walk or crawl. Even is resuscitation is possible, there may be permanent brain damage.

O2 reduced below 6% by volume. Gasping breath. Convulsive movements may occur. Breathing stops, but heart may continue beating for a few minutes. Ultimately death.

- Smith, G.K., 1997, Naked flame tests for CO2 in limestone caves and the effect of CO2 and O2 on humans: Australian Speleological Federation, Proceedings of the 21st Biennial Conference of the Australian Speleological Federation, pp. 40-52.

Also see Smith, G.K., Caves, carbon dioxide, and you: same volume

I was in the city today and found a light very similar to the Life Gear one.

This light is a Garrity Battery Operated Glo Lite and it cost $2.00 at a discount store.

I just now opened and tested the green version and it throws more light than a regular glow stick, with an easy on/off switch, but no built-in whistle.

The light is sealed with an o-ring so it cannot be disassembled for use as a white LED light and it comes with a break-away lanyard.

The packaging states that it is good for 24 to 36 hours, I will probably buy a few to use when the boat or trailer lights give me problems.

Thanks for posting them TeacherRO, I would not have known what they were if I had not read your post.

Mike

Saw those at Target. They're neat but the the choice of battery and lack of water resistance kind of blows. A AA version would be handy.

Dang I never thought about some of this stuff but have been a big fan of Krill lights. The extreme 180 degree green puts out as much light as a freshly cracked chem light for over 50 hours. I also use the red 360 degree when I travel. I place it on a table or something so that I don't bump into something as I stumble around in the dark.

I used to have one of those and that's exactly what I did by just snapping off the plastic assembly! *chuckle*

I bought a couple 3 packs of similar LED Light Sticks at Brigade Quarter Masters about 3 years ago. The batteries in these Glow Sticks can be replaced, and the tube can be removed so that you can use the LED as a flashlight.

I gave away 2, but still have 2 in my BOB and 2 in my car that still worked well during the last check.

I like the Life gear glow stick as a safety light - to mark a campsite or to act as a night light for a room when the power is out. The only drawback I can see for either of these uses is the non-standard batteries. Is there a 200 hour flashlight with aa batts?

My Nitecore D10 runs for 55 hours (on low) on a single AA. To get 200 hours I'd carry 3 spares.

Actually I measured that using an Eneloop, with a capacity of around 2000mAh. Lithium AAs claim a capacity of 2900mAh, so using those you might only need 2 spares.

Why do you need 200 hours anyway? Do you expect to get stuck in a cave for 8 days continuous? With a battery device, you can switch it off during daylight or when you're asleep.

If I remember correctly (it has been since 1998) the 16% value has something to do with entering confined spaces. I remember our "bang meters" checked not only for bad gasses (things that go BANG), but for O2. Seems as though the 16% value was considered the do not enter threshold without supplemental air.

Said meters actually checked for all sorts of things, and were able to determine the fuel/air mix for combustibility.

But like I said..... This is operating on 11 year old memories.

Has anyone tried these lights yet? Thinking of getting some for lights out emergencies and camping.

I have something similar to this, that we used to use in S&R. It was the size of a regular chemlight, and worked off 3 button batteries. It puts out enough light to read by, but I wouldnt expect much more out of it than that. We used to tie them to the back of our packs, so the controllers could keep an eye on their teams. Worked well for that.
It would also work great to signal with at night. Tie a string to it & whirl it around. they need to invent one that has a whistling capability when twirling it, for signaling.

I found something very similar to these lights at the local Dollar Store for ....... a dollar. I bought red and green ones and they were a big hit with my kids as a lightsource within a small tent. Not as tough as a glow-stick but they survived the summer and are still functional now. I would buy them again.

Mike