What experience does anyone have with either the shake flashlights or the crank ones. Does one work better than others? Just haven't seen any of these discussed.

Charles

I've tried a few different "shake" flashlights, and they're pretty poor performers and don't seem very practical. The light source is usually a single (sometimes a few) 5mm LED focussed through a lens, so the beam is too tight at close distances and too dim at longer distances. But, if you need light--ANY light--then at least you'll always be able to generate some light

Then there's the magnet. Apparently it's strong enough to damage magnetic stripes on credit card if you hold it close enough. Definitely don't shove it into the same pocket as your wallet! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I love my crank Freeplay radio, but crank flashlights never impressed me either. It's a lot of work for not much light.

For flashlights, I'd say it's best to stick with batteries. They're cheap, and LED flashlights can make them last a long time while giving off lot's of usable light. Rotate the supply regularly or consider lithiums for longer term storage.

I have a small shake flashlight, a bit bigger than a mini-mag. A lot of work to get the light operating, even the kids lose interest in shaking it. Once you do get a sufficient charge it seems to run OK with a few shakes occasionally. Not sure how long the charge stays while the light is off. Charge-ability of the larger form factor lights might be better (Bigger magnet). Certainly a last ditch light source.

I have a crank light also, purchased pretty cheap at the local home store. I find that it works better than the shake light, the cranking was not as much work. Has 3 LEDs and 2 options, one light on or all three on. Brightness is not bad. This light does have a chargeable battery internal that holds the charge from the cranking. I found a review at Flashlight Reviews. Not the same crank light I have, but looks very similar (mine does not have a blink mode).

We've looked at them and will probably be doing an article on them later this year. However, given the long life and reliability and 10-year shelf life <!> of small pocket-sized and key chain-sized lithium battery powered LED flashlights and compact LED lithium battery powered headlamps, I personally believe them to be a solution looking for a problem. While the latest generation are more practical than their original predecessors, I still don't see them as truely practical given the more easily used, carried and often less expensive alternatives. Perhaps I'll change my mind after testing, but...

I’ll echo Doug’s opinion.

I’m wary of things that crank unless they’re near-mil spec construction.

I’ve broken the crank mechanism on two crank-for-power radio/flashlight combos from different manufacturers (for earthquake kits in California) that were used only sporadically. Knowing they were cheaply made, I treated them with kid gloves the couple of times I used them, but the crank mechanism still broke.

I confess this may be an unfair indictment of cranking flashlights (and radios) in general, but I’ve shifted my emergency/back-up flashlights over to decent quality 1 watt LEDs that use AA batteries backed up with an ample supply of 10-year lithium AA batteries. Likewise, my small emergency radios use AA batteries. I feel a bit more confident not relying on a mechanical device.

For everyday use, its rechargeable 2500 mah AA’s for flashlights and small radios. Over time, it’s proven to be cost-effective for me.

I'm riding the fence. My shake flashlight also has batteries, so I can use either. The light is not bright from shaking, but it's sufficient at night to light your way and has the added bonus of not trashing your night vision.

I still carry several small LED button lights, though. I'm helpless when I see them. A small voice in my head whispers," You NEEEEEED thiiiiissssssss......"

That is *so* weird. I can hear it too!! My wife can't, though. Amazing!

I have one of those Grundig hand-crank shorwave radios with a light built-in. That is as far as I am prepared to go for a hand-powered light. That little unit will run for many minutes (best guess is 15-20) with both the radio and the light going after cranking it for one minute.

I also have a shake-light that is relegated to a kid's toy, in spite of being one of the $25 "Hummer" branded ones. It is too gimmicky. It might be useful if you were being banished to an island for 20 years with no batteries available. However, for any sort of real emergency, I think that I would rather have a Gerber Infinity. Heck, even a $6.00 Dorcy AAA LED light from Wally-World would be better. And I bet that you could pack one of those lights and a half-dozen batteries in a smaller space that a full-sized shake-light, and get more (and more consistent) light in the process.

With that being said, I have seen those lights for $3 at a flea market. For that price, you might want to pick one up just to satisfy your curiosity (and because you can never have too many lights). But don't let owning one stop you from buying something better.

As an aside, the SideWinder has a small, built in light that charges while you are charging your phone.

Also a flashlight junkie, I recently purchased a medium sized shake flashlight for $6.00 on a whim. We use flashlights two or three times a night to take our dogs out. Normally I use a small LED AA light. One night I grabbed the shake light as I went out the door. Surprisingly I like it. It is extremely light weight and provides ample light for my simple requirements. I still keep and use my other lights but it seems to me that in a longish term situation it could be a useful thing to have.