I gave you the names that the particular crank flashlight I have were sold under... LOL

The Illuminator

Wind 'N Go

Dynabrite

Notice that each one has a different description and within list different durations after one minute of cranking. It may not in fact be the same light. It looks like them though.

I tracked back the actual model I purchased... thank goodness for email invoices...

It's the Kaito TF-301, and though yellow in the picture, the one I have is sliver like the others.

Here's a link to the light on Kaito's site:
Kaito TF-301

After checking out the company, and noting it's a Chinese conglomerate of electronic manufacturers, all of the lights listed above are probably basically the same model.

These look quite similar to what I have. Mine's function is a bit different. It has a selective pushbutton switch as well, the first depression and the three main white leds illuminate. The second depression and the three main white leds and two amber side mounted leds strobe continuously. The third depression and the lights are extinguished. If I crank mine for two minutes, I get at least a good half an hour of bright light from the three main leds. Mine have been going strong for quite a while now, rather impressive for a chinese mfr.

Regardless the configuration, this is a very good light to have for emergencies and as backup. I use mine more than any other flashlights, including the little photon in my pocket.

shake light : Nightstar

crank light : Freeplay's Sherpa

and many others : index page

I like my Nightstar II shaker flashlight and use it all the time. I'll probably use it in a few minutes when I go to bed. The subdued light is actually a plus when my wife has already gone to bed or I'm checking my son. Keeps me from stubbing my toe on something or walking into a door end-on <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> . It is considerably brighter for the first few minutes, then tails off to a longer less-bright level; I'm too lazy to shake it more frequently.

I keep a couple Mag-Lights handy for when I need something brighter. But using the NightStar keeps their batteries fresh. (BTW it's January, my time to annually replace batteries on emergency items whether they need it or not.)

Not to sound like a commercial but the NightStar is the original and the one to get IMO. The repulsion magnets at the ends work much better than the rubber bumpers on others. I think I have the generation 2 model. If the newer Gen-3 ones are brighter as stated in the review to which someone else linked, I might have to get a second one.

Do beware about the strong magnet, though. Last week I noticed my Suunto wrist compass (migrated to my keychain) had REVERSED its magnetization. I bet the shaker flashlight did it.

Lastly I have a crank (actually windup clockwork) FreePlay flashlight, too, and think it's great also, just different. A little heavy/clunky, but it gives a brighter light for a longer time. The shaker flashlights are elegant in a simplistic bulletproof way. I'm leery of the crank flashlights that use rechargeable batteries -- does anyone make a crank flashlight that uses a capacitor like the NightStar?

Steve

Thanks for the links, Frenchy.

The one I have is reviewed there under yet another name... LOL
MVP Everlight

The test there, which is a tad more scientific than me walking around the house in the dark, is pretty consistant with what I noticed. LOL

As an aside...
Does the reviewer often go to great lengths to test a light and then drop the rating because of things that weren't tested, but were "reported" (or in this case not even reported in the light in question but reported in similar lights)?

It seems to me to be somewhat similar to a movie reviewer going to see a movie, reporting that it was great, mentioning that other people hated it, and in the end giving it a bad review (or in this case liking a movie but giving it a bad review because he doesn't particulary like the genre). LOL


I can understand bringing up concerns about one type of flashlight or another based on the class of light and common problems that some might have, and I would certainly take such a warning into consideration especially when voiced by someone I would consider to be somewhat of an expert. However, to downgrade a rating in such a manner seems a bit unfair.

I already have the light, so this particular review is moot as far as purchasing one based on said review is concerned... Eh, I still like the light so far, so I guess it doesn't matter... LOL

This may be the type of light you have, benjamin. It sounds similar, comes in a 2 pack, and the reviewer mentions Costco.

Bingo, that's the one!

Yep, if I had more time to look, I might've found it. I went to the Costco site to look but it's not a regular stock item anymore.

Of course, since I got mine at Costco, if it ever fails, for any reason, or I just plain get tired of it, I can return it for a full refund (the wife keeps all Costco receipts for just that reason). Though I doubt that either will be the case. This little light is one tough bugger, and does exactly what it is supposed to do. I like things like that. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

I also love a store with a nqa return policy.