Originally Posted By: chaosmagnet
Many of the solar/handcrank flashlights out there use cheap coin cells to store energy, and so don't last long at all -- the coin cells can only be recharged so many times before they won't take a charge again.


I have even seen hand crank flashlights, with batteries, but not connected to the charging bits. A independend battery circuit and a independent crank as you go circuit. Here is one i took apart.

I generally battery lights, because they are better lights (throw, lumens, etc,). I haven't seen a well made crank headlight yet, which would be the prefered type of light it you have to choose just one.
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