Anybody know where I can order about 24 cheap flashlights? I’m hoping to pay about $2 each, but I’ll pay more if they’re red LED or have a red lens. (Saves me an evening of cutting circles of red acetate and unscrewing lenses.)
Big, bulky, and cheap-looking is actually a plus—this is for a classroom set, and the bigger and cheesier they are, they less likely they are to walk away. I’m finding scads of cute, inexpensive little pocket-or-purse models, but think the attrition rate would be apalling.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can suggest a cheap source!
I was going to suggest those little keychain LED lights (try ebay - they can be bought in bulk) - they’re available in red and they’re really nice and bright, but they’re not big. The pocketable size could easily be overcome by attaching the keyring part to something big and bulky, like hotels do to stop you accidentally walking off with the room key. (one hotel I stayed at had the keys attached to eyelets that were screwed into cricket balls.
Those are all teeny novelty flashlights, lifespan in the average classroom about 5 minutes before they disappear into pockets and purses. She needs regular-size flashlights, but cheap.
All the red LED lights on Froogle that I’m turning up are those mini keychain lights, also with short lifespans.
Why don’t you make “cutting out red acetate circles and unscrewing lenses” part of class time? No reason they should expect Teach to hand them their project on a silver salver. It builds character, to have to getcher own materials ready.
Then you can go to Discount Office Supplies, search for “Economy Home Use Flashlight”, and get regular 2-D cell flashlights for $1.21 each. Just a ho-hum “Mom keeps one on top of the fridge” type of flashlight, probably isn’t going to incite anyone to fall in love with it and take it home.
Dollar Store flashlights would be good, too, but probably not real sturdy. At least with the Eveready Ho-Hum you know it’ll last longer than the first class period.
Haven’t had to buy one in a while, but try military surplus stores for flashlights. Shouldn’t have to pay much at all for them, and they will come with clear, red, and blue lenses. Run on 2 D batteries. Big ugly things, nobody would want to steal them.
Thanks for the suggestion everyone. picnurse, Surpie was, of course, my first thought. Again, they have lots of tiny ones, and really good deals on nice LEDs, but those are $5-10, so nothing that quite fits the bill.
After I posted, it occurred to me that this could be a job for my undergrad teaching assistant. I don’t work her hard enough, and she always needs more hours.
Try Telescope supply stores, such as Orion Telescopes. They are called “Astronomer’s Flashlights” there, for use in outdoor (night) viewing parties. The red light doesn’t ruin your night vision.
Again, they have lots of tiny ones, and really good deals on nice LEDs, but those are $5-10, so nothing that quite fits the bill.