# Need a hand-crank flashlight **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224 "2017-06-30T19:17:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/1 "2017-06-30T19:17:55Z")
My old one finally gave up the ghost after better than a decade of good service. It seems that it is also out of production or no longer imported. Can anybody recommend a good one? I don’t want to spend more than $35 tops and, for that much, it would have to be a really extra cool one. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/2 "2017-06-30T19:33:32Z")
I got a Lightstorm CL1 flashlight. It doesn’t use rechargeable batteries – it uses a supoercapacitor, which won’t give you problems if it drains completely. So you can leave this sitting as long as you want in your glove compartment or in your junk drawer, and it’ll work when you pull it out. The only headache is that you have to crank it quite a bit to start. I converted my hand-crank rechargeable battery flashlights to supercapacitors, but this the only one I knowe that you can buy that way. > **[Amazon.com: Customer reviews: LightStorm CL-1 81034600104 No Battery Crank...](https://www.amazon.com/LightStorm-CL-1-81034600104-Battery-Flashlight/product-reviews/B003615ELU)** > > Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for LightStorm CL-1 81034600104 No Battery Crank Flashlight - Red and Black Housing by Applied InnoTech at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. > **[LightStorm CL1 Crank Flashlight - Flashlights Unlimited Products](https://flashlightsunlimited.com/lightstormcl1.htm)** > > LightStorm CL1 Crank Flashlight [http://www.crankflashlights.com/reviews/lightstorm-cl1.html](http://www.crankflashlights.com/reviews/lightstorm-cl1.html) My only complaint – besides the initial charge-up – is that the plastic crank handle broke off on mine, so I replaced it with a metal one. (But all hand-crank flashlights I’ve seen have such plastic handles, so it’s a universal problem) It’s considerably less than $35. One of those sites above calls it “possibly the best hand-crank flashlight on the market” ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/3 "2017-06-30T20:52:38Z")
I don’t want this to seem like a hijack, but I’m sort of curious about the reason that someone would want a crank-type flashlight. Would you care to share? I’ve used a few, but never been very satisfied with the illumination level or the run time. The $35 you mention would buy a very nice standard flashlight and a heck of a lot of batteries. I understand that it will “always be available” for operation, but the usefulness seems to be limited, especially if the rechargeable batteries have a lifespan of only a few years anyway. Just curious. And I hope you get some additional recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/4 "2017-06-30T21:04:30Z")
I have six or seven good battery-driven lights around here. However, it is nice to have a crank light for when things get stupid. When The Clown comes, he comes in the dark. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/5 "2017-06-30T21:13:11Z")
OK. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/6 "2017-06-30T21:18:36Z")
I keep [one of these in each car](http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/microlink-fr160-0) because although I’m at the very bottom of tornado alley and we don’t get many, we get enough that you don’t want to be without easy access to weather info, especially if the power goes out. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/7 "2017-06-30T21:19:35Z")
[The Clown.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_the_Inkwell) All the rest are avatars, shadows, and decoys. I will not miss my chance to end him because I cannot see him. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/8 "2017-07-01T03:53:58Z")
Harbor Freight has one with 3 LEDs and a radio for 12 bucks. Has some good reviews. > **[Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977](https://www.harborfreight.com/emergency-crank-radio-flashlight-98319.html)** > > Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you! Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/9 "2017-07-01T10:13:54Z")
No one \*needs \*a hand crank flashlight. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/10 "2017-07-01T12:09:20Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I don’t want this to seem like a hijack, but I’m sort of curious about the reason that someone would want a crank-type flashlight. We use ours during power failures. It has a light, radio (we never use), a 12 volt outlet, and a USB port. We mostly use it to keep our phones charged. Ours was around $40. [Here it is](https://www.discountsporting.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=97213&language=en¤cy=USD&gclid=CLu-9piF6NQCFZMjgQod6VwHuA). We like it so much, we bought 6 (got a deal) and gave them out to family last xmas. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/11 "2017-07-01T12:10:20Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > No one \*needs \*a hand crank flashlight. I read that as _flesh_light, and chuckled. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/12 "2017-07-01T13:28:33Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > We use ours during power failures. It has a light, radio (we never use), a 12 volt outlet, and a USB port. We mostly use it to keep our phones charged. Ours was around $40. [Here it is](https://www.discountsporting.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=97213&language=en¤cy=USD&gclid=CLu-9piF6NQCFZMjgQod6VwHuA). > > We like it so much, we bought 6 (got a deal) and gave them out to family last xmas. Thank you. I do understand that. But I’ve received three or four crank-type flashlights (probably in the $20-$30 range) as gifts and I’ve never found them to be useful. The aforementioned combination unit that also has solar cells might be useful, but I’ve found that simple crank-type flashlights are impractical for actual, real world use. I’m happy that people use them and find them to be practical, but I can get a very nice, high-output LED flashlight and over 100 (disposable) batteries for about $35. Again, this is strictly my experience. I live in a hurricane-prone area myself and had to depend on flashlights for days at a time. The crank-type just didn’t cut it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/13 "2017-07-01T14:07:08Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Thank you. I do understand that. But I’ve received three or four crank-type flashlights (probably in the $20-$30 range) as gifts and I’ve never found them to be useful. The aforementioned combination unit that also has solar cells might be useful, but I’ve found that simple crank-type flashlights are impractical for actual, real world use. I’m happy that people use them and find them to be practical, but I can get a very nice, high-output LED flashlight and over 100 (disposable) batteries for about $35. > > Again, this is strictly my experience. I live in a hurricane-prone area myself and had to depend on flashlights for days at a time. The crank-type just didn’t cut it. It depends on what you’re looking for. A battery-driven flashlight works if you remember to regularly replace the batteries. Batteries age faster in hot environments (like the glove compartment). A hand-crank will work anywhere, anytime (especially the supercapacitor types – rechargeable batteries still need to be recharged on a regular basis; you literally can stash the SC type crank flashlight in your drawer, storage case, or glove box and forget about it until needed). The drawback with hand-cranks is that you have to crank it up for a while before use. Other than that, they’re great. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/14 "2017-07-01T14:18:18Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It depends on what you’re looking for. A battery-driven flashlight works if you remember to regularly replace the batteries. Batteries age faster in hot environments (like the glove compartment). A hand-crank will work anywhere, anytime (especially the supercapacitor types – rechargeable batteries still need to be recharged on a regular basis; you literally can stash the SC type crank flashlight in your drawer, storage case, or glove box and forget about it until needed). > > The drawback with hand-cranks is that you have to crank it up for a while before use. Other than that, they’re great. I’m still scratching my head a bit, since I’m one of those strange people who changes batteries regularly (smoke detectors, flashlights, emergency radios, etc.) and keeps spares around. I guess I figured that everyone does. Most of my LED flashlights will operate for over three years with the same batteries and occasional use. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/15 "2017-07-01T15:15:11Z")
I used this type for over a decade (check around for pricing): > **[Amazon.com: NIGHTLUX Outdoor LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable USB - 42 Lumens ,...](https://www.amazon.com/ENHANCE-NIGHTLUX-Outdoor-Camping-Rechargeable/dp/B00ESJZU7C)** > > Amazon.com: NIGHTLUX Outdoor LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable USB - 42 Lumens , LED Flashlight with Hand Crank & Hanging Clip by ENHANCE - Great for Camping , Boating , Power Outages and Emergency Use : Sports & Outdoors Pro’s: flashlight lantern with a quick-release hanger loop hand-crank usb input high and low brightness durable cheap as dirt Cons: dedicated usb rather than standard usb or standard mini-usb durable but not indestructible water-resistant but not waterproof cannot replace the rechargeable batteries not collapsable so somewhat bulky ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/16 "2017-07-01T15:50:02Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I got a Lightstorm CL1 flashlight. It doesn’t use rechargeable batteries – it uses a supoercapacitor, which won’t give you problems if it drains completely. So you can leave this sitting as long as you want in your glove compartment or in your junk drawer, and it’ll work when you pull it out. The only headache is that you have to crank it quite a bit to start. > > I converted my hand-crank rechargeable battery flashlights to supercapacitors, but this the only one I knowe that you can buy that way. > > [Amazon.com: Customer reviews: LightStorm CL-1 81034600104 No Battery Crank Flashlight - Red and Black Housing by Applied InnoTech](https://www.amazon.com/LightStorm-CL-1-81034600104-Battery-Flashlight/product-reviews/B003615ELU) > > [LightStorm CL1 Crank Flashlight - Flashlights Unlimited Products](http://flashlightsunlimited.com/lightstormcl1.htm) > > [LightStorm CL1 Crank Flashlight](http://www.crankflashlights.com/reviews/lightstorm-cl1.html) > > My only complaint – besides the initial charge-up – is that the plastic crank handle broke off on mine, so I replaced it with a metal one. (But all hand-crank flashlights I’ve seen have such plastic handles, so it’s a universal problem) > > It’s considerably less than $35. One of those sites above calls it “possibly the best hand-crank flashlight on the market” The same company makes this [shake light](https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00HS5M706) that uses a capacitor. Any experience with it? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/17 "2017-07-01T15:51:05Z")
Are the crank chargers any better than they used to be? I have a Grundig hand-crank AM/FM/Shortwave radio with flashlight. It uses a cordless phone battery, and can take AA batteries. The crank charges the cordless phone battery, but it takes 2-3 minutes of cranking to power the radio for 10 seconds. The flashlight drains it almost immediately no matter how long you crank. The crank is pretty much worthless, because you have to crank constantly to actually use it. The battery in it was fully charged when new, but has never been charged since. I guestimated it would take several days of constant cranking to fully charge it again. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/18 "2017-07-01T15:58:20Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Are the crank chargers any better than they used to be? I have a Grundig hand-crank AM/FM/Shortwave radio with flashlight. It uses a cordless phone battery, and can take AA batteries. The crank charges the cordless phone battery, but it takes 2-3 minutes of cranking to power the radio for 10 seconds. The flashlight drains it almost immediately no matter how long you crank. The crank is pretty much worthless, because you have to crank constantly to actually use it. The battery in it was fully charged when new, but has never been charged since. I guestimated it would take several days of constant cranking to fully charge it again. This has been my experience. It’s really neat that you can crank it up and make it work, but my flashlights only run usefully for about 5 minutes on several minutes of cranking. I calculated once that 3 hours of run time would take about 48 minutes of cranking. But I’m happy for people who have the need for one and find one that works for them. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/19 "2017-07-01T16:18:45Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I don’t want this to seem like a hijack, but I’m sort of curious about the reason that someone would want a crank-type flashlight. It’s an overcast night, you’re in a tent [in the middle of nowhere](http://my.tbaytel.net/culpeper/KattawagamiRiverPics.html), and you need to take a dump. If you stagger about in the dark without stars for illumination, you will trip, fall, and shit yourself. You could paddle and portage a week down-river and then out along the ocean’s coast until you come to the closest town, but by that time you have shit yourself. Paddling and portaging back up-river would be worse, for it would take you a couple of weeks to make it back to the closest road, and then you would have to wait half a day to a day for someone to come along and drive you a couple of hours to the closest town, but by that time you will have shit yourself. If you stay in the tent and use the cooking pot, your tent mate will kick whatever shit is left in you right out of you, and leave your beaten but still breathing body there the next morning while she paddles off, with you now abandoned in the middle of nowhere while the little black flies and the much larger horse flies feed on what’s left of your soul in Dante’s seventh circle of hell just because you didn’t want to shit yourself. So if you are going to be in the middle of nowhere, just you, your paddling partner, a canoe and gear, you might find it handy to have a small combo-flaslight/lantern for reading before bed, or for fishing about in your gear in the tent at night, or for pooping at night outside the tent rather than having to shit yourself. Spare non-rechargeable batteries add to the bulk and weight. Solar recharging panels/sheets are an embuggerance if you are trying to recharge while paddling and portaging, but if there is going to be enough time between dinner and bedtime to recharge, then bring them along to recharge your hand-crank lantern/flashlight. Candle-lanterns can, through accidental handling, burn you and your gear, which will cause you to shit yourself. So you have a choice: pack along a hand-crank lantern/flashlight with optional solar recharging or . . . shit yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224/20 "2017-07-01T16:25:07Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I read that as _flesh_light, and chuckled. Good to hear that it wasn’t just me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-hand-crank-flashlight/790224.md?page=2)