GearFlogger

GearLight Lights

ZZ Top had it right when they sang about Cheap Sunglasses, but there really needs to be a follow up for cheap lights. You can spend a paycheck on a good light - we're looking at you SureFire - and if your life or even a single limb depends on it, that's the way to go. But! If it's more for convenience, stashing a bunch of cheap lights everywhere makes a lot of sense. This is doubly true if you're handing a light to a kid or even a forgetful adult.

GearLight makes some great cheap lights. We tried out their S1300 lantern, S1 safety lights and S500 headlamp. Short review: they all perform perfectly well, stand up to normal handling and even include a few extras that surprised as at the price point they're offered.

The lantern has a foldaway handle on top and foldaway hook on the bottom, for easy carrying and hanging respectively. Three light modes make this great for everything from an emergency light at home to camping use. Three D batteries, not included, run it for 72 hours, and along with a high and medium white light there's a warm white mode that's really pleasant for general lighting.

The headlamp is pretty basic, pressing the big glove-friendly button on top cycles through white high/medium/low/flash modes, and a long press switches to red solid/flashing/SOS modes. The SOS mode is pretty cool, sending out the universal morse code pattern for distress: three short flashes - three long flashes - three short flashes. The light has a modest tilt adjustment but only in the down direction, which is where you'll usually need it anyway.

The S1 safety lights are more of an everyday light. Four lights - two red and two green - come ready for action, with included CR2032 batteries already installed and - bonus! - four extra CR2032 batteries and four velcro straps for easy mounting on packs, bikes, helmets or wherever. There's even a tiny screwdriver included for replacing the batteries. It's really a good deal, especially for kid lights since you know the little floggers will break/lose/trade them for twinkies. Three light modes - solid/flash/strobe - and the batteries last a long time, what's not to like? If you're looking for decent lights but don't want to spend a ton, check out GearLight.

S1300 lantern $14.99 on Amazon
S1 LED Safety Light 4-Pack $13.99 on Amazon
S500 Headlamp 2-Pack $14.99 on Amazon

NiteRider Focus+ 110 Flashlight

Flashlights are everywhere these days, and you can pick one for just about any specialized use you can imagine. None of that choicework helps if you don't have the light on you when you need it, and that's where penlight-style flashlights come in. NiteRider has you covered with the Focus+ 110 flashlight, which carries easily and does a little bit of everything.

The Focus+ 110 is the smallest in NiteRider's Focus+ line, which goes from 110 lumens up to 1,000 lumens. We really like the 110 for a number of reasons, first and foremost being it's small size, just 5 inches long and 5/8 of an inch in diameter. That's perfect for carrying in a pocket with the included clip, or clipping to the MOLLE loops on the side of a trauma kit. And bonus: for you EMS folks out there the three light modes - 10, 55 and 110lm, with 16, 5 and 2 hour runtimes respectively - include a low setting dim enough for performing a pupil test.

The 110 has some other great features too, starting with the magnet on the base that lets you stick the light to your refrigerator, a vehicle or whatever metal surface is handy. The Focus+ 100 is USB rechargeable with the included micro USB cable, great for car, battery pack and solar charger use. Note that it will not take an AAA battery, although that would be a very cool upgrade (hint). The clip can even be reversed to attach the light to the bill of a ball cap, just pay attention to the little flat spot you have to line up to slide the clip over the threads.

Maybe the coolest feature is the namesake focus ability. Just slide the bezel on the light end forward to get a tighter beam, and back for a flood effect. Four feet from a wall the spot is about two feet across, versus four feet across for the flood, or you can dial in anything in between. You lose candelas - light on the target - as you increase flood, but you get a great area light that easily lights up a 15x15 foot room. With the spot you can easily reach out 60 feet in the dark, a feature we found very useful the past week as we walked trick-or-treating kids past dark yards where moose were bedded down in the neighborhood. Don't want to knock on that door! The versatility of this light is hard to overstate, and it all adds up to the Focus+ 110 being a perfect everyday carry flashlight.

$45.12 on Amazon

myCharge Camping Lantern

It's hard to beat myCharge portable power banks, especially when they make them even more useful by adding lighting. The Camping Lantern by myCharge flips that on its head, starting with the light and adding the power bank.

The myCharge Camping Lantern is smaller than 4 inches square and just under an inch thick, with a helpful folding stand. Four pinhole lights on the back tell you the battery status with the push of the side button, which also cycles through four brightness levels. A longer push on the button while the light is on switches between cool and warm lighting modes, a really nifty feature; the warm light is perfect for area lighting, while the cooler light works very well for reading or detail work like repairing gear. Holding the side button down when the light is not on will activate a strobe for emergency signaling or a flash rave dance mob.

The lantern is rated at 9 hours on the brightest mode and 41 hours on the dimmest mode, and is charged via the ubiquitous - and included! - micro USB cable. And lest we forget, the Camping Lantern is also a 10,000mAh power bank with two USB charging ports, which can be used at the same time. About the only way this could be more useful is if it had a solar panel on the back - oh wait, myCharge already makes something like that. Hmm, maybe a fold-out hand crank to charge it? Doesn't matter, the myCharge Camping Lantern does exactly what it's supposed to, and works splendidly for multiday trips.

$59.99 at Amazon

NiteRider Lumina Dual 1800 and Sentry Aero 260 Bike Lights

NiteRider is a reliable innovator in bike lighting, and two of their new lights keep it going on. The Lumina Dual 1800 head light and the Sentry Aero 260 tail light are packed with cool features and designed to fit both round and aero seat posts.

Right up front we want to call out one feature in particular that all cyclists should be aware of: Daylight Visible Flash. DVF is on both these lights, and it's basically a running light to give other people - think motorists - to your sides, front and rear increased awareness that hey, you're on the road too! It really works, and even mountain bikers will benefit because we all know that no matter how much time you spend on dirt, you'll end up either on the road or crossing it at some point.

The Lumina Dual is easily to mount and dismount, even on larger diameter bars. The lock mode will prevent premature discharge, and it has seven lit modes: five light levels from a 100 lumens walk mode for twenty hours to the top boost mode of 800 lumens for 45 minutes, and two daylight flash modes. Weighing in at a tidy nine ounces the Dual has a tough DuPont fiberglass and nylon body that is IP64 rated (dustproof and splash resistant), and the lithium polymer battery charges via the included USB wall wart in a mere three hours. The flexibility of the wide range of lighting modes makes the Dual adaptable to any trail situation, from long open sightlines to twisty close terrain. The run times are plenty long enough for most rides, and when you transition to the road to get back to base, the side lights will keep you safe.

The Sentry Aero is a worthy companion to the Lumina Dual. It weighs nothing, mounts to everything, charges quickly via USB and has six modes that run from 4.5 hours at the max 360 lumens to 30 hours. The side visibility is great, and when combined with the Lumina 1800 you have true 360 degree protection day and night. This package is hard to beat in features, price and performance, and the best part is the peace of mind you get knowing you're covered 24-7.

Lumina 1800 $150.00 at REI
Sentry Aero 260 $40.00 at REI

CycleTorch Shark 550R Rechargeable Bike Light

It's a great time to be alive if you like inexpensive, high-performing lights of any type. On the cycling front, CycleTorch has a great little light set to keep you out of the gutter - OK, maybe that's asking too much for some of you - and safely in your lane.

The taillight is a standard small red clip-on unit that comes with a flexible strap and bracket for easy mounting on your seat post. The front light in the set is a 550 lumen, compact, lightweight light in an IP65 dustproof and water resistant housing. The light features an easily operated oversize on/off button on top that cycles through high/medium/low/flash settings for respective runtimes of 2.5, 4.5, 9 and 20 hours. The light easily recharges overnight via micro USB. A nice feature is the power button is illuminated and changes from blue to red to indicate low power, so you won't be surprised in the darkness.

The light mounts to your handlebars with a nifty little quick-release strap, so if you're leaving your bike out unattended you can easily detach the light and take it with you. Overall the Shark 550R is a great little light that can compete with much more expensive models. The light throw is sufficient for urban and light-duty mountain biking, so unless you're a serious trail crusher or road warrior give the Shark 550R a look.

$29.95 at Amazon

Petzl e+LITE Headlamp

The Petzl e+LITE headlamp has always been a fave of ours due to its compact design. The e+LITE is perfect for car glove compartments, bug-out bags, travel and basically ultralight anything when all you may need is some occasional low-level light output. The new version, introduced last year, keeps the same small format with included handy storage case and still improves on the most important feature of a light: lumens are doubled from 26 in the old model to 50 in the new, now using a single and the higher output makes an already useful tool even more so.

The e+LITE uses two economical CR2032 batteries in a waterproof compartment that power the light in three white modes (low, high, strobe) and two red modes (strobe, constant). The batteries will last for up to ten years in storage, an extremely useful function for a device that you really need to work after not touching it for a year or more. There are two off positions at either end of the switch travel, which is an awesome feature because it doesn't force you to go through the white light modes to use the non-tentmate-annoying red light mode when you need to move about in the middle of the night.

For my tactical brothers who might be using this light on a two-way shooting range in Lower Trashcanistan, you'll appreciate being able to read a red light readable map without giving away your position. Add in the fact that the switch has a lockout position to prevent premature illumination - and battery drain - and it's Petzl FTW.

The newest e+LITE adds a much longer strap, useful for helmet wear, and the keeper on the strap now features a serviceable whistle, meaning one less thing to carry. Overall it's hard to see how Petzl could possibly improve on their newest e+LITE, but we're sure they're hard at work figuring that out. In the meantime, if you're looking for a just-in-case and/or ultralight headlamp, you can stop your search right now. The Petzl e+LITE is the way to go.

$29.95 at Amazon

Knuckle Lights

We here at Gearflogger have developed finely tuned BSG detectors - that's BullShit Gear for the rest of you. Most gear falls clearly into one category or the other: bullshit or not bullshit. Yet when the Knuckle Lights arrived we were perplexed. Bullshit or not?

After testing them out, they are clearly not bullshit. In fact, for their narrow and intended purpose they are really well designed to the point that we have continually found new uses for them. Knuckle Lights are designed for running. Just put your fingers in them, activate the top switch with your thumb and you're good to go. 280 lumens with high (4 hours), low (8 hours) and flashing high modes give you plenty of illumination for walking, running and hiking.

The designers clearly put some thought into the product. This version is rechargeable via a USB base. The lights attach magnetically to each other and to the base. The whole package works together in a very slick and intuitive way. The housings are IPX-6 waterproof, so feel free to get out in the rain. Use both or split the pair between two people. The beam is usefully wide, and the ability to scan with both hands without pointing your head like you have to with a headlamp is useful.

The straps are resizable, and they even fit in a MOLLE configuration or attach easily to backpack straps, tent sleeves or whatever to leave your hands completely free. They're also light enough we didn't bother to weight them. We were really sold when we realized we could use our USB solar panel to recharge them on the trail during the day for use at night. Knuckle Lights are useful in ways that complement headlamps and other handheld lights, two thumbs up!

$59.99 at Amazon

North American Survival Systems EF-20A-1 Lightning Electronic Flare

Water plus darkness is pretty much no one's idea of a good time. Should you find yourself alone in the water in the dark, a cello playing ominously in the background, you'll want someone to find you and fast. Whether it's on land or water, you can help them help you with a signalling device, and it's hard to beat the EF-20A-1 Lightning electronic flare from North American Survival Systems.

The Lightning is housed in a sturdy aluminum cylinder with a tough polycarbonate dome on the business end, and a lanyard on the tailcap. It's under five inches long, 1.25" in diameter at the light, and weighs five ounces with the included two CF123 batteries. It's four CREE LEDs are visible up to ten nautical miles away at night and 1nm in daylight, with 360 degree coverage. Operation is stupid simple, the only kind that works in stressful situations: push the recessed tailcap button once to turn on, once to turn off.

The Lightning flashes once per second after activation, and will continue strobing for 35 hours. Unlike a conventional flare, it won't burn you or anything near you that might be flammable. It doesn't float, but it is waterproof to 50 feet. The Lightning is aptly named: if you've got one of these on your person and it's visible and operating, your chances of being seen are good. Highly recommended for any activity where you need to be seen.

$69.00 at North American Survival Systems

Pelican 2780r Headlamp

Pelican knows lights, and their new 2780r headlamp has some unique features that set it apart from a very crowded field. The overall design is a conventional three strap with rechargeable battery compartment in the back. The light is just slightly larger and heavier than average, but the third strap and the even weight distribution quickly let you forget you're wearing it.

After the initial impression things begin to get interesting. First of all, there are two lights in the main body: a forward facing light and a "downcast" light that illuminates the ground directly in front of you. Both have three brightness settings at roughly 68/152/333 lumens , with roughly 11/4/3 hour runtimes. Using the front twist knob, you can select front, down, front + down and finally the front facing light can also be set to flash on high. On high you can see over 100 meters ahead, plus where you're about to put your feet. There is a pushbutton set into the twist knob that controls brightness levels, and the entire head pivots for adjustment as well. This being a Pelican product, the whole thing is pretty bombproof and IPX4 rated (splash protection) to boot.

Pelican didn't stop there. A few more dips into the trick bag and they came up with a red taillight on the rear enclosure, which can be set to solid or flashing. This is great for following a line of friends or family down a dark trail. The twist knob on the rear battery enclosure can be set to the locked position, so you won't arrive at your destination with a dead battery due to premature discharge in your baggage. Finally there is a three-light battery status indicator on the back, so you get a rough idea of how long before dark: when you're down to one light, and it's blinking, it's time to pick up the pace.

Need more? Pelican throws in three interchangeable covers for the main lamp: black, white and green glow-in-the-dark. The 2780r (they really need a catchier name for this thing...) takes six hours to charge the lithium ion battery via the included USB cable. In use we found the 2780r to require subjectively less head movement as we hiked, and our neck appreciated it. Our hard-earned paranoia - thank you Uncle Sam and the Ft. Benning School for Boys - always directs us to keep our head up to scan the trail ahead, and this headlamp makes it easy to focus down-trail without stepping awry. All in all, the Pelican 2780r is a very cool light with some major improvements over the non-r version.

$87.50 at BH Photo Video

Niterider Pro 2800 Enduro Remote MTB Light

Shoulder season is transitioning into downright Winter, and where does that leave the humble mountain biker? Saddling up a fat bike with studded tires is where. But before the batbike can venture forth, there is one more thing necessary: a big honkin' light. No worries, Niterider - makers of all things bikey-shiny - have you covered. They're like the Chuck Norris of bike lights: the dark is afraid of them, and rightly so.

The Pro 2800 Enduro Remote is a 2,800 lumen handlebar mounted monster that will provide ample warning of trail hazards to even the fastest hoon-jockey out there. You know it's serious equipment when you pull it out of the included storage bag. There's the light itself, sexy enough with two giant owl-eye LEDs and a thumb-switch, the handlebar (and helmet!) mount, the plug-in power adapter, and then there is the li-Ion battery pack, a giant strap-on tube and yes we know how that sounds.

Plug in the battery pack the night before to charge it up, which will take about five hours. Install the light itself and the remote switch on your handlebars. Marvel at the water- and impact-resistant construction. Revel in the oddly satisfactory clicking noise as you cycle through the six available lighting modes, from 125L (56 hours) to the full enchilada of 2,800L (1.5 hours). 

Once you're up and running, you will love the godlike powers of observation you gain in the dark. Whether it's at minimal illumination as you spin uphill, or max throw for bombing the downhill, you can't outrun the light. You'll find yourself loving the convenience of the handlebar mounted switch for quickly optimizing your cone of visibility to your immediate needs. Sometimes you'll cycle through the modes just for fun, just because you can without moving your hands.

Clearly we love the Enduro Remote, and we make no apologies. The Pro 2800 is perfectly sized for just about all needs, but if you really want more you can step up to its big brother, the 3600. Either one can serve double-duty on motorized rides, and they can be mounted on a helmet if you don't mind the extra weight and really need to see where you look. Niterider has proven its products to be high performance and high quality, and that brings us to the only downside: you'll lay out a fair wad of cash for these top-of-the-line lights. We feel its worth it, especially if you're a bike commuter; it's a small price to pay for safety, and just think of the money you're saving on gas and insurance.

$359.99 at Amazon