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Shedding Light on Flashlights

I recently stopped in a non-profit, volunteer “environmental center” where I discovered the Excalibur Micro Forever Flashlight, a 3.5-ounce light suitable for lightweight backpacking that requires no batteries and has a single LED (light emitting diode). Although I own at least four flashlights in the form of headlamps or small hand-helds that can be clipped on a cap or hung from a pack loop, I am always looking for new, lighter, more innovative lights. Forever Flashlight fits the bill.

Shake and Go

By shaking the Forever Flashlight back and forth for 15 seconds, enough electricity is generated to light the LED bulb for three minutes of continuous light, according to the instructions. Initially, as instructed, I shook it for 90 seconds and got five minutes of light. How does it work?

It uses the Faraday Principle of Electromagnetic Energy which states that if an electric conductor, like copper wire, is moved through a magnetic field, electric current will be generated and flow into the conductor.

This shake-and-go light certainly meets my criteria for lightweight and eliminates the need to carry extra batteries. Checking the Web, I found many versions of this, like the NightStar CS flashlight, which claims 20 minutes of bright light by shaking for 3 minutes.

Earth-Friendly
The Forever Flashlight is earth-friendly – at least from the battery elimination viewpoint – and means one less thing to carry. If you planned to use it for reading in your tent, the constant shaking might get old. It’s really a personal choice.

Warning: it contains a strong magnet, so keep it at least a foot away from credit cards, digital camera media, computers – anything with magnetic media that could be erased.

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.

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