Light is one element that many of us take for granted. That is, until an earthquake rocks your city’s core, leaving you without electricity. Or a hurricane devastates your community, leaving you in the wearisome, wet darkness. Or even in the wilderness when you can’t see your hand in front of your face.
In these circumstances, you realize just how much you need light, which is exactly why the following pages feature some of the best light sources available. The function of some of these extend beyond providing light, which makes them that much more valuable. Hang on tight. Survive.
1. AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES NETWORK CORP.
Product: ATN Javelin J68
Output (lumens): 200
MSRP: $84.95
Description
The compact yet powerful ATN Javelin J68 is ideal for everything from home defense to outdoorsy activities. The 200-lumen LED bulb is bright enough for your defense needs, and strong enough too (it’s made from heavy-duty 6061-T6 aluminum alloys). In an emergency, the flashlight’s bezel can be used as a self-defense weapon. Twist for constant light, or press the tail cap button for momentary use—it’s that easy.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: LED
• Material: Aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum
• Battery: (2) 3V CR 123A Lithium
• Length: 5.7 inches
• Weight: 6 ounces
• Color: Black
2. BLACKHAWK!
Product: LEGACY X6-P
Output (lumens): 65
MSRP: $49.99
Description
The LEGACY X6-P features an anti-roll system, is completely pre-focused and provides a penetrating light beam that doesn’t leave shadows. BLACKHAWK! offers three models, ideal for duty carry or personal defense. Modes include momentary switch or constant on. Run time is one hour, and it’s a reliable light source that won’t disappoint.
Extra Specs
• Battery: (2) 3-Volt CR123A
• Run time: 1 hour
• Length: 5 inches
• Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Color: Black
3. BROWNING
Product: Hi Power
Output (lumens): 145
MSRP: $79.99
Description
The latest generation of Cree XPE LED is rated for up to 50,000 hours of use. Made from long-lasting aluminum, the Hi Power has an O-ring seal for water resistance, includes a lanyard, has a brightness of 145 lumens and an
effective distance of 150 meters—all wrapped up in a striking package.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: Cree XPE LED
• Material: Aluminum with black resin handle inlays
• Battery: (2) AA alkaline
• Run time: 1.5 hours
• Length: 5.25 inches
• Color: Matte finish desert metallic with black resin
4. CANDLE LAMP
Product: Soft Light oil lamps
MSRP: Varies per size
Description
Candle Lamp’s line of Soft Light oil lamps are simply amazing. Depending on which size, they burn anywhere from eight hours, to a whopping 115 hours. They don’t produce the messy, dripping candle wax your average candles do, and these ones are disposable—perfect for any natural disaster that has you stuck indoors with no power.
Extra Specs
• Burn times of 8 to 115 hours
• No messy, dripping wax of conventional candles
• Pure, liquid fuel system
• Made of a refined, clear liquid paraffin that’s also safe and approved for food service use
• Classified as non-flammable, nonhazardous and has no restrictions for storage
• Fuel cells can be recycled
5. CRIMSON TRACE
Product: LTG-701 Lightguard (for Kimber, Ruger and S&W 1911 pistols) Output (lumens): 130
MSRP: $199
Description
The LTG-701 Lightguard is built for high performance on 1911 pistols, with a slim design for ease of holstering.
The tactical light features a powerful 130 lumens from the LED, and is easily attached to a non-railed Kimber, Ruger or Smith & Wesson 1911s that are either full-size, compact or bobtail. The LTG-701 is even compatible
with Crimson Trace Lasergrips and uses a similar technology and gives you a free hand, for more concentration
on your task. What more could you ask for?
Extra Specs
• Lamp: LED
• Material: Polymer
• Battery: (1) CR2 Lithium
• Run time: 1.5 hours
• Color: Black
• Performance: Trigger guard attachment,
front activation, user-installed
130 LED white light
6. EUREKA!
Product: Warrior 400 LED
Output (lumens): 300 on high
MSRP: $84.99
Description
The Warrior 400 LED lantern packs as much punch as you’d ever need a portable light. This bad-boy can run, and run, and run—for up to 350 hours on low, or 100 hours on high. You could use it all weekend as a primary light source. Remove the diffuser globe to spread are light even further. It features multiple functions: off, high, low, hold for strobe and electronic switch. The rubberized carry handle has a hook for hanging the
light, with a Carabiner included.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: LED 4 x 1W Nichia
• Material: ABS housing with rubber grip accents
• Weight: 3.83 pounds
• Battery: (6) D
• Run time: 100 to 350 hours
• Color: Yellow/black
• Performance: Bright, white area lighting; remove the diffuse globe to spread soft area light further
7. GUARD DOG SECURITY
Product: Halo Tactical Rechargeable Flashlight
Output (lumens): 290
MSRP: $79.95
Description
If 290 lumens of blinding, white light won’t stop something about to attack, nothin’ will. The Halo Tactical Flashlight features five unique settings: ultra bright (290 lumens), high (145 lumens), low (30), emergency strobe (290) and S.O.S. emergency Morse code (290). The light is so bright it can be seen from an aircraft above. In addition, the battery is 100 percent rechargeable and comes with a multi-use battery cradle that plugs directly into a wall outlet. It’s powered by more than 100,000-hour bulb life and made from aircraft-grade aluminum
alloy to boot.
Extra Specs
• Material: Type III aircraft grade aluminum alloy, titanium body
• Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (and charger) included
• Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Color: Titanium black
• Performance: Waterproof, all-weather resistant, shockproof body
8. INOVA
Product: Bolt Series (2L)
Output (lumens): 120
MSRP: $47.99
Description
The Bolt 2L delivers. It features an impact-resistant head, which also safeguards the lamp from damage, has a non-slip rubber grip and is made from aluminum with a high graphite anodized finish. With an effective range of 344 feet and a signal visibility of 2.5 miles, a burglar will act like a deer in the headlights.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: LED
• Material: Aerospace-grade aluminum
• Battery: (2) 123A lithium
• Run time: 3 hours, 50 min.
• Length: 5 inches
• Weight: 4.66 ounces
• Color: Anodized silver/black
9. KELTY
Product: LumaTech
Output (lumens): 30
MSRP: $35.95
Description
The LumaTech personal lantern is perfect for outdoor use and provides up to 99 hours of light—making it as reliable as you’d need. The hook-shaped bail allows for the light to either be carried or hung and is made from an anodized aluminum body. It’s even weatherproof, with an internal light reflector.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: 1 Cree LED
• Material: Anodized aluminum, Polycarbonate lens
• Battery: (4) AA
• Run time: 13 (on high) to 99 (on low) hours
• Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Color: Available in black or gold
10. LIGHT MY FIRE
Product: Swedish FireSteel 2.0-Army
MSRP: $9 and up
Description
The Swedish FireSteel is not something you should leave the house without if you’re going to be venturing
outdoors. This little guy can light a fire equally well in wet or cold conditions as it does in normal weather.
It’s perfect for campfires or gas stoves and can provide up to 12,000 strikes. The striker produces a 5,400°F
degree spark, so you’ll never be without a campfire to keep you warm. The bright spark can even be used as
an emergency signal, and the striker’s handle includes an emergency whistle. No dangerous goods shipping
restrictions either.
11. LIGHT MY FIRE
Product: TinderDust
MSRP: $4.99
Description
The TinderDust makes lighting fires so easy, even when it’s wet. It’s all natural and environmentally friendly, with up to 80 percent resin content—because it’s the resin (oil) that burns, not the wood. It also burns with a hot flame compared to paper or paraffin. Not to mention, it’s light and compact, so it won’t weigh down your pack.
Extra Specs
• Material: Stumps from Pinus Montezumae
• Content: Up to 80 percent resin
• Weight: 28 grams
• Container: Lightweight, convenient, waterproof
• Performance: Maximum heat energy for minimal weight
12. SUREFIRE
Product: X400 (LED Handgun/Long Gun WeaponLight with Red Laser)
Output (lumens): 170
MSRP: $595
Description
A brilliant, white, tactical weapon light, the X400 generates 170 lumens and is perfect so that both hands are on your gun when you need it most. The X400 fits handguns and long guns with Picatinny or universal rails, and adapter mounts are available for several non-railed guns. A red laser sight also provides high visibility at 5mV, 635nm. The aerospace aluminum with Mil-Spec anodizing is built to last, with impact-resistant polymer and a coated tempered window. Even more, it’s O-ring and gasket sealed, so you it’s weatherproof. Includes high-energy 123A batteries with a 10-year shelf life.
Extra Specs
• Lamp: LED
• Material: Aerospace aluminum body, Mil-Spec hard-anodized
• Battery: 123A
• Run time: 2.4 hours
• Length: 3.6 inches
• Weight: 4.4 ounces
• Color: Black
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in a 2012 print issue of American Survival Guide.
