I have given many of the crank flashlights as gifts and have several for my own home and car. Having one available in my car has been an excellent decision. For many years, I've kept flashlights with batteries in the car. However, by the time I would need the flashlight the batteries provided little to no light. With the wind-up flashlight, 30 seconds to a minute of winding the handle and I have a great light.
My toddler granddaughter also loves Nana's flashlight that is stored in the car. She likes to use it from her booster seat and make believe that she is using the flashlight to read the maps in the Maine Gazette.
With the wind-up flashlight and the maps she has directed us through many Maine car trips. One memorable trip to Waterville was especially well directed as she used a map of the Allagash waterway to direct us! With the wind-up powered flashlight, she can continue to entertain herself and her grandparents through many more automobile trips.
The concept is great. The design is great. The brightness is great. The longevity is poor. X-mas '08 I bought 7 of these things as gifts. All had great promise in the beginning. All are now broken. A couple were dropped, and you can hear something rattling inside. A couple had the rubber handle broken off. None hold their charge longer than a few minutes. When you crank it, the light is bright. As soon as you stop, the light is dim.
