What kind of lights do you members like to keep in your vehicles for "on the road or away from home" emergenices, blizzards, vehicle breakdowns, flat tires, etc., any problems needing reliable, sustained, easy to operate lighting? I ask because I have had problems with various kinds of lights failing in different ways: I have a big box full of all kinds of lights but they all seem to lack some important feature (no, I wont take the whole box with me every time I take a trip). Its when you are not home, you forgot your phone, your stranded, ergo, the worst of situations 
that I seek an answer for. For examples:
If its the kind that uses bulbs, just when you need it most the bulb has or will burn out.
If it takes batteries, either they will be dead and you forgot to replace them, or they are corroded in place, or you have the wrong size.
I dont particularly relish the idea of using one of those lights that you need to constantly shake to create current to produce light
havent seen them advertised for quite sometime now.
If I get the kind of light that plugs into the cigarette lighter, just when I need it most, the vehicle will have a starting/charging problem and it will preclude me from using up the battery's charge.
Classic hand held two and three D size battery types are powerful but are difficult to use for changing a flat tire, you cant hold it and use both hands very easily. Its like you stick it under your arm and then squeeze it to your body -- ya know
Build quality is an issue also, it has to be reliable and durable -- USA made of possible; if not then German or Japanese -- please no more Chinese junk. It can be the best light but if its from China, you know whats gonna happen to that product eventually. This issue is fragught with Murphys Law scenarios.
It may be that having several lights is the best answer, but I'm hoping for a less pricey option, as well as, not having to haul my garage around with me. I like the small thin Mag-Lites; the LED type of lights; and the headband kind. I have a few of each. I can hold the Mag-lite in my mouth, but the headband type works just as well, and is way easier (buts its from China) . . . its just too rinky-dink, i.e., shoddy.
LED's seem to be the best solution to the burn out bulb issue. A corded light that runs off the cig lighter seems to be a good idea as well, if the vehicle can stay running without issues. I think the small lights are fine for nice calm summer days when you need to deal with a relatively minor problem, like a flat tire.
But what about a dangerous winter blizzard at night, the kind you should not be traveling in but have no choice, and no one is around to help you or hold the light, and you have children with you and their scared, and its all up to you. 
I was particularly interested in getting a powerful light for that kind of situation, however, not one of those million candlepower deer spotlights (have two of them).
Btw, not having to hold the light can be very important. Maybe something with a magnet to attach to the vehicle. Actually I have a black and decker snake light that does that but its a cheap built thing . . . And I abhor B&D products. I should probably ask the fire dept. what they recommend or some first responders type guys what they like.
Btw, I have everyone of these lights I mentioned, but of course still running into issues. I'm kinda thinking that if I was in a nighttime winter blizzard of the worst kind and had to change a tire and/or do a sudden repair (assuming its even possible), I'm thinking of a magnetically attachable and also a vise grip optional (like a dial indicator flexible joint arm), powerful enough, both battery and 12 V corded, maybe waterproof too (to prevent electronic issues). I wonder if such a light exists. Sorry, I cant mfr it myself. Too busy. Too much Chinese competition and patent stealing.wned:
I've been thinking about this for some time meaning to ask the question here. Cant think of a better forum than here (I could go to Chaski but that Harold V is a real sob/pos). Any ideas are welcome. Sorry for any typos etc. And thank you all in advance.
that I seek an answer for. For examples: If its the kind that uses bulbs, just when you need it most the bulb has or will burn out.
If it takes batteries, either they will be dead and you forgot to replace them, or they are corroded in place, or you have the wrong size.
I dont particularly relish the idea of using one of those lights that you need to constantly shake to create current to produce light
havent seen them advertised for quite sometime now. If I get the kind of light that plugs into the cigarette lighter, just when I need it most, the vehicle will have a starting/charging problem and it will preclude me from using up the battery's charge.
Classic hand held two and three D size battery types are powerful but are difficult to use for changing a flat tire, you cant hold it and use both hands very easily. Its like you stick it under your arm and then squeeze it to your body -- ya know
Build quality is an issue also, it has to be reliable and durable -- USA made of possible; if not then German or Japanese -- please no more Chinese junk. It can be the best light but if its from China, you know whats gonna happen to that product eventually. This issue is fragught with Murphys Law scenarios.
It may be that having several lights is the best answer, but I'm hoping for a less pricey option, as well as, not having to haul my garage around with me. I like the small thin Mag-Lites; the LED type of lights; and the headband kind. I have a few of each. I can hold the Mag-lite in my mouth, but the headband type works just as well, and is way easier (buts its from China) . . . its just too rinky-dink, i.e., shoddy.
LED's seem to be the best solution to the burn out bulb issue. A corded light that runs off the cig lighter seems to be a good idea as well, if the vehicle can stay running without issues. I think the small lights are fine for nice calm summer days when you need to deal with a relatively minor problem, like a flat tire.
But what about a dangerous winter blizzard at night, the kind you should not be traveling in but have no choice, and no one is around to help you or hold the light, and you have children with you and their scared, and its all up to you.
I was particularly interested in getting a powerful light for that kind of situation, however, not one of those million candlepower deer spotlights (have two of them). Btw, not having to hold the light can be very important. Maybe something with a magnet to attach to the vehicle. Actually I have a black and decker snake light that does that but its a cheap built thing . . . And I abhor B&D products. I should probably ask the fire dept. what they recommend or some first responders type guys what they like.
Btw, I have everyone of these lights I mentioned, but of course still running into issues. I'm kinda thinking that if I was in a nighttime winter blizzard of the worst kind and had to change a tire and/or do a sudden repair (assuming its even possible), I'm thinking of a magnetically attachable and also a vise grip optional (like a dial indicator flexible joint arm), powerful enough, both battery and 12 V corded, maybe waterproof too (to prevent electronic issues). I wonder if such a light exists. Sorry, I cant mfr it myself. Too busy. Too much Chinese competition and patent stealing.
wned: I've been thinking about this for some time meaning to ask the question here. Cant think of a better forum than here (I could go to Chaski but that Harold V is a real sob/pos). Any ideas are welcome. Sorry for any typos etc. And thank you all in advance.
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