E-Mail 'Bell & Howell TacLight Lantern/Flashlight Combo, by Pat Cascio' To A Friend

16 Comments

1. Thanks for shedding some light on this subject, Pat!

   1. Groan!

2. I have several of the lanterns (3 to be exact) but none of their brand of flashlights. The lanterns are excellent, I bought mine at Wal Mart in the ‘as seen on TV aisle’ for $14.99 each. I also gave a few as CHRISTmas gifts this last year. They are very, very bright, almost too bright,. They can be almost blinding when walking across the room or camp site. I’m going to make a small, unbreakable ‘light-softening defuser’ for ours that can slide up & down like the lens itself does, just don’t know what material I’m going to use yet… any ideas anyone?
   My biggest applause for the lantern is the ‘AA’ batteries vs. C’s, D’s or some button type. This allows us to use a solar battery charger or Lithium ‘photo batteries’ which work excellent in cold weather and have a long shelf- life (10+ years is the claim).

   Good Product at a reasonable price (and yes, I’m sure they’re made west of Hawaii)

   P.S. Re: the non-stick frying pans… I like cast iron but my does not so we bought a ‘Red Copper’ brand. It only lasted one year. It has NOT started peeling or flaking, but it’s not near as non-stick now as it was when new. We still use it, but must use assorted oils such as olive oil, coconut or sesame. (I like butter too, especially when frying eggs). We recently got a ‘Blue Diamond’ brand, we’ll see how well that holds up. I do like using metal utensils vs. the stupid plastic ones which were only ones allowed on the older Teflon pans etc.

   1. Milk jug plastic makes a good diffuser if you can shape it to what you want.
      If your wife does not like cast iron cookware because of the weight, Lodge has carbon steel skillets [amazon] that season similarly to cast iron (think carbon steel woks if you have ever used them) and are much lighter, but still sturdy. Also they heat up much faster. Otherwise, the frying pans that have a “stone” coating seem to hold up better than other coatings and are not toxic as Teflon can be when over heated.

      1. Thanks for the (excellent) milk jug idea, I’ll give it a try. As far as fry pans / skillets, I’ll look into that too. Again, thanks.

   2. I would consider using wax paper that is found in the kitchen supplies. You could wrap it around the lens and tape it to itself. It may even stay on the lens when it is shut into the OFF position.

      1. Another good idea. I even have some in the kitchen cabinet. Thanks

3. sorry… I like cast iron but my WIFE does not…

4. I have the flashlights in every vehicle and on both night stands in the bedroom. Mine came with batteries which I generally toss as I’ve had a lot of problems with cheap batteries leaking and ruining things. Energizer Lithium goes in and along with a spare 3 pack in a vacuum sealed bag and a chem light in case I have to swap them out in the dark.

   I will looking at the lanterns later today when I do the Bi-Mart run. Truthfully I did not know they had an As Seen on TV section.

5. Pat, I bought a two pack of the lanterns about two years ago. They show a pic of this lantern frozen in a block of ice still on. The problem is, there is no o-ring seal on the battery compartment or anywhere else for that matter

6. Harbor Freight carries identical items under their Quantum brand. I have numerous flashlights and a lantern for every room in the house. They’re inexpensive and work very well.

7. When I’ve used my led lights for some time, I check the battery voltage and if much under 1.5 volts-I change for a new one.

8. Costco carries a three pack of a very similar lantern from time to time for $15. They are excellent.

9. I sure appreciate the tips for other sources. I have a nearby Harbor Freight that will be seeing me very soon.

   Looking at the lanterns and flashlights they have, I see a close approximation of what PAt reviewed. I realize my mileage may vary.

   Carry on

10. I bought one a year or so back and I leave it in the garage for emergencies. They are super bright, though.
    I never thought of a diffuser and that might make them more user friendly.

11. Home depot has Lanterns on sale every Christmas I did see the ones I purchased a few years back. Highly recommended at 10 dollars each. The lamps have 2 power settings and a “strobe for emergencies? I have a half dozen or so. My Daughter uses one for a night light (it gets very dark in our home). It can run on enloops for 4 days every night 8~ish our a night on the low setting, the high setting is about 1/3rd of that. Not terrible if you have a good supply of enloop rechargeable and recharge them.

    As far as other lights I recommend not using “Zoom-able” lights. If they are dropped or used for an improvised defensive device they will not stand up to the abuse. Back to the mindset of more moving parts more chances to break. Get a light that matches what you need. Most lights are good for 30-50 yards. If you need more reach, get a light that is designed to “Throw” farther. (Check out the budget light forums. There is a wealth of information for batteries, chargers, solar chargers ect.)

    Just make sure too EDC something Bright, something sharp, something lethal, and some medical items.

Comments are closed.