Gizmodo: Flashlight

DIY Iron Man Repulsor Light Won't Repulse Anybody, May Dazzle 'Em

Kit Eaton — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT

DIY gadgeteer Carlos at Carlito's Contraptions and Tony Stark have at least one thing in common: they like to tinker with homemade gizmos and strap 'em onto their bodies. Sadly Carlos didn't have access to Tony's array of sci-fi gadget impossibilities, but that didn't stop him from producing this palm-mounted ultra-bright LED flashlight in a sturdy aluminum frame that's activated with a cocked wrist. Check out the video to see it in action.

Follow the rough DIY instructions, match it up with the DIY arc reactor, and you'd have the start of your own iron suit...with just the rockets, weapons and other flim-flam to put together in your garage. [Carlito's Contraptions via Hacked Gadgets]

Mosquito Repeller-cum-Flashlight Is Weird Combo of the Day

AddyDugdale — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:15:00 EDT

Styled in shiny, first-gen iPod white, this mosquito repeller from Brando has a built-in flashlight to give the electronic bird to mosquitos and, aspazzarently, dragon flies. Do these electronic anti-mozzie devices work? Not on me, mate, I get bitten to buggery no matter what I use—even that stuff that smells like nuclear paint stripper. Brando's version will cost you $22. [Brando]

Wakey Wakey, Hands On Snakey, It's the Twist Torch from Brando

AddyDugdale — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:23:00 EDT

Measuring 81 centimeters, this Twist Torch from Brando can be bent into any shape you wish. The more brutal amongst you may even use it to perform home endoscopies, and the more fashion-conscious may wish to wear it as a necktie at your club so that the steward doesn't throw you out for being incorrectly dressed. The pervy may want to stick it where the sun don't shine and make Innerspace-esque videos, the DIY geek may want to light up murky little crannies with it, and the plain loco may want to sit it in a basket, play namby-pamby music on a recorder, and wait for it to sit up and start swaying.

All this craziness in a tube will cost you $11. [Brando]

5 in 1 Gadget Pen, Lights, Points and Yes: Writes

Kit Eaton — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:32:29 EDT

It's a pen, touchpad stylus, LED flashlight, laser pointer and UV banknote checker. In one. Handy for... well, all those things. Available for $11. That is all. [Gadget4All via Red Ferret]

Porcupine, The Weaponized Flashlight: Blinding, Slashing, Worrying

Kit Eaton — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:57:12 EDT

Okay, the flashlight machine gun was alarming enough, but now there's also the Pentagon Porcupine weaponized flashlight. A kind of all-in-one gadget for the frightened, it can help you find your car keys if you drop them in the dark, and/or blind and wound an attacker. Or victim, for that matter.

The eye-dazzling power comes from a 70 lumen xenon bulb, which is powerful even while it's no maxablaster, while the spiky bezel is sharpened "more than ordinary crenellated bezels" for slashing and stabbing action. The spikes are retractable, so you can safely slip this into a pocket, we guess. In olive drab, for that extra "military" chic, the 4.8 oz 5-inch flashlight will give 60 minutes of continuous light from its batteries.

I've got no idea who'd carry this creepy thing around: I guess you'd have to be pretty scared indeed if something like this in your bag made you feel safer. But, if you're really into personal protection, it's available for $129. [Pentagonlight via Wired gadgets]

FMG-9 Flashlight Converts to Machine Gun in a Second

AddyDugdale — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:58:51 EDT

"Gits Nasty? Git down to business," beams the SHOT Show booth boy after showing off the FMG-9, a concept weapon that can switch from a simple flashlight to a Glock-style submachine gun in one easy flick of the wrist. Designed by Magpul, the FMG-9 is currently in prototype phase, and there's no guarantee whether it will be released or not, but I guess it's one for the personal protection peeps. And nervous dog-walkers. [Defense Tech]

Maxablaster Flashlight Burns Skin, Clouds, Vampires

Mark Wilson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:00:49 EST

The Maxablaster is a 38-million-candlepower flashlight that was made at home by (mad?) optics engineer Ralf Ottow. Replacing a commercial flashlight's bulb with a plasma-powered mercury arc bulb, the Maxablaster creates a highly focused beam of light with a high UV content not so different from a star.

So UV-filtering glass was added to block the potentially harmful rays—though evidently this thing is still plenty bright enough to burn skin, as it has Ottow's on at least one occasion. In real world application, the flashlight can illuminate a cloud that's four miles in the air, or scare the neighbors by lighting up their house from the same distance.

One things for sure: when the vampires finally come out of hiding (a few hundred years after the robot apocalypse) we're calling this guy.

And then we're gonna be all like, "I see your Schwartz is as big as mine." (Sorry, we held that joke back until our arms were trembling.) [popsci]

Flashlight DVR Perfect for Spies

Sean Fallon — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:30:14 EST

The new Flashlight DVR Compact Digital Video Recorder from Swann is not the first time we have come across a flashlight with a built-in DVR, but it is certainly the most technologically advanced version to date. The device features a camcorder, still camera, built-in mic, high strength alloy case, and night vision technology.

It is also capable of in MPEG4 at 640x480, and it will give you about 8 hours of QVGA recording on a 1GB SD card (4GB max). If that wasn't enough there is even a panic siren that will alert others that you are in trouble. All of this can be yours for only $399, which is a bit pricey unless you are part of a trained security team, or a really dedicated pervert. [Product Page via Bachelor Guy via DVICE]

Does the World Need a Candle Holder Flashlight?

Sean Fallon — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:50:33 EST

It may seem a little stupid, but if you are faced with a power outage, having a candle holder that doubles as a flashlight may prove useful. It can be used as a decoration, so you will never have to scrounge around in closets and cabinets to find it —plus should the 3 AA batteries die, you can just flip it over and use the candle end. Clever idea, but the style leaves a little something to be desired. Available for $40. [Product Page via DVICE]

Intelligent Lantern for People Who Like Son with Their Lumiere

AddyDugdale — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:34:27 EST

The intelligent lantern could be termed the Swiss Army Knife of flashlights—although the purists among you will probably complain that you can't file your nails, peel an orange or get a stone out of a horse's hoof with it. As well as a super-bright beam that can be seen a mile away, the nine-inch outdoor gizmo rocks stereo speakers, an AM/FM tuner, access to NOAA Weatherband and an MP3-compatible connection. There's a digital clock, and as well as running on 6 C batteries (alkaline or rechargeable) you can also run it through your vehicle's cigarette lighter or the mains. And all of this will cost you just $39.

[Norm Thompson via Crave via PopGadget]

If Apple Designed a Flashlight...

Sean Fallon — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:20:11 EST

Yes, the world has fallen in love with Apple's clean and sophisticated designs, but is making an Apple flashlight going too far? You bet it is. Still, designer Myoshimasato has developed a concept piece that attempts to illustrate what an iLight would look like if it actually existed. I'll admit, it does look like something Apple would design (or Nintendo for that matter), but the functionality makes what should be a simple device unnecessarily complex, and there is no real software component to speak of. Two qualities not generally associated with Apple products.

For starters, the light is touch sensitive. You can turn the light on and off with a single tap, or increase the brightness by flicking your finger forward. Double-tapping locks the device and the glowing Apple logo indicates battery status. You can even tap on the logo to automatically flash "Help" in Morse code. While that last part is definitely interesting, it may not be all that handy unless you are lost at sea or your neighbor has been stationed on a battleship or something. Would a product like this be useful or useless? Discuss. [Yanko Design]

Spotlight LED In-Car Torch Finds Fluff Down the Side of the Car Seat

AddyDugdale — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:55:21 EST

The Spotlight, a tiny little flashlight that charges via your car's cigarette lighter and allows you to find all the little bits of detritus and ting that manage to fall down the side of the car seat. It comes in a dozen different colors and was runner-up for Best New Interior Accessory prize at SEMA 2007. Price and another pic after the jump.

The Spotlight, which gives you over an hour's worth of light on a three-hour charge, is expected to cost around $14.99. [Weiguo Solutions via Tips]

Let There Be Light, in the Form of a USB Rechargeable Clip

Charlie White — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:51:47 EST

Charge this mini flashlight in a USB port, and use its notebook clip to shed light on your laptop keyboard. For less digital activities, use its book clip to illuminate that page-turner trash you read under the covers every night with no one the wiser. It has an LED inside that's bright enough to light up the night, and once you've spent its internal battery, it only takes about three hours to charge it up again. Who needs a $400 electronic book reader, when a mere $14 keeps you from cursing the darkness, reading good old-fashioned paper? [Brando]

Darth Vader - "Luke, I am your flashlight"

Mark Wilson — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:42:03 EDT

How does it feel, Darth? From Ruler of the known Universe to kiddie flashlight. How far you have fallen after 30 years of over-merchandising. How do you work? A kid squeezes you, your head pops an you light up. Seriously? Do you like that, Darth? When the kids squeeze you?

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Geeks, it's up to us. We need to bite this Star Wars toy stuff in the bud ASAP, lest our children and children's children think Darth Vader is nothing more than a flashlight, dust buster or some other mundane marketing scheme. Unfortunately, this one is already sold out. [ubergizmo]

Capsuli Emergency Solar-Charged LED Lights in a Pass-Around Pack

Charlie White — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:55:03 EDT

Park these Capsuli rechargeable LED emergency lights on their miniature solar-powered charging station, and when havoc strikes and all the lights go out, you can pass these around to all the occupants of your darkened abode. A quick twist turns on the LED inside, giving you just enough light to keep from stumbling all over yourself. When you're not using them, they look kind of pretty in their little parking lot that might be a decorative addition to an empty windowsill. [Yanko Design]

Trevor Bayliss' Eco Player is One for Worthies

AddyDugdale — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:00:10 EDT

Trevor Baylis, the Brit who invented the wind-up radio 16 years ago, has applied his not inconsiderable brain to doing the same thing for MP3s and videos and come up with a 2GB Eco Player that will give you 40 minutes of music on just one minute of winding. And that's not all it can do.

There's a full-color 1.8-inch LCD screen, as well as FM radio and voice recorder, an LED flashlight function and it can even charge your phone in an emergency. And if you don't fancy running around with a crank, there's also an internal battery that you can charge via USB and get 20 hours' worth of juice.

While it's not exactly beautiful (the design of its buttons reminds me of those kitschy bow-tie tee-shirts) and it's a bit large, I can see the worthies of this world displaying it as a badge of their planet-hugginess.

Costing around $350—a lot more money than they spent on a website that can only be described as shonky—the Eco Player should be available at the end of this month. [Ethical Superstore via Shiny Shinyand British Eco]

$7000 Beast II Flashlight Turns Night Into Day With 2000 Lumens

Charlie White — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:15:00 EDT

Who knew there would be a flashlight that burns as bright as an aircraft landing light? That would be the Surefire Beast II LED torch, blasting 2000 lumens, giving you a searchlight that's as bright as 130 regular flashlights. That's some serious light, but it sucks a tremendous amount of power and money, too.

Try feeding this sucker with 20 lithium batteries, each of which costs $1, and the whole passel of them will only last 1.5 hours. Topping that is a $7,000 price of the flashlight itself. You'd better have some serious perpetrators to light up if you're going to be spending that kind of coin on a mere flashlight. [Shop4Torches, via Coolest Gadgets]

Flashlight Makes You Vomit

Charlie White — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:15:00 EDT

Look out, because here come cops with flashlights that will make you hurl. Intelligent Optical Systems has created this weird flashlight that's so bright it temporarily blinds you, and then it gets you all disoriented and dizzy. Using special types of really bright LEDs, the flashlight's beam pulses and flashes while quickly changing its color, and all this somehow makes you feel like you're going to throw up.

Of course, if you want to avoid blowing chunks all over the cops, all you need to do is close your eyes and the flashlight isn't going to hurt you, but then you're not going to be able to aim that gun very well with your eyes closed, are you? Intelligent Optical Systems plans to start testing the 15-inch flashlight this fall on some lucky volunteers at Penn State University. No thanks, we don't want a review unit. [Technology Review]

Dog Leash with Built-In Radio and Flashlight Gives Son et Lumiere Walks

AddyDugdale — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:04:12 EDT

For those of you without a talking dog, this retractable leash with built-in AM/FM radio and flashlight means you'll never be lonely again when it's time for Bonzo's walkies. It costs $25, weighs one pound and works with two AA batteries. There's only 12 feet of cord, though, so make sure that you're playing mutt-friendly music—Iggy and the Stooges' I Wanna Be Your Dog springs to mind. [Amazon via Shiny Shiny]

Japanese Turd Flashlight Is Thankfully Not a Medical Gadget

AddyDugdale — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:54:20 EDT

If what's missing from your life is a light-up poop, then fear not, because your happiness is sitting in a Japanese vending machine. Epoch, purveyor of the USB darts board, has come up with the weirdness that is a flashlight shaped like a turd, or Unchi, as they are known over in Japan.

Available in either Pepto-Bismol or jaundice, there are three styles of Unchi to choose from: Futsuu Unchi, or normal turd; Tochuu Unchi, a turd passing through—that's the one above that looks like it's in a hurry; and Omori Unchi, the jumbo-sized one.

The purpose? I think it's a cellphone charm meant to bring you luck, but at two inches in length, it seems a bit big to have dangling from your mobile. Perhaps the makers believe it should go somewhere else? [Digital World Tokyo]

Someone Put a Phone in a Flashlight

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 May 2007 21:20:14 EDT

We're big fans of gadgets shaped like other gadgets or one gadget shoved inside another gadget, and this flashlight cellphone is no exception. Designed for use in emergencies, this flashlight phone from Willcom runs on two flashlight batteries and has no screen.

We suppose it's useful to store this with the rest of your emergency supplies, but we'd probably prefer to keep our regular phone on us instead. We can never remember anyone's number if it's not already programmed in. – Jason Chen

MobileMentalism

Twinbeamz Two-headed Flashlight Twists Multiple Ways

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:03:22 EDT

This twisty, water-resistant flashlight can illuminate pretty much any nook and cranny in your apartment. It's got dual flashlight heads (one on each end) and can be bent, curved or shaped in any way. Just make sure to double up on batteries, because the $29 price doesn't include the 4 AAs you'll need to power this sucker. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page

Emergency AM/FM Weather Radio Digital Clock Thermometer Bunny Hunting Accessory

Travis Hudson — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:30:35 EDT

Easter is sometimes known for a fun, happy and colorful bunny spreading cheer, sunshines and rainbows across the world, but for other (me) the Easter bunny is a devilish being ready to eat my soul and steal all of my jellybeans. The only way to properly protect yourself is with this emergency do everything flashlight. It has a light for spotting the bunny, an AM/FM radio for playing anti-bunny music (Journey), weather radio for keep track of weather trends that Easter bunnies usually bring, a clock for keeping track of the time (obviously) and lastly, and most importantly, a thermometer for monitoring the temperature because everyone knows easter bunnies are cold-blooded demons ready to terrorize. $50. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Bookofjoe]

Zen Lite Bite Mouth Flashlight

Travis Hudson — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:15:00 EDT

If an ear-mounted flashlight is too far-fetched, you may want to pick up the Zen Lite Bite flashlight. Don't deny yourself—everyone at some point has put a flashlight in the mouth to do some work, and this little gadget makes the whole mouth flashlight technique a little easier. $8. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Uber-review]

Forever Flashlight: Pull Cord, It Lights Up, Charges Your Cellphone, Too

Charlie White — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:30:00 EST

LED flashlights are coming on the market in a flurry lately, but here's one with a difference: If you want to see it do its thing, pull its string. It has a pull cord like a Chatty Cathy, but instead of saying innocuous things it charges up the battery that powers its 5-LED flashlight.

What really might make this device useful in a pinch is that you can plug your cellphone into it and charge that up, too, just by pulling that string. It also plugs into a car's accessory outlet and an included 12-volt AC adapter. Check out a video of the Forever Flashlight in action:

A couple of tugs of the string is enough to give you a few minutes' worth of bright light, but it's not clear how many times you'd need to pull the $29.95 device's string to charge up your cellphone. But you guys are used to pulling and pulling as long as it takes, aren't you? – Charlie White

Product Page [Gadget Universe, via Coolest Gadgets]

Fox Fury's 1000-lumen LED "MF" 1000 Flashlight: No Relation to BFG, Brightest Ever

Brian Lam — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:38:36 EST

Fox Fury claims that the MF 1000 — no relation to the BFG — LED flashlight is the brightest ever at 1000-lumens, throwing the equivalent of a 60-watt lightbulb into a beam pattern as tighter than a spotlight. That generous and brilliant output makes it appropriate for rescue spotting puppies adrift in storm-swollen rivers at up to 600-feet, or blinding friends with a bit of point-blank tomfoolery. The shock, fire, and water resistant aluminum case houses a 9-LED array and 15 lithium CR123 cells that last a mere hour in full power mode. (Or 3 hours in 3 LED mode.) Yours for $1000. I want.–Brian Lam
MF 1000 [Fox Fury]

Blackout Buddy Is Your Only Friend Among Screaming Survivors

Jason Chen — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:00:32 EST

This Blackout Buddy is like the Belkin Battery Backup Flashlight, except without the battery backup. It spends most of its life plugged into the wall, soaking up juice for when the power goes out. When that day comes, you'll get a flashlight that lasts 12-16 hours and an AM/FM radio that lasts 4-8 hours.

It's a pretty minimal way of being prepared for an emergency, although you'd probably want to store some water, canned food, and Playboys as well. That's right, you're not going to be able to access the internet when your power's out, smart guy. Always plan ahead. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Ambient Weather via Coolest Gadgets via SCI FI Tech]

Snail Mini Dynamo LED Anti-Mosquito Flashlight Makes Bugs Laugh

Charlie White — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:45:21 EST

Here's another tool for you to use after the Apocalypse: the Snail Mini Dynamo LED Anti-Mosquito Flashlight. That's a long name for a short list of features, including a handcranked flashlight and alleged anti-mosquito capabilities.

Couldn't you just claim that anything has anti-mosquito qualities, and then when users don't get bitten, they'll believe mosquitoes are actually being repelled? Perhaps this Mini Dynamo is designed to do most of its mosquito repelling in the bleak midwinter.

That said, after all the batteries in the world are finally snuffed out, this $9 snail's little twin LEDs might be quite illuminating, somewhat better than cursing the darkness. – Charlie White

Product Page [Brando, via The Uber-Review]

Electro-Weapon: 800,000-Volt Lightning Rod Stun Pen Flashlight

Charlie White — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:42:00 EST

If you're looking for a flashlight that'll make you feel more secure, maybe that smoke alarm torch we touched upon earlier is not the answer. How about 800,000 volts at your fingertips? This Lightning Rod Stun Pen and LED flashlight uses a couple of 3V lithium batteries to put the hurt on those miscreants who might lay unwanted paws on you.

Its makers say this 6-inch weapon is the highest-voltage pen-type stun gun you can get, assuring you that any attackers will be in for a shocking experience. The thing is said to make an intimidating electrical crackling noise, which might itself be scary enough to send those bad guys running for cover. It packs quite a punch for $34.95. – Charlie White

Product page [24 Corporation]

FlareSafe Portable Smoke Alarm Honks Up a Storm, Saves Lives

Charlie White — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:22:54 EST

If you like to travel to strange and exotic places and stay in questionable hotel rooms—and who doesn't?—you might want to take along one of these FlareSafe personal safety devices, which is a combo smoke detector, distress alarm and really bright LED flashlight.

Arm this baby before you go to sleep and at the first whiff of smoke it starts honking and screeching loud enough to wake the dead. It's been available in the UK and Europe for £42.51 ($83), and its British makers are now considering bringing it stateside as well. – Charlie White

Product Page [Flarebrands]

Belkin Battery Backup Brings Bonus Bulb

Jason Chen — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:45:42 EST

Not only does this Belkin Battery Backup give you six outlets, four of which are battery supported—it also has a built-in flashlight as well. This means that when your power is out, the light powers on automatically, letting you know exactly where your UPS is so you can reach under your desk and remove the flashlight.

Besides having a flashlight that's always charged when you need it, it also has a 550VA battery load capacity with 20 minutes of backup time. And at $99, it's pretty comparable to other battery backups that don't come with a flashlight. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Belkin]

Indium Touch-Sensitive Flashlight

Jason Chen — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:40:08 EST

Designed much like the flashlights the Star Trek crew used on The Next Generation—except more hubcappy—the Indium flashlight is both neat and neat looking. The six LEDs are controled by a touch-sensitive switch that can switch the lights to full, half, and strobe mode.

The flashlights take about four hours to charge and provide four hours of use, and can be plugged into most USB ports. Definitely cool, but a whole lot less useful compared to a Maglight for clubbing intruders over the head. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Heinnie via Chip Chick via uber gizmo]

TV/Flashlight Could Save Your Life

www.gizmodo.com — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:02:37 EST

To plan for an emergency, you need to prioritize. What do you need if the power goes out? Well, a flashlight, obviously. What next? Oh Jesus, well I can't miss The Wire, so TV, definitely TV. Thankfully the lifesavers at Vector have combined the two most important items you need during an emergency into one TV/flashlight superdevice.

The whole thing can be juiced via crank if you run out of batteries in the middle of a Mary Tyler Moore marathon, and it also has boring stuff like AM/FM radio with auto storm alert. Only $40 for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you'll never miss your shows, no matter what happens. You hear that, terrorists? No matter what. –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Ubergizmo]

Flashlight Slippers

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:40:57 EST

If combining flashlights with a pair of slippers is wrong, we don't want to be right. Instead of waking up your spouse by accidentally kicking the cat, these weight-activated slippers let you silently glide to the can, the fridge, or wherever you're going at three in the morning.

The only downsides are that it costs $69, and take replaceable, not rechargeable, lithium batteries. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Bim Bam Banana via Crunchgear]

Flashlight Pong

Jason Chen — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:00:16 EDT

Something we'd either need to be really bored or really drunk to think of—these guys rigged up a screen with light sensors so they can play Pong with flashlights. Next up, Halo 2 with a miner's helmet. – Jason Chen

Project Page [Diaplsy22 via TechEBlog]

Non-Bluetooth, Bluetooth Style Headset Flashlight

Travis Hudson — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 14:45:13 EDT

The Over-Ear Book Light is simply that, an over the ear, Bluetooth-style headset that is just a flashlight. It is a little less discreet that most personal book flashlight, but it aims wherever you are looking. So, lets say you are trying to read Everybody Poops inconspicuously, but coincidentally your partner rips one and you look over, suddenly they will be blinded by the flashlight and wake up to see you reading some inappropriate literature. It's your own fault for trying to secretly read Everybody Poops to begin with. The Over-Ear Book Light is available for $25.

Nice invention, and you can even wear it in public to look like a trendy Bluetooth headset wearer. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Ubergizmo]

Gerber Inferno Flexi-Light Offers Seven Tendrils, Five Modes

Charlie White — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 10:00:54 EDT

Did somebody take a Power Squid and turn it into a seven-headed hydra of a flashlight? Yep, kinda. It's the Gerber Inferno Flexi-Light, with seven articulated legs springing out of its casing, each leg with a versatile LED in the end with five lighting modes. You can have a focused white flashlight, a more diffused white light, a diffused nightvision red light, a more-focused red nightvision light or a flashing red emergency beacon.

Point its tendrils wherever you want, and light up seven different areas at the same time. Heck, you could be your own lighting designer on a miniature set, placing backlights, fills, and three-point lighting with a few lights to spare. Crazy go nuts. The company says the odd-looking thing will run over 40 hours on three AAA batteries, or its emergency beacon will flash for 200 hours. It's $39.95. – Charlie White

Product Page [Scientifics, via Oh Gizmo]

The LED Pen Lights Up Your Life, Paper

Jason Chen — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:00:15 EDT

The LED Moonlight pen works like a pen, but has a light on the tip so you can read what you write, even in movie theatres, back alleys, and inside a patient's abdomen. It's perfect for creative types who need to carry a notebook around with them wherever they go, and can also act as a regular mini-flashlight for when you're too drunk to find the lock on your car door. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Latest Buy via Coolest Gadgets]

Designer Flashlight Burns the Electro-Candle at Both Ends

Charlie White — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:49:03 EDT

It's still hurricane season right now, and what better way for you seashore dwellers to calm those jangled nerves than having a couple of designer flashlights sitting there on the table next to you as the wind begins to howl. Designer Gabriele Pezzini created this torch that burns at both ends, where a twist of the cap gives you soft candlelight emanating from the narrow end and a brighter LED beam from the flared end.

Don't forget to stock up on button cell batteries before the big one hits—it takes three. It's $34. Or you could just move out here to the glorious Midwest, where our kids don't even know how to pronounce the word "hurricane." – Charlie White

Useful AND good-looking [Popgadget]

Surefire Kroma Palm-Sized Tactical LED Flashlight

Brian Lam — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:35:14 EDT

Here's a new flashlight from surefire, makers of flashlights for cops, Navy SEALs and other guys that need to kick ass in dark places. The LED lightsource can go from a low intensity to high, the brighter mode giving the palm sized flashlight 50-lumens. That's more than double the oomph of a twin D-cell battery. And enough to "temporarily blind an assailant." There's even a red and blue LED mode built in, the red one good for reading maps without mussing up your night vision. It's mil-spec, from its type III hard anodized aluminum grade body, to its pyrex lens. The non rechargable lithium ions give you 1.5 hours of run time on that bright mode, 8 hours on the dimmer mode. Just $300 bucks to play Navy SEAL in the woods at night.– Brian Lam

Surefire Kroma K2-BK-BL/RD LED Flashlight [surefire]