Just picked up the book from the library and believe I saw it recommended previously on one of the TB forums. Seems to have a lot of practical information (I'm just in the chapter on lighting).

The author is Anita Evangelista. I've seen someone post by that name here, and was wondering if she is the author. If so, I have a question I'd like to ask relating to a mention of a type of flashlight in the book. The reference is to "moderately-priced self-contained rechargeable flashlights." I haven't heard of these before. Are these the wind-up type flashlights such as the ones manufactured by Baygen? Or something different? If they're not the wind-up type, have you used the wind-up type since the book was published and if so what is your opinion of the wind-ups? (Sorry, I think that was a run-on question...)

Thanks

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), July 28, 1999

Answers

winter wondering- I have 2 types of rechargable flashlights- one is a solar flashlight- with built in solar panel- from Real Goods- the other is a little hand squeezer kind- as you squeeze it- the light functions- both work very well- solar one was......somewhere in the mid twenties $$ I recall. The squeezer one- which was from Emergency Essentials- was $7.50

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), July 28, 1999.

Check out the LED flashlights. You can make your own LED bulb with stuff from Radio Shack. My photo layout at OddOne's site tells how, costs about $4 per bulb. Your batteries will last 20 times as long, and it's plenty bright enough to read by.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), July 28, 1999.

Yes winter, the author, Anita Evangelista, does post to the "Classic" forum. Give her a shout over there. She posted quite a bit to the following thread:

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), July 28, 1999.

Sorry 'bout that.

Find Anita Here

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), July 28, 1999.

Hi winter:

Assume you're refering to: (pg 29) "some mederately-priced flashlights are self-contained rechargeables, but my experience with several of these brands has been disappointing -- they don't last."

There are too many manufacturers to even cover, but typically you'd expect to spend $20-$30 for one of these "plug-in rechargeables". Hardware stores, department stores, etc, carry these.

They seem like a good idea. Somebody even gave us one for Christmas last year -- but my experience remains the same. Plug 'em in, use 'em two or three times, leave them in the wall -- the next time you come back, they're dead. Power surge? Maybe. Poorly wired? Maybe. We're too tough on them? Maybe.

It all boils down to: don't bet your light (life?) on unreliable equipment.

Never used a Baygen, but they have good recommendations. The part most likely to suffer failure is the crank itself -- a strong metal or heavy-duty plastic crank will be a better choice in the long run.

Be sure to get extra bulbs...LEDs are great (but expensive).

Anita Evangelista

-- Anita Evangelista (ale@townsqr.com), July 29, 1999.

I heard that on the earlier Baygens, the spring sometimes broke. Does anyone know if they fixed that problem?

-- biker (y2kbiker@worldnet.att.net), July 29, 1999.

Thanks all. And,

Thanks Anita for the clarification... (yes, it was page 29!) I hadn't thought of plug-in rechargeables and basically I would have discounted them as a choice because of needing to plug them in. I wasn't sure if 'self-contained rechargeable' was another way of talking about the wind-ups... Glad that those aren't the kind you meant, although still not sure of the quality durability aspects of the baygen or other windups. I'm not even sure what material the crank is made from (plastic, heavy duty plastic or metal-- guessing one of the plastics). Trying to come up with diversified light sources.

Very interesting book! Thanks for putting it together.

To 'bw' - I have checked out your directions and also traded e-mails with odd one. They look like very good instructions, but I'm afraid I'm not very handy when it comes to making stuff like that, and I don't have a soldering gun, etc... Like the idea really well of extending battery life. Would try it if I could convert my current headlamp, but I got the impression that it wouldn't be the easiest type to 'retro-fit...'

Thanks again everyone

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), July 29, 1999.