Freeplay Jonta Self Sufficient LED Flashlight

Advantages: Easy to use, no batteries, fun
Disadvantages: expensive, heavy,

...is a fetching see-through purple colour, meaning I can see the inner workings). What is it? OK, some of you may be new to the Freeplay concept so it's worth going into a little detail here. Freeplay products are basically electronic devices that run on kinaesthetic enegy. What this means is that they require nothing more than your body power to generate electricity. This torch is charged by winding a krank (a handle) quickly for extended periods of time. This then generates electricity which is stored within the body of the torch. The torch has a handy green light on it, which lights up when you are turnign the handle fast enough to let you know that you are generating energy. The manufacturers clain that 30 seconds of winding will give you 20 minutes of shine time, if you are using the lower setting. Hmm, I guess I should explain... Read review

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Advantages: Power, robustness, battery life
Disadvantages: Price. No lanyard loop or belt clip

...There are some manufacturers such as Hoover and Sellotape, whose name is synonymous with an entire type of product. Since the late 1980s however, the humble torch or flashlight has gradually acquired a new name. Maglite. However, since the late 1980s, the torch world moved on, and Maglite didn't. Many other manufacturers copied Maglite and, when new LED technology overtook the humble lightbulb, Maglite got left behind by the new generation of "tactical" LED lights. LED lights are inherently more robust, don't fade over time like the filament bulb and are much more efficient in terms of light output, which means a set of batteries lasts a lot longer. Fortunately, in late 2006, Maglite finally realised it was missing out on a huge market segment and announced it's new totally re-engineered LED range. This has now made it's way... Read review

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Advantages: Exceptionally bright beam, easily adjustable beam from flood to spot,very high quality construction,very durable, comprehensive instructions, negligible running costs.
Disadvantages: No indication of battery life at all (see review), high initial outlay, VERY difficult to locate in a shop as are the accessories (see review)

...and a rented workshop by Mr Anthony Maglica, a Croatian immigrant to the US back in 1955. He spoke Serbo-Croat and hardly any English, but that didn't stop him breaking into the market for precision aircraft components. The business started small but went from strenght to strength and built a reputation for reliability, innovation and precision in a notoriously difficult market. Mr Maglica then decided to turn his talents to a not so obvious gap in the market-torches (or flashlights as they are termed in the US). He set about designing a product so innovative and reliable that it became a household name-Maglite. Released in 1979 the C Cell and D Cell torches soon found favour with the Armed Services, Fire Departments and Police forces throughout the US and then throughout the rest of the world. However, he decided to listen to suggestions from his... Read review

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