Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Brad Johnson on October 31, 2022, 06:05:43 PM

Title: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Brad Johnson on October 31, 2022, 06:05:43 PM
Picked up these on a whim.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J42QJQ3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Have to say that I am duly impressed. Brighter than expected and small enough to store most anywhere. Put a couple each in the powerpack pouch, travel kit, BOB, and both vehicles. I figure they will come in handy for all kinds of things, including emergency lighting. At only a watt each, they should be good for many days of emergency illumination with my 20k mAH powerpack.

Picked up these on the same whim.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JV9TGYJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Impressive illumination. Multiple output settings and choice of three color temps. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. Maybe in the truck for emergencies, maybe in the severe weather preparedness kit. Not sure yet.

Brad
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: HeroHog on October 31, 2022, 09:11:21 PM
How much for one the color you hate the most? Would make a great keyboard light at night!
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Bogie on October 31, 2022, 10:21:50 PM
I've found that I'll tell Alexa to turn my ceiling light to 1% brightness, and it doesn't mess with snoozing. Tried a red nightlight in a desk lamp, and it's also pretty chill.
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Brad Johnson on October 31, 2022, 10:51:13 PM
How much for one the color you hate the most? Would make a great keyboard light at night!

At nine bucks for a 10-pack, you can get every gawdawful color you want. Actually wanted bright colors so they're easier to find at night or when digging around in the car console.

Brad
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: HeroHog on October 31, 2022, 11:11:38 PM
But, I just need one!
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 01, 2022, 11:39:00 AM
Went ahead and got a clamp-type 12v extension socket for the BOB.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CN1TDWN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I may put one in each of our vehicles. Both power down the lighter and 12v power socket with the key off. The extension would make for constant-on emergency lighting and power.

Brad
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: MechAg94 on November 01, 2022, 01:02:39 PM
Looks like a useful light.  I have an old USB powered light, but it is so dim as to be useless. 
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: HeroHog on November 01, 2022, 01:08:10 PM
I have a 630 cold cranking amp jump box from Hazard Fraught I keep in our SUV.
Quote
This multi-featured portable power pack combines 630 peak amps of jump-starting power with a 12v DC power supply, and a bright LED work light. This power pack also provides 10W of USB power for charging personal electronics. Safety features include protection against reverse polarity, short circuits, low-voltage, overcharging, and over-discharging. The easy-to-understand interface uses colored LED indicators for battery and fault status. (https://www.harborfreight.com/630-peak-amp-portable-jump-starter-and-power-pack-58979.html)
https://www.harborfreight.com/630-peak-amp-portable-jump-starter-and-power-pack-58979.html
I also have a multi tip, 12v (cig lighter end) to several voltages adapter I carry as well so we are set!

Yes, I AM a "belt and suspenders" kinda guy. Have you seen my EDC Messenger Bag???
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: K Frame on November 01, 2022, 01:26:15 PM
I got a couple of those USB bendy lights years ago. EARLY iterations of the device, is my guess; and they didn't really do all that much. I suspect that the newest generation is going to be a lot brighter.

I'm not even sure where they are anymore, or if I even still have them.
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Declaration Day on November 01, 2022, 04:27:52 PM
Went ahead and got a clamp-type 12v extension socket for the BOB.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CN1TDWN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I may put one in each of our vehicles. Both power down the lighter and 12v power socket with the key off. The extension would make for constant-on emergency lighting and power.

Brad

On every car I've owned, I alter the factory wiring so that the 12V socket(s) in the car provide constant power. That product is a great alternative, however, if you don't want to do that.
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 01, 2022, 05:28:10 PM
On every car I've owned, I alter the factory wiring so that the 12V socket(s) in the car provide constant power. That product is a great alternative, however, if you don't want to do that.

Given the power management integration and of modern vehicle power systems, I think I'll leave well enough alone. One wrong snip and... KABOOM!

Brad
Title: Re: Handy USB bendy lights
Post by: Bogie on November 01, 2022, 07:58:04 PM
Just run some wire through the firewall, and call it good. 10 gauge Romex actually works pretty well. Use grommets and fuse it too.