What did you use before

[kraigwy]

Use to use pine knots when I was a kid. Worked pretty good, cheap too.

Called them Pine Torches.

Then used those L Shaped Flashlights, OD in color.

 

[Penmon]

Ug,me use torch and a Boyscout flashlight purchased at Sunny's Surplus in 1969.

 

[snubbyfan]

Mag-Lites. If they ever wear out I'll replace them wiht the new stuff.

What he said.

 

[David LaPell]

I bought a surplus L shaped flashlight when I was 19 and I still have it. That and a mini mag I used when I carried it around the innards of a paper mill.

 

[feralmerril]

I lived in the dark on my graveyard job for about 33 out of 35 years. I think I must have developed night vision! I carried a plain old flashlight or those small cheap high intensity pen lights but a lot of time I carried nothing! I got by. My job was largely walking around in the dark as a guard. Off hand, I cant remember one time triping over something or getting hurt. I did know a few guys who did.

 

[jeepjeepwhat]

I mostly use a headlamp. It always seems to be pointed right were I need it, and it keeps both of my hands free.

 

[J Rich]

I used to have one of the old Q-beams with that big 5# cube battery I think if was a 6 volt. Of coarse a 5 D cell mag with back up batteries. Seems you could only get 1 hour of light per battery in the old mag lites.

I should have bought stock in the battery company.

 

[Biginge]

Coupla years back I decided to drop the carbide lamp we used for coon huntin so long and went to this new fangled one. Sure is handy and it don't use no pellets or water

Regards

Bill

 

[Bob R]

Use to use pine knots when I was a kid. Worked pretty good, cheap too.

Called them Pine Torches.

Then used those L Shaped Flashlights, OD in color.

That looks like one of those new fangled flashlights. The one I flew with from the late 70s to the 90s doesn't have the fancy switch guard on it.

 

[mtgianni]

I used mini-mag lights as well as a 5 cell mag light. For work I have also used explosion proof flashlights for the last 32+ years. I went through my dad's car when they went to a care center and he still used a 2 cell c light. You stick with what you know.

 

[SgtLumpy]

Hey, I'm late to the party...Sorry...

Ray-O-Vac chrome D cell things with maybe 4 (or more?) batteries. Huge head/reflector. Switch was Off/On/Momentary.

Our SO car trunks had those portable searchlight things that clamped onto a big rectangular 6v battery. Some of those had detachable heads with a bicycle grip and a coiled cord. Others were hard mounted to the battery clamp thing with just an up/down swivel. The old carbon batteries in those things were usually DOA.

Later the 4 D cell plastic lights that RatShack sold. Battery of the month club got you a new D cell every month. We'd get a balloon tire bicycle inner tube, cut it to length, and thread it over the flashlight handle for a rubber non-slip grip.

Still later, Kel-Lites. Small or big head D cell. That was the first serious flashlight. I had a 3D cell small head that I really liked.

Then the Kel's went away and the Mags came in. I had both D and C 4 cell models. I like the 4C style best. Still have mine today. Replaced the original filiament bulb with a "Krypton" bulb then a "Xenon" bulb, now a 140 lumen LED module.

The best flashlight "holster" I ever used on duty was to simply stick the but of the thing inside my belt and pants in the rear. Like Mexican carrying a pistol. That beat having that big, heavy thing swinging from one of those rings or banging you in the thigh with a leather holder. And it was really easy to pull out for illuminating or "other" duties.

I also still have a regular MagLite Mini-Mag with an LED module. It too is 140 lumens. That's incredibly bright for what I do with it now. It illuminates my entire mini-ranch. I can find the horses, coyotes, dogs and anything else from the farthest corner. Weighs 4 oz including batteries. Costs about 20 bucks including the LED upgrade and endcap push button.

I'm sometimes tempted to look at one of those gazillion lumen ultra hi tech things with all the sharpened bezels and grenade grip barrels. But I can get about 5 or 6 of my MiniMags for the price of one of those modern "tactical" things.

I've also got dozens of the free HarborFreight LED lights. Those are great for working on cars, plumbing, range box, looking down the barrel, just having in your pocket in case the power goes out while you're at the lap dance club.



Sgt Lumpy

 

[Jessie]

Since this IS a Smith&Wesson forum....View attachment 126051

Bad photo but both S&W lights, c123 w/strobe or steady & momentary. Can't recall price but around $35 each. Definitely worth the price.
But, back to the thread, before those it was big mag lites and mini mags. Still have them in use around the house.

 

[Brian41]

I used the mini mag lights for work and always carried one on my belt. I always carried a spare bulb as they broke when you dropped one very easy. About the time I wore out the holster it was time to replace the light as well. They went through batteries pretty fast and fortunately my work bought them for us.
I also kept a two D cell mag light in my toolbox for when I needed more light.
Both have been replaced now with the modern lights like Surefire which are much better and have long battery life too.

 

[mkk41]

Usually it was the cheap Eveready 2-D cell flashlight that was sold in every hardware and department store. They never seemed to work anymore if ya dropped it more than once or twice. Pop had the yellow plastic industrial one that some leads plugged into the end so ya could check continuity. Had a GI angle head too from my brothers boy scout days. I swear a lit match was brighter.

If ya wanted more light , ya added more batteries. Anyone else remember those plastic 5-D cell light that Radio Shack sold for a buck w/coupon around Xmas time?

When the Mini-Mag Lite came out I bought one and was amazed at how bright it was. I showed it to my fellow Navy aircrew and we all had them within a few days to replace the piece of junk light we were issued.

 

[old bear]

I used both Kel-lights and Mag-Lights with equal success, and still do. A forum member was kind enough to karma me a very nice generic brand "tac" light that is small and works very well, but I still like revolvers and old fashioned flashlights.

 

[Iggy]

The big 5 cell Mag-lites were the craze when I left LE.. It's still out in my pickup 30 years later.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Still have & use my 3 cell from 1979 & 2 Mini Mags, one in the truck ,the other on my night stand.