Flashlights

The flashlight is one of the most commonly used types of electric lamps emitting spot light. This type of equipment is widely used, starting from home use, ending with firearms. This device is usually powered by batteries, and the source of light emitted by it is an installed low-power bulb. These elements with other parts and electrical circuits are housed in a housing usually made of plastic or metal. The unquestionable advantage of flashlights is their portability, resulting from small size and low weight. In most cases, the device can be easily hidden in a backpack, a small bag or even a pocket.

How old flashlights worked

The creation of the first flashlight dates back to the end of the 19th century. Portable electric lamps were created to replace not always safe torches or oil lamps. Using them was cumbersome, often associated with smoke in the room in which they were fired, and often threatened with a fire. Flashlights solved all these problems – from the very beginning they were powered by batteries (the first were developed in 1866), and their light source was increasingly used bulbs. The device was patented in 1899 by British engineer David Misell. Among the first testers of the new invention, there was the New York police, who reacted very enthusiastically to the donated equipment.

It turned out that the flashlights did a great job in everyday work and allowed, for example, to efficiently patrol a specific area even after dark. By 1922, about 10 million flashlights were in use in the United States alone. From decade to decade, their operation was improved and further amenities were added to them (e.g. equipped with pendants, size reduction, etc.). Flashlights have become one of the basic elements of equipment for soldiers and other uniformed services. In the 1970s, the first waterproof lamp of this kind went on sale. Subsequently, models supporting halogens and LEDs were developed.

Today, flashlights are even mounted in smartphones, key chains and pens. The future of these devices is marked by the development of models adapted to specific jobs or activities. This can be seen especially in the huge interest in models designed for athletes.

Various models of flashlights

Depending on your needs, you can find models of various sizes and power. The cheapest types, made of poor quality plastic, are sold for as little as a few zlotys apiece. Slightly better flashlights are made of more durable materials, thanks to which they can be used in even the most difficult weather conditions. They work well, for example, as standard equipment in a workshop (both home and professional). They are also an obligatory element of the equipment of fans of survival or many extreme sports (for example mountain climbing or cave exploration).

Depending on the size of the flashlight and the bulb installed in it, there are several types of devices that differ in the voltage they support. The most popular are 3V models, the operation of which is enabled by the installation of, for example, two 1.5 volt cells (popular “sticks”). In addition, there are models with a voltage of 3.6V, 4.5V, 6V, 9V and 12V. The latter are usually police flashlights (powered by R20 batteries) or large rechargeable flashlights.

Light sources used in flashlights

The light source of a flashlight can also take various forms. Usually in this type of devices krypton bulbs are installed, which, due to the small size of the bulb, are not more expensive than argon bulbs of lower quality, and they shine as brightly as them (often even brighter and clearer). In models requiring slightly stronger and whiter lighting, halogen bulbs are used. Their disadvantage, however, is high energy consumption and quick heating. These flashlights run out of batteries pretty quickly. In addition, due to the physical properties of halogen lamps, they cannot be installed in devices made of, for example, low-quality plastic. The prices of halogen flashlights are also necessarily higher than in the case of models equipped with ordinary bulbs.

In recent years, flashlights equipped with LED diodes have gained in importance. These are highly efficient devices that provide strong, bright light. They are perfect for even the darkest rooms. What's more – some manufacturers offer flashlights not only for spot lighting, but also for uniform illumination of larger areas. In such cases, small fluorescent lamps are installed instead of ordinary bulbs. Their big advantage is the good ratio of the emitted light to the energy taken from the external carrier. Fluorescent lamps give a strong, almost white light. Such flashlights can be used, for example, as an additional source of light in a workshop or on a construction site.

Flashlights also come in different shapes. The most common models are slightly larger than lighters and resemble an oblong tube. In the past, compact devices with a characteristic rectangular structure were very popular. The use of such flashlights was common, for example, during World War II or the times of the People's Republic of Poland. Today they are not as popular, although you can still get them in stores. As mentioned, flashlights are often found in the equipment of athletes, but also travelers or survival enthusiasts. The best model to be used in the field is undoubtedly the so-called headlamps. They are designed in such a way that they can be attached directly to the head or helmet. Their advantage is the fact that they do not occupy your hands and perfectly illuminate the space towards which the eyes of a person with a “headlamp” are turned. Flashlights of this type are constructed in such a way that they do not dazzle the user, but only increase the comfort of activities performed after dark. They are also used by anglers, rescue services, miners, car mechanics and scouts.

Branded flashlights in the el12 offer

The offer of the el12.pl online store includes at least several types of flashlights. Our assortment includes devices of various power and size. In addition to classic, small handy flashlights adapted for use at home, we offer e.g. several models of headlamps or the mentioned compact flashlights. In addition, el12.pl includes high-quality portable work lamps, ideal for lighting utility rooms or industrial spaces. We also offer special hand-held luminaires providing spatial lighting. They are additionally equipped with a magnetic clip that allows you to place the flashlight on a metal surface.

Flashlights available in our online store are made of various materials. We offer plastic and metal models. Among them, you can find devices equipped with LED diodes or krypton bulbs. Individual models differ in the supported voltage, light beam range, weight, etc. The offer includes flashlights from reputable manufacturers of this type of equipment, including Lena Lighting, Haupa or Energizer.