Cycling Light Regulations

Did you know that it is illegal to ride your bicycle on a public road after dark without any lights? If you are cycling in the early hours of the morning or riding home late at night, it is vital that you start using your lights again!

Obviously, lights are there to help you see, but more importantly they are there to help you be seen. If you’ve been close to knocking a cyclist down with your vehicle, you’ll know just how invisible a cyclist is with no lights on their bicycle.

There are many different lights available at the bike shop, so it can be hard to know which one to choose. Instead of buying a cheap main light that isn’t very bright and the battery dies after a few days, opt to rather buy a flashlight mount instead.

A flashlight mount allows you to clip in a high-quality durable flashlight to the front of your bike, meaning optimum brightness and visibility. 

Klarus Light has a range of tactical flashlights that can fit into a bicycle mount – take a look here.

Review – G20

The Klarus G20 features a CREE XHP70 N4 LED with 4 output levels. This dual switch mini-search light makes it a great choice for throwing in a camping pack in case of emergency situations. With a max output of 3000 lumens, no blind spots, and a wide beam profile, you can't go wrong with the G20. 

The emitter is in a shallow OP reflector, the tail switch is an electronic switch which operates the UI similar to the side switch. The UI for either switch is click for on, and then click to cycle through 4 modes. The tail switch always starts on low, the side switch starts at last mode side switch was turned off at. To turn off is press and hold. Double click from on or off gets strobe, double click again for SOS, single click turns back off or to last mode light was on.

The light comes with an 18650 tube adapter,  the adapter the light runs about half power vs using a 26650 battery.

Overall it seems like a pretty good light. The size and form factor is great, and the UI just takes a little getting used to. The modes are spaced very well with each having a noticeable jump in output. The beam pattern has a very large hot spot with lots of spill due to the shallow OP reflector.

Are you interested in buying the Klarus G20? Visit Klaruslight.co.za and place your order right away!

How to Cook Breakfast with a Flashlight!

This flashlight is strong enough to start a fire and cook breakfast.

With up to 2,300 lumens and a “high-efficiency reflector,” the Flash Torch Mini halogen light actually creates enough heat to start a fire. It’s literally hot enough to cook eggs, observe it in action...

The Mini may well be one of the most awesome and terrifying camping accessories we’ve seen. It’s the latest iteration of the company’s old 4,100-lumen, foot-long Flash Torch.

The new Mini packs a mighty wallop into 22cm and less than 400g.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the only flashlight that can start a fire. Nor is it the brightest, or most high-tech. The halogen bulb is less efficient than modern LEDs, which generate far less heat. The heat created by the Mini is, in cases when you just want to see in the dark, wasted energy.

But for frying an egg, it’s pretty rad.

Be warned though, the Flash Torch Mini is not a toy!

We know; no matter what we say, those people who buy the Flash Torch Mini will immediately start lighting things on fire. Wicked Lasers knows this, too. That’s why the company equipped the Mini with a “smart switch” that prevents the lightsabe–err, flashlight, from “unauthorized use.”

Translation: this thing won’t accidentally bump “on” during a hike and cause a cataclysmic forest fire.

That said, PLEASE BE CAREFUL. The Mini is no toy. This thing is so crazy, in fact, Wicked Lasers goes so far as to post on the website that the Mini is “100 percent legal.”

The rechargeable Flash Torch Mini retails on the Wicked Lasers website for almost R3000. It also has non-scorching modes so you can navigate in low light without starting a bush-fire.

If James Bond or Darth Vader needed a flashlight, this would be it!

Looking for a regular tactical flashlight that won't set everything on fire? Visit the Klarus Light website where you will find a range of affordable, reliable flashlights and flashlight accessories.

The Five Basic Categories of Flashlights

As we’ve moved from burning branches to battery-powered tubes, the number of options for handheld light has multiplied. You may think that all flashlights are the same, but boy you’d be wrong.

Here are the five basic categories of flashlights...

Key-chain/EDC. Typically 3” or less in length, these flashlights are an essential part of one’s EDC (Everyday Carry) kit. Their small size allows you to stick them in your pocket, stash them in various bags, or — and this is the easiest, most foolproof option — attach to a keychain. With their low light, they are intended to be used as a backup or emergency flashlight, not your primary one. The plastic variety often runs on coil cell batteries, like what you’d find in a watch, so when it dies; you’re better off replacing it entirely versus going through the hassle of replacing the battery. There are also some slightly higher-powered aluminium versions out there that will run on a single AA or AAA battery. In general, a keychain light won’t break your bank.

Utility. This is what you’ll find in most houses as a general use flashlight. It’s not a serious light by any means. It’s probably lightweight, made of plastic, and gives off just enough light to get the job done. They’re cheap, and will last a few years for your most basic flashlight needs.

Tactical.  A tactical flashlight is simply a flashlight that’s been designed for tactical (i.e. military or police) use. Many tactical flashlights are designed to be mounted to a weapon for low-light shooting. They’re typically smaller than traditional flashlights, emit much more light, and are made of weapon-grade aluminium for maximum durability. While tactical flashlights are designed primarily for military and police units, they’re also a really handy everyday and personal defence tool for the average Joe.

These will generally be 3-7” in length, and are meant to be carried on your person as a self-defence tool. They may be small, but they pack a punch.

Heavy-Duty or Industrial. These are the heavy, generally aluminium flashlights that you have in your house or garage, or on a worksite for extended use. Because of their hefty weight, some people carry them as a personal defence weapon as well. They give a lot of power but retain their handy size at generally between 5-14” long. They’re usually too big for a pocket, but still easily handheld.

Emergency. These are hand-cranked or solar powered lights that don’t rely on batteries. They’re used mainly in emergency kits.

Make sure you're always prepared with a flashlight in hand! Take a look at the Klarus Light website and choose from a variety of torches, including tactical flashlights, bicycle lights and even mini key-chain flashlights.

The most important flashlights that everyone should own

There is no such thing as having too many flashlights. You should always have multiple flashlights, because every single one has a different use. Visit Klarus Light for a wide selection of different flashlights!

It’s great to have a flashlight within arm’s reach at all times, these are the five types you should keep around…

Keychain Light

This flashlight is small and inexpensive, a keychain light can be your new best friend! It provides light in and around your car – this is especially good when you are alone walking to your car. It illumination power will not be able to match that of larger lights, but you don’t always need a beam bright enough to melt steel. A little squeeze is often all you need, and it’s just right for checking pupil dilation in first aid situations.

Pen Light

Pen lights have really come a long way over the years. Bright beams, long battery life and a tough construction are just a few of the typical characteristics. A pen light is perfect to keep in your purse, pocket, and survival kit or anywhere a compact light would be welcome. Pen lights that clip onto a hat brim or a pocket are extra handy.

Tactical Light

When you’re in a situation where you hear a bump in the night, a tactical light with high-lumen, ultra-bright tactical light will be perfect. These lights are able to reach out into the darkness and let you see what you want and need. Look for lights that have multiple features like battery saving low-intensity settings and an attacker disorienting strobe setting.

Heavy Light

Yes, there is still a place for those large, long and clunky battery flashlights. You should keep one on the table next to your bed as they double as a light and a backup weapon!

Head Lamp

This is many people’s favourite in most situations. The headlamp gives us hands-free lighting, very often with a long battery life. Headlamps will stream illumination wherever you look, while keeping both your hands free to do work.

What kind of lights do you carry with you? Always have spares in case one becomes damaged or lost.

The Anatomy of a Flashlight

LENS: 

Most torch lenses are made from scratch resistant glass. It’s important to keep your lens as scratch free as possible because it is the final barrier between your light source and the world.

Some torches have a raised bevel around the lens to keep debris away; another option is to keep your torch in a holster, especially if you keep it in a vehicle where it is bound to roll around.

REFLECTOR: 

Reflectors come in two types...

-Smooth reflector: Ideal for a long throw, helps direct the light into a strong spotlight
-Orange Peel reflector (OP): Ideal for a distributed beam with a wide angle.

LED: 

The LED is where the light is emitted from and therefore is one of the most important parts of a torch. A vast majority of high performance LED’s are manufactured by CREE.

LED lights can vary in colour from “cool white” (the whitest beam) to “neutral white” (a slightly “warmer” more yellow beam, more ideal for hunting etc where you need more accurate depth perception at long distances)

New LED technology is constantly developing, you can check out this article for more information

DRIVER: 

The driver is a small transformer that takes the energy from the battery and makes it into a usable form of power for the LED.

The driver is also responsible for any modes the torch may have, such as SOS mode, Strobe mode or high, med and low modes.

BATTERY: 

Most advanced LED torches are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries.

These batteries come in various sizes with “18650”s being the most popular / industry standard for most advanced high output devices. They have a high output, a long run time and can typically be recharged around 500 times.

Protected batteries – Lithium batteries are volatile / can explode if shorted out in a bad way. “Protected” lithium batteries have an inbuilt protection fuse that runs down the side of the battery. In the event of a short circuit this fuse will blow before the battery will have a melt down.

Would you like to purchase high quality batteries at an affordable price? Order today from klaruslight.co.za

SWITCH: 

The switch turns the torch on and off, and also controls the modes (e.g strobe, high, med & low -for torches that have modes). Most switches are located at the rear tailcap of the torch, but can also be found towards the front of the torch handle torch where you would place your thumb.

Most switches are covered with a replaceable rubber membrane that makes them waterproof and long lasting.

There are two types of switches:

Basic switch: A basic switch simply works by clicking it on and off. Often you can change output modes on the torch by turning it on and off a few times.

Memory switch: A memory switch is the high tech brother of the basic switch.
Often you can program certain commands to turn on certain modes. e.g) hold down the switch for 2 seconds and it goes straight to strobe etc.

More about the Amazing Klarus Mi7 Flashlight

700 lumens coming from a flashlight that is smaller than a pen – just let that sink in for a minute or two. Then take a look at the awesome Klarus flashlight, the tiny, yet elegant Mi7.

If you thought you’d seen the last of the AA flashlights, since manufacturers have focused more on the 18650 battery, you’re wrong. Clearly Klarus haven’t forgotten about the die-hard fans of the AA battery.

The Mi7 comes in three striking colours and accepts two types of AA-sized batteries. The AA primary allows an output of up to 330 lumens for 55 minutes, and using a 14500 li-ion rechargeable battery more than doubles the output to 700 lumens.

Three levels with SOS/moonlight modes are controlled with a side-button switch, with one-touch access to the latter modes as well as a battery level indicator.

What about carrying the Mi7 around, won’t such a small flashlight be easy to lose? No ways! Carrying the Mi7 is easy thanks to the keychain friendly o-ring on its tail and its hard anodized aluminium body ensures that it doesn’t get damaged when in use.

Have your gotten over the 700 lumens from a flashlight of this size yet? If so, pick up the Klarus Mi7 from the Klarus website or email sales@klaruslight.co.za