[Sam Ruger]

Until today, I did not have a survival light. I did not want to deal with the weight, storage, and batteries in my pack. However, in running a survival test of my equipment I did find the need for light on one occassion. Today, for $ 3 I solved the weight, storage, and battery problem. I picked up a keychain light at Wallyworld with a 100,000 hour LED bulb. The battery is recharged daily by a solar cell. I would imagine the solar cell has a 10 year life. I attached it to the eyehole of a zipper on the side of my pack to keep it constantly exposed to sun light. The entire system weighs about one ounce. It puts out an adequate amount of light to work by.

Am not sure what others have so feel free to share if you think you have something better.

[Aaron88]

i saw those yesterday too looks like a small key chain with a calculator solar panel in it, now I have to go back there and get two fro myself!

[GlockMeister]

I think in a survival situation, you're going to need something more durable as well as bright. Trapped in a building from an earthquake where you have limited movement, any light is better then no light and where I would think the key-chain light you described and picked up would work just fine.

But, if in a SHTF survival situation where there's a long term power outage, a definte solar rechargeable light is the way to go as well as one with a bit of candle power. I agree weight over time will be an issue. But if you are stationary, and only need it at night, you'll only be carrying or handling it at night.

I think and feel in a long term SHTF situation, that batteries as well as many other items are going to be in short supply as well as commodity. The prblem is going to be the lofe systle of batteries. And why I say a light of decent size and solar...

[jaeger]

my grandfather gave me a led crank light with a solar panel, glass breaker and small pull out knife. I kinda laughed at it when he gave it to me but two weeks ago we lost power for 4 days, and let me tell you that cheap light took the place of my surefire's for nightly use. Hmmm sit it in the sun during the day, it last all night if not 4 or 5 cranks and its ready to go for 45 mins. sure beats cr123a batteries for $27 a dozen.