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Category: Opinion

Our employees are very passionate about activities and gear. In this section, you will find posts about their personal thoughts on anything and everything.

Popular Flashlights in Media – Westworld

Stephanie Knapp Leave a comment

The Klarus RS80

Westworld has become a sweeping sensation since its’ release in November 2016! This world, set years ahead of 2017, has created the opportunity for Flashaholics to see Klarus’ sleek and stylish RS80. This flashlight is the way of the future and it seems like everyone knows it! Klarus three headed flashlight

Although the flashlight on the show saw a bit of backlash, the innovative three headed flashlight has an output capability of up to 3450 Lumens with a continuous run time of 18 days!

It is extremely lightweight and durable which makes it the perfect prop for this science fiction show. Although, you only get to see the flashlight used in the main output setting – this flashlight has 9 output modes with 2 additional flashing modes (strobe and SOS).

This featured spotlight can be carried with the heat insulated handle, attached to a tripod, or more. This makes transportation and overall use easier than ever.

Some primary applications include:klarus RS80

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Security and Patrolling
  • Tactical and Military
  • Finding your way in a futuristic world!

 

Learn more about this innovative flashlight!

 
 
 
 

Nite Ize lightup dog collar

Gavin’s Top Ten Battery Junction Gear Wishlist

Gavin Reeves Leave a comment

Hi, I’m Gavin, and as I have worked at Battery Junction over the years I have come across more than a couple of products that I wish I had myself. In this blog post I will go through the top ten products (in no particular order) that have caught my eye.

1.

First up on the list is the Maxpedition Thermite Versipack. Being a huge skiing, biking, and hiking fan this handy pack caught my eye pretty quickly. This pack can be attached to the waist and leg, or held sling style over the shoulder. When skiing the waist/leg attachment is great for making sure that the pack stays firmly attached. When biking or hiking this pack can be more casually carried over the shoulder for a more comfortable and less movement restrictive method of carrying. Like most Maxpedition products, this pack is made to withstand some of the toughest conditions out there. With water and abrasion-resistant lightweight ballistic nylon fabric, as well as double stitched stress points I am confident that this pack would stand up to any rigors I might put it through.

2.

Next up on the top ten list is the Ultimate Survival Technologies Reusable Handwarmer. This product is perfect for anybody who goes out in the cold for extended periods of time. Living in Connecticut and being a frequent Vermont skier I have used many (probably hundreds) of disposable hand warmers over the years. This product is a great alternative that both helps my wallet and my conscience by being environmentally friendly. It is super easy to reuse the hand warmer, all that is needed is to place the used warmer in a pot of boiling water for about 15-20 minutes, or until the gel turns from orange to clear. This neat device is super affordable and has saved me big money that I would have otherwise been spending on hand and foot warmers.

3.

Next up on the top ten list is the Wiley X Nerve Goggles. These goggles are made and tested for military use so it is safe to say that they will stand up to anything I could put them through. The top down ventilation system is a great feature as it keeps that sealed goggle area from becoming too warm. Also, there is an anti fog coating on the goggles that importantly makes sure that the vision field never gets clouded. I have been eyeing these goggles for skiing purposes but they also could easily (and would probably be better) used for off-road biking/ATV track racing. They are a bit pricey at ~$85 but there is no doubt that these goggles will last for a couple of years and have the quality to be worth the price tag.

4.

Next up on the list of my top ten products is my favorite pet accessory the NiteIze NiteHowl light up dog collar. I personally use this product on a daily basis with my two dogs at home and love it. The collar is made of a plastic/rubber material that can be cut to fit any dog’s neck in the diameter range of 12″ – 27″. I use this all the time when walking my black lab mix at night because without it I have trouble seeing her any further than 5 feet away. The collar is great for making sure cars see your dog when walking on the roads, or even for when you want to keep an eye on your dog while they go for a nighttime run in the yard. As a dog owner and enthusiast I cannot say enough good things about this light up collar.

5.

Coming in at 5 (even though order doesn’t matter) is the very useful NiteIze HandleBand Smartphone Bike Attachment. This is just one of a couple of smartphone bike attachments that we have at Battery Junction. However, I prefer this one over the other options because of its universal fit feature. Because it can fit such a range of phone sizes I would have no problem getting a new iPhone, or changing to an Android because the bike attachment will work regardless. This attachment keeps the phone face up which is great for when you are using a GPS feature to get around, or are trying to track your fitness performance in an app. For just ~$15 this is a no-brainer bike/phone attachment.

6.

Being an outdoor person I would have to go with a headlamp for my flashlight pick, and the Petzl Tikka R+ Headlamp wins easily. This headlamp is rechargeable (USB compatible) and can have an output of up to 170 Lumens. However, the main draw for me is the Reactive Lighting Technology which allows the headlamp to make hands-free adjustments to the lighting pattern and strength. This feature is great because the main draw of headlamps is that they are mostly hands-free and this headlamp takes that into account by making it truly hands-free. The headlamp can also be connected with an app on your smartphone to allow for customization of lighting preferences. I have yet to come across a headlamp that is smarter or more hands-free than this lamp.

7.

The Tenergy Dual Port USB Power Bank is up next on my top ten list. As a college student and full-time smartphone addict I am a big fan of portable power banks. This one from Tenergy is one of the best options on the Battery Junction site because of its compact design mixed with large energy holding capacity. With two outbound ports for charging, this device can charge multiple devices at once and has a 8000mAh capacity for enough charge to go around. The slim design and built-in flashlight make this the best portable charger available at Battery Junction (in my opinion).

8.

Next on my wishlist is the Wagan 6L Thermo Electric Fridge/Warmer for car use. This one is on the wishlist because car trips are a pretty common occurrence for me and it would be a great convenience to have a fridge/heater for food and liquids. This unit plugs into any car charger and is compact enough to fit in between the driver and passengers seats for quick access while driving. This food container is the perfect companion for keeping coffee warm for an early morning ski drive, or for keeping beverages cool on the way to the beach over the summer. At a competitive price of ~$55 this cooler may be my next purchase.

9.  

The Leatherman MUT EOD Multi-Tool is an all-encompassing tool that is also in my top ten. This multi-tool from Leatherman is top of the line as far as multi-tools go. The MUT features 15 tools which can fulfill a range of functions. I would likely not need all the tools on any one trip, but my philosophy is that if you’re going to bring a multi-tool you might as well bring a multi-tool that has it all. I would bring this tool with me on pretty much any outdoors trip because it has the potential to help out in so many situations. I’m not a big multi-tool person but the wide range of tools and the 25 year warranty make this an easy top ten contender on my wishlist.

10.

Last and definitely least on my top ten wishlist is the NiteIze GetLit S-Biner Flashlight/Bottle-opener. As a college student of drinking age I always have my eyes out for cool and interesting bottle openers. This one may be neither but the price, light, and goofy name are enough to make me wish I had it. This may feel like a cop-out for the tenth spot but I honestly couldn’t choose because there are so many good products on Battery Junction.

If you liked any of the products in my top ten or are interested in coming across some of the products that just missed out, then come by Battery Junction and check out our selection of products!

Effective Self Defense With Your Flashlight

Gavin Reeves Leave a comment

When people think of self-defense tools items like pepper spray, whistles, or weapons come to mind, but not flashlights. This blog post will explain the possible benefits that a flashlight can give you in a situation where self-defense is required.

Bezel:

Crenelated Bezel
Crenelated Flashlight Bezel

The bezel is usually found in the front area of a flashlight in a ring around the lens. Some bezels are more specialized for striking would-be attackers. These are known as crenelated bezels with the word “crenel” coming from the rocky outcrops seen on the top of the battlements of old castles. Bezels come in varying sizes and shapes with the more weaponized bezels being larger and sharper. Crenelated bezels are good for smaller tactical flashlights because they’re discreet and portable. The majority of flashlights make removing and replacing bezels simple, with most simply screwing on to the lens cap.

Using the Light:

There are a multitude of ways that you can use your flashlight’s standard functions to help ward off attackers.

Identification:

The majority of muggings and assaults occur at night, so simply having the ability to expose an assailant before they get close enough to attack you may be
all you need to defend yourself. Using the light to properly identify your attacker should also double as an attention grabber for others to help you if you’re in a populated area.

Stun/Blinding:

Another function that can be used for effective self-defense is the strobe or high mode on your flashlight. Shining a strobe or high-powered beam into an attackers eyes is a great way to stun or blind the assailant. Stunning your attacker can give you the crucial few seconds needed to either escape, or fight back while they are unable to defend themselves. Low kicks or jabs are effective as the attacker will most likely raise their hands to cover their eyes leaving the lower half of their body exposed. Also, if your flashlight has a crenelated bezel attachment, this is the perfect opportunity for you to use it. Your flashlight should be sufficiently bright (over 100 lumens) in order for it to be truly effective in disorienting an attacker.

Use with a Gun:

Using Light with a GunMany people exercise their right to carry a firearm to defend themselves, but in dark situations, gun use may be dangerous or ineffective. Having a small tactical flashlight on your person is an easy fix to this problem because it allows you to light up your surroundings with one hand and use the gun with the other. It is important to note that you will not want to have your flashlight and gun pointing together, like on TV, or you may accidentally fire your gun if you are startled by something that your light beam uncovers.

Take it with you Anywhere:

Another big advantage to carrying a flashlight for self-defense is that you can take it with you almost anywhere, which cannot be said for other forms of defense like firearms and knives. The only situation that might cause you trouble is if the flashlight is fitted with a bezel that is deemed too dangerous, but this rarely happens if the bezel teeth are within reason. Most flashlights are small enough to be carried on your belt or in your purse and if you never end up needing to use it for defense, you will always have a high quality light source when you need it. Come visit our tactical flashlight section at Battery Junction and see what flashlights interest you!

Black Cat Snarling

Make It Through the 13th: A Guide to Surviving This Frightening Friday

Nathan V Leave a comment

Broken Glass

It’s the end of the week, and while Fridays usually bring relief and joy, we find ourselves avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk and steering clear of dark colored felines. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen; we’ve Friday the 13th. While you haven’t necessarily succumbed to bad luck in previous years (knock on wood), it can’t hurt to plan around the possible jinxes that seem to be particularly present on this most unlucky of days, and Battery Junction is here to help you with your preparations.

Avoiding Black Cats:

black-catThese pesky hex machines are a prominent symbol for misfortune on any given day of the year, so encountering one on this particular date can only amplify the chances of receiving 13 years of bad luck. While you’re able to put your house on black cat lock-down, you won’t have the same environmental control once you step out into the outside world, so you’ll need something more mobile than walls to keep them from crossing your path. What better repellent is there to keep the cats at bay than their seemingly sworn enemy, man’s best friend. Keep a dog close to your side, which can be easily done with the help of a proper leash, and your path will stay clear of any unlucky felines.

 

Umbrellas Aren’t Worth The Risk:

Open-Umbrella-in-House-grey2001-300x233If it’s raining on your Friday the 13th, then you may already feel like bad luck has found you, but don’t let it trick you! All the rain is doing is prompting you to use one of most potentially unlucky objects out there; an umbrella. This seemingly innocent device may keep your head dry, but has the potential to cause a severe depletion in luck when opened inside and is just not worth the risk on this unluckiest of days. Sure, you may tell yourself that you’ll remember not to open it until you walk out the door, but all it takes is one distraction while you’re leaving and BOOM, you earn yourself an unhealthy dose of hexes. Keep yourself dry with a nice waterproof poncho, or better yet, just say inside; there could be black cats out there anyway.

Steer Clear of Hazardous Mirrors:

broken-mirrorSure, you’ve had that mirror in your bathroom since you’ve moved in and you’ve never come close to breaking it before. Well unfortunately, bad luck doesn’t check your track record of maintaining your reflective surfaces. It’s Friday the 13th, should checking to see if your hair looks good really your top priority? Be confident in your own appearance, or at least accept that approaching something so fragile on a day like today isn’t worth the potential 7 years of bad luck. If you truly find yourself in need of gazing upon your own beauty, at least use a nearly unbreakable mirror to lower your risk of jinxing yourself.

Be Ready For The Unexpected:

friday-the-13th-jason-voorheesFor 363 days of the year, we can all be fairly confident that a masked man wielding some form of bloody cutlery won’t be a major concern. However, from what horror cinema has taught us, today (along with Halloween) is the day where that sense of safety and doubt of the supernatural may cost us our lives. Don’t let your common sense lure you into a false sense of security; anybody wearing a hockey mask isn’t worth approaching. Just because you don’t live near Camp Crystal Lake doesn’t mean you’re safe (Jason somehow made into a spaceship, he can certainly make it to your front door). If you do unluckily stumble across a masked man wielding a long knife, make sure you’re evenly matched by carrying a machete of your own. With the proper equipment, you may just survive this Friday the 13th in one extremely paranoid piece.

How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

Jennifer Leave a comment

fear-the-walking-deadIn honor of the new series, Fear the Walking Dead, I thought it would be suitable to write Zombie Apocalypse survival guide for our readers – How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. BatteryJunction.com sells a plethora of flashlights, batteries, survival gear and cutlery – all of which would be extremely helpful during such a time of crisis. Check out the list below and add your suggestions and ideas in the comments!

 

1. You Need a Weaponsog-knife
We all know that the only way to eliminate a zombie is to destroy its brain. That being said, the first weapon that probably comes to mind is a gun (or if you are a Walking Dead fan, then a crossbow.) Unfortunately, guns and crossbows require good aim. If you are anything like me, I would probably panic if a zombie is running towards me, therefore eliminating any aiming skills I may have acquired at the shooting range, thus leaving me with a bullet-less hunk of metal. (This is one of the many reasons why I don’t currently own a gun – I know my limits.) So for this reason, I would suggest a fixed pocket knife. Sure you have to get closer to the zombie in order to destroy the brain, but it is effective and reusable. Plus it is quiet! Remember, zombies are attracted to noise. So when you are stabbing the gruesome monster in the eye socket, please refrain from letting out a Serena Williams-esk shout. My knife of choice is the SOG Fixation Bowie Fixed Blade Knife. This knife has a bad-ass 7-inch-long blade with clip point and a really sleek-looking black finish. The knife was developed by SOG with military experts so you know it will last through a zombie apocalypse. The stainless steel construction is incredible durable and it even comes with a nylon sheath for when you aren’t saving your loved ones’ lives. To clarify though, in most cases, I think the best solution is to run. Unless the zombies are from World War Z and can run, you should be able to get away…

led-lenser-h72. You Need to be Able to See
For whatever reason, zombie apocalypses always seem to start at nighttime. Yes, I know zombies are not vampires – they can wander during the day without fear of being disintegrated by the sun(or twinkling – any Twilight fans out there?) But when the power grid goes out, because it’s bound to happen, you need to have a reliable tool to help you see at night. In my opinion, I think a headlamp would be the best choice for a situation like this. Your hands need to be free at all times so that you can fight off a zombie attack if necessary. You may also have to climb over fallen furniture, trees, cars, you name it so the hands-free way is, in my opinion, the way to go. My headlamp of choice is the LED Lenser H7.2. The light is pretty bright at 250 lumens and it features an adjustable head strap that fits most and is comfortable for long periods of time. Another important feature is runtime. When in Low mode, the headlamp can last up to 30 hours. Zombie apocalypses typically last for many many days, weeks or even years. You need a flashlight on which you can rely. Most importantly, this headlamp runs on four AAA alkaline batteries. There is no electricity when the zombies attack. You need to make sure you have a light that runs on primary batteries. Speaking of batteries…

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