Small Rucksack Gear
Essential For Bugout And Survival
Guest Post & Video Review By: Des, from Bushcraft By Des Cattys
Photon 'FREEDOM' Micro Personal Safety Flashlight
I would like to ask a question:
When you are looking to purchase a torch or flashlight what is it that you are looking for?
I’m not looking for answers on a postcard, it’s a hypothetical question. I personally own six torches including the one I’m reviewing in this article, ideally what I like is a torch which leaves my hands free and still provides me with enough illumination to carry out the tasks in hand, such as fiddling with equipment or tracking. ( using a torch fitted with a green lens is better suited for such tasks ), and not forgetting night navigation.
A good one to note here is that while a red lens is good for night vision it isn’t too useful if you are on a night navigation exercise in a hilly or mountainous environment as the red drowns out the contour lines featured on a map (well at least on U.K. maps they do) and the list goes on.
So why do I own six torches?
The answer is I really don’t know!
All I know is they are all accounted for and they all get used at various times.
With the Photon Freedom flashlight, I purchased this one to attach to the zip on my jacket.
Weighing in at only 7g and built to survive serious use, it would also go well in EDC pouch or attached to a bunch of keys.
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”120″ identifier=”B0007D5TKQ” locale=”UK” src=”https://ukpreppersguide.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/41LDCjHThFL.SL160.jpg” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″ width=”160″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0007D5TKQ” locale=”UK” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″]Photon Freedom Micro LED White – Necklace & Photon Hands-Free Clip included [/easyazon_link]
The torch boasts an IPX-7 rating which basically means that in can withstand total immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of around 1 metre and is also puddle, stream and splash related which you can safely say would hold up to anything that us outdoorsy types encounter while enjoying the experience of the outdoors.
A point to note here is that most handheld navigation devices are measured in this way for their waterproofness too.
The brightness offers 4.5 lumens which is very bright for a natty gadget such as this, a lumen is basically the total amount of visible light emitted from a source.
If you were to run into some difficulty where you need to seek attention, in for example, an emergency where someone in your group was injured and could not be moved then the photon also has 5 safety modes
All can be used for attracting some attention in conjunction with an audible device such as a whistle to alert your rescue services.
Also with brightness control it can make light of some tasks - pardon the pun.
- S.O.S
- Slow Beacon
- Medium Beacon
- Fast Beacon
- Morse Code
Powered by two Energizer CR-2016 lithium batteries that are easily replaceable and can be purchased from many hardware and supermarkets, or online. The bulb will run continuously for around 18 plus hours.
But above all the two attachments that come with the photon torch/flashlight is the “Photon clip and necklace” get the thumbs up from me.
Why?
Well, when the torch is inserted into this clip attachment it can be employed by attaching it to the peak of a hat or onto a piece of clothing and even onto a rucksack.
Secondly the “necklace attachment” can be employed where the torch is simply carried around the users neck plain and simple.
There is a keyring attachment directly that's fitted onto the torch via a split ring, so as I mentioned at the beginning, the option of carrying it on a bunch of keys ticks the box for an EDC item or attaching to a zip which is my preference.
A good way to to light up the contents of your bugout bag at night, by attaching to a short length of paracord within the top pocket of your rucksack, you're never without a means to find something easily.
I purchased this item from amazon.co.uk and you have a choice of a standard nose, or a covert nose option.
You can see the light beam difference in this picture - I have the covert nose on mine.
Cost is around £17 for standard, and £23 for the covert.
CONS:
I think my only little concern is that if you opt for using the torch without the attachments I think that they could go missing, but saying that, if when you organise your kit you just make an allowance of small space in your desired carrying system.
Another very nice feature is the ability to vary the light beam intensity to suit what you are doing.
Reading, for example, you can power down to give you a comfortable amount of light, but if needed, power up again to have a look around.
I have done a short video on my YouTube channel: Des Cattys, the video is titled “unboxing of a photon freedom microlight a handy torch for when you’re on your outdoor excursions”.
Check current prices and availability below:
Standard Photon + Attachments:
£17
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”120″ identifier=”B0007D5TKQ” locale=”UK” src=”https://ukpreppersguide.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/41LDCjHThFL.SL160.jpg” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″ width=”160″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0007D5TKQ” locale=”UK” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″]Photon Freedom Micro LED White – Necklace & Photon Hands-Free Clip included [/easyazon_link]
Covert Nose Photon + Attachments:
£23
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”66″ identifier=”B000GTP6W2″ locale=”UK” src=”https://ukpreppersguide.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/41O1vqUDVhL.SL160.jpg” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″ width=”160″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000GTP6W2″ locale=”UK” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″]LRI FMWC Photon Freedom LED Keychain Micro-Light with Covert Nose, White Beam – Necklace & Photon Hands-Free Clip included [/easyazon_link]
Two pack CR2013:
£3
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B018VVFKOA” locale=”UK” src=”https://ukpreppersguide.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/51SFBSsZyKL.SL160.jpg” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″ width=”160″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B018VVFKOA” locale=”UK” tag=”ukpreppersguide-21″]CR2032 Coin Battery Pack x 2 / Lithium 3V [/easyazon_link]
A very big thank you to Des, for sending in this guest post review.
This little light really does look like a good bit of 'small' kit to have with you. Ideal for prepping and your bugout bag.
As Des said, a handy EDC item to add to you keyring, and with the free attachments, this Photon Freedom Micro Flashlight offers some versatile options.
Checkout Des's YouTube channel - he has some original prepping and bushcraft videos there, here's the link:
Des Cattys - Bushcraft By Des Cattys
Happy Prepping Folks
Steve
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