Tri-Solar LED Flashlight: because three panels are better than one

Nah, it's no Mag-Lite, but the Tri-Solar LED Flashlight should handle most minor lighting needs. The unit can operate with one LED on, three LEDs on or all three LEDs flashing (you know, in case you realize the car you just hopped in is now making a beeline for the Bates Motel). Because a single solar panel can only catch so much sunlight, this one has a trifecta of cells that fold out and generate juice for the bulbs. Not too bad for $32, particularly when you realize that it doubles as a weapon.

[Thanks, Joe]

[who? @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:52PM]

When this can charge my PMPs, call me!

[Justin E @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:56PM]

"Built-in DC port for charging other devices, e.g. Mobile phone"
It pays to read.

[Flashpoint @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:05PM]

SOLAR ENERGY PANELS and the materials being used to build them are going to be MAJOR STOCK CHOICES in the next 10 years.
You'd be smart to invest in up and coming companies working on projects like this.

Also, I'd suggest for those of you working blue collar industry, consider learning installation processes of solar panels. Solar Panels are going to be big when people realize they can cut their heating bills and even use them to run A/C in the summer.

[who? @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:43PM]

Just bought it! Hehehe. If it doesn't work for iPhones I'm going to return it... ;-)

[who? @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:50PM]

@Justin E

As it turns out, it doesn't... It costs $35! :p

[Markarian @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:58AM]

For the time being, it does seem as if investing in companies that provide alternative energy solutions is a good bet, but let's be honest here, photovoltaics are a joke. They're woefully inefficient. With most solar panels, you'd need a panel the size of a newspaper, just to power a PSP. Solar works for trickle charging, but not much else. We could build a solar farm in the middle of the Nevada desert, but no one's willing to pay for it.

[gad get @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:47AM]

Flashpoint must be interesting to talk to:

A friend sees Flashpoint walking down the street. "Oh, hey Fred!"
(For the sake of this dialogue, we will be assuming/pretending that Flashpoint's real-world name is "Fred," and also that "Fred" has friends.)

Flashpoint (Fred) responds: "HI!"

Friend: "What's up?"

Fred: Just WALKING DOWN THE STREET, on my way to the McDonald's!"

Friend: "Cool, mind if I tag along?"

Fred: "No, but weren't you GOING SOMEWHERE?"

Friend: "Nah, I was just heading over to the bank, but it can wait. Besides, I haven't seen you in a while."

Fred: "True. Are you gonna get something then, or just TAG ALONG?"

Friend: "If you'd rather I didn't come, that's fine, dude, just let me know."

Fred: "No, no, I'd LOVE IF YOU CAME!"

Friend: "Fine, I'll see you later when you're in a more hospitable mood!"

Fred: "CHANGED YOUR MIND? All right, well it was GOOD TALKING TO YOU AGAIN!"


Message to Fred, er, Flashpoint: STOP periodically capitalizing words as if you were SHOUTING THEM!

[Rob @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:44AM]

@ Markarian

I get really frustrated when I see people pass off PV like it is good for nothing. I used to believe such negative banter, until I did my own research, and ended up getting solar panels for my home. My roof has a relatively small area, yet I fit 27 panels up their, and it provides my family and home-based business with more power than we use (on a year-over-year basis). How is that a joke?

[Josh @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:57PM]

Check out my new solar-powered shuriken. It doesn't do that good as a flashlight though, since us ninjas need no light.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:58PM]

l
o
s
e
r

On the other hand, this would be awesome if it had a port to charge cell phones...

That's pretty much all I use my dynamo-powered flash light for.. other than...you know....lighting things..

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:59PM]

Sorry, change that "if" to "since."

Connfounded comment system and it's no edits.

[VeganTnT @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:59PM]

I prefer a Solio from solio.com

same premise but no light. I've had mine for 2 years now and it's been charging my old nokia phone, 5g ipod, ds, and now my iphone.

[mkim @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:06PM]

so you can power your flashlight from the sun while using it to illuminate the -wait...

Who would remember to charge this thing up during the day and use it at night?

[Yamikotai @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:00AM]

Anyone that leaves it by the window, like me :)

[lsydexick @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:11PM]

Oo darn the lights went out... no problem lemme just pull out my trusty solar powered flashlight and...

huh

Well golly thats odd, it's almost as if I need light to power my flashlight... no problem lemme just turn on the light here....

Ooh

Well at least I have my glow in the dark sun glasses so i can se...

No thats kinda useless too...

I suppose I could use my sound wave powered radio to here the news...

gosh * golly * darn * whatthe * what kinda useless crap will they think of next

[CPFReviews.com @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:31PM]

Hey wait a minute....

how can a 700 mAh 4.8 V battery occupy such a small space???

[Lawrence @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:21AM]

technology, use it much?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:24AM]

It's probably 3 AAA cells in a series configuration.

[Vernon de Thierry @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:35PM]

You could always splay the 3 panels, attach it too a pole and take advantage of the wind on those not so sunny days

[phanbouy @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:46PM]

well your name does sound kinda sailory

[Haikibutsu @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:49PM]

Maybe catch UV? After all, the clouds only block 20% of UV rays.

[CPFReviews.com @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:19PM]

This is interesting :)

They could have made the thickness of panels a bit lesser and could have included more panels.

What Battery Tech are these flashlights using. I hope it's Li-Ion or LSD NiMH ....

... just visited their site... it says "Built-in 700mAh/4.8v Ni-Hi rechargeable battery" Ni-Hi??? What type of battery is that.. they probably meant Ni-MH

Ordinary NiMH Self Discharge is a major issue.

http://www.cpfreviews.com My Flashlight Reviews Site.

[Ende @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:25PM]

"Tri-Solar LED Flashlight: because three panels are better than one"

tee-hee... it's funny because it's true

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:26PM]

Those flashlights than have a small generator on board when you turn the crank are a MUCH smarter idea.

[Rob @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:37AM]

Much agreed! Solar flashlights don't make much sense to me.

[linuxamp @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:45PM]

I'm surprised no one of this sooner. I mean, satellites have been using fold out panels for as long as I can remember.

[slibus @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:54PM]

Let me guess, this is a Polish invention? Just like the helicopter ejection seat.

[Eric @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:26AM]

Umm...what's the use?

For me, I usually use a flashlight in a DARK place. But....having three solar panels isn't gonna help the flashlight keep the light on in a dark place....is it?

[Salsa Shark @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:39PM]

Duh, just reflect some of the light from the LEDs back to the solar panels and it'll power itself.

Steorn's already developed this technology and will be demonstrating the Orbolight next month.

[Shmalec @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:13AM]

b-line?

i am losing faith in society...

[El Frijol for realz @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:17AM]

"The unit can operate with one LED on, three LEDs on or all three LEDs flashing"

Don't you mean: The unit can operate with one LED, two LEDs on or all three LEDs flashing

[Lawrence @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:30AM]

no, center led on, then adding the outside two as continuous or flashing.

[greggo @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:41AM]

no the one led is include in the three leds

[Joe @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:59AM]

Last Time I NeedeD A Flash Light was in the dark. with no sun to be found :-)

[Jaem @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:49AM]

A little slow, Engadget...
If mine eyes don't deceive me, I was selling that last summer in Canada

[Chad Ringstrom @ Jul 24th 2008 12:18PM]

Yup.. Canadian Tire.. I think they cost about $9.99 now.
Fail.

[tekdroid @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:26AM]

horrid design

*Copy qestionable Solio petal design. Check
*make the plastic black so it heats up stupdily, reducing life of internal lithium ion battery too, which hate heat. Check.
*make battery non-replaceable and non-swappable. Check.
*Charge and discharge 300-500 cycles before you toss this product into landfill like the rest because it can no longer hold suitable charge in the batt. Check.

[CraigJ @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:42AM]

Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead.

[acabtp @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:41AM]

LEDs have bulbs now? Sweet

[jedimacfan @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:07PM]

It looks just like the Microsoft oPhone!

[jamieh @ Jul 24th 2008 12:23AM]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't a solar powered flashlight about as useful as a car with no wheels? Wherever you'd find enough solar power, you shouldn't need a flashlight in the first place. Couldn't you point the solar panels at the LED so it's powered by itself?

[Chad Ringstrom @ Jul 24th 2008 12:16PM]

Canadian Tire was trying to sell these.. I bought one from a bargin bin for $20.. the little capaciter based batteries stopped holding a charge after about 2 weeks of use.