There’s almost nothing in this world better than convenience – well, winning the lottery is up there too (unless it’s Shirley Jackson’s lottery), but I’m being realistic here. I hate it when I need an item and I can’t find it, and then I end up tripping over it when I don’t need it anymore. The worst offender of this notion is the flashlight. I can’t ever find it when I need it and then if I do, the batteries are dead or the damn thing just doesn’t work.
Making it the easiest flashlight you’ll ever use (and it’s not like the original model is all that hard) Battery Snaps (Perpetual Kid, $4.99) are ultra-portable and super convenient. All you need to let there be light is the snap top and a 9 volt battery, then press the top button and you’ve got a hand held light that can fit in your pocket. You’ll never forget what type of battery this flashlight takes (it’s pretty obvious) and the product itself is basically idiot-proof.
Snap to it!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.25″ x .75″ x 3″
-Includes battery snap and one 9 volt battery
-Press button on top to turn on light
-Available in white or pink
I’m gonna cut right to the chase here: riding a bike, while enjoyable, can be downright dangerous. You’re supposed to ride with traffic, but half the time cars pretend like they can’t see you and practically run you over every chance they get. With these Bike Signals (Gizoo, £29.95), there’s no way automotive traffic can argue that you’re not obeying the laws of the road. It’s a wireless device that attaches to your back (via the provided strap) and is controlled by a remote you can attach to your handlebars. If you want to turn left, simply press the left button on the remote and the LED arrow display will be illuminated. Ditto for turning right. The device even has a reminder beep to let your know if you’re left your blinker on. Best of all, the whole shebang is waterproof so you can be out and about in any type of weather and your signal system will remain intact.
The beautiful weather has returned! Go ahead, take out your 10-speed and get biking!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes LED display, remote (battery included), and strap
-Super bright LED when turning left or right
-Stay visible when on your bike
-Completely wireless
-Reminder beep
-Waterproof
It seems like I can never find a flashlight when I need one. It’s frustrating because I know I have a flashlight, somewhere. In fact, I’m pretty sure I have at least a dozen flashlights scattered around the house, but I can’t seem to keep track of them. I think the problem here is that there’s nothing that exciting about a flashlight, no real bells and whistles to stop me from leaving it under the couch or in the recessed ceiling. Both of those things actually happened, by the way.
How do you amp up a flashlight’s appeal? Easy, just make it interactive! With the Harry Potter Voice-Activated Wand Flashlight (ThinkGeek, $15.99), you can choose from an exact replica of either Harry or Hermione’s magic wand. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to defeat He Who Must Not Be Named with it, but you can cast a spell or two! Using your own personally recorded voice commands, you can make this wand flashlight turn on and off. You can stick with the formal “Lumos” and “Nox” commands or you can pick any command of your choosing. Now, that’s a flashlight I won’t want to let out of my sight!
You can choose the wand, or you can let the wand choose you.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ long
-Record your own voice command
-Turns on or off when proper spell is spoken
-Match spoken commands to recorded commands
-”Lumos” to activate; “Nox” to deactivate
-Pick sound commands of your own choosing
-Available in Harry or Hermione styles
-Uses 3 AAA batteries (not included)
I’m not a very good sleeper. It’s not that I don’t enjoy sleeping, because I do, but I’m just not that good at it. Some people have the ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere at the drop of a hat – I am not one of them. Even though I wish I could, I don’t sleep on planes, riding in cars, or public places. I mean, I have enough trouble trying to get a decent night’s sleep in my own bed, so I can pretty much forget about it when I’m on vacation. One of the worst sleep interrupters for me is the presence of light. I need the room to be completely dark or you might as well just shine a flashlight in my face all night.
I recently went on a trip with a friend and one night, she was still reading a book when I wanted to go to bed. Now, this wouldn’t be an issue with most people, but even the small reading light she had turned on was enough to make it impossible for me to fall asleep. The LightWedge Reading Light (ThinkGeek, $19.99-24.99) is an ingenious solution that allows problematic and easygoing sleepers to peacefully coexist. Available in both regular and paperback styles, this book light uses eye-friendly LED light to cast a distortion-free glow onto the page. The light is powered by four AAA batteries that emit 40 hours of light, with two different brightness levels. Because the light uses an optical grade acrylic lens it casts light only onto the page, which means that while it’s enough light to comfortably read by, it won’t disturb those around you. As an added bonus the device also serves as a bookmark, ensuring that you’ll always have it within reach.
This product is simply illuminating.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9.5″ x 6.75″ x .5″ (regular); 7.4″ x 5.5″ x .5″ (paperback)
-Weight: 8.5oz (with batteries)
-Available in regular and paperback styles
-40 hours of light on 4 AAA batteries (not included)
-Can also be used as a bookmark
-Distortion free, optical grade acrylic lens
-Eye friendly LED illumination
-Two brightness levels
-Lifetime warranty for LEDs
-One year warranty for unit
I’m so glad it’s starting to warm up because all that snow was really getting on my nerves. I have a bunch of little solar light stakes that light a pathway to my door and about half of them are destroyed from piles of snow being constantly dumped on top of them. I know, I could have brought them inside for the winter, but it’s not like I don’t need to lights to see in the darkness just because it’s cold outside. In fact, I think I need all the light I can get when snow and nighttime are combined.
A perfect substitution for my ailing light fixtures is the Solar Powered Courtesy Light (Gizoo, £21.95). It mounts on the wall instead of into the ground and because it’s solar powered, it’s simple to install. That’s right, no wires means no electrician, which means you can do it yourself! This gadget has an eight meter lighting distance as well as a 60 second illumination period, so it’s sure to light up your path with more than enough time to spare. Outfitted with a 3-way switch, you can set the device to on, off, or automatic (with a 100 degree detection angle). The whole unit is rain proof so all you really have to do is install it and then you never have to worry about it again.
My favorite thing about this gadget? Its green energy doesn’t potentially endanger my life, unlike those mercury-filled light bulbs.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 15.5cm x 15cm x 11cm
-Includes LED light, light unit, solar battery, 2 x keys, wall bracket, screws, and wall plugs
-Solar powered light
-8 meter lighting distance
-100 degree detection angle
-60 second illumination period
-3 way switch: on/off/automatic
-Simple installation without any wiring
-Rain proof
