I happen to think that having a mix of standard battery operated flashlights and crank-charge flashlights is a good idea. So, I have a small collection of crank-charge flashlights scattered around the home “just in case”. I bought a 2-pack of this Duracell Crank Light 3 in 1, 3 LED Flashlight, Radio, Charger from Costco for around $25 (if I recall correctly). The phone includes a flashlight, flasher, AM/FM radio. The feature that intrigued me the most, however, was its purported ability to charge other devices from its USB port (see photo below).
When the switch is set to USB out, it is supposed to crank out (literally) 5 to 6 VDC at 450 mA (not much but potentially useful to provide a minute or two of voice in an emergency). In practice, however, I was unable to find any of my phones that showed as being in charge mode when connected to the flashlight and cranking the handle for a couple a minute or two.
While the flashlight has a pretty big rechargeable battery, it does not seem to retain a charge as long as other crank flashlights I’ve tried. And, unlike other lights, it does not immediately produce light when being cranked when the battery is completely drained. Its odd shape and weight distribution also makes it more difficult to crank than other crank charged lights I have. Finally, note that it has a Type A USB port on its side. This seems ok until you look at your collection of USB cables. How many Type A to Type A USB cables do you have? I have zero in my collection. I have a bunch of Type A to Type B and Type A to mini-USB or micro-USB. I have have a Type A to Type A-extender cable. But, I have zero Type A to Type A USB cables to charge the flashlight from my PC. And, yep, the flashlight does NOT include a cable in its package.
So, good idea, poor implementation. Even worse, the Duracell web site has NO information at all about this or any other multi-function flashlight products.
5 comments ↓
You’re wrong in your assessment of this product. I have one and it did come with the USB cable. So you shouldn’t tell people it doesn’t come with it. I have been able to charge this from my car and my computer. It also has held it’s charge for weeks. I have not experienced the problems you talk about. Perhaps you just got a defective one. But your assessment is incorrect. This is a very good product. One of the best I’ve used so far.
Tim: The package I bought did NOT come with a USB cable. Moreover, it was a two-pack. And, neither unit cranked up enough to charge anything I have. Neither one maintains a charge for long. So, if the units are defective (and they may be), they both were equally defective. I stand by my comments as factually correct.
Mine didnt come with any cable either and it was also a two-pack. whats up with that?
I have the two pack and it has the connectors included.
You might have missed them as they are in the part of the packaging that has the “mirror”
Mine did not have USB cables. After a few days camping and using the crank to recharge and listen to the radio it just died. No amount of cranking would even bring the tiniest light on the LED’s. Maybe it was defective but I might not buy the same brand next time.
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