After Hours

The flashlight is an IT Pro's best friend

By // December 18, 2009, 12:56 AM PST

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  • The flashlight – An IT Pro’s best friend!

    IT Professionals employ all sorts of specialized tools in their jobs. While most of these tools are software based or involve computerized hardware, many of them are pretty traditional tools like a pliers or a screwdriver. Among these types of traditional tools is the flashlight. When it comes to investigating dark corners in a server room, pulling cables through the ceiling, or just connecting cables to the back of a computer under a desk in a cubicle, flashlights are an IT professional’s best friend.

    In this gallery, I’ll present a collection of very interesting flashlights and flashlight accessories that you might find useful in your day-to-day work as an IT professional.

  • Flex Light

    The Black & Decker Flex Light - 18 LED Area Light with Task Light and Magnetic Tray is a super multitasking flashlight. The main unit, with its 18 LED area light, can stand on its own as well as be attached to something in the work area via a spring clamp or a magnet and can shine a bright light on the job at hand. The two flexible arms, one with a 3 LED task light that will allow you to illuminate a smaller area, and the other with a magnetic tray to hold screws and other small items, really add versatility to this flashlight.

    However, due to the Flex Light’s magnetic features, you won’t want to use this flashlight in close proximity to data disks.

    The Flex Light uses 6 AA batteries and sells for around $40.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Black & Decker

  • Snake Light

    The Black & Decker Snake Light® 17 LED Cordless Work Light/Flashlight is a handy flashlight to have on hand when you find yourself in an unconventional situation where you need both hands and an easy to direct flashlight. With its flexible neck, the Snake Light is easy to twist and turn so that you can position the 14 LED light precisely where you need it. If the situation calls for a more traditional flashlight, the Snake Light can convert to 3 LED hand-held flashlight.

    The Snake Light uses 2 C-cell batteries and sells for around $25.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Black & Decker

  • TRI-L

    When it comes to needing a pocket sized flashlight, the AltusLumen TRI-L is a truly unique device. Its versatility really shines (pun intended) when you see that this device sports two lights and what the company calls a 360 degree 3D hinge that allows you to adjust the device into numerous positions, including a tripod configuration, so that you can aim the light wherever you need it most. The main area light projects a wide beam while the spot light at the front end projects a narrow beam and is ideal for handheld operation.

    The TRI-L has a rechargeable battery with built-in charger and sells for $99.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: AltusLumen

  • PAD-L

    If you like the TRI-L design, but think that the $99.00 price tag is a bit much, then you might want to look its little bother, the AltusLumen PAD-L. With its 80 Lumens wide beam, fold out stand, and swivel cover that can also function as a stand, this pocket sized flashlight is ideal for all sorts of situations you might encounter in your day-to-day work.

    The PAD-L uses 4 AAA batteries and sells for $39.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: AltusLumen

  • 3 LED Headlight

    If you’ve ever had to work the cables strewn over the ceiling tiles, then you know how hard it is to stand on a ladder, lift a ceiling tile, and locate and work a specific cable, while holding a flashlight. With the Energizer® 3 LED Headlight and its 20 lumen spotlight, wherever you turn your head in that dark cavernous ceiling there will be light. And, you’ll have both hands free to perform the job. Furthermore, this headlight allows you to switch over to a night vision-like, red LED for low light conditions.

    The 3 LED Headlight uses 4 AAA batteries and has an MSRP of $12.99.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Energizer

  • Flex-neck LED

    Sometimes you just need a little, hands free light. With its spring clip and its flexible neck, the Energizer Flex-neck LED is ideal for those jobs where in need a small, easily adjustable flashlight. For example, this flashlight can easily attach to a clipboard and provide you with extra light while taking inventory down in the basement.

    The Flex-neck LED uses 2 coin cell batteries and sells for under $10.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Energizer

  • USB Flex Light

    If you’ve ever been troubleshooting a cable connection on the back of a computer under a desk in a cubicle and had your flashlight go dead, you would definitely be bummed out. Here you are surrounded by all of this electrical power and no light. Well, if you have a USB Flex light in your toolbox, all you need to do is plug the device into a USB port on the back of a computer and you’ll have all the light you need while you are stuck under a desk in a cubicle. You also get the added benefit of hands free operation and a bright 8 LED light on a flexible arm.

    The USB Flex Light requires no batteries and sells for under $10.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: IOGear

  • Mini Maglite LED

    It’s a safe bet that every IT Pro has at one time or another owned a Mini Maglite. This venerable flashlight features a very sturdy machined aluminum case and the twist focus head that can provide spotlight precision lighting of specific object as well as flood lighting of a wider area. There's even a patented Candle mode, where you can configure the flashlight to work like a candle and provide hands free lighting of the area in which you are working. Just turn on the light, remove the head and place it on the bottom of the flashlight and stand the flashlight up like a candle stick.

    The new LED models have longer battery life and feature two different power settings - a maximum-power setting that yields maximum brightness and a 25% power setting to conserve battery power.

    The Mini Maglite LED uses 2 AA batteries and sells for under $10.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Maglite

  • Headband

    If you own a Maglite and want to increase its versatility, you might want to investigate the Nite Ize Headband. You just insert your Maglite into the holder loop on the Headband, fit the strap on your head and you’re ready to go spelunking under the desk or anywhere that you need a flashlight and two hands. The holder loop is designed to hold both AA and AAA mini flashlights.

    The Nite Ize Headband sells for $6.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Nite Ize

  • Lite Bite

    If you're like most IT pros, you know that a Mini Maglite doesn't taste good. You know what I mean. You're under a desk with the flashlight in one hand and investigating a cabling problem and you end up sticking the end of the flashlight between your teeth so you can use both hands. Well, the Lite Bite was design for just that type of situation; however, it makes holding the flashlight with your teeth much more convenient.

    The Nite Ize Lite Bite sells for $3.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Nite Ize

  • Flashlite Friend

    The Flashlite Friend accessory consists a hose-like tube into which you insert your flashlight and four plastic coated flexible wire legs that can easily be bent at any angle to allow you to focus the light exactly where you want it. In addition to being a flashlight stand, the FlashLite Friend’s legs can easily be shaped such that they attach to your belt making this accessory double as a flashlight holster.

    The Nite Ize Flashlite Friend sells for $5.00.

    This image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.Find out more from Nite Ize

  • Fiber Optic Adapter

    For those times when you need to read a serial number or other text printed in a tiny space on the motherboard or other device inside a computer, you’re sure to find the Nite Ize Fiber Optic Adapter to be a handy accessory. The Fiber Optic Adapter’s cap slips over the top of the flashlight and the fiber optic wand, which comes in 4.5, 7 and 20-inch lengths, allows you to point the light precisely where you need it. You can also change the intensity of the fiber optically enhanced light by focusing the flashlight.

    The Nite Ize Fiber Optic Adapter sells for $6.00.

    This image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.Find out more from Nite Ize

  • PowerCap

    If you like the idea of a headlamp, but don’t want to look like a spelunker while walking the halls of the office, then you might like the idea of a LED lighted baseball cap from Panther Vision. You just click the switch hidden on the underside of the brim and you have instant Ultra Bright light from the three LED’s that are built into and under the brim. In addition to using all three LEDs, you can switch to a low beam setting that uses the 2 under brim LED’s for up-close tasks or switch to a high beam setting that uses the 1 Ultra Bright LED in the brim.

    The Panther Vision PowerCap uses 4 coin cell batteries and sells for $20 or $25, depending on cap style.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Panther Vision

  • LED Clip On

    If you like the idea of PowerCap, but already have a favorite cap, then you might want to investigate the Panther Vision LED Clip on. With its alligator clip and the single Ultra Bright LED, the LED Clip on can convert any hat to wearable flashlight. Furthermore, the LED Clip on also has a magnet so, along with the clip, this little unit is perfect for attaching to all sorts of objects.

    The Panther Vision LED Clip on uses coin cell batteries and sells for $8.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Panther Vision

  • Pivoting Head LED Flashlight

    Coming from a family of woodworking hobbyists, tools from Skil were a big part of my life growing up. So to carry a family tradition from woodworking over to the IT profession, I chose to include the Skil Pivoting Head LED Flashlight. This flashlight features a nice pistol grip handle, which makes it very comfortable to hold and easy to point the light right where you need it. The trigger switch also makes it easy to turn the light on and off. Plus, when you need two hands, the heavy base along with the pivoting head will allow this flashlight to stand upright by itself and easily aim the light where you need it.

    While the flashlight is available as a stand-alone tool, it is a part of the Skil 18-Volt 4-Tool Ni-Cd Combo Kit, which is currently available for $39.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Skil

  • Tripod Flashlight

    Moving into a more industrial category of flashlight, the Tripod Flashlight from Stanley is truly a unique device. The tripod configuration not only makes this a truly stand-along flashlight, but with its three 120 degree multi-directional rotating heads, this device can really light up a room making it ideal for a power outage situation. It can also be separated into three independent flashlights with each one generating 20 lumens of light. When folded up, the device converts into a regular flashlight configuration with a powerful 60 lumens of light.

    The Stanley Tripod Flashlight uses 6 AA batteries and sells for around $30.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Stanley

  • Mini Tripod Flashlight

    A smaller version of the tripod configuration, the Mini Tripod Flashlight from Stanley has a single multi-position head and provides 8 lumens of light. Easily converting between a tripod design, which offers hands-free operation, and a handheld configuration, the Mini Tripod Flashlight can come in handy in a lot of different situations that an IT pro might encounter.

    The Stanley Mini Tripod Flashlight uses 3 AAA batteries and sells for around $15.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Stanley

  • Stylus

    The Streamlight Stylus is a LED penlight that puts out 4.3 lumens of light. About the size of a pen, the Stylus fits in your shirt pocket and stays secure with the pocket clip. As such, you can easily carry it with you throughout the day and be able to have a powerful flashlight whenever someone grabs you in the hall and asks you to troubleshoot connection behind their desk.

    The Streamlight Stylus uses 3 AAAA batteries and sells for around $20.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Streamlight

  • Stylus Reach

    The Streamlight Stylus Reach is a LED penlight with a flexible 7-inch extension cable that puts out 4.3 lumens of light. This penlight form factor combined with the flexible extension has a 14-inch reach length, which makes the Stylus Reach ideal for seeing into narrow spaces, such as the bottom of a computer case into which you just dropped a tiny screw.

    The Streamlight Stylus Reach uses 3 AAAA batteries and sells for around $20.00.

    Images compiled by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic courtesy of: Streamlight

  • What is your favorite flashlight?

    Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, as there are hundreds of flashlights out there. What’s missing from this collection? Please take a moment to drop by the TechRepublic Community Forums and tell us about your favorite flashlight.

The flashlight – An IT Pro’s best friend!

IT Professionals employ all sorts of specialized tools in their jobs. While most of these tools are software based or involve computerized hardware, many of them are pretty traditional tools like a pliers or a screwdriver. Among these types of traditional tools is the flashlight. When it comes to investigating dark corners in a server room, pulling cables through the ceiling, or just connecting cables to the back of a computer under a desk in a cubicle, flashlights are an IT professional’s best friend.

In this gallery, I’ll present a collection of very interesting flashlights and flashlight accessories that you might find useful in your day-to-day work as an IT professional.

Related Topics:

After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work

By Greg Shultz

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.