When it comes to finding a good quality, low energy source of light, you are bound to think of all kinds of things that will work in a survival situation, yet they will also have some serious limitations.
For example, candles may be cheap and easy to make, but they will also have to be constantly replaced. Incandescent bulbs take too much power, and also create a heat signature that can give your position away to electronic devices that seek certain levels of heat or light emission characteristics.
If you are interested in cutting edge light sources that can be applied to survival situations, learning more about USB lighting will be of immense benefit. These bulbs use very little power, produce large quantities of light, and have very low heat signatures.
No matter whether it comes to providing light for an indoor aquaponics farm or living in an underground setting, products such as the SunJack Camp Light USB Bulb can offer plenty of light for your needs.
Physical Features and Accessories
The SunJack Camp Light USB Bulb measures less than 4 inches from bulb to base. It has a long USB cord that makes it easy to connect to solar panels, computer USB ports, or just about anything else with a suitable jack.
This particular bulb only requires 4 volts of power, and can be suspended via the hook and detachable hook at the base. Camp Light can be purchased from thesunjack.com or via amazon.com for 9.95, however it usually sells for 19.95.
In the Field
{adinserter usdeception}This particular USB LED bulb is very easy to use. Simply remove it from the box and plug the cable into a suitable 5v power source. While testing out this bulb, it produced a steady 500 LUX of light when placed approximately 6“ from my light tester (Soil Master 3 in 1 meter).
The light also had good travel distance, and produced about as much illumination as a 40 watt bulb. There was very little heating, and even after several hours the bulb was only slightly warm to touch.
Advantages
One of the best things about the Camp Light is its simplicity. As long as you have a USB source of power, this bulb will provide steady, safe light for thousands of hours before burning out. Some other useful features include:
- Can easily be suspended from the ceiling or attached to a pole to make a floor lamp
- Provides sufficient light for plants that require medium levels of light
- Durable, and small, which makes it ideal for traveling
- Cheaper than comparable LED bulbs that require power from a wall outlet
Disadvantages
As simple as the Camp Light is, there are some features that would have made this an even better product. This includes:
- An On/Off switch. The only way to turn the bulb on and off is to plug it into a USB jack.
- A switch that allows for medium, high, and low intensity lighting. This would have made the bulb ideal for use as a nightlight, as well as for other applications that require less light than the full capacity of the bulb
Recommendations for Further Development
Aside from adding a few switches to help control light flow and power, I would have also liked to see a bulb that includes:
- An accessory that allows the bulb to be held like a flashlight
- The ability to replace LEDs for the purpose of exchanging to laser or other output types
- An accessory that allows the bulb to be easily combined with others above a bed of plants
- Waterproof design so that the bulb could be used in an outdoor setting regardless of weather
How It Can Be Used Now
You can use the SunJack Camp Light USB Bulb as a perfect companion for your computer, tablet, and other electronic devices. For example, if you need to keep the overhead lights off, this bulb will safely illuminate your work area without disturbing others in the room. It is also ideal if you need a steady, reliable light while camping or hiking. Since this bulb is light weight and easy to carry, you can also keep it in your car for roadside emergencies.
What Makes it Best for Preppers
This particular USB light is perfect for situations where you need to conserve power and have lighting at the same time. It runs easily on just about any source of power that has a USB jack.
No matter whether you are trying to evacuate after a hurricane or some other disaster prevents access to commercial power, the SunJack Camp Light USB Bulb is perfect for use with solar battery charging technologies. The bulb’s small size also makes it easy to add in any kit you may create for surviving an EMP attack.
Today, many people interested in surviving a major crisis automatically think of old technology, or no technology at all. While these resources can be very useful, there are also some newer technologies that can also be of benefit. In this instance, do not overlook LED bulbs and their capacity to provide a cheaper, longer lasting source of light than anything else you can make or buy.
Overall, I rate the SunJack Camp Light USB Bulb as a 9.5 out of 10 because it takes very little power, is durable, and produces good quality light. I would still prefer to see a dedicated on/off switch, and perhaps also a waterproof design. Neither issue would prevent me from buying it and making it part of my survival gear.
This article has been written by Carmela Tyrell for Survivopedia.
