Comments on: Photon Freedom Fusion Flashlight / Headlight http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:27:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: ES Allen http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-46692 ES Allen Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:36:44 +0000 #comment-46692 This is a wonderful light! I came across your site while looking for instructions on how to operate the light. I purchased mine in Balad, Iraq, back in 2005 and it worked great. The red/white menus are great for making certain that you don't use white light when you really meant to use red. Also the "brighten up" feature in the red menu is great for maintaining your night vision. I've used several headlights over the years in my career as a Soldier and a firefighter, and this is better than most. Petzl and Surefire while brighter can't touch the Fusion. Another "feature' is that it uses AA batteries. Everyone has AA batteries laying around the house. Many other lights use AA, CR123, or some other expensive battery, yet again, the engineers were thinking about versatility when they were making this product. The only downside that I see is that I have had difficulty looking directly down when I am writing something. The lamp doesn't seem to declinate completely, but that's not incredibly horrible. Julie, I don't know ya, but great review! This is a wonderful light! I came across your site while looking for instructions on how to operate the light. I purchased mine in Balad, Iraq, back in 2005 and it worked great. The red/white menus are great for making certain that you don’t use white light when you really meant to use red. Also the “brighten up” feature in the red menu is great for maintaining your night vision.

I’ve used several headlights over the years in my career as a Soldier and a firefighter, and this is better than most. Petzl and Surefire while brighter can’t touch the Fusion. Another “feature’ is that it uses AA batteries. Everyone has AA batteries laying around the house. Many other lights use AA, CR123, or some other expensive battery, yet again, the engineers were thinking about versatility when they were making this product.

The only downside that I see is that I have had difficulty looking directly down when I am writing something. The lamp doesn’t seem to declinate completely, but that’s not incredibly horrible.

Julie, I don’t know ya, but great review!

]]> By: Steve http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-40642 Steve Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:01:11 +0000 #comment-40642 well, I purched two of the lights and the reason I did is the First one broke, the second one broke also. they both broke at the pivot point screw. that holds the light. I don't have the part number but I can see that this is a VERY weak point in the light. LED is the way to go as it uses less battery power but how many do you have to carry if the first, second or third brakes. for sale: two usless lamps that don't work. best offer well, I purched two of the lights and the reason I did is the First one broke, the second one broke also. they both broke at the pivot point screw. that holds the light. I don’t have the part number but I can see that this is a VERY weak point in the light. LED is the way to go as it uses less battery power but how many do you have to carry if the first, second or third brakes. for sale: two usless lamps that don’t work. best offer

]]> By: Judie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21624 Judie Mon, 15 Aug 2005 03:18:22 +0000 #comment-21624 <blockquote><cite>dmccarty wrote: </cite><br />As I con I would put price. $60 seems kinda steep for what's essentially a miner's lamp. I remember seeing those things as a kid (does anyone else remember them being called idiot lights?) for about $10. Granted, they weren't the LED variety but unless I was seriously into spelunking I wouldn't consider spending that much on that kind of light.</blockquote> I agree that it isn't cheap, but when I compared it to other LED headlamps, it had as many or more features than others at the same or higher price points. That's not to say that there aren't less expensive LED headlamps, just not any that directly compare, IMHO. :0)

dmccarty wrote:

As I con I would put price. $60 seems kinda steep for what’s essentially a miner’s lamp. I remember seeing those things as a kid (does anyone else remember them being called idiot lights?) for about $10. Granted, they weren’t the LED variety but unless I was seriously into spelunking I wouldn’t consider spending that much on that kind of light.

I agree that it isn’t cheap, but when I compared it to other LED headlamps, it had as many or more features than others at the same or higher price points. That’s not to say that there aren’t less expensive LED headlamps, just not any that directly compare, IMHO. :0)

]]> By: Judie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21623 Judie Mon, 15 Aug 2005 03:15:58 +0000 #comment-21623 <blockquote><cite>tnriverfish wrote: </cite><br />If you're doing anything but sitting drinking coffee I think you'll pick this item up before using your disc/purse light thing you reviewed a while back.</blockquote> That's assuming that I actually have this light with me, though. I <em>always</em> have the Indium along as it fits perfectly in my bag. This one is more for the glovebox or drawer... <blockquote><cite>tnriverfish wrote: </cite><br />Next "outdoor" item you need to review is some type of GPS thingy.</blockquote> I agree. Julie & I have done <em>some</em> GPS reviews, but there are quite a few new models out that we should cover. :0)

tnriverfish wrote:

If you’re doing anything but sitting drinking coffee I think you’ll pick this item up before using your disc/purse light thing you reviewed a while back.

That’s assuming that I actually have this light with me, though. I always have the Indium along as it fits perfectly in my bag. This one is more for the glovebox or drawer…

tnriverfish wrote:

Next “outdoor” item you need to review is some type of GPS thingy.

I agree. Julie & I have done some GPS reviews, but there are quite a few new models out that we should cover. :0)

]]> By: Judie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21622 Judie Mon, 15 Aug 2005 03:12:07 +0000 #comment-21622 <blockquote><cite>TerryM wrote: </cite><br />Will it fit over a bike helmut and not move around? I ask cuz a handbar supported light just doesn't make it for me.</blockquote> I don't have a bike helmet to try it with, but I suspect that it would work quite well as the straps are completely adjustable.

TerryM wrote:

Will it fit over a bike helmut and not move around? I ask cuz a handbar supported light just doesn’t make it for me.

I don’t have a bike helmet to try it with, but I suspect that it would work quite well as the straps are completely adjustable.

]]> By: Judie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21621 Judie Mon, 15 Aug 2005 03:10:47 +0000 #comment-21621 <blockquote><cite>jiraffe wrote: </cite><br />The only question I have remaining is how comfortable it is. In headlight mode, does it have any uncomfortable pressure point where it presses against your head? In flashlight mode, how does it feel in the hand?</blockquote> It doesn't seem to have any uncomfortable pressure points, but it can be adjusted to fit in a variety of different ways if one is found. Wearing it over a hat is probably the most comfortable for long periods, tho. In hand it is comfortable and easy to grip in either orientation shown. :0)

jiraffe wrote:

The only question I have remaining is how comfortable it is. In headlight mode, does it have any uncomfortable pressure point where it presses against your head? In flashlight mode, how does it feel in the hand?

It doesn’t seem to have any uncomfortable pressure points, but it can be adjusted to fit in a variety of different ways if one is found. Wearing it over a hat is probably the most comfortable for long periods, tho.

In hand it is comfortable and easy to grip in either orientation shown. :0)

]]> By: TerryM http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21620 TerryM Mon, 15 Aug 2005 01:02:39 +0000 #comment-21620 Will it fit over a bike helmut and not move around? I ask cuz a handbar supported light just doesn't make it for me. Will it fit over a bike helmut and not move around? I ask cuz a handbar supported light just doesn’t make it for me.

]]> By: dmccarty http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21619 dmccarty Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:23:24 +0000 #comment-21619 As I con I would put price. $60 seems kinda steep for what's essentially a miner's lamp. I remember seeing those things as a kid (does anyone else remember them being called idiot lights?) for about $10. Granted, they weren't the LED variety but unless I was seriously into spelunking I wouldn't consider spending that much on that kind of light. As I con I would put price. $60 seems kinda steep for what’s essentially a miner’s lamp. I remember seeing those things as a kid (does anyone else remember them being called idiot lights?) for about $10. Granted, they weren’t the LED variety but unless I was seriously into spelunking I wouldn’t consider spending that much on that kind of light.

]]> By: tnriverfish http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21618 tnriverfish Thu, 11 Aug 2005 16:14:47 +0000 #comment-21618 Yea! Headlight Review! Once you get most of these adjusted to a comfortable tightness you forget they are even on your head. I like the different types of attachments that this offers but it looks like you pay a little extra for that benefit. If you're doing anything but sitting drinking coffee I think you'll pick this item up before using your disc/purse light thing you reviewed a while back. Next "outdoor" item you need to review is some type of GPS thingy. Yea! Headlight Review!
Once you get most of these adjusted to a comfortable tightness you forget they are even on your head. I like the different types of attachments that this offers but it looks like you pay a little extra for that benefit.

If you’re doing anything but sitting drinking coffee I think you’ll pick this item up before using your disc/purse light thing you reviewed a while back.

Next “outdoor” item you need to review is some type of GPS thingy.

]]> By: jiraffe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21617 jiraffe Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:07:47 +0000 #comment-21617 Thanks for the well written review Julie. This sounds like the best flashlight that I have yet seen. As I was reading your review, a few times I was thinking "okay, but what about ...". Each time, my concern was addressed (and dispelled) as I continued to read. The only question I have remaining is how comfortable it is. In headlight mode, does it have any uncomfortable pressure point where it presses against your head? In flashlight mode, how does it feel in the hand? Thanks for the well written review Julie. This sounds like the best flashlight that I have yet seen. As I was reading your review, a few times I was thinking “okay, but what about …”. Each time, my concern was addressed (and dispelled) as I continued to read.

The only question I have remaining is how comfortable it is. In headlight mode, does it have any uncomfortable pressure point where it presses against your head? In flashlight mode, how does it feel in the hand?

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/08/09/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-21616 Julie Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:09:27 +0000 #comment-21616 Post your comments here on the Photon Freedom Fusion Flashlight / Headlight review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/photon_freedom_fusion_flashlight_headlight</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments here on the Photon Freedom Fusion Flashlight / Headlight review.

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