Photon Micro Light II FlexBeam Lighting System

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

September 07, 2005

Julie and I often joke about how nice it would be to each have a clone, but there are times when I would simply settle for an extra hand. I can totally imagine it: an extra hand to rub my temples while I am working on a review, an extra hand to pour a Diet Coke when my cup is dry...hmmm, I could get used to that!

Although it isn't quite the scientific wonder that I usually have in mind when I envision one, the Photon Micro Light II Flexbeam Lighting System is a product that can act also as an extra hand - by holding a flashlight and shining a beam of light directly where it's needed, even when both of its user's hands are busy. Is the Flexbeam Lighting System (FLS) practical enough to use on all kinds of surfaces and in all kinds of situations? Let's take a look...

The FLS comes in a handy metallic tin which includes a Photon Micro-Light II with a bit of Velcro attached, a Hands-Free Photon Clip, an eight inch long goose-neck adapter with Velcro on one end and a mount on the other, as well as two bases - one magnetic and one suction cup.

The underside of the tin has a nappy anti-skid fabric on it, which can come in handy...

...I'll discuss how a bit further into the review.

So let's take a look at how the FLS works. The first component is the Photon Micro-Light II, which I reviewed earlier this year.

My review covered the purple LED Photon Micro-Light II, whereas this kit includes the bright white version. Other than the color of their LED's, both lights are the same. Since I have already covered the torch's operation and features in detail for that previous review, I'll just mention that in this application a small round patch of soft Velcro has been added to the light's underside which allows the torch to be held by the gooseneck stand.

The base of the stand has an opening which can accept either the magnetic or suction mount, depending on where the user will be working and what type of surface will be supporting the mount.

Depending on what type surface is available while working, either the magnet or suction cup may be the better choice. If there is nothing magnetic nearby and the work surface is too rough for the suction cup, then the magnetic base can be used and perched on top of the tin; the anti-skid fabric on the bottom of the tin will help keep it stable.

Also included in the kit is a multi-purpose Photon Clip. This clip accepts any Photon Light with or without a spring ring installed, and allows the light to be clipped to anything with a free edge of under 0.2" for hands free operation. For additional positioning options, there are three magnets on the bottom of the clip so that it can be attached to any steel surface. The clip can swivel 360º horizontally and 180º vertically, allowing it to be positioned as needed for proper beam aiming.

Here you can see the clip holding the Photon Light steady from the top of the storage can...

Here is yet another place where the magnet base can come in handy - inside the breaker box on a dark night. The magnet base just grabs the steel door - instantly creating a lighting system.

For those that already own a Photon Light, there is an option available that allows the purchase of just the mounting equipment - without the tin and without the Micro-Light II. In that case, a patch of velcro is included so that the already owned light may be mounted.

While the Photon Micro Light II Flexbeam Lighting System is not exactly an extra hand, it does the job of one when it comes to holding a steady beam.