A good torch is one of those essential things that every Gadgeteer has to own. I use mine every night to read by, and of course it’s always useful if you have a power outage or if you have to go outside to look for the cat   When I travel overseas, there’s a few things I always take with in my EDC messenger, and a torch is definitely one of those things. In Siem Reap airport, I was stopped at the X-ray scanners  and figured it must have been the syringes I was carrying for my medication; however, it turned out that the security guard had seen my torch.  He turned it on and was amazed by how strong it was and proceeded to run around the terminal shining it in his work colleagues eyes before returning it to me and letting me through

My longtime standby used to be a 2 AA Mini Mag (bulb and then LED upgrade) until I discovered Chinese-produced Trustfire LED torches a few years go.  Cheap and cheery, but how do they perform ?

Now I can’t afford or justify the latest/greatest brand name torch (like the Surefire UB3T Invictus ), so some of the Chinese LED torches are a great option.  There’s so many of them available out there but be wary, you can’t trust the specifications that many of them put on their product, and sometimes quality can be hit or miss. Trustfire has been producing torches, batteries and torch accessories since 2004 and has a wide range from small AAAs to much larger and brighter units.

Now, for an EDC, you can’t beat a AA torch, the nice thing about AA being that you can easily pick them up in whatever country you’re in. That being said, the Trustfire F20 torch is digitally regulated and will also take 14500 Li-ion batteries, if you need extra power. The F20 is nice and small at 3.78 in x 0.94 in x 0.83 in and weighs in at 1.52 oz, not overly light, but it’s always nice to have some heft to a torch when you’re carrying it.

The manufacture on the F20 is very good.  Often, cheap Chinese products look…well….cheap , but the milling and finishing on the F20 is impeccable, no rough edges or left over burrs. The F20 comes with a handy carry clip attached, but it’s not removable -  which is both a blessing and a curse.  The clicky tail cap switch is glow-in-the-dark, and the torch has 5 mode settings: low, medium, high, SOS and fast strobe. I’m not sure that I’ll ever use the SOS or strobe but I suppose it’s nice to have them if I ever get stuck in the bush or something.  Modes are set by half-pressing the switch to cycle through the different modes.  The torch remembers the last mode you set it in when you turn it off (by a long press on the switch).

The switch is recessed, which sometimes does make it a bit hard to hit quickly; however, this has the added advantage that the torch can be stood on its tail. This is useful when you want a “candle-like” glow rather than a more directed light, quite useful in a power outage or when camping in a tent.

The manufacturer’s stated runtime is indicated at 60 minutes, though there’s no indication of if that’s with an alkaline or lithium-ion battery, and there’s also no indication of the mode used.  I’ve had this thing running now for a couple of weeks with a Duracell AA on low, and I have used it for MANY more hours than the indicated runtime.

A good sign of the quality (or lack thereof) of  Chinese torches is the quality of the threads.  Again, on the F20 the thread is nice and clean.  There’s a glow-in-the-dark o-ring that makes the torch water resistant, though I’m not actually sure why they decided on glow-in-the-dark since this ring will hardly ever see light. One thing with this torch is that it’s only a 2 piece unit which would make it hard to get to the tail switch if you ever have to.

The reflector is an aluminium textured affair and the emitter is a Cree Q5-WC white. Around the lens is another glow-in-the-dark o-ring for waterproofing. It glows nicely once you’ve used your torch for a while and then turn it off.

There’s one place where you can see the lack of real quality and build control on this torch, but it won’t stare you in the face every day. Now I’m certainly no solder jockey but I’m pretty sure that even I could do a better and cleaner solder job than the one someone’s done on the emitter.  That being said, it certainly hasn’t caused me any issues.

High, Medium, Low Settings

Here’s the 3 different power levels looking down my approximately 6 metre long hallway (click on to enlarge).  You can see there’s a substantial difference between the high mode and low mode.  The low mode is perfect for me to read in bed without the wife complaining about the bright light; the high setting illuminates the area really well and is useful for finding your way around if you should get lost in the dark. Not bad for such a small and cheap AA-size torch.

If I had to pick on anything – it would be nice if the clip could be removed and if there was a hard tether point for a wrist strap or similar. At times, if there’s a fresh Eneloop in it, the regulator will also give off a bit of a hum. Not loud enough to be annoying, but loud enough to be noticed.

This torch and brand can be found on Ebay or on many Chinese sites. I tend to purchase from Dealextreme as I’ve always had good dealings with them.  They have a good support team, and their products have end user reviews. Dealextreme has taken quite a few of my hard-earned dollars when I need a cheap gadget fix

At under $12US shipped from China, this torch really is a good value.   If I lose it or it dies, then I haven’t thrown too much money away. It’s well constructed and bright. I’d highly recommend this torch for someone looking for a low-cost EDC AA flashlight.

Filed in categories: Outdoor Gear, Pocket Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Flashlight

Trustfire F20 Cree LED Flashlight Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 6, 2012 at 11:00 am.

For being (touted as) the most powerful handheld flashlight in the World, the first thought that went through my mind was how very unassuming the Wicked Lasers Torch is….from the packaging to the flashlight itself. According to Wicked Lasers, the Torch throws a massive 4100 lumens, many times more powerful than some of my brightest flashlights (and I have a LOT of flashlights). Having used/reviewed so many in my time, when I read that the Torch was THE Big Dog in town, I definitely wanted to see/play with one in person. Thankfully Wicked Lasers sent me one to see if it lives up to all the hubbub.

When I first saw/held the Torch, it completely reminded me of those old MagLite flashlights. It’s casing is constructed of a powder-coated, military grade aluminum. The front lens is made of a specialized heat resistant glass so it will not shatter under the tremendous amount of heat the Torch generates.

Here is the Torch next to my father’s ancient nightstick he carried with him as a police officer. While the MagLite is bigger and heavier, the Torch throws tens (perhaps even a hundred) of times more brightness than this old relic.

The Torch arrived in several plain brown cardboard boxes. Four to be exact, housing the two batteries, smart charger, and the flashlight itself. To understand how everything works, I actually read the user manual/directions.  Considering that you are instructed to attach a thermal couple/sensor to the side of the battery before charging….probably a good idea to read the manual.

The magnetic +/- leads are color-coded and attach effortlessly. It takes approximately 30 minutes to fully charge the battery. Wicked Lasers advises that you do not overcharge the battery; when the smart charger’s indicator light turns green, you should disconnect it soon there after.

Specifications:

• Lamp Output: 4100 Lumens w/an Adj High Efficiency Reflector
• Dimensions: 2.25″ X 9″ (57mm x 230mm)
• Weight: 19.3 ounces (547g)
• Power Supply: 12×2/3A 1500mAh Cells 14.4V
  
• Battery Lifetime: 5 Minutes
  
• Bulb Type: 100W Halogen
  
• Expected Bulb Life: 2000 Hours
• Casing: Military Grade Aluminum
• Tail switch: On/Off Button
• Warranty: One Year
  

The battery is specifically engineered and shaped for the Torch. The Torch is machined to only accommodate the correct battery (vs C-sized). The battery appears to be constructed of twelve double A-like cells, Macgyver’d into a single powercell (or something like that).

A bit surprisingly, the bulb is not LED but a filament-based 100W halogen estimated to last for 2000 hours of use.

From an operational standpoint, the Torch has its limitations….some pretty large limitations. The manual warns that you should not use the Torch for more than 3 minutes at a time, otherwise the heat it generates can damage its inner workings – a detail I completely agree with. After a few minutes of use, the head of the flashlight gets seriously HOT. So hot, it causes rain to sizzle (aka do not touch the operational end until it cools down). In addition to continuous runtime heat ‘issues’, the Torch’s battery only lasts 5 minutes…. Yep, you see correctly (and stop laughing) – 5 minutes.

But for those 5 minutes, the Torch is extremely bright. I would classify it as carrying a handheld spotlight.

The Torch is controlled with a single on/off button located on the center/end of the tailcap. To say the Torch is simple to operate is an understatement; it is either on or off. No power/brightness settings or special combination of clicks to activate it.

Here is a video of the Torch in action cooking eggs:

It can also burn paper, light cigarettes, and ignite matches.

From a real world standpoint:

We have a heavily treed ravine that runs through our property. It is a VERY dark at night and the perfect place to test flashlights. So, the Gadgeteer Kid and I took three of my flashlights to see how they stacked up against the Torch and its 4100 lumens. We chose a wide variety of size and brightness to give perspective of just how bright 4100 lumens is.

The pictures (f2.8 / ISO 3200) below can be expanded/enlarged if you click on them.

The Torch illuminated the entire ravine but had a dark spot in the middle of the light it threw. I tweaked the adjustable reflector which helped but did not make the dark stop go away completely. Being a filament-based bulb, the Torch’s light was definitely more yellow than the LED-based lights we compared it to.

Overall, the Torch’s build quality is good/fine but I would say is not up to ‘SureFire’ quality. At the time of writing, Wicked Lasers is including a ‘free’ one year warranty when you purchase the Torch. Considering it is $180 flashlight, a worthy warranty seems like a no brainer.

From a practicality standpoint, it is very difficult recommending a flashlight that can only be on for less than 3 minutes and batteries lasts less than two ON-cycles. Going beyond, my gal-pals ask ‘what good is a flashlight like that‘ after I explain the Torch’s complete lack of longevity. Even my flashlight-loving associates question the Torch’s true use and function. I found it difficult to argue the counterpoint and come up with a real-world use. But if you want or need an extremely bright lantern/flashlight/handheld spotlight, there are none brighter than the Wicked Lasers Torch.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Flashlight

Wicked Lasers Torch Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 19, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Over the years I have reviewed many SureFire products. Most people agree SureFire products are extremely well made with rock-solid performance (aka the Cadillac of flashlights).  But an overarching comment/theme from readers has been they can buy an (nearly) equivalent device for (much) less money. Nine times out of ten, that is a true enough statement. Although, I would argue that either way you go, you are getting what you pay for…..

I have, through sad circumstance, damaged several SureFire products over this past year. I initially mentioned my experience with SureFire’s stellar warranty in my Pen III review, where I bent its stainless steel clip and had to send it back to have it repaired. ‘… I called SureFire and asked them what it would take to get it repaired. Without hesitation the operator said they would repair it under warranty. He gave me a RMA number and off it went to be fixed. Approximately three weeks later, I received the pen back good as new’.

As the story goes, this past January the Seattle area experienced a massive ice storm that left 300,000 people without power (very unusual weather for the Pacific Northwest). Unfortunately my family and I were without power for nearly eight days. During this time we put some serious hardcore use/mileage on my flashlights. Well, sadly my SureFire Titan flashlight fell out of my pocket and was submerged for a significant amount of time. When I finally found the flashlight, it had water/moisture damage and no longer worked correctly (did not turn off fully). Being my favorite ‘carry around, all-purpose’ flashlight, I was bummed. I attempted to dry the Titan out with the rice in a bag trick but that failed to get the moisture out of the LED assembly.

Well once again, I called SureFire and explained the situation (the operator did not know I was a writer/reviewer). Living up to their No-Hassle Warranty, the operator gave me a RMA number and said they would repair the flashlight. A couple weeks later, my SureFure flashlight was returned to me good as new. So, my point is that a majority of the time you get what you pay for….SureFire products are expensive but without a doubt; they last the test of time and when something happens SureFire does not even blink when it comes to making things right.

Filed in categories: Articles, Miscellaneous

Tagged: Flashlight

SureFire Warranty Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

I have reviewed many fancy flashlights on The Gadgeteer, most of them relatively small, compact and for their size, pretty bright. Well, this time I am reviewing the Fenix TK70 courtesy of Fenix Outfitters. The TK70 is neither small nor lightweight but is supposed to be brighter than all my other flashlights combined….car light on high beam bright  

Along with the LED head, two body components and end cap, Fenix includes a lanyard, handle strap, and extra o-rings.

The pieces of the TK70 screw together very much like the lightsabers the Gadgeteer Kid and I built/reviewed a few years ago. The finely threaded aluminum tubes easily twist together. The aluminum is aircraft-grade and durable, coated with a Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish.

The Fenix TK70 uses three high powered Cree XM-L LEDs with a (theoretical) lifespan of 50,000 hours. Its digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness. It also has reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation and over-discharge protection circuit to protect the rechargeable batteries effectively. To protect the LEDs, Fenix uses a ‘tough’ ultra-clear glass lens with anti-reflective coating.

The TK70 measures 405mm (Length) x 40mm (Diameter) x 106mm (Head) and weighs 769-gram (excluding batteries). Its power source is four 1.5V D batteries. Along with being insanely bright, its dual switch system is simple and easy to operate as well. With the right batteries, the TK70 can run up to 7 days (lowest beam setting, I am sure) on a single charge.

As I said, the dual switches are easy to use; the right button turns the flashlight on and off and the left button cycles through the four brightness/power levels.

Without a doubt, the TK70 is huge. It is the biggest, longest, and heaviest flashlight I own and with its 2,200 lumens of brightness, it is by far the most powerful/brightest flashlight as well.

I have pretty large hands and as you can see, the TK70 is not petite. But considering its huge head, is surprisingly well balanced. The handle does look more like a lightsaber hilt than classic flashlight body.  The body of the flashlight has good texture and grip-ability.

The butt of the flashlight has two connection points for the lanyard or handle strap.

The LEDs are so powerful, there are ‘high-efficiency’ heat dissipation fins engineered into the TD70 that effectively radiate heat from the LEDs and electronics within the head. This helps protect the LEDs and electronics, ensuring that they do not overheat.

I was going to do a (relatively) detailed comparison of my various high powered flashlight (and still might), but I thought this photo says it all. We were celebrating the Gadgeteer Kid’s 10th birthday outdoors in our partially finished polebarn/garage. At this point, there are no lights and only temporary power to the building. Well, as the story goes, it was getting dark and to keep the get together going, unbeknownst  to me, my wife had run into the house, grabbed the Fenix TK70 and had it alone, lighting the whole party.  As you can see from the picture, it was Ark of the Covenant bright. Impressively, the TK70 literally illuminated the entire floor of the structure.

Uncommon praise: my wife rarely comments on the tech-items I review. On those few and far between moments when she chooses to comment, let’s just say, it’s often less than positive. Well, she surprised me one day while I was away on travel, when she texted me letting me know ‘that new flashlight is awesome.’ To give you a bit of perspective, I swear, my wife has only used the A-word a half dozen times in the 15 yrs I have known her…..

Due to its size, weight, and brightness, the Fenix TK70 is a somewhat niche flashlight/product. I envision this being used by search and rescue and/or cave explorers, folks who need to throw a huge amount of light. This flashlight is well made and relatively durable. Its aluminum construction, simple controls, and water resistant design makes it a great choice where durability counts. At $233, it is not inexpensive but if you calculate its lumens/dollar ratio, it is decent enough deal .

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Flashlight, LED

Fenix TK70 Flashlight Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 14, 2011 at 4:30 pm.

One thing you can never be without is a good flashlight, especially one that has a bright brilliant light. But for me a flashlight is just a flashlight. That is unless it has something about it that gives it a unique characteristic. And the PrimeTorch 1010 by Primus is one such flashlight.

One thing I really liked about this flashlight is its small size. I have other pocket-sized flashlights but none with the output that the PrimeTorch has. This little sucker has a strong output thanks to the Cree Q4 LED diode that emits 130 Lumens.  Keep in mind that Lumen is a measurement of light output while wattage is a measurement of power output. It is hard to compare Lumens to Wattage so it is hard for me to compare and contrast the two but I would say that the PrimeTorch’s light is just as bright as a medium sized Mag light. The light from the PrimeTorch is definitely blinding. I made the mistake of looking at the reflected light on my desk  and I can tell you that when I jerked my head away all I could see was a bright white light in my vision for a long while.

The PrimeTorch is made from an aluminum material. It has a metal clip on its body and has a dimension of 1 in. x 3.3 in. and is powered by one(1) Lithium CR-123 battery allowing it to have a 3 hour burn time.  It has a weight of  1.6 ounces.

The Lithium battery, not unlike a camera battery, is supplied along with a case with a belt loop.

According to the Primus website, the PrimeTorch “has  a “tactical switch”, which means that it is perfect for signaling with and can also easily be switched on and off”.  I’m not really sure if I quite understand what this is. However, I think it’s just a marketing term for “power button.”

In the back of the PrimeTorch is where this “tactical switch” is placed much like any flashlight this size. It has a normal tailcap click switch which has what I call a “half-way” button”. It is  kind of like pushing the shutter button on a camera half way down so it can get a focus on the subject. Pressing the red button on the back halfway down turns it on but turns off the moment you let it go. It is handy when you just have to shine the light for a  brief second and not have to bother with constantly clicking the button on and off.

A great thing about this little flashlight is that it is waterproof.  That’s a plus in my book of flashlights. It’s perfect for having when you’re camping or fishing or any outdoor activity where the flashlight may get wet. Several times, I’ve found myself using a flashlight at night when it was raining so one never knows when they will need a waterproof flashlight.

As bright as this flashlight is, I would have like to have seen a second output for a lower Lumen like the Modus 2 from Icon. I like the option of having a low and high output for specific situations. You can check out my review on the Modus 2 to see a flashlight with  dual output .

As many times as I use a flashlight and how long I keep it running, not to mention the cost of the Lithium batteries, a supplied rechargeable battery would have been nice to have with this flashlight. I have seen some really nice Cree flashlights that come with rechargeable batteries and you can just plug the charger right to the side of the flashlight.  Now that’s convenience and easy on the wallet.

All in all, this is a compact and durable flashlight. It is waterproof and comes with a clip to attach to your belt, pocket or anywhere that it can clip on to. And thanks to the Cree Q4 diode technology this flashlight is super bright.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: ballastic, Flashlight, LED, Waterproof

Primus PrimeTorch Flashlight Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 30, 2011 at 3:00 pm.

The HexBright Flex is another innovative product looking for funding via KickStarter. It’s a 500 lumen LED flashlight that is USB rechargeable and USB programmable. The owner of the project asked me to share the background story on this product in hopes that he’d get funded in time. That’s actually already happened, but since the flashlight looks pretty darn cool, I thought you all might still want to hear about it, so here you go…

Hackable Light
by Christian Carlberg

When I told people at the Bay Area Maker Faire I was going to make an open source, programmable flashlight some people called me crazy. Now seven weeks later, my project HexBright FLEX is one of the top ten most funded Kickstarter projects to date, raising over $175,000 and over 2000 backers who think I am not crazy, including MythBuster legend Grant Imahara.

Backstory
For fun I built myself a simple, dumb flashlight with the help of my friend Terry Cooke. I made the body out of hex bar stock that had it a unique look and very comfortable grip. I choose a powerful CREE LED, the XM-L. Terry did the board layout. The result was a sexy, compact and powerful light. I called it the HexBright PRIME and started thinking about improvements. While making the PRIME we kept changing the program, kept re-flashing the board. It made perfect sense to make the upgrade USB compatible so we could talk to the microprocessor directly. And of course might as well make it a rechargeable flashlight if we had a USB plug to play with. I got excited- a powerful, rechargeable light I could program however I wanted. This was going to be a very flexible flashlight for all users, so I called it the HexBright FLEX.

I had this idea and no where to go. The PRIME was pretty simple and cheap to make, but the FLEX was quite a bit more involved. Then a buddy of mine told me about Kickstarter, a crowd sourced funding website. This made perfect sense- I could generate seed money to develop a really innovative light, the HexBright FLEX.

I made the Bay Area Maker Faire 2011 my target date to launch HexBright on Kickstarter. I enlisted the help of my friends to get a website together along with video and pictures. I literally filmed the day before Maker Faire and launched on Kickstarter the first day of the Faire.

I spent both days at Maker Faire handing out fliers. Most people were interested but more than a few people called me crazy. That was OK, I’ve been called crazy before. When I built combat robots for television people called me crazy for spending months building something that got destroyed in minutes. Then I won the BattleBots super-heavyweight championship. Twice. I have been invited to sit on the couch of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, then in NYC as a guest of Matt Lauer’s on The Today Show, and I consulted for an episode of “CSI: Crime Scene Invenstigation” that also included a cameo. One day I bought a Happy Meal with a toy replica of my combat robot in it. Now that was crazy!

While at Maker Faire I bumped in to two friends of mine who did not think I was nuts- super-techy Jeri Ellsworth and Grant Imahara. I knew Jeri from a past job we worked on and MythBuster Grant back in the robot combat days before he became impossible to reach by email. Grant was super cool and gave me a HexBright video review.

After Maker Faire I concentrated on the Kickstarter site. An interesting, unexpected thing happened- people started emailing me with really good advice. HexBright FLEX is crowd-funded and also crowd designed. People told me what was important to them, which USB plug was best, good thermal management tips, and ideas for aftermarket accessories.

Result: The HexBright FLEX is a powerful, USB rechargeable flashlight you can reflash your own source code to an Atmel ATmega IC. The ATmega was chosen for cross-platform capability. There are also unused pins that you can run additional hardware or sensors off of for the hardcore tehno-punk. Want to add a photocell sensor? Add a speaker? No problem.

You might be asking by now why would anyone want a completely programmable light? I don’t know. I want the public to figure that out. So far there is one guy wants to bolt his FLEX to his airplane’s tail and blink out his call numbers in Morse code. Another guy simply wants to dial it to the perfect reading light level so as not to disturb his sleeping wife in bed. There are a bunch of folks who want to keep it connected to a USB harness for their robotics platform.

And this is the other half of my plan- build a community of users who can swap source code and aftermarket design changes for some interesting and creative lights. I don’t know where this will eventually lead, but I know there are a lot of crazy people out there and I bet the results will be brilliant.

[pun intended]

More info
www.hexbright.com

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/527051507/hexbright-an-open-source-light

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight

HexBright Flex – The Hackable LED Flashlight originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 15, 2011 at 5:33 pm.

The Maglite XL100 is one of the most unique flashlights that I’ve seen in a very long time. It is an LED flashlight with 5 advanced modes that include Strobe, SOS, Signal, Dim and Night modes. So that’s cool right? That’s not the best part though. The most impressive feature is that all these modes can be controlled just by turning your wrist. Click the tailcap switch and then rotate your wrist to adjust the beam. Nifty! The XL100 is 4.8 inches long and powered by three AAA alkaline batteries. The list price is $49.99, but you can find it for around $31 on Amazon.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight

Maglite XL100 – A Flashlight that is controlled with wrist motion originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 10, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Are you in the market for a tactical LED flashlight that is powerfully bright but looks like it should be clipped to your suit jacket like a fine writing instrument instead of your belt? The Brite-Strike EPLI fits that criteria. This flashlight features a polished stainless steel body with a brass bezel. It has High, Low and Strobe modes. The highest setting is an extremely bright 160 lumens and the low setting is 10 lumens. The EPLI is powered by two AAA batteries that last up to 1.5 hours on high, six hours on low and three hours on strobe. This light is available now for $59.99 (normally $80) for Father’s Day.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight

Brite-Strike EPLI – 160 Lumens Flashlight for Executives originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2011 at 4:33 pm.

The Eton Aluminator series flashlights are bright ‘Cree Q2 LED’ style lights in a tough waterproof aluminum housing. Eton has also co-branded with the American Red Cross and donates part of each purchase.

The Eton Aluminator AFL200 is the 3-AAA entry in the line-up which also includes a 2-AA (AFL100, $20), 2-C (AFL300, $30), and 2-D  (AFL400, $40) versions, all with similar proportions and overall shape. The technical specifications for most of the line are…

• 120 lumens (The 2-AA version is only 100 lumens)
• Visible for up to 2.2 miles
• Illuminating distance up to 275 ft (83.8m)
• Cree™ Q2 LED 3W
• IPX-4  Splash-proof from all angles (which means it can take rain, for example, but not submersion)
• Impact-resistant aluminum
• Wrist strap

Eton AFL 200 with standard 2 D-cell flashlight for comparison

The AFL200 is 5.5″ long and weighs 1.92 ounces. It will fit in a pocket, but it is not really designed for pocket carry. It has a great heft and sneers at The Gadgeteer Creak Test. It is the sort of all black quasi-military styled flashlight you often see in dramatic TV cop shows flashing all over the place.

The actual light is a bright center with a large, dimmer ‘halo’.  The combination lights up details nicely, while the dimmer light does a decent job of illuminating a fairly large area.

Eton AFL 200 light spot at 6'

2D-cell standard flashlight at 6'

The main body is a machined piece of aluminum with a rubberized sleeve for better grip. The side-mounted on/off button is stiff and has a rubber cover but is easy to access and work even through gloves. There is no branding other than a small Red Cross logo. Rubber O-rings seal each end (but as per the specs, it should not be submersed).

The head comes off, but does not allow the beam to be adjusted. With the head off, the flat Cree Q2 LED ‘bulb’ is exposed. You can turn it on with the headpiece off and the incredibly bright LEDs will illuminate a large area nicely- just don’t look into the light. The other end comes off to access the removable 3-AAA battery pack that is clearly labeled for battery orientation. I do love those little touches!

AFL 200 disassembled

The housing is pretty tough! I threw mine across the shop onto the concrete floor and it barely smudged it. Tapping it with a 24oz hammer just makes it bounce. I even held it by the end of the lanyard and swung it pretty hard at my workbench a few times without any visible injury other than a slight coming apart at a seam and a slight loosening of the head- both quickly corrected.

AFL 200 vs. 24oz hammer

Eton has a long relationship with the American Red Cross and produces several items that could help in an emergency, a disaster, or just a fun camping trip. A portion of each purchase supports the organization. I work part-time for the Red Cross as an instructor and would like to repeat the basic preparedness message- “Get a kit, make a plan, be informed. (Just a quick note: It can be hard to find dark colored tools, like flashlights, in the dark or an emergency. Consider wrapping some brightly colored tape on them to make them easier to locate when you really need them really fast.)

There are probably flashlights out there that do some of the jobs better- some are tougher, have a better beam, are lighter, are better priced, etc. but the Eton Alluminator does a good job of combining most of the things we look for in one convenient package, and it looks nice to boot!

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: cree Q2, Flashlight, LED

Eton Aluminator AFL200 Flashlight Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm.

As a kid, I remember using those gas lanterns powered by propane or white gas.  Someone’s dad would pump up the lantern, light the fragile mantles, and a bright glow would descend upon the campground.

The Emergency Area Light  from Coast Products provides an adjustable brightness like the classic gas-powered ones, but goes a few steps further by adding a steady or blinking red light, a “fuel gauge” to let you know how much battery life you have left, and is completely solid-state. Four D-batteries power white and red LEDs.  No crusty mantles to break. no flammable liquids.

Specs:

• 125 lumen light output
• 100 hour runtime
• Uses (4) D batteries
• 8.25 inch height
• 9 high quality LED’s; 1 white, 8 red
• Push button on/off with VLT Variable Light Technology (dimming) — choose any light level
• Durable casing
• Built-in battery life indicator

The box has a flap that opens to reveal the lantern.

Illustration describes the "fuel gauge"

Watch out for the nylon tie wrap that holds the handle to the packaging!

Free at last

Top of the lantern

Battery door is secured by a door that screws shut.

Feeding time! This lantern eats 4 "D" sized batteries.

Under the knob you’ll see an LED “fuel gauge”.  It gives the appearance of having six individual LEDs, but upon closer inspection, there appears to be only three peeking out of six cutouts.

The knob is where all the action is.  You press the center down to toggle the light on and off.  Twisting the knob all the way to the left (counter-clockwise) gives you the brightest light.  Turning it to the right (clockwise) dims the light.

To test the light output, I placed the lantern in a guest bathroom, which is the only room in our place I can get totally dark.

Lantern at full brightness

Lantern at lowest white setting.

The knob has two settings for red: Flashing and steady.  The red is surprisingly bright.

It’s difficult to photograph, but it seems the lantern is powered by one single super-bright LED for the white light, and a circle of bright red LEDs for the red modes.

I have no way to verify if the LED is truly rated at 125 lumens (according to the website) or if it will run 100 hours.  I am assuming the 100 hour rating is derived from the lowest output setting, or even the blinking red mode.  The documentation doesn’t say.

We will be using this for Halloween trick or treating this year!  It definitely grabs your attention in a 360-degree circle!

Filed in categories: Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Battery-powered camping light, Flashlight

Coast Emergency Area Light Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 24, 2010 at 11:45 am.

Etón has launched their first line of flashlights with the American Red Cross brand. The weatherproof aluminum LED flashlights are available in four models, varying in size and lumens. They are constructed with an IPX-4 splash-proof material and produce from 100-120 lumens of light from Cree LEDs. They provide between 1.8 to 2.2 miles of visibility and 200 to 275 feet of illuminating distance. They are available now for $19.99 – $40.00 from Etón. A portion of each sale goes to the American Red Cross.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight, Spotlight Gadgets

Etón Announces American Red Cross Aluminator Flashlight Series originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2010 at 12:14 pm.

There’s a funny thing about flashlights around my house.  My house is the darkest house on earth, so I often need a flashlight to see well enough to do things.  If I can find one when I need it, its batteries are dead or it’s too big for me to both hold it and do the job I needed it for.  I was pleased when Julie recently sent me the Joby Gorillatorch Flare that Joby had given The Gadgeteer for review.  This little guy uses LEDs, so the batteries should last longer, and he has legs, so he can hold himself while I do the work!

You’ve probably seen products from Joby before.  They make a range of flexible little tripods that hold small point-and-shoot cameras, SLR cameras, small hand-held electronics like iPod touches, and they even have flashlights on tripods.  The appearance of the tripod legs remind me of Tinkertoys or those molecule building kits I used in science classes. 

The Joby Gorillatorch Flare is made of black ABS plastic (flashlight housing and legs).  There are grip rings made of TPE to make the flashlight easier to hold on to and to help it grip onto surfaces.  Each leg ends in a strong neodymnium magnet.  The feet and some of the grip rings are a bright red.  If you have a Flare and some of the original Gorillatorch flashlights, you’ll be able to distinguish the Flare by color alone.

The Joby Gorillatorch is about 7” tall.  The flashlight body is about 3” wide by about 2.5” deep.  The shape of the flashlight made it difficult for me to measure, so the dimensions may be a little off.  The flashlight head is about 2” in diameter, including the red grip ring.  Joby says the Gorillatorch Flare weighs 6.5 ounces with the batteries installed.  (Joby includes the 3 AA batteries in the USA, but regulations prevent them from including batteries in units sold internationally.)

Even the neck has two ball-and-socket joints for flexibility

Joby says the Gorillatorch Flare is drop-resistant and has been tested to sustain drops of up to 6 feet.  I’m only five feet tall, but I held the Gorillatorch as high above my head as I could reach (approximately 6’) and dropped it to my hardwood floor.  The flashlight was fine.  I did this a couple of times, and the flashlight looked fine (didn’t even see a scratch) and worked fine.  Joby also says it’s water-resistant, too.  I dumped a couple of hands-full of water over the flashlight head then pressed the on-button while the water was still running off the Joby.  It came on immediately without even a flicker, and it’s still working.

Each leg on the Gorillatorch Flare has nine ball-and-socket joints, so they are extremely flexible.  Each joint is bendable and can rotate 360 degrees, so you can bend the legs into most any shape necessary to have it stand steadily on relatively flat surfaces. 

If there are no flat surfaces nearby, you can wrap the legs around most anything to hold it in place. 

The magnetic feet allow you to attach the Joby Gorillatorch to the body of your car to help you see to change a flat in the dark or to use as an emergency beacon.

The original Joby Gorillatorch had only a single LED, but the Joby Gorillatorch Flare has four.  The center LED is an ultra-bright white CREE LED with a maximum brightness of 100 lumens.  There are three red LEDs (no brightness level given) placed in a triangular pattern around the center LED.  Joby says it uses “high quality reflector optics” with the LEDs.  The polycarbonate lens protects the LEDs, and there are bubbles over each LED that apparently helps focus the light.

There are six lighting settings for the Gorillatorch Flare.  You repeatedly push the power button to toggle through low, medium, and high levels for the white LED.  The fourth setting is a strobe using the white LED.  The fifth setting turns on the three red LEDs, and the sixth setting is a strobe using the red LEDs.  Either strobe setting could be used as a flare to indicate your position in case you are lost or have broken down along the highway.  There are no brightness levels given for the any of the settings, although I would assume the 100 lumens designation is for the maximum white setting.  I found a secret about the power button.  If you press and hold it until the light goes off, the light will come on at the previous brightness setting when you turn it back on.  So if you prefer to always use the Gorillatorch at a particular setting, this is a shortcut to always get to that setting.  Of course, once it’s on, you can switch through the settings normally.  And you can return to normal mode simply by turning off the flashlight with a quick press instead of a press-and-hold.

Joby says you can expect up to 80 hours of battery life with the white LED and up to 240 hours with the red LED strobe.  Specifically you get:

Lowest setting for white LED - indoors

Medium level for white LED - indoors

Highest setting for white LED - indoors

Red LEDs - indoors

I took a series of pictures indoors with the Joby Gorillatorch Flare shining against the white paper background I use for my photos so you could get an idea of the relative intensities of the four non-strobe light modes.  To do this, I put the flashlight at the highest white setting and took a photo in automatic mode using no camera flash.  I then used those camera settings to set up the camera to operate manually and took a picture of all four modes – I repeated the maximum white mode using the camera in manual mode to make everything equal.  All of the above pictures can be clicked to see an enlarged version.

Lowest setting for white LED - outdoors

Medium setting for white LED - outdoors

Highest setting for white LED - outdoors

Red LEDs - outdoors

The next series of pictures were taken outdoors to illustrate the “lighting ability” of the four non-strobe settings.  (Click any of the above for enlargement.)  Again, I used the maximum lighting level to establish the settings for the camera’s manual mode and took pictures of all four light levels with the camera in manual mode.  The Gorillatorch Flare was about six feet away from my car, and it was shining into the car interior.

The Joby Gorillatorch Flare is a great little flashlight.  It’s small enough to fit in your car’s glove compartment or a toolbox or kitchen drawer.  The flexible legs allow you to stand it or hang it, and the magnetic feet allow you to stick it to your car or other metal structure.  You can adjust the brightness to the level you need, and you can use it as an emergency flare if needed.  The LEDs don’t drain the battery as quickly as standard flashlight bulbs, so the batteries last longer.  And the batteries are standard AA batteries that you can pick up anywhere.  This little guy will make a great addition to your toolbox or emergency supplies. 

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Emergency flare, Flashlight

Joby Gorillatorch Flare Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2010 at 10:30 am.

I have a weakness for small flashlights. When a company offers one for review, I’ll almost always say yes. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to agree to review two new LED flashlights from ICON when they asked if I would be interested. We have reviewed their products before and have appreciated both their unique style and usefulness. The ICON Link and Solo are affordable flashlights that definitely look interesting. Let’s see if they are a worthy purchase.

The eye catching Orange flashlight in the image above is the Link, while the one at the bottom is the modern looking Solo. Both lights are powered by easy to find alkaline batteries. The Solo runs on 2 AAA’s and the Link runs on 1 AA. Batteries are provided with each light. Let’s start with the Solo..

ICON Solo

Specs

lens: Micro-textured reflector
light output: 16/2 lumens
runtime: 3/75 hours
length: 5.5 inches
weight: 2.2 ounces
battery: two AAA alkalines

The Solo has a pen shaped aluminum body that has a very nice heavy solid feel to it. The sturdy pocket clip and faceted lower barrel keep this flashlight from rolling off flat surfaces.

It has a glass lens with a textured reflector. The LED is power-regulated and has two output levels – 16 and 2 Lumens.

The tail cap is a click switch that is easy to toggle with your thumb. Pressing the tail cap will toggle between the low (2 Lumens) and high (16 Lumens) output levels. The way it works is that you press it once to turn it on. It will be at either low or high beam depending on the last time you turned it on. Pressing it again, will turn it off. Pressing once more will turn it on to the the next output level and so on.

This flashlight is comfortable to hold. It has very fine ridges around the barrel that make it easy to grip. It has no sharp edges or other problems with the build quality.

I guess the only ‘problem’ with the Solo in my opinion is that the beam isn’t very powerful. I wouldn’t use this flashlight to guide my path in the woods at night. It’s better suited for closer tasks such as helping you see behind a computer, or TV. Or to find something under a desk or bed. For that reason, it’s not a perfect all around flashlight.

ICON Link

Specs

lens: TIR (Solid Total Internal Reflection)
light output: 50/6 lumens
runtime: 3/70 hours
length: 4 inches
weight: 3.1 ounces
waterproof: up to 1 meter
battery: one AA alkaline

The Link, so called because of its integrated carabiner clip, is constructed of high-strength aluminum anodized in bright Orange.

It has a glass lens and an LED with 50 and 6 lumens output levels.

The opposite end has rubber clicky tail cap on/off switch.

The Link is a little more awkward to hold than the Solo given the location of the built in clip. I also found that the decorative grooves that are cut into the tail and head area have sharp edges. I’ve not cut myself on them, but they feel sharp enough that they might be able to do it.

The Link has a significantly brighter beam than the Solo. I would have no issues using it to find my way outside in the dark or up and down the stairs of my house during a power outage. Unlike the Solo, I find that the Link does make a great little all purpose flashlight. I find myself grabbing it more often than the Solo.

Both the ICON Solo and Link are well made inexpensive flashlights that will shed some light on your task, while looking pretty spiffy at the same time.

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Flashlight, LED

ICON Solo and Link Flashlights Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 26, 2010 at 3:04 pm.

ICON offers some uniquely designed flashlights that are both eye catching and useful. We’ve reviewed the ICON Rogue and the ICON Modus torches in the last year and I’m happy to see that they’ve added two new flashlights to their lineup. The Link and the Solo. The Link (love the Orange aluminum case) has a built in carbiner clip and features a state-of-the-art Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens with two useful levels for precision lighting. It is priced at $27.99. The Solo is a mini dual-output LED flashlight featuring a micro-textured reflector and a snazzy silver case. It is priced at $24.99.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight, Spotlight Gadgets

New LED Flashlights from ICON originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 14, 2010 at 8:30 am.

‘Round these parts, with summer comes camping, and with camping comes gadgets.  And one gadget no camper should be with out is the flashlight…or is it the lantern?  With the UCO MightyMight Compact Lantern and Torch by Industrial Revolution, you get both in one device.  With an LED bulb and aluminum body, it’s durable, long-lasting and water resistant.  The flashlight provides a focused beam and with a simple pull it converts to a lantern for wider-area illumination.  Available in 2.5 oz Mini and 3.8 oz XL, both in multiple colors.  Carabiner and carry strap included.  Industrial Revolution doesn’t appear to sell direct, but the MightyMight can be found on Amazon, REI and quite a few other retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar, in prices from about $12 to $25.

Filed in categories: News, Outdoor Gear

Tagged: Camping, Flashlight

Flashlight or lantern? Bring both in one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 28, 2010 at 1:58 pm.

The Official LEGO LED Flashlight from Brando would make a fun (and useful) addition to any LEGO fan’s collection. Just wind his arm to charge the internal battery. LEDs are located in the figure’s feet. The only thing I see missing is a hat or hair This product is available from Brando for $32.90. Brando is offering giant LEGO brick lights too.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Flashlight, LED, LEGO, Spotlight Gadgets

Crank It Up with the Giant LEGO Figure LED Flashlight originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 14, 2010 at 7:37 am.

Your days of  needing to use a flashlight only to find out the batteries are dead will be over if you buy the Solar Rechargeable Flashlight from EFO. It has 7 super bright LEDs that will shine for 8hrs on a 6hr charge. Just place it in an area that receives direct sunlight and it will always be ready for use. You can buy one for $17 directly from EFO.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight, Solar, Spotlight Gadgets

Dead Flashlights May be a Thing of the Past originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 11, 2010 at 4:00 pm.

When I was growing up there were many gadgets around the house that I had a thing for. Things from mechanical pencils to electric lighters to flashlights. So when I got a chance to review the Icon Modus 2 flashlight from Icon I jumped on the chance to do it. After playing around with it for a week I came to the conclusion that this is the type of flashlight I could have used when I was young. Ahhh, to be young again…..

But you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this flashlight. However, it’s quite the contrary. Adults will find this flashlight bright and user friendly. I know I did.

With its brilliant dual-output white LED light and easy tailcap button for easy switching between outputs levels this flashlight has a nice body design that will catch anyone’s attention.

The Modus 2 body is made from polymer material that according to their website boasts an ergonomic open architecture design that allows for heat to dissipate. The entire body is encased in a flexible ribcage grip casing that made it very comfortable to hold the Modus 2 as well as enjoyable. The nice thing about it is that it is sealed with O-rings which makes it weatherproof.

However, this sometimes means that it may not be waterproof. There is a difference. One means it can be submerged in water and the other means that it can get wet in the rain or get some nice dirt and mud on it.

This flashlight reminded me of something from a Star Trek episode. Kind of a cool spacey looking thing.  I read somewhere that it was nicknamed a potato peeler because of its overall body structure.

What I liked most about this flashlight is its Total Internal  (TIR) lens. It holds an LED light that regulates output and run times and claims to never be replaced. The TIR lens has a nice pure white beam which I like in comparisons to some LED flashlights that have a bluish tint. The white light reminds me of the clean white lights your see in  a doctors office or even…..*gasp* the dentists office.

Although I like small portable and powerful flashlights as compared to the big heavy duty Maglites I did find the Modus 2 to be quite portable as well. It is around 6 inches long and weighs 4.7 ounces. I could still throw it into my backpack or sling bag and not have it take up any space.

The Modus 2 has a decent centered spot beam. The beam is smooth, not too hot in the middle and has a nice  light spread with no over spill. Very Precise lighting.

The Modus 2 was designed by engineer designer Paul Kim. His goal was to combine style, design and functionality all in one. I would say he succeeded.  However, with new technology nowadays and today’s advances it would have been nice to have this flashlight have its own rechargeable battery even if it were a proprietary battery.  I can’t tell you how many AA and AAA batteries I have used over time.  The Modus 2 comes included 2 AA Alkaline batteries.

The Modus 2 has a runtime of 3 hours on its high output mode and 72 hours on its low output mode. It puts out 100 lumens on high and 10 lumens on low. So you can see that the output makes a difference in battery drain. On that note, I read the Modus 2 on high will gradually dim after 10 minutes. I think it is an energy saving feature. However, I think it is very subtle to notice. But feel free to spend some time and watch to see if you can see the gradual change in the light dimming. Let me know what you find out. I have never really found myself using a flashlight for long periods of time. I always tend to turn off what I don’t use.

As sleek as this flashlight is I would have thought the makers would have incorporated some kind of a wrist strap, a clip, or at least a an eyelet, to thread some kind of lanyard to keep the Modus 2 secure to your person.

The Icon Rogue series are the aluminum class flashlights that Icon offers as opposed to the Modus’ which are made of the polymer body style.

All in all, the Icon Modus 2 is a stylish flashlight that will capture the attention of anyone even without shinning the bright white light directly at them.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Flashlight, LED

Icon Modus 2 Dual-Output LED Flashlight Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 6, 2010 at 12:21 pm.

Camping and outdoors season is almost here in the Midwest, so it is time to start thinking about your outdoors gadgets.  Since it is impractical to bring the campfire into your tent or trailer, the outdoors person needs some form of artificial light source.  Let me ‘turn you on to the latest, the AltusLumen Lightgear Gre Flashlight. Not only does this unit feature a bright, long lasting light, but it has plenty of other “stuff” to keep a gadgeteer busy.

Since I don’t have a tent set up yet, I turned the light on in a dark area of my office to see how well it illuminates. As you can see, the small unit gives off pretty good light; certainly enough to help you navigate a campsite or read in the tent.

The AltusLumen folks have designed the light to be useful in various ways.  The light can be hung up or stood up in various ways. It can also be carried in its carrying case with the light portion exposed.  Possible uses would be camping, hiking, bike riding, climbing or even  grilling some burgers at night.

The light unit comes in a sturdy camera-type case that has three separate areas.  The light can be stored inside the case completely, or in an outer pocket where the light is exposed.  A belt loop would allow use of the light hands free while riding or hiking.  I was able to get both the light unit and my Canon SD 780 camera in the case at the same time, so you could conceivably omit one case.  The light “cover” is also a carrying case that has a small compartment that can store small items, such as fishing hooks, needle and thread, etc.  An emergency whistle snaps into the cover. Also included is what the company calls a 10 in One Survival Tool, which includes bottle opener (can’t survive a camping trip without one!), knife, can opener, screwdriver, saw and a number of wrenches. The cover is on a swivel, so while the light is in use the cover can swivel into various positions to support the light or completely around to the back of the light to snap out of the way.

For those who like specs:  the light but sturdy unit measures 13×6.5×2.1 cm.  It has a tested lumen value of 28.  Battery (4xAAA) is listed as over 6 hours.  I’ve had mine on for over four hours with no noticeable decrease in intensity.

Overall, this is an excellent unit which seems very well built.  I think it would be an excellent addition to any tackle box, glove compartment or to keep with your camping supplies! The light comes in at about $30, which I think it is well worth.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews, Travel Gear

Tagged: Flashlight

AltusLumen Lightgear-Gre LED Light Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 31, 2010 at 12:39 pm.

This is a cool idea- a solar panel charging ‘handle’ with interchangeable heads. The ‘mini kit’ includes a flashlight, book light, fan, radio/speaker, and a USB charger head. Let’s take a closer look…

The P23000 Mini-Solar Set, Summer Series is not packaged with anything that helps identify the maker. The manual is listed at Sunsei’s site, and their logo and website appears on a .PDF of the instructions that are otherwise identical to those in the package, but the actual item is not listed there, although it is available at Amazon and other sites.

This is an interesting little package of gadgets!

Everything that comes in the box

Main Handle Unit

Main handle, showing the solar panel

The handle is a lightweight but sturdy black plastic ‘box’ with heavy ridges and a slightly rubbery feeling. One front side is a solar cell, the ‘head’ is a slide-on coupling. One side has a sliding on/off switch, the back has a fold-out wire stand (that pops off easily), and the ‘tail’ has a lanyard loop, charging port, and a charge indicating LED.  One bit of clever design is that when the unit is on, the attachments cannot be slid on or off.

It offers 5VDC at 40 milli-amps, which is between three and four AA or AAA batteries, but it is much lighter than that (I suspect that it runs on watch-type batteries.) It claims that it will power the flashlight unit for up to 10 hours.

It comes with a USB cable to charge the handle from any powered USB port in addition to charging from the sun. It takes 4-6 hours from USB or 10-15 hours from the sun.

Flashlight Head

A rather simple 3 LED head makes a very round, moderately focused beam that is very workmanlike, but not very noteworthy.  Its main strength is that it is rather light for its strength. The biggest weakness is that it makes the unit thicker- I really wish the LEDs were arranged in a line rather than a circle.

Book Light Head

The handle and this head makes a rather bulky unit, but the three flat LEDs make a nice reading light. It is almost bright enough to act as a ‘lantern’ in a tent- not bright enough to read by, but brighter than a night light.

Fan

The motor in this head makes it the heaviest single part of this kit. Two thin plastic blades make a nice breeze, and ‘click’ back to lie flat against the head for transport. This sucks the most juice and makes the best use of the wire stand. It also hangs well so would be great to hang in a tent on a hot night.

FM Radio/Speaker

This may be the weakest part of the system. The internal antenna seems week- it is tough to pick up even some of the strong local stations in my city- a task made tougher by the fact that the only tuning controls are a scan and reset button. It also has a volume control and jacks for any input and headphones (both are standard mini- or 3.5mm jacks.)

Speaker quality is frankly mediocre to poor- music on my Blackberry is louder and clearer with its own speaker than through this. On the other hand, this unit does not add a lot of weight and may be helpful in an emergency- although a weather band would be useful.

USB Charger

This handy accessory lets you charge a PDA, cell phone, or MP3 with a proper USB cable- not included. At 40 milliamps, it can take a while- my Blackberry wall charger puts out 5vdc at 700 milliamps. I would not count on it to do a full charge, but it would sure help in a pinch!

Other

The set also includes a rather cheap satin-like pouch, a page of simple but helpful instructions, and the earlier mentioned charging USB charging cable.

Overall, this is a nice set of tools. I could wish that there were a few tweaks (weather band on the radio, some sort of lantern mode, a flatter flashlight, and better packaging (the included pouch just makes a lumpy package.) I think the handle is empty enough to have some of these elements built in- the USB port, LEDs, and charger cable seem like they could fit in there.

There is also a certain sense of cheapness overall. It is most noticeable in the radio, but is visible in every part.

This will become a part of my ‘car gear kit’- the charger will be the most helpful item, but I’ll keep the other parts with it for those odd situations that always crop up, and I am sure it will come in handy occasionally on a camp out.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: booklight, fan, Flashlight, Radio, Solar, USB charger

Mini Solar Set Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 28, 2010 at 1:36 pm.

Beam N Read Hands-free Lights from ASF Lightware Solutions are portable LED lamps worn on the chest. The theory is that this illuminates your working area better than headlamps or other options.

The people who make them are pretty enthusiastic about them, and deservedly so!

The company’s focus seems to be on products for people with vision problems, but they also are applying ‘Universal Design’, a design philosophy in which you make stuff that can be used by people with the widest range of needs (or lack thereof) as possible. (My ‘day job’ is helping make adaptive devices for people with disabilities, so I really appreciate this concept!)

Now- the Beam N Read is not really a typical ‘book light’. Book lights tend to be clip-on, lightweight units that (let’s be honest here) cast a rather feeble pool of light on the book. The Beam N Read is a pretty powerful unit.

The Beam N Read lights come in a variety of versions. If I may oversimplify the choices, you can select a 3 or 6 LED base unit, a variety of snap-on filters, and a slip-on ‘holder’ that fits either size base unit and can hold Fresnel-style magnifying lenses. I was sent a basic 3 LED with night filter (BNR LED 3), a 6 LED with filters and a lens (BNR LED 6), and a 3 LED unit with several lenses (BNR LED 103M).

The 3 and 6 LED units, lens holder, lenses, and filters

The units are well-built- there is a little noise during the Famous Gadgeteer Creak Test, but it is mostly around the battery compartment. Most of the unit is crafted from solid ABS plastic, molded in back. They come with a thin ribbon strap with a simple slide so you can wear them around your neck. The ribbon is long enough that they fit even my oversized noggin.

The head of the unit pivots up, which also turns it on (although the 6 LED unit also has a by-pass switch so you can use it as a more normal flashlight, etc.) They pivot in such a way as to shine nicely in the area you would normally hold a book or do other work in. The pivot clicks at several angles so you should find an angle to fit most needs.

The filters in my units were red (for the 3 LED) and orange (6 LED). They are tinted lightly enough that they do not turn everything red or orange but rather soften the bright bluish LED to a softer light.

The 4″x 5″ Fresnel lenses come in 2X, 4X, and 6X. They mount in a little slip-on holder that can hold them vertically or horizontally. The instructions remind you to not use more power than you need to prevent eye strain. It can be a bit tricky to get everything in focus and keep it there, but using the smallest effective magnification helps with this.

6X lens in use

As with any LED light, some of the big selling points are longer battery life and longer bulb life. They use 4 AA batteries and claim a full 120 hours for the 3 LED units. Just in case you did not know- while both AA and AAA (and even C and D) batteries put out the same 1.5 volts, the bigger the battery, the longer the battery life. Since this is worn on the neck, the weight of the AAs is not a big deal, and the longer life means lower operating costs.

As for the LEDs, they should last pretty much the life of the lights- not bad for lights that cost $19.95 to $29.95!

The shape and design of these lights creates a ‘bubble’ in front of you, perfect for reading, craft work, keyboarding, and more. I find that the ‘bubble’ with the 3 LED unit is perfect for hardcover books, and OK for navigating a dark room, but it is not going to illuminate too far forward. The 6 LED unit creates both a bigger ‘bubble’ and casts the light farther. This increased range is why it has a ‘bypass’ switch so you can use it with the head angled in more ways.

3 LED unit. Targets are about 8" and 15" away

3 LED with red filter

6 LED unit (Note- the targets are the actual packaging)

6 LED unit with orange filter

Their site lists several accessories, such as spare bulbs, AC cords, etc. It also features several other low-vision items.

Is there a downside? I think there is a small one, one that does not affect functionality at all. The downside I see is that the unit looks a little dorky. I’m sorry, but it does. Not only does it look dorky, most of the advertising looks dorky.

Part of the dorkiness is the large print they use to help one of their key market segments, but also applies to other aspects as well. They list 27 uses on one of the packages and include things like “25. Parenting”, “20. at Hotels”, “14. Making Jewelery”. All valid, but I have a hard time imagining that someone will pick up the package and say “Hey! I can use this for Night Walking! I never would have thought of that!”

Please understand that I consider myself the King of the Dorks, and I appreciate that the makers of this are really enthusiastic about these products, so while I enjoy teasing about the dorkiness, I really don’t consider it a big deal.

These are great, well-designed, well-built, and well-priced lights that will be very helpful for a variety of people- with or without vision difficulties.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, Outdoor Gear

Tagged: Flashlight, lamps, LED

Beam N Read Hands-free Lights Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 18, 2010 at 5:15 pm.

If you’re looking to get away from the bright city lights, there are few places on earth darker than a moonless night out on the Western frontier of Afghanistan. A good light source is indispensable in this environment. In fact, several lights are part of most Soldiers’ kits. One light that has found a permanent home in my kit is the Zebra H501 Headlamp from ZebraLight Inc. I purchased the light soon after they became available last year. The $59 H501 has a number of features that distinguish it from the sizable pool of choices in the LED light market. The right angle mounting of the XR-E Q5 LED is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic. A more subtle, yet infinitely more significant feature is its use of a single standard, and readily available AA battery. I have yet to visit a part of the world where I couldn’t get a AA battery (though I’ve paid a bit too much for them at times).

I should state early on that the H501 is not a tactical flashlight. It dispenses its light in an 80° flood pattern making it ideal for a variety of task lighting needs. Around the FOB (Forward Operating Base), it’s hard to beat the compact pocketability of this light, and you don’t feel a need to be stingy with its use, since you know you’ll be able to get batteries to feed it. The light pattern is smooth and even across the entire 80° arc with an almost non-existent halo.

The technical specs on the H501 are impressive for such a diminutive light. The light is very white having a color temp of about 6,000k. I understand that there is now a warmer version of the light available that has a 4,000k color temperature at the expense of a few lumens of output. The H501 that I own has three intensity settings: 96, 15 and 2.7 Lumens. I get about 2 hours of run time with a standard Energizer battery at the highest setting, and I have yet to actually drain a battery using only the low setting (it would take at least a couple days of continuous use).

Construction is solid. The body housing is of a good quality aluminum. O-rings keep all the fittings water tight. The unit is water proof to 5 meters, but I haven’t tested that claim. I have had no moisture issues from rain, and the occasional dunk in a mud puddle. The emitter is seated in a recess that protects it from the occasional airborne trip to the ground, and the finish is durable enough to show no significant wear after a year of being carried in a (usually sandy) pocket.

Operation is simple and intuitive. You can get to every setting fairly quickly. To start at the lowest setting, press and hold the button until the light comes on. Continue holding while the light cycles up through the settings from low to high. To start at the high setting, press once and release. Press again as necessary to cycle down through the other intensity settings. To engage the strobe feature, double press the button while the light is on high.

The unit ships out with a variety of accessories. It’s billed primarily as a headlamp, so naturally, it comes with a comfortable elastic band, and rubber holders to fit it to the flashlight. One enormously useful accessory is the glow-in-the-dark holder (it comes with a boring black one, too). Considering the number of times I have had to find it in a pitch black tent, I’d be hard pressed to live without this great feature. Also in the box are a couple spare O-rings, and a slip-on clip. This clip is just the right size to fit into a “MOLLE” loop system which is standard for most current Army equipment. I use it quite a bit on the front of my IBA (Individual Body Armor).

There are only a few things I would change on the H501. The button should be recessed enough so that pressing the light against a flat surface won’t activate it. I find that it’s necessary to twist open the battery cap slightly to ensure the light doesn’t come on in my pocket. The clip works great for MOLLE loops, but isn’t long enough to fit on a standard issue uniform belt. Finally, there are no filter options for the H501. I would find it useful if there was a blue/green filter that could be snapped over the front of the emitter. You can, however, get a dedicated red emitter version of the light.

The H501 is an all together great light. It’s a joy to handle, with performance that never fails to amaze. It’s economical to use, and convenient to carry.

Short bio – I am a 25 year veteran with multiple deployments to location around the planet. I started my career as an infantryman, and I am currently a CH-47 Chinook pilot. I’m always looking for useful high quality gadgets. My line of work and the environment I live in does not forgive sub-standard equipment.

Filed in categories: Gear, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Flashlight, LED

ZebraLight H501 Headlamp Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm.

The Flashlight Hidden Camcorder with Nightvision from Brickhouse Security allows you to capture snapshots and video (with audio) up to 8 feet away. It can capture images at 1600 x 1200 resolution and video at 640 x 480 @ 30 FPS. Save content on the included 2 GB Micro SD card that can hold over 20 hours of recorded video. The flashlight has 8 LEDs and is powered by a 5 Hour rechargeable Li-ion battery. It’s available now for $149.95

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, News

Tagged: Camcorder, Flashlight, Spotlight Gadgets

Get Sneaky With a Flashlight Hidden Camcorder with Nightvision originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 3, 2010 at 4:29 pm.

Single-purpose items are so 2009!  Why invest in a flashlight that merely illuminates your surroundings when you can have one wielding enough power to light matches or prepare breakfast?!  Enter the Torch Ultra-Bright Flashlight!  Billed as the most powerful consumer flashlight, the Torch Ultra-Bright Flashlight packs enough power (4100 lumens) to roast marshmallows, burn plastic, and…illuminate your surroundings!  For a mere $299 – you can be the life of the campsite!

Disclaimer: The Gadgeteer does not condone any misuse of severely powerful flashlights…please use with discretion.

[Courtesy of ThinkGeek]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight, Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Light up your life! (And cook some eggs while you’re at it) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 30, 2010 at 11:11 am.

These little 1.5 inch long PICO lite LED flashlights can project a 10 lumen beam up to 30 feet. They have a small clip that you can use to hang them from a jacket zipper pull so that you’ll always have a flashlight when you need one. You can get one for $9.95 at eGear.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Flashlight, LED, Spotlight Gadgets

Tiny Zipper Pull LED Flashlight originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 23, 2010 at 11:46 pm.