Last year I reviewed the Coast LED Lenser Auto LED (TT7575), a nifty little LED flashlight specifically designed to fit in your car’s 12V power port (cigarette lighter socket). Like anything that is new and useful, imitations start to appear. Today I want to show you the Spotlight LED flashlight from Weiguo Solutions. Let’s see if this little flashlight is either a lame copy of the original, or a much better version.
The first thing going for the Spotlight is the fact that it is available in 10 different colors, that include Red, Blue, Silver, Orange, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Black, Green and Titanium. For this review, I was sent a Blue, Purple and Orange Spotlight.
Hardware Specifications
Light type: LED
Bulb: .5 watt/28 Lumens
Lens: Glass (“Moon” lens)
Reflector: Crystal Reflector Tube System
Beam type: Circular
Case type: Anodized aluminum
Powered by: Rechargeable 3.6-volt 80 milliamp-hour (mAh) Ni-MH battery
Water resistant?: Yes
Size: 2in length and 0.85 diameter (51 x 21.5mm)
Weight: 1.6oz
The barrel of this tiny flashlight has a gnarled grip that allows you to keep a firm grasp on it. The top twists clockwise to turn on the light, and counter clockwise to turn it off and put it in charging mode.
The end opposite the bulb is the charging contact for a 12V power port in your car, boat, etc. Seven hours of charge will allow you to burn the light for about 120 minutes. The Spotlight isn’t designed to enable you to replace the batteries, but it should last for a couple of years without that need.
I tested the Spotlight in my 2006 Mazda 3 and my 1991 older-than-dirt GMC Sonoma pickup truck. It worked perfectly in the Mazda and not at all in the GMC. The cigarette lighter socket in the GMC is just too large for the flashlight to keep contact for charging.
In the image above, you see the Spotlight plugged into the power port in my Mazda. As soon as you start the car, a secondary LED starts glowing Red to let you know that the flashlight’s batteries are charging. The light is designed so that you can leave it plugged into the power port all the time, so that the battery will be charged and ready to go anytime you need to use the flashlight. And the cool thing is that this Red LED matches the Mazda’s other Red LEDs. :o)
When you need to use the light, you just remove it from the socket, twist the top clockwise and enjoy. What could be more simple? The beam on this little light is quite impressive. It’s brighter than the Coast LED Lenser Auto LED for sure. Perfect for aiding you in changing a tire, reading a map, finding your keys or whatever.
The Spotlight won’t replace a full-sized flashlight, but it is a perfect little tool to have in your car for those times when you need a quick beam of light. At $15, it won’t break the bank and makes a great gift for all the drivers in your family. My verdict is that the Spotlight is a worthy replacement for the Coast LED Lenser Auto LED. It’s brighter, easier to use due to the gnarled grip and comes in 10 different colors.
Product Information
| Price: | 14.95 |
| Manufacturer: | Weiguo Solutions |
| Retailer: | JTSpotlight.com |
| Requirements: |
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Based on the review, I ordered the spotlight from JTSpotlight.com Through no one’s fault but my own, I missed the spot in the specs that reads “Spotlight will not fit properly in the larger accessory style power outlets. Do not modify your spotlight in any way. If it does not fit your vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet please see the accessory section for an adapter. ” So when it sort of rattled about in the non-cigarette-lighter outlet, I went back to the site, found out that it only fits cigarette lighters, and tried to order the adapter socket. It was listed as not being in stock, so I emailed to ask when they expected it in. I was informed that the socket isn’t exactly out of stock, but it’s “still in initial production” and they have no availability date.
People wanting to buy this should know that, not only does it apparently only fit cigarette lighters, the adapter for non-cigarette-lighter 12v sockets isn’t even available yet. That said, JTSpotlight processed my refund promptly, less shipping – a small fee for my own failure to read the fine print.
[Edited at May 16, 2008 09:16:43 AM.]
to remedy the fit issue weiguo solutions has come out witht he super socket, which is a dual socket that insures fit into all car sockets and has an extra socket for your other personal electronics. See http://www.12Vspotlight.com for more details.
i have two of these. i use them when walking my dogs at dawn instead of a headlamp. dropped one last week and it still worked. wanted to use it this morning but… it had a weak light. tried to recharge it and now it won’t charge. turned it to both positions “on” and “charge” and no red light. tried to find some repair info on the site but it’s all about sales. know it won’t break the bank at that price point, but it shouldn’t be ‘useless’, already. just bought it in may. the other one works just fine, but won’t be inclined to recommend ( would’ve before now ) if there’s no way to fix it. trying to go green, you know…matt swisher got any guidance?
thanks,
kate
Kate please email me at mswisher(at)12Vspotlight(dot)com
the brand-new spotlightTM web site @
http://www.12Vspotlight.com
is now well and truly underway – showcasing new colors, new accessories, kits and gear!
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despite a rather rude intro (spotlightTM and the LED lenzer were released in parallel at about the same time without the other party’s knowledge), this ends up being a good review – thank you for your time! 🙂
UPDATES:
– 12 colors (new: gunmetal grey & jungle green)
– RRP $19.95
– full charge run time – 180+ minutes
– every spotlightTM now includes the fit-clip adaptor
Thanks Gadgeteer! 🙂
How can I find out about replacing my spotlight or getting parts to fix mine. IT was a gift. I can’t find a telephone number or an address to get in touch.. please get back to me at 413 786 7693 or ka*****@co*****.net. Thank you.
Donald Donabed