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.
Updates 10/24/16
Six years later and I am still using this flashlight. I have it in the bathroom for those times when I need to look in the back of my throat. It might even have the original batteries in it that are STILL working. Granted I don’t use it every day, but the battery life is definitely impressive.
Product Information
| Price: | Link $27.99, Solo $24.99 |
| Manufacturer: | ICON |
| Pros: |
|
| Cons: |
|
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
Would either of these make good glove box flashlights? I don’t think either mine or my Wife’s car has a decent light for emergencies and these look small & powerful enough to handle the job.
@The Slapster Yes, the Link for sure would work fine as a glove box flashlight.
Both of these lights have anemic output. If you want really powerful compact flashlights at good prices. Check out http://www.fenixgear.com. They are a little more expensive, but the light output is amazing compared to everything else I have used.
Been using Icon Links for decades. I carry them (I have 3 all told) on my belt loops and this feature doubles down on the versatility of this light. I’ve probably got 30+ flashlights from this output to over 5000lm and have been a freak for them since before Surefire were ONLY name in high end lights. Before LED’s when 800lm was an eyebrow raiser. If you’d have asked me, I would not have known the lumen rating of the Link, I would have guessed, based on experience with other lights that the low output was 50 lumens and the high around 200-300 lumens. The effective range outdoors on the high setting is a good 50yds and being on a belt loop, it’s twice as accessible as any pocket light. Its durability is unsurpassed as I have worn the very good paint off my black ones. Everyone would love to have more lumens but when I simply need a short range light around rooms or immediately around buildings, the Icon is all I really need. I am still shaking my head in disbelief that the high output setting is only ‘officially’ 50lm. It’s far more effective than the number suggests.
Is the carabiner clip spring action, or??? Also are they waterproof? I really liking the Link; you can clip it to your backpack or whatever and always have a light ready 🙂
@Bob the clip does have a sort of springy action. It doesn’t have an actual spring, but when you press and hold it open and then you let go, it goes back to closed. The Link is sealed with O-rings. It is waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes.
I know that no one cares at this late date but that spring clip is the same as any carabiner has, and I have been using my Links likely (?) over 20 years and none of the 3 I have ever failed.
@Julie
I lived on a sailboat for over 20 years and had to row every day to get to it and shore. So I went through a lot of flashlights; a lot of them were junk. I now live in the desert but still demand a good functional portable light. I’ve been using a AA Maglite with an LED insert; I’ve been using Maglites since my “rowing days” and have found that they last until you lose them 🙂
That’s why I was interested in the carabiner clip and it being waterproof.
Thanks for your reply!
@Bob Wow, I can’t imagine living on a boat for 20yrs. Sounds very romantic… except when the hurricanes come!
Solo is more like a task light. It’s great for an office light to find lost items or get behind a server to take a peek. I’ve been a flashaholic for quite some time and believe me, there is a time when too much light is not helping you see.
@Donald Wright “Flashaholic” I like it!
@Julie
No hurricanes in Southern California 🙂
Hopefully Icon (Hello, PK!) will upgrade their Icon Solo penlight this year..
It is simply too cool of a light to put out such pitiful numbers. A bump to 40+ lumens using either a Cree XR-E, XP-E, or XR-G would be most welcome..
I was just over at Radio Shack, and they had the updated ICON Solo on the shelf. It now makes 30 Lumens on High, and 5 lumens on low.
I just had to purchase one.. 🙂
Does anyone know how to open up the working end of the ICON Solo? I want to try to replace the LED unit with a much brighter unit out of a broken light.
Would love to know if this worked out.
They probably used an adhesive (like Loctite) on the head of the light.
Use a couple of strap wrenches to help you remove it. Once you have it removed, you should be able to access the back of the head..
How do i open my icon link flashlight to replave the bat. It seems to be stock
Thank you
@Dido the bulb end unscrews. I just tried mine and didn’t have any problems removing it. Maybe try one of those rubber gripper thingies that you might have in your kitchen to help you remove lids from glass jars.
Dang a lot of old post are popping up around your 15th Birthday- this one is from two years ago!
I guess Gadgeteers are going back through the archives to reminisce 🙂
Great review! Any idea where I could get more of those Icon Link flashlights? I’m dying to find one – if you no longer want/need yours, please message me! I’d give you more than what you paid for it new at the very least.
Comment I left for another poster, “Been using Icon Links for decades. I carry them (I have 3 all told) on my belt loops and this feature doubles down on the versatility of this light. I’ve probably got 30+ flashlights varying from this output to over 5000lm and have been a freak for them since before Surefire were ONLY name in high end lights. Before LED’s when 800lm was an eyebrow raiser. If you’d have asked me, I would not have known the lumen rating of the Link due to its age, I would have guessed, based on experience with other lights that the low output was 50 lumens and the high around 200-300 lumens. The effective range outdoors on the high setting is a good 50yds and being on a belt loop, it’s twice as accessible as any pocket light. Its durability is unsurpassed as I have worn the very good paint off my black ones. Everyone would love to have more lumens of course, (and I carry several lights, all the time, some with higher lumens) but when I simply need a short range light quickly around rooms or immediately around buildings, the Icon fulfills the need 90% of the time. As another gent here stated, often too much light doesn’t help and around the house I find the high setting ‘in close quarters’ to often be too much. An odd thing to say of 50lm I know but I’m just telling it as it is. I am still shaking my head in disbelief that the high output setting is only ‘officially’ 50lm. It’s far more effective than the number suggests. I will likely use my Links the rest of my life. They are that good.