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Detailed
Information:
Well, this review has undergone a major update. It
appears that the first light I received for review was
VERY defective. The manufacturer forgot to place the
reflector inside the light head, which served as a standoff
for the LED board. As a result, the LEDs were crushed
against the lens of the light when assembled. A new
sample was received and this one works very nicely.
The body of the light is aluminum and is anodized with
a Type II finish. The knurling is good and does provide
a reasonable gripping surface.
The bezel consists of the LEDs on a circuit board behind
a plastic lens. A silvered plastic reflector surrounds
and is penetrated by the LEDs.
Output is in a wide spot of bluish tinted light with
a nice soft surround as a result of the reflector catching
the sidespill light from the LEDs and casting it forward.
Overall, it has really good output for its size and
power source.
The switch is a great little clickie tucked beneath
a rubber cap. The switch is designed so that accidental
activation is very unlikely. You have to push into the
switch far enough that activation pretty much has to
be intentional.
There are O-ring seals on the tailcap, head, and lens,
but I'm not too sure about how well they engage. I'd
rate it as water resistant, possibly dunkable.
Batteries are inserted into a little carrier before
they are put into the light. The carrier has a spring
on the front which makes contact with a large solder
contact bump inside the head of the light. The spring
has a sharp tip that protrudes enough that it erodes
the solder contact it touches every time it is inserted
and the tailcap tightened. By bending the tip inward
with a fine pair of needlenose pliers, the erosion of
the solder bump is minimized. Be careful, though! The
spring may pop right out of the carrier and can be a
little tricky to put back. Luckily it can be put back
without disassembling the carrier.
I would also like to note that the solder they used
seems very soft, melts very easily, and is rather dark
in color. I suspect a high lead content, so if you decide
to do any soldering with the existing solder joints
in this light, do so in a well ventilated area and do
not breathe in the vapors.
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Impact resistant, Bright
What I Didn't Like: Construction
cheesy, but nothing serious, Uses a battery carrier
which is something I really don't care for in any light.
Conclusions: An OK little pocket
light with decent light output and a compact design.
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