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Please note that this review is a "prerelease"
review which was requested by the wholesaler who will
be supplying this light. The form factor and operation
of this light may change before it becomes available
from this supplier as a result of this, and other, critiques
about its operation.
The Vari-Brite is a Luxeon V LED flashlight powered
by two 123A lithium cells. It has two switches which
cycle it through multiple brightness modes. One switch
increases, one decreases brightness. The levels of output
go from just barely lit to very bright. 30 brightness
modes were found on this particular light. On the tailcap
is a On-Off switch which allows the light to be turned
off and back on again at the previously selected brightness.
The body is made of anodized aluminum. I'm not sure
if it is type II or type III, but it has a matte finish.
There is checkering in a band around the head and body,
and a double band on the tailcap for grip. The checkering
on the head and body is not aggressive at all and really
only provides a slight improvement in grip. The tailcap
checkering is a little more aggressive. The tailcap
is flat with a recessed switch, which facilitates standing
the light on end. Inside and out, the machining and
construction look good.
Head/Bezel: This unit appears to have a glass lens
and a silvered smooth reflector. A continuity check
of the back of the reflector reveals that it is metal.
The reflector is held in place by a retaining ring inside
of the head. The Luxeon LED is attached to an aluminum
baseplate by a white thermal conductive paste. Below
that baseplate is the circuitry and switching mechanism
which are hidden from view and inaccessible.
Output description: Output is in the form of a very
nice wide spot with a slight corona and wide spillbeam.
Color temperature of the LED in this unit is very close
to sunlight with a very, very slight hint of yellow-green
which is unnoticeable unless you compare it directly
with sunlight. Color rendition is excellent. There were
very slight artifacts in the very center of the beam
since the LED was not perfectly centered, but this was
very minor. Oh, did I mention that it produces a LOT
of light? It sure does!
The two switches on the unit permit a great deal of
variability in the output of the light. By clicking
up and down you can access 30 different output settings.
You can also just hold the switch and it will ramp up
or down depending on which one you press.
By rapidly clicking the switch up and down I found
that this unit actually has 32 settings, but the lower
two clicks do not change the output. Three quick clicks
on the "up" switch result in the brightness
increasing on the third click. This is a big improvement
over the previously
tested version of the circuitry which had 14 additional
lower levels that were unusable. With only 2 on this
light, you won't even notice.
Note that the switches require a VERY rapid click to
go up just one level. Many times it will jump 2 levels
in output.
Holding both switches at the same time doesn't serve
any purpose.
Beam at one meter at target center
Runtime Plot: This runtime was conducted with the light
on its maximum setting. Solid output for about 40 minutes
before dropping out of regulation and diminishing to
a low level of output over the next half-hour. Reducing
the brightness of the light will, of course, result
in longer runtimes.
Runtime
completed with "Titanium"
brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is
available HERE.
Switch: There are actually 3 switches in this light.
The light adjustment switches are rubber covered domes
that are sitting on a flat plateau and protected by
the shoulder of the head and the body tube. The probability
of accidental activation is reduced as a result. Click
or hold the switch near the head for increasing output,
click or hold the one nearest the tailcap to decrease
output.
Now on the tailcap of the light is another, larger,
rubber covered switch. It acts as the master switch.
Click this switch to turn the light on and off. The
light comes back on AT THE SAME LEVEL. I don't know
how this works, but I could even remove the batteries,
replace them, and when it was turned on the light has
remembered the level it was at. Perhaps there is a capacitor
in there that keeps the "memory" going for
a little while and eventually it will lose the setting
- I'm not sure. The switch is completely recessed can
stand on its tail end. Despite being recessed with a
ridge all the way around, the switch is very easy to
operate.
Seals: O ring seals protect the bezel, head, and tailcap.
The o-rings were well lubricated. The rubber switch
covers seem to seal pretty well around the inside of
the holes in the body. I'd give it a "splashable"
at the minimum, probably "dunkable". If it
gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let it dry before using again.
Ergonomics: It's about the same length, but a little
larger in diameter, than a normal mini-light. The checkering,
as mentioned before, is fairly slick - about the same
as a standard mini-light.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Two 123A cells power the light. I would recommend Titanium
brand cells for $1.00 each (here's
a review) or BatteryStation
or Surefire
brand cells for less than $2 each. I would not recommend purchasing
these cells at retail stores since they cost $10 a pair
or more in most retail stores!
Accessories: A nice light duty nylon velcro-closure
belt sheath is included.
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Tough/impact resistant, Regulated/good battery life,
Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Stands up,
Dedicated on-off and variable output switches
What I Didn't Like: Nothing.
Other Things I Noticed: This is
an odd quirk, but when the light is off, sometimes tapping
it on the side causes the LED to flicker. I think that
the spring in the tailcap (which is a little long and
off center) is touching something when you whack the
side of the light. Minor issue.
[LATER ON...] In fact, I was able to correct
the issue by giving the spring a slight twist with a
pair of needlenose pliers, so it was the spring after
all.
Conclusions: A very nice variable
output Luxeon LED light! The three suggestions I had
given the supplier regarding the previous version of
this light design (reviewed
here) which included removal of multiple lower switching
settings, adding a well designed clickie tailcap switch
as a master "on off", and lubricating the
o-rings, have all been implemented! As a result, I like
nearly everything about it this version!
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