The Endurable series of light is available from Sears and is a Craftsman branded product but does not carry the lifetime Craftsman warranty. The 4AA and 3AAA models were purchased for review. The head and tail are armored with heavy rubberized plastic, they use Luxeon LEDs for light (plus three 5mm LEDs in the 4AA version) and the barrels are brushed stainless steel. The result is a darn tough set of light in and of themselves. However, the construction, durability, and output are not the most interesting parts of these lights...

Body: The body of these lights is tough. A stainless steel body tube with rubberized plastic armor on each end are the primary characteristics you see immediately. This gives the lights a bit of a chunk appearance, especially the 4AA model. The switch is just below the head in a recessed area to help prevent accidental activation.

Bezel/Head: The head of these lights consists of the heavy rubberized plastic shroud, a plastic lens and reflector and a Luxeon LED as the primary light source. Inside the 4AA version you will also find 3 5mm LEDs. The Luxeon and the 5mm LEDs can be used independently, or turned on at the same time for a combination of wide/narrow lighting.

4AA left, 3AAA right

Remember I said that the most interesting part was not the flashlight itself? I think that this is the most interesting part:

Bulb, removed

Yes, you could remove the bulb from the light and put it in another flashlight. The 3AAA bulb will work in other 3 cell flashlights and the 4AA bulb will work in 4 cell flashlights. Now doing this may very well void the warranty, but it's nice to know that the Endurable 3AAA and 4AA lights could be a source of Luxeon PR-Based bulbs for other lights.

Remember, though, that if you put these bulbs in lights using larger cells, they should be carefully monitored for heat buildup. C and D cells will push more current than AAA or AA cells and you could easily damage the bulb or the flashlight. If it really starts to warm up, don't use the bulb in that light! In fact I tried the 3-AAA bulb in a 3-D light and within 2 minutes the bulb had reached 140 deg F. and the temperature was still climbing, so I would NOT recommend using these bulbs in C or D cell flashlights.

Output: The two flashlights produce slightly different output. The AAA light had a slightly bluish Luxeon and the AA light had a slightly greenish-yellow Luxeon. In both cases, the tinting would NOT be noticeable in actual use. The AA light, with it's larger reflector, produced a tighter beam than the AAA light.

The AA light also has three 5mm LEDs that you can use independently or together with the Luxeon if you would like a wider area lit. When you turn on the Luxeon and the 5mm LEDs at the same time overall output increases, but the Luxeon looses power and you get less throw.

   
4AA beam at one meter at target center, LEDs left, Luxeon right

3AAA beam at one meter at target center

Runtime Plot: Not bad! The 4AA light with only the Luxeon turned on will run for over 7 hours before hitting 50% output. The AAA light hits 50% after about 1½ hours - pretty typical for a Luxeon powered with 3AAA cells.

Runtime completed with DieHard brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Runtime completed with Diehard brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Switch: The switch is a rubber covered clickie on the side of the light just below the head. Click on, click off. Press for momentary operation. With the AA model, click once for 5mm LEDs, click twice for the Luxeon, click the third time for both and click a fourth time for off.

Seals / Water Resistance: Water resistance appears rather good. There is a well lubricated O-ring on the body where the head connects. I'm not sure about the seal around the lens, but the connection appears very tight. I'd say it's splashable at the least. The packaging states the both lights survived an hour underwater in their tests, but it doesn't mention if they leaked - just that they "survived".

If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible without tools and let it dry before using again.

Ergonomics: The 3 AAA model is very comfortable, while the 4AA model is short and stubby and as a result is a bit awkward to use.

Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light

Batteries: The lights are powered by 4 AA cells or by 3 AAA cells. The 3 AAA cell light is unique in that it does use a carrier for the batteries, but instead of being cylindrical, it's long and skinny which gives the light a longer shape - more like a 2 AA cell flashlight.

The 4 AA flashlight does not use a carrier - just drop in the cells. There is a rotating contact plate on the back of the head that can only be inserted into the body one way. I did have a slight problem with the Luxeon LED not lighting, but by bending the contacts on the contact plate outward slightly, the problem was fixed.

You access the battery compartment for both lights though the head, not the tail.

Accessories: A nylon wrist lanyard is attached to both lights.

What I Liked: Water resistant, Tough/impact resistant, Good battery life, Good output, Bulb has the potential to be used in other lights.

What I Didn't Like: 4AA is a bit awkward to hold.

Picky Little Things: I don't like the use of a battery carriers (3AAA model). One more thing to break or loose.

Conclusions: Tough little lights and good output as well! The size and tight beam of the 4AA model reminds me of the old Turtle Light that I never had the opportunity to review but was one of the first LED flashlights to produce a tight beam. The use of an in-line carrier in the 3AAA model gives the light a good profile and shape. Overall these are good lights and should take a fairly serious beating. The Luxeon LED bulb could be removed and used in other lights. However, if you decide to use the Luxeon LED bulb in other flashlights, be very careful about overheating! I don't recommend the use of the bulbs in C or D cell flashlights due to rapid heat buildup.

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