Dorcy 8 LED 2-C Flashlight

 
 
 
3½ Stars
Good/Very Good
         

Light Type: LED
Light Class: Outdoor / General Use

Short Description:

The Dorcy 2-C 8 LED flashlight is made of anodized aluminum with rubber accents for grip. The head of the light contains 8 white 5mm LEDs driven by an internal step-up circuit which boosts the 3 volts supplied by 2-C cell batteries to a level which is appropriate for driving LEDs. The LEDs are recessed inside a silver reflective surface and are protected behind a plastic lens. The head is removable, although unnecessary as the LEDs should never "burn out". Unscrewing the tailcap gives access to the battery compartment and the entire inside of the compartment is also anodized for corrosion protection. Switching is accomplished by pressing in on the tailcap button for momentary use or by tightening the tailcap for constant-on use. There is a lanyard attachment point in the form of a metal loop which protrudes from the side of the light just above the tailcap. Batteries are included.

Package
Size Reference
Size vs. common aluminum 2-AA light
Bezel picture
Output - 155 Lux at beam center

Reviewer's Impressions:

Leave it to Dorcy to make an average-consumer-oriented household LED light that includes a step-up circuit so it runs on just 2 cells. Dorcy was one of the early contenders in the consumer LED flashlight market with their "Cool Blue" series of lights, and this new light demonstrates solid progress. Well done Dorcy!

The body of the flashlight is aluminum with rubber inserts for grip. The entire outer surface as well as the inner surface is anodized for corrosion protection. The finish is very nicely done without blemishes or color variation. Fit and finish in general is very nice.

At the bezel end, you will find 8 LEDs recessed in a silver reflective surface. Some sidespill light is captured and reflected off of the surface of the silvered area, but I wouldn't call it a true "reflector" as it seems to be there mostly for giving a finished look to the light. I see no evidence of an O-ring between the plastic lens and the body of the light so I'm not too certain about the water resistance of the light.

On the tail end there is a huge push button for momentary operation of the light. Twisting the tailcap turns the light on and off for constant illumination. There is an O-ring between the body and the tailcap for water resistance, but pressing in on the rubber pushbutton breaks the water resistant seal made by the rubber cover pressing against the inside of the tailcap. Use the twist-on functionality if there is a risk of water getting into the light.

Remove the tailcap to change the batteries. Place the 2-C cells in (+) side first. There is a paper insert inside the light with an illustration showing proper battery polarity.

Just below the tailcap is a lanyard attachment point in the form of a bent metal wire in a loop that travels all of the way around the light. Since it is rigid, it pokes you if you try to put the light in your pocket. This has to be the most annoying part of the whole light. Luckily, if you place a flat tipped screwdriver in the protruding loop and carefully twist, the entire loop expands enough to permanently remove it from the light after unscrewing the tailcap.

Output is very nice - A smooth wide spot of light with a few very strange but unintrusive ring-like artifacts around the outside of the beam from the reflector.

There are no statements on the package of battery life, but early estimates put it at 4-5 hours before 50% light output. Updates will be forthcoming.

What I Liked: Small size, comfortable in the hand, rubber grips, beautiful flood of light, great finish, step-up circuit

What I Didn't Like: Questionable water resistance, Had to remove the lanyard loop - very annoying due to rigid design


Quick Facts Table:

Review Date ............................. September 2003
Case Material ........................... Anodized Aluminum, Rubber inserts
Case Features .......................... Lanyard attachment point
Case Access Type .................... Unscrew tailcap
Switch Type ............................. Press tailcap momentary, Twist tailcap for constant use
Reflector Type ......................... Silvered
Lens Type ................................

Clear Plastic

Bulb Type ................................. 8 x 5mm White LEDs
Beam Type ............................... Smooth directional flood
Beam Characteristics ............... Smooth w/bright center
Throw (Lux) at 1m (click for description) ~ 137 at beam center. (11.70 Comparison Chart equivalent)
Overall Output (click for description) ~ 1400 (14.00 Comparison Chart equivalent)
Battery / Power Type................ 2 x C cells
Battery Life (advertised) ........... Not Given (Estimated 4-5 hrs. to 50% brightness
Environmental Protection ......... Some O-rings
Special Items of Note ...............  
Warranty .................................. Limited Lifetime
Retail Cost ................................ ~ $50.00 US$ on some websites at time of review
 

 

 
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