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Detailed
Information:
The Dorcy Spyder is a rather inexpensive but quite
well made aluminum high intensity light. It is smaller
in height than a Minimag, but larger in bezel diameter.
The light intensity is about on a par with other 2 x
123A lights available on the market, but this light
is smaller than most.
The body is made of anodized aluminum in a silver finish.
The head and body of the light has a fine ring-like
texture that runs around its circumference, while the
tailcap has grooves for grip. The bezel has a rubber
textured ring for grip when adjusting the focus and
the body has a matching rubber grip. The entire light
is protected by o-rings to give it water resistance
with the head protected by twin o-rings at the bezel-body
interface.
The bezel contains the high pressure xenon bulb, a
polished reflector that appears to be aluminum and a
plastic lens. The reflector is mounted on a beefy spring
to facilitate adjustment of the focus.
The switch is a recessed rubber covered click switch
with a textured pattern on the end of the rubber cover.
The switch seems backwards from the usual click switch
since it activates on release. When you press in on
the switch the light doesn't turn on until you remove
your finger. The light can be blinked after it is already
turned on by pressing in on the switch with sufficient
pressure to break the connection. Further pressure clicks
the switch into the "off" position. The rubber
cover is recessed to help prevent accidental activation
of the light.
Output is very bright, but the beam has something to
be desired. The smooth polished reflector results in
quite a bit of beam artifacts and as the reflector is
focused outward the famous "rings and holes"
appear in the beam which can be quite distracting. On
a tight focus the beam is smooth and somewhat oval in
shape with a bright center.
The light uses a pair of 123A batteries (included)
for power. These batteries can be purchased relatively
inexpensively at Surefire.com for about $1.25 each at
the time of this review. It is not recommended that
you buy these batteries at local stores as they often
charge over $5.00 each for them even at nationwide "discount"
stores.
Included in the package were nylon open-top sheaths
for each light with an integral belt loop and batteries
for each light.
What I Liked: The machining seems
very well done, the anodize is good and the rubber grips
do their job well. It is very small in size, just a
hair larger than a Streamlight TL-2. The tailcap is
easily removed for battery changes and the threads seem
very smooth. Adjusting the focus is very easy as well.
Output is very good overall and it can "hold its
own" against most other 2 x 123A lights on the
market.
What I Didn't Like: The switch
turns on when released which means it cannot be used
in a "momentary" capacity. Either the light
is on or off. The smooth reflector makes for a beam
that is not smooth, especially when the focus is adjusted
toward a flood beam. A textured reflector would really
help out a lot in this area.
Other Things I Noticed: Nothing
worthy of attention.
Conclusions: Great light for someone
who needs a very small, bright light but doesn't want
to pay a lot. Quality is not lacking and it should hold
up quite well in everyday use. A good little inexpensive
high-intensity light.
UPDATE: February 2005: I recently saw
the Dorcy Spyder available at Lowe's. It appears to
have a textured reflector now.
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