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Reviewer's
Impressions:
The Epoch 4 is a brand new light on the market and at the
time of this review has not yet even been placed on the manufacturer's
website. As this is what I expect will be the "first
iteration" of the light, there are a few opportunities
for improvements. All-in-all though, the light is very serviceable
in its current form.
On the good side, the light turned out to be much more durable
than I thought it would be. After repeated drops, kicks, tosses,
kick down stairs, throws up and bouncing down the stairs,
etc, the only damage found was that the batteries became dented
in on the ends.
Light output is good, being between that of an Opalec Newbeam
(3 LEDs) and a Tektite Trek 4 (4 LEDs). Current draw was measured
at 80mA, or 20mA per LED. This is the manufacturer recommended
current for Nichia white LEDs. The beam is typical of Nichia
white LEDs, a smooth flood of the area.
Around the edges of the beam are some slightly noticeable
artifacts produced by the angled recessed holes that the LEDs
sit in, but they do not affect the usability of the light
at all. If the head of the light was made the same length
but "squared off" (made flat instead of rounded)
the beam artifacts would disappear entirely, but again, it's
of no real concern. The flood of light produced is just fine
as-is for any close to medium range task in a dark environment..
The light weighs a minuscule 65g or 2.25 oz. The weight alone
helps make this light a good companion for backpacking or
bicycle riding. The lithium batteries, although expensive,
have a 10 year shelf life and a high degree of cold resistance.
Inside the light there is a spring at the base and a metal
strip that runs up and over the top lip of the body. This
is the positive contact (see Contacts pics, above). When the
head is tightened a curved strip inside the head comes into
contact with the positive contact on the body and a spring
contacts the negative terminal of the batteries, completing
the circuit. Around the bottom of the head are 2 detent cutouts
that present a little resistance when they connect with a
flexible protruding tab on the body (see "Detent system"
pics, above). It appears that these detents and the tab are
supposed to provide resistance so that the head is not over
tightened or loosened too much. When I use the light, the
"on" detent isn't even felt since the light head
stops turning due to a molded-in step that strikes a similar
step on the body of the light. When I turn the light off,
I usually fly right past the "off" detent. In my
opinion, I would remove the detents altogether and put in
a slightly thicker or second O-ring to increase the turning
resistance. This would prevent the head from accidentally
turning and would improve water resistance.
Regarding water resistance, although this light survives
a "splash" test well, and does not have a problem
with a quick "dunk", it should not be operated while
underwater. I placed some weight in the body to decrease its
buoyancy and placed it in a sink of water. No bubbles. This
constitutes surviving a "dunk" test. I turned the
head from "off" to "on" 3 times and bubbles
came out, so it cannot be operated underwater and is therefore
not "submersible". Upon inspection the inside of
the case was wet. The LEDs are potted in what appears to be
white silicone compound, so they seem to be well protected.
The batteries, however, would have been wet, which is not
a good condition for Lithium batteries to be in. Lithium batteries
vent significant quantities of hydrogen gas when short circuited,
which can be somewhat dangerous. As a result I would not trust
this light in conditions where it would be operated when excessively
wet for fear of it drawing water into the case.
Another point to note is that the flexible tab that catches
the detents (see "Detent system" pics, above) makes
a hole all the way through the side of the case into the body.
This hole is below the O-ring and therefore unprotected by
that seal. It is sealed on the inside only by a sticker (yes,
a sticker - note the silvery reflection behind the protruding
catch) that indicates battery alignment for reloading the
light. If the sticker were to come off, there would be an
open hole in the side of the light below the O-ring seal.
This could allow significant amounts of moisture to get in
the light. In my opinion, this is another reason to get rid
of the "detent" system completely and provide more
resistance to the head turning via a thicker or second O-ring.
So, when it comes down to it, what is this reviewer's opinion?
The long shelf life, light weight, and cold resistance of
the batteries would make this a great glovebox light, especially
in northern climates, purse light for the ladies, or bugout-kit
light. I would be a bit leery about getting it close to too
much water, especially with that sticker covering the hole
in the case, so boating, canoeing, kayaking, and white-water
rafting are out. Camping, bicycling, and especially backpacking,
would be good provided it is kept fairly dry when operated.
+ + + Pluses: Water resistant, Tough/impact
resistant, Good battery life, Easy battery change, Lightweight
- - - Minuses: Not waterproof, No regulation,
Expensive batteries, Cannot stand on end, Probable that detents
will wear down, Hole in case sealed by sticker only.
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