Short Description:

The 24/7, made by Emissive Energy Corp., is designed to be a multi purpose, jack-of-all-trades, signal and utility light. This little powerhouse runs on a single lithium 123a camera battery and has 8 separate selectable functions. Housed inside the octagonal bezel you will find 4 white LEDs, 2 red LEDs and 2 yellow LEDs which all provide for the various functions available. On the back of the watertight housing is a double riveted stainless steel clip which allows the light to be worn on the belt, attached to the included lanyard, or attached to a number of optional accessories which include a headband, magnetic base, and wall mount. The various modes are selected by rotating the black part of the octagonal bezel until it clicks into place. It also has a blinking locator beacon setting which can be left on for extended periods for finding the unit in the dark. The 24/7 is available from BrightGuy.com.

Reviewer's Impressions:

I have to admit that initially I was completely baffled as to what to say about this light. The last thing you would think when you see one is that it was a flashlight. However, Inova has stuffed a 2 level white LED flashlight, red night vision flashlight, strobe signal, warning signal and SOS marker into a device that is literally the size of the palm of your hand. This is what LED lighting is all about. Digital controller circuitry, voltage boost circuit, 8 lighting elements and a 10 year shelf life battery all in a tiny package that you can clip to your gear.

The body of the 24/7 is made of plastic that I would call "National School Bus Chrome" (dark yellow) in color. On the face of the octagonal bezel is the dial-type switch which has a rubberized edge to facilitate grip. There is a yellow line in the rubberized area to indicate which mode the light is in. Straight down is off. Below the bezel (which presumably also houses the electronics) is the battery compartment accessible by unscrewing the cap on the light's left side. The unit has a flat base and will stand up without assistance. The entire body is textured with a fine pebbled appearance. On the back is a corrosion resistant double riveted stainless steel clip.

The bezel itself houses the 4 white, 2 red and 2 yellow LEDs. All of the LEDs are recessed and therefore protected from impact. For having the LEDs relatively far apart in the bezel, the 24/7 produces a nice even beam in both the white and red modes. Turning the switch clockwise around the outside of the LEDs will activate the modes of the light in the following sequence:

1) Low output white beam (great tent light or for navigating in the dark, long battery life)
2) High output white beam (general use)
3) White strobe (emergency use, walking/jogging)
4) SOS strobe (emergency use)
5) 3 color strobe: alternating 2 flashes of : 2 red, 4 white, 2 yellow, 4 white, and repeating (attention grabber!)
6) 2 color beacon: fading the red in and out, fading the yellow in and out, repeats (jogging/walking/marker)
7) High output red beam (preserves night vision)

The switch clicks into place when one of the above lighting modes is selected and is very easy to use. The "High White" beam is very bright. Since the unit only runs on a singe 3 volt battery, Inova must have added a voltage step-up circuit in use inside the light.

The eighth lighting option is accessed by turning the switch in between any of the other 2 options. The light will then blink the 2 red LEDs very briefly once every 5 seconds. This "locator beacon" will allow the light to be easily found in the dark when it is needed.

Construction of the unit is very good overall. It appears very durable, able to withstand the moderate beating I put it though (usual drops, rolls down stairs, etc.). It passes the submersion test without any sign of moisture inside and no malfunction. Although not rated as a dive light, it is watertight.

The single 123a lithium battery has a shelf life of 10 years and is resistant to the effects of cold weather. The battery life listed in the following chart is as advertised on the Inova web site:

Changing the battery should only be done when the unit is in the "off" position. The electronic controls can get confused if the battery is removed while in any of the lighting modes.

Included in the package is a very good quality safety breakaway lanyard with a special attachment point just for the 24/7 clip. Additional optional accessories include a headband with pivoting attachment allowing the 24/7 to be used as a headlamp, a pivoting magnetic mount, and a wall mount.

Only 2 points of concern come to mind. First is the durability of the dial switch. I'm not going to try it, but I'm afraid if something gets under the lip of the dial (like a nylon strap) and force is accidentally applied, it may break or tear the dial off. The possibility is fairly remote due to the beveled shape of the dial, so it's not a "show stopper" by any means. Second is the possibility it will come on by accident in a pack or luggage and deplete the battery. I would suggest removing the battery or packing it so that it cannot accidentally turn on.

Overall, the 24/7 receives a 4 Star rating for innovation, good design, usability, technology and function. I won't go so far as to say that this light "does it all", but it sure does a lot!

+ + + Pluses: Waterproof, Impact resistant, Long battery life, Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Stands up, Voltage boost circuit for bright white light, Lots of signal modes, Dim and bright white light mode, Night vision preserving red mode.

- - - Minuses: Slight caution should be used to prevent damage to switch, Possiblity of accidental turn-on while packed.

Quick Facts Table: