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Reviewer's
Impressions:
The InReTech Helios is one more nail in the coffin for standard
incandescent lights. The Luxeon V LED, with its capability
to replace high powered incandescent bulbs, is going to open
a myriad of possibilities for the manufacturers of lights
when they finally get on the bandwagon. Meanwhile, the cutting
edge is being successfully explored by pioneers such as those
found at InReTech.
The Helios module has 3 emitters on a circuit board with
resistors to help control the amount of current delivered
to the LEDs. The LEDs are in contact with the very large aluminum
base which draws heat away from the LEDs helping prevent damage
and allowing them to work more efficiently. This is important
since Luxeon Star LEDs do get hot when driven at or near their
specifications and the heat will impact performance if not
controlled.
On the underside of the aluminum heatsink there is machine
bolt and nut that serves as the contact for the bulb's positive
contact in the Maglight and a threaded area that screws down
on the post where the bulb rests, allowing for a very solid
installation. The Maglight "head" remains in place
during the installation operation, with only the bezel cap,
reflector and lens are removed to access the front of the
light. The reflector is no longer needed after the installation.
The "Ultra Clear" lens, available separately, is
made of glass and makes a big difference. The plastic lens
that comes with the Mag is subject to easy damage from abrasion
and also bows when the lens cap is tightened against the 3
collimator lenses placed on the Helios. The glass lens does
not bow and therefore keeps the collimators oriented straight
forward, producing a tighter beam.
Overall quality of the module is quite good. The machining
is well done and the manufacturing appears clean and solid.
Since the module is placed in a Mag 6-D light, most of the
characteristics we would normally describe in a review would
apply to the Mag body and not the module itself. Suffice to
say that the quality of the body is standard Mag quality,
the light is water resistant and since it uses 6-D cells it
is rather heavy.
The batteries should allow the light to run for about 8 hours
before diminishing to 50% of its original brightness. After
that the light output degrades slowly for a very long time.
This slowly decreasing curve after 50% depletion is common
behavior from LEDs and alkaline batteries.
The beam from the Helios is fantastic. It has a bright central
spot with a very broad surround which lights a room from top
to bottom. Although it is not focusable to a very tight spot
it has the ability to light up a subject at a respectable
distance.
Important things to note: If the unit is purchased without
a flashlight body you will need to perform the installation
yourself. It is not complicated and the instructions included
with the unit are clear.
I would recommend that if you are going to go the route of
an InReTech Helios, just purchase the unit pre-installed and
with the ultra clear glass lens. That way you can simply pop
in your batteries and fire away. The Helios provides a significant
improvement to the original 6-D Mag and is worth investigating
if you use a light this size.
+ + + Pluses: Water resistant, Tough/impact
resistant, Long battery life, Bright, Easy battery change,
Stands up, Easy installation.
- - - Minuses: Heavy, No longer focusable
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