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Detailed
Information:
The NightBuster AquaLED is the smallest 4AA 7 LED light
I have used. Quality is generally good and output is
also quite good. On occasion I encounter a light that
I just take a liking to, and this is one of them. Between
the size, power source, output, and overall quality,
this is one that will see quite a bit of use in my household.
The entire light is quite durable, withstanding the
standard drops and tosses. The rubber bezel cover provides
a certain amount of protection from shock and the polymer
body absorbs some of the force of impacts. A rubber
grip on one side assists with retention.
The AquaLED contains a module with 7 white 5mm LEDs
in a silver plastic reflector. The reflector directs
some of the side-spill light forward. By nature, 5mm
LEDs produce a flood of light in the direction they
are pointed and are not designed to focus to a pinpoint
spot for long distance use. Therefore the bezel does
not have the ability to change the focus of the beam.
LEDs do not "blow" like ordinary bulbs and
should never need to be changed during the lifetime
of the light. Inside the module you will also find platinum
catalyst pellets to help remove any hydrogen which may
form inside the sealed light.
The light is turned on and off by twisting the bezel,
but it is the reverse of many other similar lights.
Tighten it to turn it off, loosen to turn it on. The
bezel is not easy to twist due to the tight fit provided
by the O-ring. It needs to be tightly gripped to twist
on and off. It cannot be turned on with one hand. To
help with this operation, and with maintaining the integrity
of the seal, a small tube of silicone grease is included
with the light which should be used to lubricate the
O-ring every few months.
Beam quality is good, and fairly typical of white LEDs.
The beam was a bluish white flood of light in the direction
the torch is pointed. The center of the beam is brighter
and has a slightly more bluish tint than the rest of
the beam. Good for close to medium range tasks. The
packaging indicates that you will get 20 hours minimum
of bright light from a new set of batteries. Of course
over time the light output dims, but does not turn yellow
like incandescent lights.
The AquaLED takes 4-AA cell batteries. To change the
batteries remove the bezel, remove the LED module and
drop out the expired batteries. Replace with 4 new AA
batteries. Two are inserted negative first, two inserted
positive first as indicated by a polarity sticker inside
the light. The rear of the LED module has polarity protection
to prevent the light from operating if the batteries
are inserted incorrectly. Since the LED module is separate
from the bezel, care should be taken when changing the
batteries that the module is not dropped and broken.
The module is shaped so that it can only be inserted
into the body of the light one way. Replace the module
and the bezel cover and you are ready to go!
Water resistance is very good, being advertised as
waterproof to 100 feet. A sink dunk test revealed no
leakage.
What I Liked: Waterproof, Impact resistant,
Good battery life, Good output, Easy battery change,
Smaller than many other 4AA lights.
What I Didn't Like: A little difficult to operate.
You really need to crank down on the bezel to make sure
it is off. 2 hands required.
Other Things I Noticed: The unit can be stood
on its tail end providing room lighting when reflecting
the light off of the ceiling, but it is a tricky operation
and should only be performed on a flat, level surface.
Conclusions: This is a great example of a simple,
dependable, durable, rough-outdoor-use LED flashlight.
Use it camping, on your boat, in your toolbox, for rummaging
around in the kitchen cabinets... just about anywhere
a broad flood of light will help out.
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