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The Task Force 2xC cell flashlight is an anodized aluminum
Luxeon LED light. It is available in silver only. It
uses two C cell alkaline batteries for power. A clickie
switch on the tail activates
the light.
Body description: The aluminum body of the Task Force
has a "clear" anodize finish which makes it
appear silver. Around the head are decorative rings
with cutout notches which help keep it from rolling.
Just below the head is a checkered rubber sleeve which
assists with grip. The tailcap has checkering around
its circumference and a switch in the center which is
metal and is contoured to match the rounded end of the
light. The quality of the machining work is rather good
with no serious machining issues and no significant
shavings/metal dust left inside the case.
Bezel/Head: The front of the light reveals collimator
lens behind a protective polycarbonate lens. The lens
is slightly recessed in the aluminum head. Inside the
head I found that the board and components were very
clean and free from grime/dirt.
Output description: The white light produced by the
LED in this sample is a good color temperature weighted
toward the middle of the spectrum. All Luxeon LEDs have
a slight tint to them and there is no guarantee as to
what slight tint your particular Luxeon may have - yellow,
green, blue, purple, etc. This Luxeon was very white.
The beam was in the form of a fairly tight spot with
good corona and wide spillbeam. Great general purpose
beam. One odd thing I did notice is that when I first
turn the light on it would quickly step up to full brightness
from an initial lower level. It happens so fast you
really have to watch for it, and it doesn't happen every
time, but it is there especially after the light has
been sitting off for a while.
Beam at one meter at target center.
Runtime Plot: As a result of trying to drive a Luxeon
LED with two C cells, there is a DC-DC boost circuit
inside. Runtime is rather good and it puts to shame
those common 2-D cell lights. It does have one odd characteristic.
Apparently as it drops out of regulation it drops to
almost zero and then rebounds. This is seen on the graph
as the vertical line between 2:30 and 3:00 hours.
Runtime
completed with Duracell batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch description: The switch is a metal reverse-clickie
in the center of the tailcap. Press for on, press for
off. When on, you can press gently to blink the light.
Even though the metal button protrudes from the tailcap
rim, the light will not accidentally activate if the
switch end is pressed on a flat surface.
Seals / Water Resistance: The head, bezel and tailcap
has O-ring seals and gaskets to prevent the entry of
water. I'd give it a splashable rating, but it's probably
dunkable. The only real possible point of water entry
that concerns me is the tailcap switch.
If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let it dry before using again.
Ergonomics: It's a good size to be comfortably held in
the hand. Too large to carry
in the front pocket, it can be slipped temporarily into the
back pocket for quick retrieval when working.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: For batteries, this light takes two C sized
alkaline cells. The use of any other battery formulation
is not mentioned in the instructions.
To change out the batteries: unscrew the tailcap, drop
out the batteries, place
in new cells observing proper polarity. Reattach the tailcap and you're ready
to go.
Accessories: A nice nylon belt sheath is
included and a wrist lanyard is attached to the tailcap.
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Impact resistant Luxeon used for light, Decent battery
life, Good general-purpose output, Easy battery
change.
What I Didn't Like: Nothing significant.
Picky Little Things: The beam is
very slightly off center in the corona. This is typical
of Luxeon LEDs behind a collimating lens.
Conclusions: A very good general
purpose Luxeon light. I had no problems with the light
at all during the testing, and found the size to be
very handy. Overall a good light
and a great step-up over common plastic 2-D cell lights
and even over common 3-D cell aluminum lights.
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