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Reviewer's
Impressions:
Tektite has done it again! Taking a leap into the latest
trend in LEDs, the Luxeon Star, they have managed to
create an incredibly durable light with a beam comparable
to common incandescent flashlights having the advantage
of a bulb that will never fail (within reason). A bright
but tight beam that can project a distance has always
been the missing element when it comes to LED lights.
The Expedition Star fills that gap in their LED offerings.
The body of the Expedition Star is the same body as
found on the rest of the Tektite 3-C cell Expedition
series. It is made of ABS polymer, molded with grooves
around the circumference for grip, "ears"
for strapping it to your body or gear, and a lanyard
hole in a tab at the end. Inside, a copper colored spring
at the end and a copper colored strip that runs the
length of the body provide contact for the 3 C cells
that power the unit.
The entire bezel lens assembly is made of Lexan with
ribs for easy grip when turning. A rubberized cover
surrounds the clear plastic bezel to prevent glare from
light backwash, but can be removed if desired. Even
with the cover on a ring of light glows back at the
user when the unit is on, reminding you that it is on
if placed down on its bezel. The rubber cover also
helps protect the unit from impacts if dropped on its
head. Behind the bezel lens cap is the actual LED module.
The LED module consists of a Luxeon Star LED behind
what appears to be the optics system developed by Fraen.
This is a departure from the common use of the Lumileds
optics. The optics provide a 10° beam with a nice
bright spot and smooth surround beam. The warm color
temperature of the light produced provides excellent
color rendition. The reds stand out much more than would
be expected with normal 5mm LEDs which tend to be bluish
in tint.
At the rear of the module are the contacts
for the light. Tightening the bezel forces the contacts
to close, while loosening the bezel opens the contacts.
Two hands are needed to turn the light on and off. Inside
the module is a platinum catalyst pellet which is designed
to neutralize any hydrogen gas which collects in the
light due to its airtight seal as the batteries are
used.
Batteries are reported to last for 15 hours at high
output with another 50 hours of diminishing output thereafter.
To change the batteries, simply unscrew the bezel all
of the way, remove the LED module and drop out the 3
batteries. Replace with fresh batteries inserted negative
first.
Runtime Plot: The runtime graph shows over 20 hours
to 50% starting output with a very long tail of diminishing
light thereafter.
Runtime
completed with Rayovac batteries. More information on
runtime plots is available HERE.
Attached at the base of the light is a soft nylon cord
lanyard with a spring clip for adjustment and a rubber
cushion for comfort.
As an added note, the Tektite lights have
a trick if you want to stand them on end. Remove the
black bezel rubber cover and place it large opening
down on a flat surface. Push the tail of the light into
the bezel cover from the top, lanyard and all. The black
rubber cover acts as a stand to hold the light up!
Simplicity and durability makes this light
a winner. The only thing that is missing is a regulator
circuit, but with the long battery life already provided
by the 3 C cells, a regulator would add just another
possible point of failure.
+ + + Pluses: Waterproof to 1000
ft., Tough/impact resistant, Long battery life, Bright,
Easy battery change, Stands up if you know the trick!
- - - Minuses: Not regulated
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