|
Reviewer's
Impressions:
Since the Trek Lithium is marketed as a long lasting
survival light, it should be treated as such. It is
not a powerhouse by any means and certainly is not the
first light I would rely on during an emergency. However,
as a permanent backup to your main lighting sources,
it has a great deal of potential. Figuring that if you
really need a light for survival it is probably pitch
black (such as in a cave, outdoors in the woods, deep
in the bowels of an industrial facility, etc.) and some
light is better than none. The Trek Lithium has the
features of a good survival light for those situations.
The body is made of tough ABS plastic with strap attachment
points. These attachment points serve as the primary
grip points for the body since the light is so small.
As a result, there are no grooves around the body as
is found on most other similar Tektite lights. At the
tail end is a lanyard loop with a bungee cord wrist
lanyard.
The bezel lens is made of shatterproof Lexan which
is very durable and is grooved for grip. There is a
magnifying lens molded into the end of the bezel lens
to focus the light from the single LED found inside.
Surrounding the Lexan bezel/lens is a rubber glare shield
that can be removed. The LED module rests behind the
lens and sits in a plastic silvered cup to help direct
some of the sidespill light forward.
 
Simply twist the bezel to turn the light on an off.
The output from the single LED is modest, but it boasts
a 60 hour burn time at full power on the supplied 3.6
Volt battery. The beam is a bit unusual, with blue blotches
in the center. This is from the magnifying lens projecting
the image of the light producing element. It looks a
little unusual, but is very serviceable.
The battery is very uncommon. A 3.6 Volt lithium AA
sized battery is not going to be easy to find in retail
stores. On-line they run about $8 each and are available
from Tektite directly. Seeing as how this is designed
to be a backup emergency light, you shouldn't be needing
more than one of the rather expensive batteries used
to power the unit unless you are prone to doing very
foolish acts. You know, the kind usually preceded by
the phrase "Hey, y'all watch this!" followed
by everyone around backing away and/or dialing 911.
This is a light you hope you won't need but will be
glad you had it when it was needed. The batteries have
a shelf life of 10 years, so in 10 years get another
battery, remove the bezel and LED module, drop out the
old battery and put in a new one.
A good little light to toss in the bottom
of your pack (1.8 oz.), survival bag, or disaster kit
for those little (or big) emergencies you don't expect.
Should not be relied upon as your primary source of
light due to dim output and unusual battery, but provides
more than enough light in pitch darkness for the completion
of most common tasks.
+ + + Pluses: Water resistant, Tough, Long battery
life, Easy battery change, Lightweight
- - - Minuses: Dim, Cannot stand
on end
|
