|
The Terralux Chromestar is (I think) the first chrome
plated light I've worked with. The entire light is plated,
from tail to reflector. Inside is a boost circuit which
drives a Luxeon LED with a single AA cell.
The body is machined aluminum with a very shiny chrome
finish. About 1/3 of the way down the body is a series
of grooves for grip. Another series of grooves surround
the head. On the end of the light is a very substantial
tab for the attachment of a lanyard.
The head of the light is all chrome plated and the
Luxeon LED is sitting at the base of a deep reflector.
No lens covers the LED but due to it's depth it is unlikely
to be damaged by impact.
Output description: Output is in the form of a fairly
tight spot with a wide spillbeam. Color temperature
is very close to sunlight in the sample tested - very
white. Initially this Luxeon LED light puts out around
the same light output as is produced by many 3 or 4
LED lights which use 5mm LEDs.
Beam at one meter at target center
Runtime Plot: Originally I completed the runtime with
the included "Mustang" brand battery. I was
a little disappointed with the runtime with this cell
which provided only 1-1/3 hours to 50% output, diminishing
throughout. I re-ran the runtime with a Duracell battery
(graph below) - 3 hr 24 min to 50% starting output.
That's more like it! So needless to say, the cheap no-name
brand cell that comes with the light is utter crap -
throw it away and put in a good cell.
It almost looks like there is no regulation at work
here at all, except for a quick little drop at 6¾
hours which seems to give away the presence of the boost
circuit.
Runtime
completed with "Duracell" battery. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
The head is the switch. Tighten for on, loosen for
off. Nothing special to report.
Seals / Water Resistance: The light has an O-ring seal,
but I do not know if the Luxeon LED is potted in place.
I can see a gap around the edges of the Luxeon LED dome
and I fear that water may be able to seep in around
that space and get to the circuitry.
Ergonomics: Not too small, easy to handle, but has
a very slick finish. Even with the grooves machined
into the light be careful you don't drop it if you have
sweaty or oily hands.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: A single AA alkaline cell powers the light.
Lithium AA cells may be used, but not rechargeables
per the instructions. To change the battery simply unscrew
the head and drop out the old cell. Replace with a new
cell, inserting negative first. There are no protrusions
on the bottom of the light so batteries that have a
negative terminal that is flush with the bottom of the
cell may not work so well (Energizer). The unit I tested
had an annoying tendency to crossthread when I placed
the head back on. After fighting with it for a while,
I think I managed to remove the burr, or whatever it
was, that was preventing it from threading on properly.
What I Liked: Tough, Great finish,
OK output, Good construction, Easy battery change
What I Didn't Like: Water resistance
unknown, Poor regulation with alkaline AA, Output seems
a bit low
Other Things I Noticed: Tended
to try to crossthread when attaching the head, but I
seem to have broken it in so that this behavior no longer
occurrs.
Conclusions: Very nice finish,
but output seems to be lacking a little. I find that
I can't help thinking that the designers could have
gotten a bit more output or a more steady output curve,
or both out of this little light. Otherwise, a good
little light for a multitude of possible tasks. Tough
construction and design.
|
