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Short
Description:
The Underwater Kinetics 4AA (UK 4AA, henceforth) is a compact
high intensity xenon light which runs on common AA alkaline
batteries. The UK 4AA comes in 2 basic models. The Mini Q40
lacks the side switch and is designed for dive application,
and the AS2 (model reviewed) with a side switch and designed
for hazardous environment locations. These lights are available
from Brightguy.com.
The UK 4AA is made of a high impact polymer (ABS) with a
rubber shrouded bezel. The body has molded grooves for grip,
helmet and lanyard strap attachment points, and a pressure
equalizing vent on the tail end. There is an o-ring seal to
prevent the entry of water around the bezel. The light is
advertised as watertight and dustproof. The O-ring should
be kept lubricated with silicone grease when necessary. If
the light floods, it should be disassembled and allowed to
dry.
The AS2 model reviewed had the following hazardous location
ratings listed on the side of the light:
UL: CL1, DIV II, GP A, B, C, D, CL2, DIV II GP G, CL3, DIV
III T2A
FM: CL1, DIV II GP A, B, C, D, T2, CL2, DIV II, GP F, G, CL
III, DIV 2, T3C
The lamp module is an Underwater Kinetics proprietary xenon
module which includes an integrated smooth silvered reflector.
The module fits the UK 4AA AS2, Mini Q40 and the UK 2L. When
the bulb blows the entire module is replaced, giving the user
a brand new reflector as well. The module also contains a
hydrogen catalyst to try to neutralize any hydrogen gas that
builds up inside the light during use (from the natural action
of the batteries as they are used up).
The beam is a bit oblong with a much brighter central hot
spot. If placed on its head while on, the light from the
lamp filters between the rubber shroud of the bezel and the
body of the light through the clear polycarbonate bezel material.
This creates a glowing ring which indicates that the light
is on.
The rubber covered and textured switch is a press on-off
type with a momentary blink option available by partially
depressing the switch. The switch makes a barely audible spring-type
click when depressed and locked on. The bezel can be rotated
about 1 full turn to "lock out" the switch, preventing
the light from coming on accidentally in a toolbox or backpack.
Although exposed, the O-ring does not disengage the bezel
when "locked out", so the water resistance of the
light is not compromised.
As should be obvious from its name, the 4AA takes 4 AA batteries.
Printed on the light body is the indication to only use Duracell,
Energizer, or Rayovac AA Alkaline batteries (with part numbers
listed as well) in order to maintain the hazardous location
ratings. Simply unscrew the bezel all the way and remove the
lamp module to insert the batteries. Battery polarity is indicated
on the body of the light.
Accessories available: The light comes with 4 Duracell AA
batteries in the package. Separately you can purchase 3 types
of helmet clips, a safety (traffic) wand, and nylon belt pouch.
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Reviewer's
Impressions:
If you're tired of that feeble beam coming from that old
2AA aluminum flashlight in your hip pocket, consider the UK
4AA AS2. This light is one of the smallest 4AA battery lights
I have yet to encounter and its output is so bright it stomps
on alkaline lights twice its size, even beating out the Surefire
E2 - a high intensity lithium powered light!
Fit and finish are very good. No flaws to be found. Very
solid construction, advertised as drop tested to 6 ft. You
should be able to beat this light up pretty good without any
problems. The spring holding the batteries in place inside
seems pretty durable as well..
Output is very good, about equal to those aluminum 3-D cell
lights that are so popular these days. Beam quality isn't
the best, but it's not the worst either. It is permanently
focused to a spot with a very bright central hotspot and a
bright surround. Beyond that is a dim aurora that lights the
area around the user adequately for navigation. The spot is
a bit oblong in shape.
Above, in the pictures, you can see I have compared this
light in size and output to the Princeton
Tec Tec40, another 4 AA powered light. The Tec40 uses
a textured reflector to smooth out its beam resulting in
no obvious central hotspot and a nice smooth spot of light.
The UK 4AA's smooth reflector can light a target at a greater
distance, but the user's eyes have to transition between that
bright hotspot and the dimmer surround whenever looking at
something. The UK 4AA is more narrow in shape as a result
of its smaller bezel, but is a little longer as a result
of its switch (which also allows one-handed use, unlike the
Tec40). Personally, I like the output of the Tec40 more, but
I like the compact shape of the UK 4AA better.
Water resistance is very good, equating to my rating of "dunkable".
It is waterproof, but not rated for diving applications.
Important things to note: This model is an upgrade of the
older UK 4AA which did not have a switch on the side and instead
required twisting the bezel to turn it on or off. The switch
allows one-handed operation of the light.
Improvements: A textured reflector to smooth out the beam
would be nice, but it would lose a little of its long distance
lighting ability.
+ + + Pluses: Waterproof, Dustproof,
Smokeproof, Tough/impact resistant, Good battery life, Bright,
Easy battery change, Lightweight, Hazardous location approvals,
- - - Minuses: Not dive capable, Cannot
stand on end, Oblong beam.
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