10/31/2012

DON'T be fooled into buying this flashlight like me.

I just received this flashlight and I am extremely disappointed with it.

First off, the quality is mediocre at best and poorly engineered. It's simply two plastic parts screwed together plus the front and end cap. Everything is plastic, plastic body, plastic reflector, plastic lens. I have nothing against plastic but it is that bad.

Second, I doubt it is even splash-proof, any water is going seep into the flashlight (along where the two body parts are jointed together). There is no O-rings on the end (front too?) cap. It WILL be ruined overtime if you let it come contact with water.

Third, this flashlight has a limited use with a tight 'hotspot' beam pattern and single mode(high), not to mention with poor beam pattern - rings of light(somewhat like the ol' Maglite).

Fourth, Dorcy says it is 180 lumen, I reckon that is the output of the LED itself. Factoring reflector losses, it is closer to 150 lumen. Flashlights that uses ANSI ratings would have factored in losses.

Fifth, it is not regulated. So, on the fresh set of batteries, it might be outputting 150 lumen. A hour later, 130 lumen, 2 hours later 120 lumen and so on. I opened up the battery and it is simply wired to resistor (to limit current) and a switch. Yep, that simple.

All in all, I do not know why should ANYBODY buy this flashlight. You will be better of with a reputable Chinese brand (Fenix, Jetbeam, Olight etc). You will be paying more but it will likely be:
-Regulated (Constant brightness as battery voltage decreases)
-Waterproof/Water resistant at least
-Good build quality (Aluminum body, Aluminum reflector and Glass lens for some)
-Rated according to output from flashlight(ANSI), not LED.
-Better engineered, which equates to longer, better runtimes, better beam pattern etc.
-Multi-mode: low, medium, high etc, useful for a variety for tasks (brighter is not better here)

DON'T be fooled into buying this flashlight like me.

If you want something cheap, get something cheap, this is not.
If you want something bright and durable, get something else but expect to pay a little more.
If you want something cheaply engineered, somewhat bright, somewhat durable, get this.

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