Photon Micro-Lights

K

King of Groove

Joined
Oct 11, 1999
Messages
107
How does everybody like the Photon Micro-Lights? Are they powerful enough to be of use? What's the best color to get? Best place to buy them?

-David


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"If you fake the Funk, your nose will grow."
- W. Bootsy Collins

 
Of all the threads that keep rearing up, I'm surprised it's been so long since we've seen this one. Year1 archive search yielded 39 hits.

The first fork in the road is long life (single cell) or short life (dual cell), followed by the cost difference (2-5 bux), and the use. White and yellow are often called the all around best lights for seeing things and colors but all of them have their perks (i.e. I fancy turq, orange, etc...)

You get comparable or better light than a mag solitare but not as much as a mini mag

JE

Guessing game: what would yield more search hits AFCK, EDI, Sebenza, or Axis?
 
I like them. They are bright for up close work. I believe Walt Welch did a review of the colors and which color serves which purpose better. For me I like the White LED. I'll have to get some more besides red. Contact Tim Flanagan to buy some. His email is noreastknives@bigfoot.com . He also sells Krill Lights.

Here are a couple reviews with suggestions on light color selection:

http://www.backpacking.net/photon-review.html

http://www.crl.com/~mjr/photonrev.html


Check out my suggestion at the BladeForums.com Store:

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum15/HTML/000123.html

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"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb

[This message has been edited by David Williams (edited 07 November 1999).]
 
I will second the recommendation of both the White Photon and Tim at N'oreast. Everyone I have given one to has been pleased.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
Beware the small on/off switch. It can somehow get switched on while in your pocket and then waste the battery. And changing the battery is a bear because you have to get all the tiny components back in there just right. Good luck. And it doesn't cast much light, but maybe you don't need much.

It is very light for backpacking, so if you only need a small light, why not. But I feel I wasted my money. It is a gimmick that doesn't fit the advertising.

John
 
Ryyken, if you sell it, I think you can find a buyer here in the forums.

I think of it as a gadget, I've given them as gifts and they work well for finding keys or lighting what's in front of you. Good supplements to full size lights and easier on the pocket space than a Solitaire.
 
Ever since I read about Photons on BFC, I can't stop. They're incredible. They will totally replace that Mag Solitare you have on your keychain. I've got a red one on my keychain, a white on on my jacket zipper (convenient spot for those who are trying to use their keys and can't exactly use their Photon on their keychain at the same time), a green one sits beside my bed and I've got a yellow one just hanging around my desk as an extra. I think I like the white one the best cause it doesn't distort actual colours and it's one of the brightest Photons. The rest of them are also great but compared to the white... I actually bought all of mine at a retail location in Toronto called Europe Bound not over an Internet retailer so I can't really help you there.

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ET

 
I keep a blue one attached to the ring on an SAK in my fanny pack. The problem I had with Sotitaires was that I would accidently rotate the head and drain the battery. With the Photon I don't have that problem. If you need more information, Photon has a website and their own forum. http://www.photonlight.com/

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Frank
jqsurf@worldnet.att.net

 
No, they don't replace a bona fide flashlight, but they're great for close up lighting (can easily read w/it, and for a very long time). The lithium cell doesn't drain in cold weather, and its body is as tough as a turtle. Doug Ritter at www.equipped.com accidentally put on in the washer and it survived just fine. Intentionally drove over it w/his car and it still kept ticking. Fr the hell of it, my friend and I did the same and our Microlights are still going strong.

Best keychain light. You'll always have it w/you, and you won't notice it till you need it.

Glen

PS FYI, for bigger lights, I think Underwater Kinetics makes a far better product than the ubiquitous MagLite. My 2AAA UKE light is brighter w/better radius than my 2AA Mag. Only drawback is expense -- 3-4x more.
 
For a powerful, compact long term storage light you can't beat the Stinger by Streamlight. A perfect lamp for your glove compartment and emergency kits.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
James,

The Stinger looks pretty good. Do you have any information about the Streamlight ProPolymer line? I was considering the 4AA.

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ET

 
StJames

I think maybe you mean the Streamlight Scorpion. Compact and the lithium batteries have a ten year shelf life. The Stinger is the rechargeable but the NiCads will self discharge in about a month if left unused. I have both but mainly use the Scorpion because I always forget the Stinger at home in the charger.

[This message has been edited by allanm (edited 07 November 1999).]
 
I bought two of the white Photon II's. I think they are incredible. Was going to keep one on my keys, one by my bed. Well, the wife snagged that one! My first thought was they are kind of pricey. But if you compare it to the Mag solitaire and other decent flashlights, I guess it isn't too out of line.

Bill

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AKTI Member #A0000180

"Everyone was born right-handed. Only the greatest overcome it."
 
I just got two of them. A red one for my key chain and I white one for house checks at night etc....
I love these little lights and plan to get more.

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It is no sin to doubt some things but it may be fatal to believe everything.
*A.W. Tozer

2 Tim 4:3-4


 
Thanks for this thread!! I have been eyeing these for a couple of months and you have convinced me to get a few.
 
In the announcement re: I am loosing my memory! Can you help? Mike said Walt sent him a Photon. From there he and Spark are considering selling Photons in the BladeForums.com Store. I suggest you let Mike and Spark know what you think about that. As for me I will hold off my purchase a few more weeks until they decide. I plan to get 4-6 more Photon IIs in White and Orange.

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"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb

 
The whites have changed. The beam is now a little more focused and thus it projects further. This may change the preferences people have expressed in the past.

A yellow, which has a more focused beam, is still a good carry because of the longer battery life.

Washing or wetting the light has not apparent effect on the light itself, but it does cause battery corrosion. So if you wash it or get it wet, disassemble, dry and clean off the batteries....perhaps another job for Tuf-Cloth...although my results re rust prevention do not seem to meet some of those posted. One wag I spoke to just said he just lets his continue on to the dryer, but....
 
Be careful when changing the batteries. I have several photon II's and like them a lot. When I went to change the button cells in my White one I managed to strip the head on one of the screws. This was while using a brand new #0 Phillips which they recommend. I contacted the company and they sent me 5 new screws for free so it was no big deal, just take care with the screws. It worked fine with three screws too BTW. The woman I talked to at LRI (Laughing Rabbit Inc) told me they are in the process of designing a truly waterproof Photon. I can't wait. My White one on the key chain has saved me from some grief on more than one occasion. After a year of bouncing around in my pocket with keys, a Stellite knife pick, Leatherman Micra, Spyderco Ladybug II, P38, and Uncle Mike's Sliver Grippers it looks good as new. Yeah I know that is a lot of crap in one pocket! That's my utility pocket.
wink.gif
The rest are reserved for better knives and money.

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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."


 
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