"Thumbs Up" for the Photon III!

[Jedi Knife]

I received the Photon III three days ago. Having already owned an orange Photon II, I decided to get blue this time. The difference in design between the Photon II and the Photon III is that the Photon III has a digital control that offers different modes, mainly flashing on and off at different speeds and three different power levels. Instead of a mechanically activated switch, as on the Photon II, this utilizes a dual rocker switch that is part of an electronic circuit that controls the various modes. Also different, is that the battery compartment snaps off, there are no screws to lose, like there are on the Photon II. The LED is also inset a little further into the polymer housing, which seems to me would increase the protection to it. When this light is shipped, there is a plastic film inserted within the internal circuit board that has to be removed in order for the rear rocker switch to work; this is accessed by opening the battery compartment and simply pulling it free. The rear switch, besides toggling through the various modes, also acts as the on/off switch; the front switch gives you full power as long as you hold it. I admit I was concerned that the rear switch would be accidentally mashed while in my pocket and discharge the batteries, but it just so happens that there is an auto shutoff mode in which the light will turn itself off after a certain amount of time, which I think is a minute or so.
I am extremely happy with this light- the design seems to be well thought out and Photon now claims this light to be water resistant to a certain degree, which is always good to know. As can be expected, the blue is amazingly bright. Although it isn't cheap, at 25.95 or so, I feel that this light is worth the money due to its light weight, excellent design, and durability.

JK

 

[shootist16]

Where did you get it?

What is the difference between the Photon III and the Ravin party light?

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Dennis Bible

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Once burnt, twice shy:
The Photon II just made me cry.
It's a mystery to me
Why I would buy a Photon III.

Don't get me wrong -- it's not the screws.
That's a battle I never lose.
But when I took the parts apart,
They made me feel I wasn't smart.

The little scraps of plastic and wire
Don't fit back together whatever I do.
I'm not gonna keep it up till I tire --
How about I send the whole mess to you?



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Welcome to planet Earth

 

[Jedi Knife]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Where did you get it? </font>

Dennis,

I had pre-ordered it several weeks ago from the Photon website- www.photonlight.com. It turned out to be worth the wait.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">What is the difference between the Photon III and the Ravin party
light?</font>

Although I have never handled or seen a ravin' party light, my understanding is that it accomodates a translucent piece on the front (they are called crystals) that cause multicolored light effects when the thing is twirled around. The ravin' party light is more of a toy than the standard Photon III.

JK

 

[Axel Yup]

I just received mine today and agree that it was worth the wait. I bought a Photon II before hearing about the III. I returned the II and preordered the III. I haven't had a problem with tiring out my thumb from pressing the switch as mentioned in a recent review.

Axel

 

[Walt Welch]

The ones that I got were all very difficult to operate in the rear switch/change mode manner. Bryan Avery has said that the Photon 3 is going to be re-engineered to have a micro switch in place of the metal contacts, which should solve the stiff rear switch problem. Walt