Which Photon?

I too have all three. But for the first time, find myself not really digging the "New and Improved".

The Photon I works fine as is. Zero issues at all.

The Photon II added the lock on switch, so you had momentary and constand on. Again, very cool. Only had them "AD" in my pocket a couple of times in a couple of years of carry. Wore down one battery in a white "P II".

However . . . I got two Photon IIIs last weekend. One White, one Red. I average pulling a lit Photon from my pocket like once every two days. Way too "AD" prone. The "modes" was cool the first two days, but they stay on the low setting now. One reason is if I need a small amount of light to work on something in the dark, simply hit the bottom of the switch (bright, hit the top). The other reason is, with all the ADs, the battery will last longer that way.

On the point of batteries, might I suggest that folks look into the "Photon Micro Light Battery Replacement and Accessory Kits". For ten bucks I got:
  • *Two CR-2016 Lithium Batteries
    *One CR-2032 Lithium Battery
    *One Phillips Screwdriver
    *One Screw
    *One Short Lantard with Clip
    *Two Sets of Velcro Fasteners
    and
    *One Neck Lanyard

Not a bad deal.
 
I have both the Photon II and Photon III, but I really like the features on the Photon III more. I do agree with John though, so I have mine set on the lowest brightness to conserve battery life and I agree that the accessory kit is a must. I still carry my Photon II on my keychain and I've attached my Photon III to my Kershaw Chive.
 
Quote John Hollister 09/23/01:
However . . . I got two Photon IIIs last weekend. One White, one Red. I average pulling a lit Photon from my pocket like once every two days. Way too "AD" prone. The "modes" was cool the first two days, but they stay on the low setting now. One reason is if I need a small amount of light to work on something in the dark, simply hit the bottom of the switch (bright, hit the top). The other reason is, with all the ADs, the battery will last longer that way.
Click to expand...

Well, dispite keeping it on low power mode, the white one is dead as a door nail as of this evening. What a POS! I'm going back to the Photon IIs.

:mad:

John
 
I got a photon III yesterday. It wont cycle through all the modes. It just cycles from high to low. No medium, no strobes, and no auto shutoff. Needless to say i am less than inpressed. I have several photon II's that have never had the first problem.
 
I too have been looking at the III's. I have a white II and a red II and they kick ass. The constant on feature is something I use quite a bit.
 
Quote shootist16:
I got a photon III yesterday. It wont cycle through all the modes. It just cycles from high to low. No medium, no strobes, and no auto shutoff. Needless to say i am less than inpressed. I have several photon II's that have never had the first problem.
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Shootist, perhaps I can help. There is a plastic tag that must be removed from the battery compartment. My guess is that Photon knows there's a problem with the damn lights and locks the "constant on" off to keep people from getting lights with completely dead batteries.
 
I took the tag out first thing. I think this one is just defective.
 
Originally posted by John Hollister
I too have all three. But for the first time, find myself not really digging the "New and Improved"...The Photon II added the lock on switch, so you had momentary and constand on. Again, very cool. Only had them "AD" in my pocket a couple of times in a couple of years of carry. Wore down one battery in a white "P II".
Click to expand...

I have to agree. My IIs have had occasional ADs but have been fine. My IIIs were a white one that never worked correctly (yes, I took off the tab first) and was dead within a week--I then used it to break in my CS War Hammer--and a red one that worked properly out of the box but had constant ADs which I swapped for a II with no problems since.
 
Now that you mention it . . .

About a week ago I was showing some Photons to a friend and when I went to show him the white Photon III, all it did was lightup by pushing the top of the switch. The modes were dead. I assumed that the battery had gotten to a low enough point that they didn't work anymore. Later that day, the modes worked again with no problem.

John
 
I own all three models of the Photon Micro Light. Each has good uses:

Photon I: Great for momentary light. I keep a regular Photon I with white light on my key ring. I also have both a white and a red Covert Photon I that I keep on a neck chain for use camping, fishing, hiking, running, etc. The coverts throw a little beam rather than being an area light. They are water resistant but not waterproof.

Photon II: I keep one (White) on my work ID card tag chain. Photon IIs Have a little switch to keep the light on. They are NOT even water resistant. I have another white Photon II that I put a little round velcro tab on and put the opposing velcro tab on the bottom of a cap brim with the switch facing down. This gives me a great little hands free light and the light is protected from rain. Great for fishing, setting up camp in the dark, readng, etc.

Photon III: I own two, both white light. I love these. The are water resistant and have the 7 different modes. Mine work fine. I keep one on a neck chain. Except for the Photon hat light I made, these will probably replace all my Photon IIs. The Photon III is also available in the Covert design.

BTW - for those of you who are having problems with your Photon IIIs (or any other Photon Micro Lights), contact the manufacturer and I am sure they will make good on them - except for obvious abuse or dead batteries of course). They have a website - just do a search for Photon Micro Lights! www.photonlight.com

I happen to prefer white light on my Photons as it is the most used. I do have one red one that I use mostly for hunting to preserve night vision on the way to the deer stand/blind.

I wish the Photons were available back when I was in the Army.


QUOTE]Originally posted by jefroman
Which photon shpuld I get?? Photon 1, 2, or 3?

Thanks!

Jeff [/QUOTE]
 
Shootist,

Your Photon III should be working perfectly. I have two that work perfectly and I love them.

I suggest you contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Their website is: www.photonlight.com.

Originally posted by shootist16
I got a photon III yesterday. It wont cycle through all the modes. It just cycles from high to low. No medium, no strobes, and no auto shutoff. Needless to say i am less than inpressed. I have several photon II's that have never had the first problem.
Click to expand...
 
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