Widget Review

[dougo83]

Ok..when Sportsman's Warehouse went under, I picked up this nifty little widget to keep in the truck. It is a rechargeable flashlight that plugs into an adapter in the cigarette lighter of your car.

Ok...so..Here's a quick little review for ya:

The upside to this light is convinience. With the additional 'traffic cone' attachment, it is slightly longer than my Space Pen. It also plugs right into the outlet in my truck so it is always there when I need. Perfect for a bug out or emergency roadside situation as an extra light. It also has a clip. This is something big to me for these kinds of things. I can hang/clip it wherever I need it. Oh...it also has automatic shut-off. When it is fully charged, it stops charging.

It does have a few problems, IMO. First, it isn't too terribly bright. I mean, I can see well enough with it to use it to search around in my truck for stuff if I drop it or whatever, but it doesn't even begin to compare to my Streamlight Stylus, the only comparable light I own. Also, the 'traffic cone' just rolls around in the truck when not in place. Since you cannot leave it attached while the light charges, I just have to toss it in the console or something. I think an improvement would be a clip to mount the cone to. Then there's the clip. While I like having the clip, it is rather small which means I cannot attach it directly to my CamelBak or something similar.

All in all, I really can't complain. I think I paid $2 for it. It isn't ideal for much, but it works well in the truck. I am going to try and hunt a few more down for the boat and my patrol unit at work.

PS...sorry for the lame-o non-outdoorsy pics. One of my officers had a heart attack last weekend so I am covering his shifts...Stuck in the office instead of the woods...

ETA: because it is a Coast light, it has a lifetime gurantee. :thumbup:

 

[kgd]

I haven't had a lot of luck with most re-chargable flashlights. I usually by the big ones, you know the 1million candle light power ones, for night fishing trips in the field etc. and find that they hold charge one or two times and then the staying power on recharge goes to pot from there. Plus the recharge duration always seems much longer than the time it stays on. I've sort of abandoned the concept as it applies to flashlights in place of replaceable batteries with spares.

As piece tied to the vehicle I can see its merits. I agree with your critique about the charger. I'd probably loose that thing somewhere under the 'middle zone' under a seat amidst the Tim Hortons wrappers and coffee cops never to find it again after it lost its first charge. But that is just the slob that I am.

 

[dougo83]

I haven't had a lot of luck with most re-chargable flashlights. I usually by the big ones, you know the 1million candle light power ones, for night fishing trips in the field etc. and find that they hold charge one or two times and then the staying power on recharge goes to pot from there. Plus the recharge duration always seems much longer than the time it stays on. I've sort of abandoned the concept as it applies to flashlights in place of replaceable batteries with spares.

As piece tied to the vehicle I can see its merits. I agree with your critique about the charger. I'd probably loose that thing somewhere under the 'middle zone' under a seat amidst the Tim Hortons wrappers and coffee cops never to find it again after it lost its first charge. But that is just the slob that I am.

I find that if I drain my spotlights a few times and fully recharge them that they work pretty well. Of course, I prefer the DC one that stays hooked up in the truck.

My favorite rechargeables have been the Streamlight line. I have had Stingers, Strions, and Stinger XP's and have had nothing but good luck with them.

The charger on this thing is actually my favorite part. It stays plugged into my cigarette outlet so I don't lose it. I am going to try and fabricate something for the cone. It has a roughly 9/16 ID, so any ideas are appreciated. I have no problem screwing something to the paneling in the truck.