68 and 100 LED Waterproof Flashlights Introduced
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 11. 4.06
Fresh from China, comes this ruggedized, waterproof flashlight. It has 68 LEDs that are powered by four AAA batteries. If you need even more LEDs, they have a 100 LED version available. The light is obviously bright, but one reviewer says it's not as focused or as bright as Luxeon type flashlights with reflectors. The price is hard to beat though: $12.99. Right now it the only place to get this flashlight is via eBay and FifthUnit. :: Via: Linton on Hugg
This thing is bound to only light up a few feet in front of it, more like a lantern than a slashlight, not that that makes it bad.
But I wonder how long it takes to burn through those AAA batteries? LEDs are efficient, but 100 of them? Pity it's not rechargable or wind-up!
Just put rechargeable batteries in it and you're good to go!
I already have this bookmarked from Hugg, and I want one in the worst way. It's cheap enough to take a gamble on.
I think the blog said 100,000 hours.
I picked up a $20 LED flashlight from Target, uses a Lithium battery, but they do make Lithium rechargables.
Brand name on the flashlight is "Dorcy".
If you use lithium batteries for your camera, it's not a bad idea to get the rechargables any way!
The product description says/shows it uses 22 or 68 LEDs. The buy links show a different product that has 100.
I have this exact light, got it off an NZ importer on trademe (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Other/auction-76510328.htm - same one) - anyway, its crap.
The switch has 2 brightnesses, first push the center lights only go, second they all do, third its off. This is purely the switch, no electronics.
There is no current limiting between the 4 aaa cells and the array of leds, so the only thing to limit the brightness is the internal resistance in the cells in it. Anyway, as a result its the same brightness on dim and bright.
And finally the carrier that the batteries go into is flimsy and mine lost one of the springs in short order.
Looking at it, its blindingly bright, trying to light anything up with it and its useless.
If you interested in portable, truly green LED lighting, check out http://www.newlite.com/
More LEDs is not neccessarily better. And qualtiy of build and internal electonics needs to be taken into account as well.
The 100 led unit is made by more then 1 manufactuer. They all seems to retail for 29.99, you can buy them from china for 9.99. QVC has the nicer of the units, the finish is plated, others are just plain aluminum.
The beam is good for about 100 feet, and lights a whole room with ease. Battery life for 4 AA is good, several hours.
Only downside is the flashlight is unregulated, it has just has a dropping resistor.