| Essential Gear, Inc. Ultra LED Stretch Light, by Dave Conrad
Essential Gear's logo is High-Tech survival tools. So whether
you are just out for a short hike or climbing a Mt. Everest, Essential
Gear has a light to suit your needs. For years I have been carrying
a mini flashlight when bowhunting for a variety of needs. If I am
locating my stand in the early morning light or following a blood trail
during the late hours I rely heavily on a bright light source with extended
operation time.
 Light
sources in the last few years have made leaps and bounds with the new emerging
technologies. Essential Gear has become known as a leader in this
arena mainly because they are operated by veteran outdoor enthusiasts.
They offer over 16 different light sources for just about every known situation.
Combine this with a variety of colored LED offerings and I am sure you
can find the right color combination for your situation.
I was eager to put the new Ultra LED Stretch Light through its paces
upon arrival. A quick overview of the light shows it encompasses
some great features. First off the light utilizes a LED as its light
source. This is great because a LED is composed of a semiconductor
that is encapsulated in an epoxy resin. This makes it extremely impact
resistant because there are no glass filaments to shatter or break.
It also gives off a super bright light which is very energy efficient and
much more consistent. The LED itself is rated to have a 100,000
hour life span and will operate approximately 100 hours on 3 AAA batteries.
To put 100,000 hours in everyday terms means that you can keep the flashlight
on for close to eleven and a half years before the bulb will fail.
That's a lot of days of bowhunting!
What makes the light so unique is the ability to extend the body in
order to use as an area light. Extending the light will give you
an approximate three to four foot lighted diameter. I especially liked
this feature to utilize looking at topology maps stretched out across your
hood or hands free equipment setup before venturing in the early morning
hours. As you extend the light it also produces a variety of
light patterns out the main beam from a somewhat focused to a very concentrated
light source.
The Stretch Light's body is composed of two very strong yet lightweight
materials. The main body is made of a high strength aluminum alloy.
The stretch area and base of the light is composed of a shock resistant
polymer. Not only have I put it through the drop tests but they have
been repeated by my three and two year old children. I figured what
better way to test it then give it the ole "kids test". Some of their
tests included throwing it up to greater than expected heights.
My son also put it through the stretch test. He loved to repeatedly
compress and pull the stretch light feature while turning it on and off.
So far the Stretch Light has made it through all tests with passing grades.
My final procedure was the brightness test. The first of these
test comprised of "look into the lens and turn it on". It is like
that old saying "put a don't touch sign on something and it draws fingerprints
like a magnet".
I don't know what it is but it seems that one of the first things people
do to see how bright a light is, is to turn it on while looking into it.
Well let's just say that it passed this one with passing colors.
The next test was to check and see how useful the stretch feature was.
I extended the light out and turned it on in a dark room. The light
did illuminate the area but I would only limit the usefulness as a map
reading light to be a 15 inch diameter. Utilized as a trail lamp
the Stretch Light did perform within the 3 meter diameter. The magnifying
feature of the light resulted in a more highly focused and concentrated
beam when compared to a regular LED, which you would expect.
The unit is powered by 3 AAA batteries which are inserted into a separate
battery compartment. This compartment then slides into the aluminum
housing of the Stretch Light on a track system. This design ensures
a proper and quiet fit so you don't have to worry about batteries rattling
around within the light.
OVERALL: the light is a well engineered design. The light
is very lightweight (three ounces) and fits into any of my packs.
It is very easy to function and the labeling of the on/off and battery
compartment is very clearly defined.
Design 4 of 5
I especially liked the compact and rugged design of the light.
The use of a LED greatly increases its toughness. The only thing
keeping this light from getting a perfect score is the water resistant
and not waterproof rating.
Functionality 4.5 of 5
Overall the Stretch Light met or exceeded its specifications.
The wrist strap was a bonus to use when needing a hands free light.
You can double the strap over and loop it through your belt for a safety
light when in the extended position.
Value 4.5 of 5
Anytime you can get a super bright light that will last around 100
hours and has a 100,000 hour LED life rating by all means go for it.
For more information, contact Essential Gear at 800-582-3861 or visit
www.essentialgear.com.
Essential
Gear
171
Wells Street
Greenfield,
MA 01301
TEL:
413-772-8984
FAX:
413-772-8947
Orders:
800-582-3861
Email:
sales@essentialgear.com
Web
Site:
www.essentialgear.com |
