Optolight $1.00 4xAA mini-review + photo

[idleprocess]

QUICK SPECS

• Light source Incadescent - 6V (4.8V) PR bulb
  
• Type medium flashlight
  
• Switch slide switch
  
• Operation single mode
  
• Operational sequence on | off
  
• Power source 4x AA
  Alkalines OK
  Rechargables OK (undervoltage)
  Lithiums OK (overvoltage)
  
• Focus fixed
  
• Beam medium spot
  
• Construction Transluscent plastic
  
• Environmental
  Water resistance: None
  Shock resistance: Minimal
  Crush resistance: Minimal

PHOTOS

FLat View


Perspective View


Assembly detail


The business end


Battery carriage compared to a D cell


Test scene beamshot at ~15'


Test scene with florescent lighting

(Snide) COMMENTS

• Excellent value for $1 (or $0.99 if you got it where I did)
• Arguably a better value than "disposable" lights at $2 (or less) total cost when "fueled" with discount alkalines
• Decent output and throw for such a small and cheap light
• Can use 6V lantern bulbs for great output
• I don't expect the bulb that comes with the light to last very long given the overall cost of the unit
• Suggested use: cheap blackout light, cheap mod host, or mod "test mule"

[Lynx_Arc]

Are you sure power source isn't (4)AAs instead of 3?

[idleprocess]

Fixed.

[dim]

I'm mostly interested in the battery carriage. With alkies, does it fit into a D light? Will two fit into a 2D Maggie? 3 into a 3D Maggie and so on.... The batts look like a tight fit to begin with. Will the carriages with NiMH batts fit into Maggies?

73
dim

[Lynx_Arc]

It looks very similar to the dorcy neon colored somethingbright light that biglots has for 2.99 with batteries.

[idleprocess]

The cartridge might fit into D light bodies if trimmed a bit around the edges.

4xAA : D is a somewhat dicey proposition. When it does work, there is usully ZERO margin.

I hear that newer highcap NiMH cells are somewhat larger than alkaline AAs, so four often don't fit within a D footprint.

[douro32]

Good candidate for an EverLED replacement bulb...isn't it?
Add one and u have a $40 1.2W Luxeon flashlight

[03lab]

$1??? Wow, I want one! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[MR Bulk]

Run one dummy AA in the holder and DD a Luxeon 3 up top (with a big hunk of aluminum heatsink ground to fit, of course...).

[modamag]

Hey Charlie, that's what I got in my "Mini" SN2 clone [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]