3 Led "Ultra-Bright Led Headlight" from Jaycar in Australia

Flagone

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 7, 2002
Messages
35
Location
Brisbane, Australia
I just bought the above 3 led flashlight from Jaycar Electronics in Australia. They retail for AUD$29.95 which is about USD$16.

It runs on 3 AAA batteries and has a big clip on the end (with a swivel mount) which you can clip it onto things. It also comes with a headstrap so you can walk around with it on your head if you want.

It seems quite good value. Whilst not quite as bright as my Eternalight Ergo XRay it is still quite bright. I will have to compare it against the Arc AAA LE and Arc LS which I have on order when they arrive.

I am going to clip it onto my bike tonight and use it as a bike headlight.

I haven't seen the light reviewed anywhere and don't know where it is made or who makes it as the packaging doesn't say. It is available here:
http://filemaker.webfactory.com.au/DFX/jaycar/FMPro?-db=products.fp3&-format=detail.htm&-lay=cgi&Category=LIGHTING%20-%20TORCHES&-recid=12583162&-token=38726&-find=
 
Hey I was thinking of getting one just for the hell of it. I believe its the same product as the Clipper as sold in the US.

I have the stupid Jaycar stretch light (ST-3075) which transforms from a torch to an area light. I didn't think a LED would work as an area light and after I bought it I realised I was right.

The stretch light has a very noticeable blue tint. Does the 3-LED torch produce a blueish light as well? With 3AAA batteries and 3 LEDs, hows long will the light last?

Oh BTW, **** Smith is selling 30 AAA alkaline batteries for $18 (and 40 AA for $24). Not bad since most stores are selling AAA batteries for around $5 for a pack of 4.
 
It has the usual bluish tint. The battery life seems okay. I am using NiMH and whilst I am not doing run down tests, it still seems pretty bright after using it for about 5 hours.

In terms of brightness, it only has 3 leds so it is about as bright as, lets say a 3 led light.

The idea of clipping it on my bike did not work too well. Each time I hit a bump the light pointed down at the ground.
 
The Clipper 3 is very bright and small. I have been using it daily. I also use it with NiMH batteries. I love it so much that I have 2 of Clipper 3 (3 LEDs) and 1 clipper 2 (2 LEDs). The Clipper 3 is much better than the 2 LEDs version.

I don't have the single LED version but I can imagine that it wouldn't too bright.

Alan
 
it is rated at 80hr for alkaline rite??
if i am using alkaline, how long will the batt last? will the light spill from the body?
anyone can compare it to an attitude??
Linfeng
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spidey82:
it is rated at 80hr for alkaline rite??
if i am using alkaline, how long will the batt last? will the light spill from the body?
anyone can compare it to an attitude??
Linfeng
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I didn't check its runtime rating. According to Brock's web site, it draws less current than most LED light, so it *should* has longer runtime. Why's it so bright with less drawn compared with 3 LED light? I guess it is due to its shiny reflector.

It's brighter than my PT attitude yet uses one less battery and smaller. However, attitude is waterproof and Clipper 3 is only water resistant. No, light doesn't spill from its body.

Alan
 
I've just bought the 3 LED version and the packaging rates the unit to last up to 80 hours using alkalines.

But some simple maths gives a maximum figure of around 19 hours and this is AT BEST! I have a feeling the 80 hour rating is for the single LED version.

But it is a very nice torch and certainly much better than Jaycar's stretch light. The beam is a bit weird as it produces a pattern similar to when 3 circles intersect. Other than that it seems to be pretty well designed and made.
 
Hi,

I bought the 3 led lamp at the oshmans in San
Jose for $20. it's about as small as a 3 led
with 3 aaa batteries lamp can be made.

I did 2 easy mods to mine.

First I polished and greased the output
terminals on the battery case, they are part
of the rotary on/off switch and contact the
PC board.

Second, I wraped tape around the the battery
cover and body so it won't open when you turn
the light on and off.

I like mine, but it is a bit big to carry
around in the pocket all the time. Also it
has switched on while in my pocket.
 
This 80 hour rating is probably how long you get ANY light out of it. Since their isn't any regulator the voltage to the LEDs will be constantly dropping over the life of the batteries. So the current through the LEDs will also be dropping. It doesn't take much current to light the LEDs so it will last a long time giving out a small amount of light.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BillSJCA:

I like mine, but it is a bit big to carry
around in the pocket all the time. Also it
has switched on while in my pocket.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's interesting. It uses screw on/off switch like attitude/ArcAAA.

Alan
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Someguy:
The beam is a bit weird as it produces a pattern similar to when 3 circles intersect. Other than that it seems to be pretty well designed and made.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The center hot spot is the light from those LEDs and wierd pattern on the side is those light reflected from its reflector. Those LEDs is too close to the rim and bounced back and created 3 extra light pattern. I agreed that these 3 reflected pattern is quite annoying.

Alan
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
It's interesting. It uses screw on/off switch like attitude/ArcAAA.

Alan
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Alan,

It uses a screw on / off like many flashlights,

It is rubber coated and has a larger diameter.
It also only takes about 1/8 turn
to switch on.
Some how it has been able to switch on twice
in my pocket.

Bill
 
ok sounds interesting to me should go get one if i have the cash.
Linfeng
 
Top