Abuse: Stress Test of LED Flashlight

[CPFBiology]

Does anyone know of any tests done on LED flashlights, testing their durability and reliability?

I was looking for things like dropping the flashlight from height, boiling it, freezing it, etc....

Kind of like this video:
Olight M20 Warrior Series - Distributed by Alpha Source Philippines

AirsoftPortal2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYiBvkbfx6A

What are some of your personal flashlight abuse stories?
Which light was it?

I've dropped my Fenix L2D three times from waist height.
It is still working.

I dropped my Wolf Eyes Explorer from waist height-the lens is cracked.

 

[CPFBiology]

Kind of similar to this one:
(JetBeam)
http://www.youtube.com/user/AirsoftPortal2010#p/u/1/xX7Lwkdka-8

 

[carrot]

My usual EDC, the McLux Ti PD-S Mizer, has been accidentally tested on many occasions:

- Carried and used every day for 2 years (to be exact, starting from September 2008, when it replaced my older McLux)
- Dropped at 4 feet onto asphalt, concrete, and diamond plate stairs (I'm a klutz)
- Skidded across asphalt when it fell out of my bike bag at 18mph
- Water exposure in heavy rain storms
- Water exposure during swimming, up to 8 feet deep
- Water exposure during white water rafting
- Impacts during mountaing biking (once I popped a tube and literally slid down a boulder on top of it)
- Used in heavy blizzards in sub-zero weather

I have come to trust this light as having above average durability and reliability. No other light I own has been as thoroughly vetted by myself, by accident or on purpose. It is my every day companion.

(click the images for the full-sized version)

 

[notsofast]

I guess you have never seen this before. It was factory tested for durability.

 

[carrot]

I guess you have never seen this before. It was factory tested for durability.

IIRC, Henry invites visitors to his booth at various shows to try to break his light.

 

[psychbeat]

My EG bored C2 has been knocked off of my helmet
while jumping my bike and by branches on tight trails.
it also flew down a granite chute about 150ft.
that surefire HA is really tough!

its also been left on til blinking multiple times while
being used as an area light for trail work.
I should say its got a 5b NB Linger 2.8a potted which gets
pretty dang warm and puts out 500-600 otf.

Im still on my first McClicky boot and have scratched the
original lens so will order a UCL and another GITD boot
from oveready soon.

these lights can really take a beating- and so can the
Nailbender modules + AW 2600 cells!
:thumbsup:

 

[CPFBiology]

I had also considered a bored out SureFire 6P.

I really would like some better runtime with an 18650, but would the structural integrity be compromised SEVERELY with boring it out?

 

[sol-leks]

The size difference between an 18650 and 2xcr123 is very minimal, so I'm guessing if the boring is done properly it should have very minimal effect on the structural integrity.

 

[Hellbore]

I love these stress tests and wish more flashlight manufacturers would do them!

It's funny how they always use awful techno background music though

 

[CPFBiology]

I love these stress tests and wish more flashlight manufacturers would do them!

It's funny how they always use awful techno background music though

lol, it just wouldn't be the same without

 

[Jash]

Dropped about a dozen times onto concrete from 3-7 feet. Thrown as far as possible onto gravel, thrown down as hard as possible onto gravel, jumped on on concrete and a few other things.

TK20 still keeps ticking

 

[derfyled]

My usual EDC, the McLux Ti PD-S Mizer, has been accidentally tested on many occasions:

- Carried and used every day for 2 years (to be exact, starting from September 2008, when it replaced my older McLux)
- Dropped at 4 feet onto asphalt, concrete, and diamond plate stairs (I'm a klutz)
- Skidded across asphalt when it fell out of my bike bag at 18mph
- Water exposure in heavy rain storms
- Water exposure during swimming, up to 8 feet deep
- Water exposure during white water rafting
- Impacts during mountaing biking (once I popped a tube and literally slid down a boulder on top of it)
- Used in heavy blizzards in sub-zero weather

I have come to trust this light as having above average durability and reliability. No other light I own has been as thoroughly vetted by myself, by accident or on purpose. It is my every day companion.

:thumbsup:

Great to see someone really using this light ! After all, it's built like a tank for the purpose of being a true EDC, not a shelf queen...

 

[vudoo]

The size difference between an 18650 and 2xcr123 is very minimal, so I'm guessing if the boring is done properly it should have very minimal effect on the structural integrity.

I believe boring it out to take 18650 batteries you only loose 2mm out of the body

 

[derfyled]

Dropped about a dozen times onto concrete from 3-7 feet. Thrown as far as possible onto gravel, thrown down as hard as possible onto gravel, jumped on on concrete and a few other things.

TK20 still keeps ticking

I think you don't have to worry with any of the TK series. They are really well built and can take a lot of rough shots...

 

[BarryG]

Here's a test on the Jet III Military. Frozen, on fire, paint mixer, ran over with car.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82JLxaRvAAQ
:twothumbs


Barry

 

[CPFBiology]

Thanks for posting that Barry.

Anyone know of abuse tests for EagleTac?

I haven't been able to find one, just a pool test.

 

[m16a]

My usual EDC, the McLux Ti PD-S Mizer, has been accidentally tested on many occasions:

- Carried and used every day for 2 years (to be exact, starting from September 2008, when it replaced my older McLux)
- Dropped at 4 feet onto asphalt, concrete, and diamond plate stairs (I'm a klutz)
- Skidded across asphalt when it fell out of my bike bag at 18mph
- Water exposure in heavy rain storms
- Water exposure during swimming, up to 8 feet deep
- Water exposure during white water rafting
- Impacts during mountaing biking (once I popped a tube and literally slid down a boulder on top of it)
- Used in heavy blizzards in sub-zero weather

I have come to trust this light as having above average durability and reliability. No other light I own has been as thoroughly vetted by myself, by accident or on purpose. It is my every day companion.

:thumbsup:

Great to see someone really using this light ! After all, it's built like a tank for the purpose of being a true EDC, not a shelf queen...

Carrot might have pretty boy light tastes, but I admire him for his usage of them. He uses what he has to the max, and really knows what's what because of it.

Oh, and my Ra Clicky has endured plenty of rainstorms and the accompanied drops onto concrete from EDC, as well as numerous 20 feet plus tosses into the air onto concrete to prove toughness.

I've always thought very highly of this Fenix T1 torture test found here ! :devil:

 

[kramer5150]

Marduke Fenix T1, will it crush

Energizer hard case tactical drop/throw test

 

[civic77]

Aussiebob did a TK40 torture test cause many thought the battery walls were thin for a TK series and it didn't look that tough. Here's a link, great test

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=233856