AlexSchira
Enlightened
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2005
- Messages
- 435
Received my Bogolight today, that solar-powered humanitarian device that's designed to make life easier for third-world countries and other far-behind situations. For $25 plus shipping, you get one, and the other gets sent away to a charity/missionary organization of your choice. For more background check out bogolight.com, but for now I'll be evaluating what I think of the thing in the hands of a preparedness-jock with a street-smart consumer viewpoint. I haven't tested its charging ability yet as it was charged out of the box. I had a rather strenuous time getting the supplied batteries in, might have been my Leatherman's fault rather than the light or the screw. Testing it out in my dark-room first and later my place in general after sun-down, I have to say it's a bit brighter than what I expected. I expected something to just have while some one else really uses theirs where they really need it. Turns out it has a nice flood-beam that's bright enough to keep a small white-walled room lit with ceiling bounce, and would function quite well as a general use light around the average household. The casing is strong, solar panel seems extra reinforced. The clip on the end makes it impossible to tail-stand, but it's designed to be hung up like a lantern because white ceilings aren't exactly that common out in thatched-roof villages. If propped up on something (Difficult with the ergonomic shape) it could do well in a power outage, if all else fails. After a few hours of constant use to test it out, it's developed an odd discharge signal. It comes on, and then dims down from the initial flash fast enough for me to notice but not anyone else I've showed it to. You can still use it as it dims, but I'm nearly done with the factory-charge five hours after getting the light. Odd how it still spikes up every time I turn it on. I'll be leaving it on a typically sunny windowsill tomorrow, on its bezel with its solar plate up like a pillar. It's a Chicago winter out here, not going to leave it out in the snow storms to charge. I may have to find a better position for the best charge, but it should be able to get out a few hours of light on a cycle like that. Doubt it'll ever get a full 8 hours, but that'd be nice. From the clip to the glow in the dark o-ring, this thing just screams utilitarian. It's durable enough, bright enough, and comfortable enough that it should serve very well in its humanitarian efforts. The biggest adjustment for me was the switch located on the side of the oval-shaped barrel, so if your fingers are in the five notches your thumb rests on it perfectly. Comfortable, but not as simple as traditional round-barrel lights. The sideways grip makes the beam narrower and taller, functional but not a wall of light. Lastly, that little glow-ring in the bezel is just a nice touch. I didn't know it was there until I saw it glowing in my dark room. It's not a beacon to find the thing across a room, but for a bedside table it's fine. The very things that make it great for exotic usage in the darkest corners of the world, make it a bit less useful for some niche-uses we have in the States. For instance, the lack of a flat tailcap makes ceiling bounce a stunt to pull off. The solar-power may require more light than the average window can provide, batteries are still more convenient and rechargeables are just as eco-friendly. However, I do admit I like the idea of a last-stand light for when everything else goes out, that can keep me and others going a few hours a night with daily charging. The neon-orange color it comes in limits one use that may just be the best emergency niche it can fill, tucked down on the dash of your car where it collects sunlight like no tomorrow, ready for a flat tire or hike back to civilization. It would be perfect for this, if not for the fact it's a neon flag and would draw every eye that walks by to the fact you have an odd flashlight on your dashboard. Not even the fact there's one there, but the bright color. For those who don't care about looks wherever you drive or actually like the idea of having an easier to spot car from the front, go for it. However, I'm realizing that the only way to get around this would be to go against the nature of the company and make a run of dark-colored lights for the customers rather than the refugees and villagers receiving them. Would I like a black Bogolight for my car? Absolutely, as long as an orange or equally bright one is sent off around the globe. Is this ever going to take up their time and labor for such a shallow cause? Never, as it should be. I understand they do make a run of pink Bogos, because the male giftees won't hog them and give women a chance to use them. Nice gift idea for an eco-minded girl, but for now I prefer orange. It's not black, but at least it's not pink. I'll check back with charging results and extended use observations, but for now I'm pretty pleased and don't regret my purchase. (EDIT: Trying to break this into paragraphs as the original version did, sorry for the eye strain.)
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