Jack Reacher
Newly Enlightened
Have had my A6 Polestar for a couple of days now — and bearing in mind this is my very first LED flashlight — these are a few of my thoughts about it.
Overall: AUD$99 delivered. Excellent build quality; no flaws in anodizing, which is low-sheen and matching on all parts. Compact form factor and well-balanced in the hand. Rubber-covered side switch even and responsive feel with solid and positive click. All modes intuitive. Oversize knurling works well with no slip from hand. Proportions of body to head well matched. Heat-sink fins deep and well machined/anodized. Tail stands very firmly and tail-cap flats prevent roll.
Pros: Perfect round beam and hot-spot. No rings or artifacts other than Cree white-wall "cross" at less than 60cm distance. Shallow, light OP reflector provides plenty of spill. Last-mode memory. Location of switch below head on body side well-suited for shape/mass of light. Mass evenly distributed between head and tail ends. Six AAs good compromise between run-time, size, and costing. Nice brushed lining holster with Velcro closure, belt loop and carabiner. Tailcap threads smooth and lightly greased with one/eighth turn to switching lock-out. Two spare O-rings plus neck lanyard. Low 12 lumen mode ideal for indoors.
Cons: From unmeasured visual observation, less than advertised emitter 700 lumens. Head appears to be bonded permanently to body shell. Lanyard mounting hole in tail-cap indent too small/awkward to be practical. Supplied lanyard too long for wrist use and its carabiner too large for tail-cap mounting hole.
General: No issues with battery carrier as far as connectors, polarity, structural integrity. Potential issues with replacing side-mounted clicky if necessary due to limited/zero access. Flattened brass contact under pill does not have to take any unsupported loading from carrier as tail-cap spring has ample length and compressive strength to provide adequate electrical contacts. Alleged thinness of handle wall seems not to be a major issue for non-combatant scenarios. Throws to at least 100 metres with person-sized targets easily identifiable. Evenly projected and largish side spill with definite but soft cutoff line. Cool white light with slight mauve/green tint.
Summation: Overall an excellent flashlight choice considering build, form and function — particularly for its low pricing point. Ideal as a first-timer's entry-level light. Bridges the (potential) gap between pocketable/keyring EDCs and physically large throwers/spotlights. Would not recommend for combat and/or LEO users.
And as I've said, please bear in mind that this is my first LED flashlight, so some of my opinions — although personal — may not match the consensus view.
— Cheers, Jack.
Overall: AUD$99 delivered. Excellent build quality; no flaws in anodizing, which is low-sheen and matching on all parts. Compact form factor and well-balanced in the hand. Rubber-covered side switch even and responsive feel with solid and positive click. All modes intuitive. Oversize knurling works well with no slip from hand. Proportions of body to head well matched. Heat-sink fins deep and well machined/anodized. Tail stands very firmly and tail-cap flats prevent roll.
Pros: Perfect round beam and hot-spot. No rings or artifacts other than Cree white-wall "cross" at less than 60cm distance. Shallow, light OP reflector provides plenty of spill. Last-mode memory. Location of switch below head on body side well-suited for shape/mass of light. Mass evenly distributed between head and tail ends. Six AAs good compromise between run-time, size, and costing. Nice brushed lining holster with Velcro closure, belt loop and carabiner. Tailcap threads smooth and lightly greased with one/eighth turn to switching lock-out. Two spare O-rings plus neck lanyard. Low 12 lumen mode ideal for indoors.
Cons: From unmeasured visual observation, less than advertised emitter 700 lumens. Head appears to be bonded permanently to body shell. Lanyard mounting hole in tail-cap indent too small/awkward to be practical. Supplied lanyard too long for wrist use and its carabiner too large for tail-cap mounting hole.
General: No issues with battery carrier as far as connectors, polarity, structural integrity. Potential issues with replacing side-mounted clicky if necessary due to limited/zero access. Flattened brass contact under pill does not have to take any unsupported loading from carrier as tail-cap spring has ample length and compressive strength to provide adequate electrical contacts. Alleged thinness of handle wall seems not to be a major issue for non-combatant scenarios. Throws to at least 100 metres with person-sized targets easily identifiable. Evenly projected and largish side spill with definite but soft cutoff line. Cool white light with slight mauve/green tint.
Summation: Overall an excellent flashlight choice considering build, form and function — particularly for its low pricing point. Ideal as a first-timer's entry-level light. Bridges the (potential) gap between pocketable/keyring EDCs and physically large throwers/spotlights. Would not recommend for combat and/or LEO users.
And as I've said, please bear in mind that this is my first LED flashlight, so some of my opinions — although personal — may not match the consensus view.
— Cheers, Jack.
