Morphalite

[CostcoAAcells]

Has anyone heard of or experienced Morphalite flashlights?
They use a beam shaping prism to give 'widescreen' field of view. I suddenly got the itch for a new flashlight when I saw these news blurbs. But then I thought better, see first what the CPF hive mind has to say before I click purchase.

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23670405/san-jose-engineer-brother-invent-unique-flashlight

http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23661673/vacaville-man-brother-invent-unique-flashlight

Company's home page: http://www.fnginnovations.com/

I look forward to the comments. Thanks.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Quote:

"The Walls created another model, the Morphalite Scout Tactical Flashlight, similar at about 5 inches long, without a flip-down head, which emits, at maximum power, 200 lumens. It uses three AAA batteries and is marketed to - and designed for - search-and-rescue officers, hikers, campers, and bicyclists. Printed instructions warn that the flashlight projects a bright beam of light. "DO NOT look at, or shine into other people's eyes," it reads."

It's hard to take seriously the notion that a flashlight running off three "AAA" cells is targeted towards "search-and-rescue officers, hikers, campers, and bicyclists."

I was initially going to say aspheric, but now I am not sure.

After watching the video with the guys with water guns throwing their hands up in the air, it looks very, very gimmicky.

A high powered MT-G2 light, or any high-powered mule, would accomplish the same thing.

Yes, you can see directly forward in a horizontal swath, but, you'll also trip over your own feet!

It looks pretty silly, and I really don't think this will catch on.

The flashlight they are comparing it with is inherently very focused.

Not for me.

 

[CostcoAAcells]

Thanks for your input LEDAdd1ct. Gimmick, was the word I was cautiously thinking too. I wouldn't want to spend $175 for their 18650 model just to find that a Malkoff Wildcat for less money and a more known reputation would work just as well. When I look at the pictures, I see just another Chinese 18650 light and $175 seems wrong for a "500 lumen" light. It does come with 2 18650 LiPo batteries and a charger but I'd rather use my existing fleet of Li-Ion AW 18650 cells and not have to pay for anything more.

I have no experience with LiPo 18650. Anybody know if LiPo is supposed to be better than Li-Ion in flashlight use?

I didn't even consider the AAA Scout model because I dislike 3xAAA format. And you have a good point, a 3xAAA flashlight is not going to give an ideal runtime to search-and-rescue people.

The thing I'm most curious about is that prism assembly. Their claimed 180 degree field sounds really interesting and I want to experience it but not for $175. How lossy would something like that be to the OTF lumens? Would you be better off with a mule after taking account the loss?
It does look cool though--I wish they sold the prism by itself with a universal mount, I'd be willing to pay $50-60 for such an accessory.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

It's a plastic rod across the LED reflector, with some refinement. Try this with a cylindrical water glass (full of water). Their diameter is about 2cm, with a pair in front of the reflector. The cylinder axis aligns with the ” 180°” spread.

 

[Greta]

Please take further discussion of this light to the MarketPlace with proper advertising subscription. This thread turned into an advertisement for the light… and looking at some of the posts, they were actually designed to do just that.

Please read CPF Advertising Policies and Procedures and CPF Rules and FAQ's on Advertising.

Thank you.

Thread closed.