New Dorcy Adjustable beam 200-lumen flashlight

[SirJohn]

It seems Dorcy has some new lights again. This one caught my eye since its at Dorcydirect at only $22. 200 lumens, 3AA looks like the AA are in-line vs holder side-by-side as the flashlight is too narrow otherwise. Single mode, aluminum, but with adjustable beam. I know Dorcy isn't exactly high end, but with these specs and at this price, this becomes tempting, especially with the CPF discount. Has anyone else seen these yet? Any ideas on this?

Spec sheet

Dorcy put out a youtube video as well. Its dated Aug 31st, 2010 so this is definitely something new

 

[AnAppleSnail]

It seems Dorcy has some new lights again. This one caught my eye since its at Dorcydirect at only $22. 200 lumens, 3AA looks like the AA are in-line vs holder side-by-side as the flashlight is too narrow otherwise. Single mode, aluminum, but with adjustable beam. I know Dorcy isn't exactly high end, but with these specs and at this price, this becomes tempting, especially with the CPF discount. Has anyone else seen these yet? Any ideas on this?

Spec sheet

Dorcy put out a youtube video as well. Its dated Aug 31st, 2010 so this is definitely something new

Well, if by "spec" you mean cleverly written measurement standards...
The light will not emit 200 lumens. Even on fresh batteries, you'll have less coming out. As an aspheric, lots of light is lost inside the light head. As a 3xAlkaline torch, it's direct drive. Every second it's on will be dimmer than the last until you change batteries. So after 5 hours, it won't be very bright.

A new flashlight standard came out recently that officially states "Lumens at initial turn-on and runtime to 10% output." At least then you know exactly what you're (not) getting.

I've liked my Dorcy lights, but the claimed specs are pretty smelly.

 

[joe1512]

Most of the specs arent even that 'honest'.

Many are out and out lies. Like the 2 pak 9 led lights from Home depot that claim 160 lumens. Yeah right! My itp A1 with an RCR123 on high probably generates about 160 real lumens, and is specced at 190 (without the RCR123). It generates ridiculous amounts of light in comparison. Its 30 lumen medium blows those garbage lights away.

I can say for sure that there is no friggin way the 9 led crap lights could ever get a 160 lumen reading from any calibrated instrument no matter how great the conditions.

In addition, a few of them also state emitter lumens as their value. This assumes the emitter is fully driven which it is not, and doesnt consider drop in voltage as discussed, driver inefficiency, plastic lens lumen blockage and several other factors.


So basically without actually seeing a light and seeing beamshots and knowing exactly what emitter it uses, you have to ignore all lumen specifications, especially from the low-end walmartesque vendors.

 

[sol-leks]

yeah much experience has taught me to not trust dorcy, but I see why this light caught your eye, it looks pretty nice. I don't think I'd risk it unless I found it on sale somewhere.
Found this video of it on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hksDW-Wv7MY&feature=related

 

[joe1512]

Nice vid link.

The video isnt very impressive though. It doesnt seem to focus down to a true Throw mode with a bright hotspot. Most of them can go all the way down so that the light is emitter-shaped.

With max flood you cant even hardly see the light, in the dark! Definitely NOT 200 lumens.

 

[sol-leks]

Well who knows under what conditions the video was shot in, but yeah, it didn't look very impressive.

 

[gswitter]

At least it's 3AA, and not 3AAA. And who cares if it's direct-drive? There's plenty of LED's that run quite well with direct-driven by 3x NiMH cells. Could be good mod fodder, especially running Elite 1700's.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

At least it's 3AA, and not 3AAA. And who cares if it's direct-drive? There's plenty of LED's that run quite well with direct-driven by 3x NiMH cells. Could be good mod fodder, especially running Elite 1700's.

Because they rate the "lumen output" as "What can this LED emit most optimistically in the first second of 3 fresh top-voltage Alkalines?" And NiMH output will be rather lower.

That said, the 60-120 lumens you'll get aren't bad at all. Not a bad light, I just wish they wouldn't fib so much on the specs.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Dorcy lights tend to be unimpressive. I buy some of them when I find them priced well but tend to worry less about the lumens claim and focus on the useage. I have a 2AA that has a luxeon rebel that is supposed to be 40 lumens and it is a nice but mediocre contruction light due to sloppy threading in the tailcap. The light is a battery vampire sucking batteries down to near nothing it is able to run off one battery even and the head comes off for a flood beam.

 

[deadrx7conv]

My Dorcy lights have been hit or miss. Quality is lacking but seems that they've been improving that over the years.

Target doesn't carry them anymore around here and when they were blown out at 50% off, they were worth it. Each glove box has one.

My single LED K2 Dorcy is rated at 160 lumen. When comparing it to my ITP A1 or my Quark Mini-123, I'd say the rating is close.

They upped it from aaa to aa batteries which is an improvement in run time compared to my 3aaa lights.

Not a bad line up for the money, and better when 1/2 off ;-)
http://www.dorcy.com/products.aspx?c=36

 

[abalow7]

Do you also have the 220 lumen rechargeable 4299? I got one a while back and its become one of my favorites. I highly suggest it- This light is full of win!

 

[fishx65]

Do you also have the 220 lumen rechargeable 4299? I got one a while back and its become one of my favorites. I highly suggest it- This light is full of win!

Agree. The 220 is a really nice torch! I also like their 145 Rebel headlamp and a 3aaa Lux which both have an electonic switch. Dorcy does a pretty good job for a mainstream company and they have excellent costomer service.

 

[FlashPilot]

yeah much experience has taught me to not trust dorcy, but I see why this light caught your eye, it looks pretty nice. I don't think I'd risk it unless I found it on sale somewhere.
Found this video of it on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hksDW-Wv7MY&feature=related

Thanks for the link. That beam pattern makes the largest donut holes I've ever seen anywhere. The should call if the "donut light". Perhaps it was initially designed for inspecting tires and then dumped off onto the open market after it didn't sell.

 

[Bladedude]

Agree. The 220 is a really nice torch! I also like their 145 Rebel headlamp and a 3aaa Lux which both have an electonic switch. Dorcy does a pretty good job for a mainstream company and they have excellent costomer service.

I've had the Dorcy 4299 model for over a year and i must say It's quite a thrower and built fairly tough! Could've went with higher end battery type though but for the price its hard to beat.