Pelican L1

[DIYLite]

I know there were reviews on Pelican L1 on several websites, but I will like to hear pro/cons from those who have used it before. I am thinking to get 1 for my dad...

also...
Is there some other LED flashlights that u will preferred over L1 (in the same price range)?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello DIYLite,

Welcome to CPF.

I have one and like it. The down side is that it uses button cell batteries. If you get one, you can remove one battery and replace it with a nut or some sort of conductive spacer. It runs fine on 3 cells and is not noticeably dimmer.

Aggressive use of the clip has found a few people with broken clips, other than that it's a pretty good light.

It is not water proof, but I would rate it at least splash proof.

Tom

 

[Aloft]

I've got a couple white ones and a couple red ones. Used 'em for emergency lights when staying in a strange hotel on the road, or just to see when I got up in the middle of the night. This was before learning about ARC's, UK's, Inova's, etc. I was quite impressed by the brightness (of both red and white) and so I think it's a good light. But the coin cells cost more to replace than the light costs, and that's why I switched to an ARC AA (coolness factor notwithstanding!) I think your Dad would like it, but consider it a throwaway unless you can score batts on the cheap.

BTW, I had a white one activate accidentally in my travel bag and didn't discover it until about 24 hours later. Yep, still burning at least half as bright as one of the fresh batteried ones. Pretty amazing!

 

[voodoogreg]

Got mine on my "lost LED weekend" coupla weeks ago.it's bright, brighter then my eclipse's and other "good" keychain light's, and maybe as bright as an infinity ultra.

It's got a big splash of a beam, i never held it to the wall yet, but does provide a good amount of light for night walking low light stage work,(I'm a musician) going to the car, or bathroom type light.( my SO, don't like the night stand lite on when I get up for a middle of the night lav run)

Man I bought so many light's that 3-4 day period it kinda got lost in the shuffle. but I took it out and it's bright not real ergonomic, but i do like the clickie sw. VDG

 

[Glenn]

VERY short battery life on the little coin cells.

Glenn

 

[Blades]

In the pricerange I would recommend a Gerber/CMG Ultra G.
What would your Dad be using the light for?? Any Idea??
Just wondering.



Blades

 

[DIYLite]

Nice! thanks CPFers here giving me some opinions...
My dad work in the shipyard, so I am thinking he should "upgrade" his mini maglite to a mini LED flashlight. Of course I hope to hear more opinions before getting him 1...

How nice will it be for a Pelican L1 modded into using a AA? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[McShawn]

I have two that my kids play with, the battery life is not great, but the light output is adequate. The switch is difficult for kid hands to operate, possibly someone with arthritis too. Overall nice light.

 

[Aloft]

[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:
Nice! thanks CPFers here giving me some opinions...
My dad work in the shipyard, so I am thinking he should "upgrade" his mini maglite to a mini LED flashlight. Of course I hope to hear more opinions before getting him 1...

How nice will it be for a Pelican L1 modded into using a AA? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think it's possible to fit an AA into the Pelican L1. Is there another L1 we may be talking about from Surefire or Streamlight?

If your Dad is already carrying a mini Mag, you may want to consider the Streamlight Luxeon Jr. . . about the same size, but much brighter, with a nice clickie tailcap and momentary on ability. I have one and I think it's a great value.

Blades recommended the Infinity/CMG Ultra. Not as bright as the Streamlight Jr., but also a great light. I think CountyComm has a CPF special on the HA-III versions for about $15. Highly recommended if the light output is adequate, and it should be about equal to the minimag, IIRC. At any rate, it's easily comparable in brightness to the Pelican L1.

 

[Azreal911]

[ QUOTE ]
SilverFox said:
If you get one, you can remove one battery and replace it with a nut or some sort of conductive spacer. It runs fine on 3 cells and is not noticeably dimmer.


Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

Also if you only run it on 3 cells it will last longer on the overall brightness/runtime. because the LED is running more efficient when it's not overdriven by much. 6 Volts (4 cells) will cause the led to pull out more mah's it's some weird property. As for batteries, you should just check ebay and buy like a tray of it for cheap. it'll probably be enough for a few months of light. I like this flashlight for the cute factor and the good clickie switch. but i mainly use my UKE eLed 2aaa. much easier batteries and regulated also completely waterproof and has a throw too with the magnifying lens. If the user just uses it to check here and there intermittently and often the clickie switch type light is a way to go over the twist ons.

 

[DIYLite]

Sound like Pelican L1 is an over-priced product compared to those in anodised aluminium casing

hmm... any idea what is the LED rating between CMG's AAA & Arc's AAA LED flashlight? (10000mcd? nichia?) Guess there must be someone who did a direct comparison before...

 

[The_LED_Museum]

[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:
hmm... any idea what is the LED rating between CMG's AAA & Arc's AAA LED flashlight? (10000mcd? nichia?) Guess there must be someone who did a direct comparison before...

[/ QUOTE ]
Here are the intensity measurements I obtained from a CMG Sonic and Arc-AAA:

CMG: 25,300mcd
Arc: 20,800mcd

 

[DIYLite]

[ QUOTE ]
The_LED_Museum said:
[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:
hmm... any idea what is the LED rating between CMG's AAA & Arc's AAA LED flashlight? (10000mcd? nichia?) Guess there must be someone who did a direct comparison before...

[/ QUOTE ]
Here are the intensity measurements I obtained from a CMG Sonic and Arc-AAA:

CMG: 25,300mcd
Arc: 20,800mcd

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif
Do u also know the LED rating for Pelican-L1?

 

[The_LED_Museum]

[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif
Do u also know the LED rating for Pelican-L1?

[/ QUOTE ]
I checked the page on my website for them, and I don't have any mcd values for the L1.
Apparently I received them sometime before getting a light meter.
No help in this department, sorry. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

 

[Niteowl]

[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:
Sound like Pelican L1 is an over-priced product compared to those in anodised aluminium casing

[/ QUOTE ]

That depends on where you buy each light. I've got a couple of the red for $7 each, and the white for $10. The battery comments are valid to some degree. I buy a card of ten for 25 cents apiece (have to try that dummy battery idea). Not as convenient as a AAA.

The light has it's uses. I got the red ones for my tackle boxes. The white is for a first aid kit. Being plastic, they're easily held in the mouth if needed (yeah, I've got headlamps for that). I don't plan to use them for any long term lighting needs, that would be the CMG's and Arc's domain. For a quick look around, they work great. They're light, and I like the clickie switch. Some keychain lights would also fit the bill for some of my uses, I just happen to like the L1!

Mark

 

[Azreal911]

yeah holding an arc or cmg light can chip your tooth! they are hard, i prefer plastics in my mouth the pelican is light as well as the uke 2aaa. plus the L1 just looks soo darn cute! that's what my gf said when i gave her a choice of mini light for everyday carry. I'm gonna have to get more LR44's for it on ebay cause i'll need it for my clock as work too.

 

[DIYLite]

The 3x LR44 idea for P-L1 sounds cool /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
save some batteries in the long run!

Ya my dad say he always keep his mobile-phone inside his pocket also, so maybe the anodised alu AAA light "might" scratch his phone. hahaha

Do u think is there another model of ABS/plastic mini light (like P-L1) with cool factor?

 

[Azreal911]

might as well check out radio shack cause they got a few of those plastic mini led lights there just not in the same quality as the pelican though. or else you all if not most of the 2016 coin cell lights are plastic. but won't have the cool look of the L1 or the SL keymate(metal one).

one more thing just looked up ebay and lr44 batteries isn't really a problem at all. looked up the first auction and 50pieces cost like $9US shipping included. this is how i get my 2016's also. I never buy retail anymore for watch batteries.

 

[DIYLite]

thanks!
I will check out the wsite

 

[Niteowl]

[ QUOTE ]
DIYLite said:Do u think is there another model of ABS/plastic mini light (like P-L1) with cool factor?

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out the UK 2AAA eLED here.

Pluses; Booster/regulator circuit, focused beam, AAA's easy to get, stands on end, probably more water resistant.

Minuses: No clickie switch, bigger(but flatter in pocket), bezel is clear(slight backwash), not as cool looking?

I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing. Try a search on it.

Mark