Hi.
I have compiled a comparative review of the best three penlights I could find up to date. This review is specifically tailored to the needs of physicians with their daily use of those penlights and applies rather severe criteria.
The contestants are the following lights:
LedLenser Chipfire V16: a very slim light with 1 x 5 mm LED driven by 2 x BR435 lithium batteries. Tested for about one year in daily use.
read more about this light here
Penlux by Chief Wiggum: a custom-made light with a regulated Q3 LS using a trimmed-down Fraen optic. Drive current is 170mA, uses 2 x AAA batteries. Tested for three weeks now.
Here’s the Chief’s thread about his masterpiece: click !
Streamlight Stylus: 1 x 5mm LED driven by 3 x AAAA batteries. Tested for 2 months.
Further details of the lights will be discussed in the appropriate sections.
One point will be awarded if the specified criteria are fulfilled, zero points if the light is insufficient in that area. Bonus points are possible for extraordinary good performance.
A note about the Arc AAA that should work well in this field too, one might think. Well, it failed miserably /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif. It is too short and rides uncomfortably in the pocket, the knurling is too aggressive and makes handling difficult (you need two hands!) and destroys the other instruments in the pocket. One-handed activation is barely possible and the clip in combination with the rough knurling does not hold well to the light. In addition to that the knurling can make it very difficult to clean the light if ever covered with body fluids of any kind /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif. I tried that for about 3 weeks and abandoned the Arc quickly. That is why it is not included here, it simply dies not meet the criteria at all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
1. Construction and durability
Chipfire V16: Solid brass with powder coat finish. Stiff twisty switch, o-ring sealed. Recessed LED. I never experienced any problems with this one.
points:1
Penlux: Aluminium construction fully o-ring sealed with momentary pushbutton switch and twist action for constant on. No lockout possible. HAII finish. So far it works fine.
points: 1
Stylus: Aluminium construction with momentary pushbutton and twisty for constant on as well as a possible lockout. Feels less solid than the other contenders, but did not fail me once. The LED is not recessed and might be damaged. HAII finish. More versatile but less sturdy than the competition.
points: 1
2. Handling
Chipfire V16: Very slim and convenient carry, the clip works well for 1-handed operation. Activation of the light does not, you definitely need two hand for this. Bummer. Although there’s no knurling the finish provides a surprisingly good grip even when the hands are wet or bloody. A neat feature is a hole in the tailcap to mount a split ring or lanyard if desired.
points: 0.75
Penlux: Carries just like a well-sized ball pen and rides comfortable in a shirt pocket. Clip works well and one handed drawing as well as putting it back is possible with ease. Activation of the light in momentary and constant on can also perfectly been done with one hand. Grip is exceptional because of a good knurling. This knurling is just about right … super grip without being rough or even destroying the other instruments in the pocket like the Arc AAA did. It is a pleasure to use this light!
points: 2
Stylus: This one was a bit too large for my pocket and rode awkwardly, protruding more than any other instrument there. It never fell out though. One handed operation and drawing is ok, although it provides less grip than the Penlux.
points: 1
3. Brightness
Chipfire V16: definitely on the dim side, but still sufficient to see everything you want without blinding the patient.
points: 0,5
Penlux: very bright … you see everything and beyond … but a tad too bright for the eyes. Although I do not care about blinding someone with it since I am on the right side of the light, meaning behind it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
points: 0,75
Stylus: almost right, a bit too dim for deeper body cavities.
points: 0,75
4. Beam quality
Chipfire V16: A very well defined beam without too much spill which is very good for looking into the patient’s eyes and testing the reaction of the pupils. Almost white.
points: 1
Penlux: Square and even beam, almost pure white. The Chief points out a donut-hole but I think he is paranoid /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif … sidespill is almost non-existant which is very good for the above-mentioned reasons.
points: 1
Stylus: Splotchy beam with lots of blue and huge sidespill and quite some backwash due to the protruding LED. Very disturbing.
points: 0
5. Blood / vomit / spittle / urine and sh** resistance
Chipfire V16: No problems here, although the recessed LED is a bit difficult to clean when hit with armageddon. Never had any problems with some fluids entering the light.
points: 1
Penlux: No problems either, dunked it in my toilet after I did my business there … just kidding /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Cleaning is an easy job, no recesses on this light.
points: 1
Stylus: Everything fine.
points: 1
6. Batteries
Chipfire V16: Uses 2 x BR435 lithium tubular cells. Almost impossible to find.
points: 0
Penlux: Uses 2 x AAA. Can have them for free in my hospital. Excellent.
points: 1
Stylus: 3 x AAAA. Try to talk you management into buying some of those … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
points: 0
7. Runtime
The Chipfire lasted more than 4 months on one set of batteries, the Stylus should even last longer and the Penlux should be ok, too. I really did not want to do a test here, sorry. McGizmo will do this for me, I am quite sure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif
points: 1 all lights
8. Regulation
This feature is desirable to be able to judge your patients always with the same amount of light, meaning you'd be able to eliminate one variable in the complex process of evaluating what you see in / on their body.
Chipfire V16: 0 points
Penlux: 1 point
Stylus: 0 points
9. Coolness factor
And yes, I admit it, this IS an important factor. I am a flashaholic after all.
Chipfire V16: very stylish and ultra-slim.
points: 1
although quite a few people have one in my hospital right now … guess why /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
malus: -0,5
Penlux: no one will be able to have one like this! AND it is an excellent masterpiece!
points: 1
Stylus: well, a clumsy stick that emits a bluish light, well …
points: 0
although the shiny gold colour attracted some females …
bonus: 0,5
Conclusion
Chipfire V16: 5.75 points
Penlux: 9.75 points
Stylus: 5.25 points
That result pretty much describes what I could have said with many words, although your choice of light might differ according to your personal criteria, of course.
My choice is obviously the Penlux. The only annoying factor about this marvel is that I am living in constant fear it might be stolen … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
bernhard
I have compiled a comparative review of the best three penlights I could find up to date. This review is specifically tailored to the needs of physicians with their daily use of those penlights and applies rather severe criteria.
The contestants are the following lights:
LedLenser Chipfire V16: a very slim light with 1 x 5 mm LED driven by 2 x BR435 lithium batteries. Tested for about one year in daily use.
read more about this light here
Penlux by Chief Wiggum: a custom-made light with a regulated Q3 LS using a trimmed-down Fraen optic. Drive current is 170mA, uses 2 x AAA batteries. Tested for three weeks now.
Here’s the Chief’s thread about his masterpiece: click !
Streamlight Stylus: 1 x 5mm LED driven by 3 x AAAA batteries. Tested for 2 months.
Further details of the lights will be discussed in the appropriate sections.
One point will be awarded if the specified criteria are fulfilled, zero points if the light is insufficient in that area. Bonus points are possible for extraordinary good performance.
A note about the Arc AAA that should work well in this field too, one might think. Well, it failed miserably /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif. It is too short and rides uncomfortably in the pocket, the knurling is too aggressive and makes handling difficult (you need two hands!) and destroys the other instruments in the pocket. One-handed activation is barely possible and the clip in combination with the rough knurling does not hold well to the light. In addition to that the knurling can make it very difficult to clean the light if ever covered with body fluids of any kind /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif. I tried that for about 3 weeks and abandoned the Arc quickly. That is why it is not included here, it simply dies not meet the criteria at all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
1. Construction and durability
Chipfire V16: Solid brass with powder coat finish. Stiff twisty switch, o-ring sealed. Recessed LED. I never experienced any problems with this one.
points:1
Penlux: Aluminium construction fully o-ring sealed with momentary pushbutton switch and twist action for constant on. No lockout possible. HAII finish. So far it works fine.
points: 1
Stylus: Aluminium construction with momentary pushbutton and twisty for constant on as well as a possible lockout. Feels less solid than the other contenders, but did not fail me once. The LED is not recessed and might be damaged. HAII finish. More versatile but less sturdy than the competition.
points: 1
2. Handling
Chipfire V16: Very slim and convenient carry, the clip works well for 1-handed operation. Activation of the light does not, you definitely need two hand for this. Bummer. Although there’s no knurling the finish provides a surprisingly good grip even when the hands are wet or bloody. A neat feature is a hole in the tailcap to mount a split ring or lanyard if desired.
points: 0.75
Penlux: Carries just like a well-sized ball pen and rides comfortable in a shirt pocket. Clip works well and one handed drawing as well as putting it back is possible with ease. Activation of the light in momentary and constant on can also perfectly been done with one hand. Grip is exceptional because of a good knurling. This knurling is just about right … super grip without being rough or even destroying the other instruments in the pocket like the Arc AAA did. It is a pleasure to use this light!
points: 2
Stylus: This one was a bit too large for my pocket and rode awkwardly, protruding more than any other instrument there. It never fell out though. One handed operation and drawing is ok, although it provides less grip than the Penlux.
points: 1
3. Brightness
Chipfire V16: definitely on the dim side, but still sufficient to see everything you want without blinding the patient.
points: 0,5
Penlux: very bright … you see everything and beyond … but a tad too bright for the eyes. Although I do not care about blinding someone with it since I am on the right side of the light, meaning behind it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
points: 0,75
Stylus: almost right, a bit too dim for deeper body cavities.
points: 0,75
4. Beam quality
Chipfire V16: A very well defined beam without too much spill which is very good for looking into the patient’s eyes and testing the reaction of the pupils. Almost white.
points: 1
Penlux: Square and even beam, almost pure white. The Chief points out a donut-hole but I think he is paranoid /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif … sidespill is almost non-existant which is very good for the above-mentioned reasons.
points: 1
Stylus: Splotchy beam with lots of blue and huge sidespill and quite some backwash due to the protruding LED. Very disturbing.
points: 0
5. Blood / vomit / spittle / urine and sh** resistance
Chipfire V16: No problems here, although the recessed LED is a bit difficult to clean when hit with armageddon. Never had any problems with some fluids entering the light.
points: 1
Penlux: No problems either, dunked it in my toilet after I did my business there … just kidding /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Cleaning is an easy job, no recesses on this light.
points: 1
Stylus: Everything fine.
points: 1
6. Batteries
Chipfire V16: Uses 2 x BR435 lithium tubular cells. Almost impossible to find.
points: 0
Penlux: Uses 2 x AAA. Can have them for free in my hospital. Excellent.
points: 1
Stylus: 3 x AAAA. Try to talk you management into buying some of those … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
points: 0
7. Runtime
The Chipfire lasted more than 4 months on one set of batteries, the Stylus should even last longer and the Penlux should be ok, too. I really did not want to do a test here, sorry. McGizmo will do this for me, I am quite sure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif
points: 1 all lights
8. Regulation
This feature is desirable to be able to judge your patients always with the same amount of light, meaning you'd be able to eliminate one variable in the complex process of evaluating what you see in / on their body.
Chipfire V16: 0 points
Penlux: 1 point
Stylus: 0 points
9. Coolness factor
And yes, I admit it, this IS an important factor. I am a flashaholic after all.
Chipfire V16: very stylish and ultra-slim.
points: 1
although quite a few people have one in my hospital right now … guess why /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
malus: -0,5
Penlux: no one will be able to have one like this! AND it is an excellent masterpiece!
points: 1
Stylus: well, a clumsy stick that emits a bluish light, well …
points: 0
although the shiny gold colour attracted some females …
bonus: 0,5
Conclusion
Chipfire V16: 5.75 points
Penlux: 9.75 points
Stylus: 5.25 points
That result pretty much describes what I could have said with many words, although your choice of light might differ according to your personal criteria, of course.
My choice is obviously the Penlux. The only annoying factor about this marvel is that I am living in constant fear it might be stolen … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
bernhard
