SerpentLight
Flexible LED Task Lamp
Purchased from: Bunnings, Balcatta, Western Australia
Price: <LOST RECEIPT - I think it was about $24AUD>
Description:
(As per picture) A small LED torch with a flexible neck and several attachments. Featuring;-
I haven't heard of SerpentLight before, when I saw this one at my local hardware store the first thing I thought was of the LED Lenser 360 Medium Flex Torch which I already had. It even has the same holes in the head that surrounds the LED. It is made in China, there are no other branding clues on the package, no web site links and no warranty promises. Google comes up with some Chinese sites that may be related to the manufacturer, the package claims the artwork is copyright in USA. One US site is selling it on a closeout special for $4.99.
This light is nicely packaged with form fitting foam inside a plastic presentation box (pictured above with the cover taken off) - much like a fairly cheap pen presentation box.
The main feature of this torch is the flexible neck and choice of 2 other LEDs. At first I thought you might be able to unscrew just the LED on the end of the neck, but after removing it from the package it became obvious that it wasn't possible and that the other 2 LEDs screw directly onto the battery tube when the flexible neck is removed. This isn't a serious problem but it did seem a little misleading on the packaging. The flexible necked attachment is decent, it holds a sharper angle when compared to the LED Lenser which could come in handy when inspecting tight corners in computers or other areas. The build strength/quality of the neck doesn't quite feel it's up to the LED Lenser standard which I already don't class as being the best.
Since the flexible neck holds shape so well it can be a little annoying to fit back into its molded foam in the box.
When reattaching the blue or white LEDs with no neck the overall size becomes quite small, making it quite convenient for pockets, purses, belts or any of the other dozen things you could attach it to.
The other main feature is the number of body attachment options built into it. The alligator clip, the key chain and the magnetic base.
The removable alligator clip firmly attaches to the battery tube and is prevented from accidentally sliding off with ridges on the tube, quite a thoughtful touch! When squeezing the clip open it can feel a little flimsy, but this is just because the spring is powerful and the other end of the alligator clip isn't fastened to the tube.
The key chain is firmly embedded into the tail cap before the magnet and has a nice strong split ring to attach it to your keys.
The flat magnetic base on the tail cap may be less useful (pictured above). While the flexible LED is attached you wouldn't be able to put it on a vertical surface as the neck makes the whole light too heavy. Though I found you could still hang it off a metallic surface as long as there's enough friction to keep it from sliding if it wasn't horizontal. When using one of the no-neck LEDs you can attach it to a vertical metallic surface, no problems.
The 3 button cells are easy to install, there's no marking or instructions for +/- direction though so you have to take a guess, I based my guess on which end has the spring. There are NO O-rings on the threads, though I don't think this is intended for commercial rough applications, the flex neck would likely make waterproofing the threads pointless anyway. There are only a few sparse threads on the tail cap so it can be a bit fiddly to get the cap back on with the spring resisting your efforts. I think I would be happier with a slightly bigger tube and AAA battery housing.
The push on/push off switch on the tube is probably the lowest quality part of the light. The button requires a very firm press, due to the cheap rubber coating it doesn't feel like you're pressing it the same way every time. The rubber isn't sealed very well into tube, not a nice surface mounting like the LED Lenser.
Light output is nothing special. It's likely only going to light up very small areas (computers, tool boxes, maps) anyway and there is plenty of light for those purposes. Comparable output to the LED Lenser. See above picture for auto exposed close up pic of the beam.
The price, presentation box and utility of the torch make this a great gift for a technician, something I personally would be happy to receive.
Nice tool to add to the tool box!
Flexible LED Task Lamp
Purchased from: Bunnings, Balcatta, Western Australia
Price: <LOST RECEIPT - I think it was about $24AUD>
Description:
(As per picture) A small LED torch with a flexible neck and several attachments. Featuring;-
- 3 LEDs that attach to the battery housing - 1 white with flexible neck, 1 white with no neck, 1 blue with no neck.
- Rubber covered button on the main battery tube housing.
- Detachable alligator clip.
- Swivel key chain.
- Magnetic base.
- Spring loaded tail cap.
- 3 button cell batteries AG-13, included, no runtime claims.
- No documentation other than details on the bubble cap.
I haven't heard of SerpentLight before, when I saw this one at my local hardware store the first thing I thought was of the LED Lenser 360 Medium Flex Torch which I already had. It even has the same holes in the head that surrounds the LED. It is made in China, there are no other branding clues on the package, no web site links and no warranty promises. Google comes up with some Chinese sites that may be related to the manufacturer, the package claims the artwork is copyright in USA. One US site is selling it on a closeout special for $4.99.
This light is nicely packaged with form fitting foam inside a plastic presentation box (pictured above with the cover taken off) - much like a fairly cheap pen presentation box.
The main feature of this torch is the flexible neck and choice of 2 other LEDs. At first I thought you might be able to unscrew just the LED on the end of the neck, but after removing it from the package it became obvious that it wasn't possible and that the other 2 LEDs screw directly onto the battery tube when the flexible neck is removed. This isn't a serious problem but it did seem a little misleading on the packaging. The flexible necked attachment is decent, it holds a sharper angle when compared to the LED Lenser which could come in handy when inspecting tight corners in computers or other areas. The build strength/quality of the neck doesn't quite feel it's up to the LED Lenser standard which I already don't class as being the best.
Since the flexible neck holds shape so well it can be a little annoying to fit back into its molded foam in the box.
When reattaching the blue or white LEDs with no neck the overall size becomes quite small, making it quite convenient for pockets, purses, belts or any of the other dozen things you could attach it to.
The other main feature is the number of body attachment options built into it. The alligator clip, the key chain and the magnetic base.
The removable alligator clip firmly attaches to the battery tube and is prevented from accidentally sliding off with ridges on the tube, quite a thoughtful touch! When squeezing the clip open it can feel a little flimsy, but this is just because the spring is powerful and the other end of the alligator clip isn't fastened to the tube.
The key chain is firmly embedded into the tail cap before the magnet and has a nice strong split ring to attach it to your keys.
The flat magnetic base on the tail cap may be less useful (pictured above). While the flexible LED is attached you wouldn't be able to put it on a vertical surface as the neck makes the whole light too heavy. Though I found you could still hang it off a metallic surface as long as there's enough friction to keep it from sliding if it wasn't horizontal. When using one of the no-neck LEDs you can attach it to a vertical metallic surface, no problems.
The 3 button cells are easy to install, there's no marking or instructions for +/- direction though so you have to take a guess, I based my guess on which end has the spring. There are NO O-rings on the threads, though I don't think this is intended for commercial rough applications, the flex neck would likely make waterproofing the threads pointless anyway. There are only a few sparse threads on the tail cap so it can be a bit fiddly to get the cap back on with the spring resisting your efforts. I think I would be happier with a slightly bigger tube and AAA battery housing.
The push on/push off switch on the tube is probably the lowest quality part of the light. The button requires a very firm press, due to the cheap rubber coating it doesn't feel like you're pressing it the same way every time. The rubber isn't sealed very well into tube, not a nice surface mounting like the LED Lenser.
Light output is nothing special. It's likely only going to light up very small areas (computers, tool boxes, maps) anyway and there is plenty of light for those purposes. Comparable output to the LED Lenser. See above picture for auto exposed close up pic of the beam.
The price, presentation box and utility of the torch make this a great gift for a technician, something I personally would be happy to receive.
Nice tool to add to the tool box!
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