Comments on: Brightness Bordering On Irresponsibility

By: Roger Bishop

Roger Bishop — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:49:29 +0000

John, Other flex neck inspection lights are in the 10 to 25 lumen range, so the WorkStar 440 is around 4 times brighter. It has a very bright center spot and a useful spill beam. Try it, you’ll like it.

By: John Armstrong

John Armstrong — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:06:22 +0000

Roger - I see on the link that the gooseneck inspection light produces 90 lumens, I wonder how that compares with other flex lights?

By: Roger Bishop

Roger Bishop — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:09:01 +0000

In addition to the WorkStar 1200, Maxxeon also makes a practical LED flex neck inspection light called the WorkStar 440. It uses the latest Luxeon Rebel LED, which means it is very bright and very small, so it can get into tight places. It is listed in Candle Power Forums under products using the Rebel. For fifty bucks it’s a great deal. It can double as a flashlight as well. In practice, it is plenty bright at night and the beam size is perfect around the car or outside.

http://www.unique-giftsformen.com/product/MXN00440

By: ToolFreak

ToolFreak — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:31:14 +0000

It’s kind of cool, but the “over the top” is just pushing the equipment to (and past?) it’s limits and going for short-term gains over average performance or longevity. Kind of common in poseur lighting products. It would be much cooler without the cracak-smoking price tag, which makes it more of an eye-rolling wonder than a novelty item you might purchase you ever do need alot of light in one spot for a short time.

By: John Armstrong

John Armstrong — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:35:37 +0000

Eric - it is an “over-the-top” product and its great to see these types of cool lighting products, like the video on this one -

http://www.maxxeon.com/ws1200video.html

By: schill

schill — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:12:06 +0000

For all things flashlight oriented, you need to check out http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/ .

There are a lot of people making very bright custom flashlights. You can buy all sorts of parts to make your own.

Check out the “Incandescent Flashlights” and look for discussions of hotwires.

I have built a light from components based on the “Roar of the Pelican”: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=120462

It’s a 2D maglight body with a replacement bulb, solid aluminum reflector (acts as a heat sink too), glass lens, and a battery carrier that holds 6 AA batteries (in series) instead of the 2 D batteries. The body has been stripped and hard annodized, too. It’s a bright light and can get pretty hot, but it’s not quite paper-igniting.

By: Eric Dykstra

Eric Dykstra — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:52:24 +0000

Jason, I’m not selling it. Just thought it was cool in an over the top kind of way.

By: John Armstrong

John Armstrong — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:14:03 +0000

Bright? Yes - Useful - NOT! For practical AND bright work flashlights check these out (and they don’t cost $300)…

http://www.led-worklight.com/products

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:07:30 +0000

I’ve already got a stove with four burners and an oven. Cooks eggs just fine and at a price not much more than this light.

I also have a book of matches laying around in case I have the urge to set somehting on fire.

Don’t need this.

By: PutnamEco

PutnamEco — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:58:50 +0000

I think I’ll stick with a Maxa beam light for my flashlight excess.

Like for when I’m using my binoculars and need to light something up.

By: ToolFreak

ToolFreak — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:01:52 +0000

The use of a $300 flashlight that only lasts 15 minutes being what?

I think I’ll stick to my Maglites that cost $25 and last for hours.

By: Rob1855

Rob1855 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:58:45 +0000

Popular Mechanics took a look at this a few months back.

According to their test lab guys, within two minutes the flashlight had burned up the internal contact coils, burned up the batteries (literally), and the charred hulk was smoking up their shop.

Not exactly my idea of a glowing endorsement.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:11:03 +0000

I think you meant “tactical” not “tactile” although I guess feel is an important part of any tool.

Are these flashlights waterproof, it seems that they’d make a good dive light.