For years the big multi-D cell mag-lite was the flashlight to have. These days they are still good as a weapon, but other than that, the newer led bright flashlights have it head and shoulders over carrying a heavy mag-lite.
Initially the down side was to get one of these super bright compact flashlights, you had to buy the same expensive batteries that went in expensive cameras, these days most come with an ingenious adapter that holds 3 AAA batteries to do the same job. There are several good ones available and maybe some are better than the “Element” I really like the Leatherman version, but I have had my “element” flashlight for over two years now, and it seems the advertisement of 100,000 hours of bulb use may be true; it is a very rugged and very bright flashlight that weighs about the same as a big folding knife and fits into any pants pocket.
If you don’t need one for work, this is a great light to keep in your glove box of your car, and since it comes in a two pack, one for you and one for your significant other!
This flashlight is excellent if you don’t drop it. My flashlight might have had a one-of-a-kind flaw. I dropped the light about 3 feet to a wood floor, and it stopped. I removed the battery case and found the end and its component parts no longer in tact. The end of the case was meant to be attached by two screws and glue. The two screws were not long enough to even touch the piece they were supposed to anchor to. The glue was not sufficient enough to withstand what I would consider a minor shock. My efforts to repair met with minor success to due to my large hands and small parts. If this flashlight had longer screws and stronger glue it would be superb. Other than that the construction appears to be first class.
Rating: 3 / 5
I recently needed a bright, relatively compact, and reliable flashlight to use on a daily basis.
I had earlier button cell flashlights but these did not provide the light output I needed. I purchased and tried various more modern LED flashlights to find one that would match my needs. These included Streamlight’s Stylus Pro, Rayovac’s 2 AA and single AA LED penlight, and Dorcy’s 2 AAA 5mm LED Pen Light. I also tried a number of multi-LED flashlights including Emerson’s 9X, and Neiko’s Giant Light. Of the lights purchased, the Streamlight came closest to my needs, although its on-off switch was, to me, quite hard to operate. None of these lights quite matched my hopes for ease-of-use, reliability, and light output in particular.
I received the Element Super Bright 4-watt flashlight as a gift, and was quite pleased with its capabilities. At its maximum setting it provides a really bright light, too bright to use if you’re in front of a highly reflective surface. Happily, it also has a second setting, providing a slightly more diffused light output. Its on-off switch is slightly recessed so its hard to accidentally turn on, and its relatively easy to press on (unlike my Streamlight’s on-off switch). I also like that its gripping surfaces extend through much of its length.
To date its Luxeon K2 technology provided the brightest light I’ve found in a small LED flashlight. Its considerably better in this regard than the units I purchased just a short while ago without this technology, and it provides a relatively good battery life. The unit has a bright central core that’s rough, i.e., not fully circular, at the edges and its dims fairly quickly from the center outward with light intensity then gradually tapering off with concentric circles of declining brightness.
As might be anticipated the weight of this three battery flashlight is heavier than the one and two battery units I previously purchased. The three batteries are contained in a battery cartridge, so that the diameter of the flashlight is increased rather than its length, making it easier to carry. I was a bit concerned, however, when I found this cartridge battery holder. Similar style holders are in my multi-LED flashlights and these holders have proven unreliable. Fortunately, this has not been the case with the holder here. Although this flashlight is slightly heavier and larger than hoped for, none of the single or two battery units I purchased approach its functionality. I found this flashlight fits in a SureFire Model V11 belt holster, although its quite a tight fit.
From other comments it may prove unreliable if dropped. Fortunately, I’ve not dropped it yet. I always secure it with its wrist strap before use. However, as with most utility items it is likely to be dropped sooner or latter. If that happens to me I’ll update this review accordingly.
Highly recommended for ease of use, reliability to date and, particularly, light output.
Rating: 5 / 5
I really liked this flashlight, until the battery case broke. The top piece of the compartment was held on by two minute screws that screwed into plastic posts. Well the posts broke right off the rest of the compartment. I tried to glue them back on, but no luck. These lights got minimal use, and no abuse and this one didn’t last too long.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
For years the big multi-D cell mag-lite was the flashlight to have. These days they are still good as a weapon, but other than that, the newer led bright flashlights have it head and shoulders over carrying a heavy mag-lite.
Initially the down side was to get one of these super bright compact flashlights, you had to buy the same expensive batteries that went in expensive cameras, these days most come with an ingenious adapter that holds 3 AAA batteries to do the same job. There are several good ones available and maybe some are better than the “Element” I really like the Leatherman version, but I have had my “element” flashlight for over two years now, and it seems the advertisement of 100,000 hours of bulb use may be true; it is a very rugged and very bright flashlight that weighs about the same as a big folding knife and fits into any pants pocket.
If you don’t need one for work, this is a great light to keep in your glove box of your car, and since it comes in a two pack, one for you and one for your significant other!
I love this flashlight!
Rating: 5 / 5
July 27th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
This flashlight is excellent if you don’t drop it. My flashlight might have had a one-of-a-kind flaw. I dropped the light about 3 feet to a wood floor, and it stopped. I removed the battery case and found the end and its component parts no longer in tact. The end of the case was meant to be attached by two screws and glue. The two screws were not long enough to even touch the piece they were supposed to anchor to. The glue was not sufficient enough to withstand what I would consider a minor shock. My efforts to repair met with minor success to due to my large hands and small parts. If this flashlight had longer screws and stronger glue it would be superb. Other than that the construction appears to be first class.
Rating: 3 / 5
July 27th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
I recently needed a bright, relatively compact, and reliable flashlight to use on a daily basis.
I had earlier button cell flashlights but these did not provide the light output I needed. I purchased and tried various more modern LED flashlights to find one that would match my needs. These included Streamlight’s Stylus Pro, Rayovac’s 2 AA and single AA LED penlight, and Dorcy’s 2 AAA 5mm LED Pen Light. I also tried a number of multi-LED flashlights including Emerson’s 9X, and Neiko’s Giant Light. Of the lights purchased, the Streamlight came closest to my needs, although its on-off switch was, to me, quite hard to operate. None of these lights quite matched my hopes for ease-of-use, reliability, and light output in particular.
I received the Element Super Bright 4-watt flashlight as a gift, and was quite pleased with its capabilities. At its maximum setting it provides a really bright light, too bright to use if you’re in front of a highly reflective surface. Happily, it also has a second setting, providing a slightly more diffused light output. Its on-off switch is slightly recessed so its hard to accidentally turn on, and its relatively easy to press on (unlike my Streamlight’s on-off switch). I also like that its gripping surfaces extend through much of its length.
To date its Luxeon K2 technology provided the brightest light I’ve found in a small LED flashlight. Its considerably better in this regard than the units I purchased just a short while ago without this technology, and it provides a relatively good battery life. The unit has a bright central core that’s rough, i.e., not fully circular, at the edges and its dims fairly quickly from the center outward with light intensity then gradually tapering off with concentric circles of declining brightness.
As might be anticipated the weight of this three battery flashlight is heavier than the one and two battery units I previously purchased. The three batteries are contained in a battery cartridge, so that the diameter of the flashlight is increased rather than its length, making it easier to carry. I was a bit concerned, however, when I found this cartridge battery holder. Similar style holders are in my multi-LED flashlights and these holders have proven unreliable. Fortunately, this has not been the case with the holder here. Although this flashlight is slightly heavier and larger than hoped for, none of the single or two battery units I purchased approach its functionality. I found this flashlight fits in a SureFire Model V11 belt holster, although its quite a tight fit.
From other comments it may prove unreliable if dropped. Fortunately, I’ve not dropped it yet. I always secure it with its wrist strap before use. However, as with most utility items it is likely to be dropped sooner or latter. If that happens to me I’ll update this review accordingly.
Highly recommended for ease of use, reliability to date and, particularly, light output.
Rating: 5 / 5
July 27th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I really liked this flashlight, until the battery case broke. The top piece of the compartment was held on by two minute screws that screwed into plastic posts. Well the posts broke right off the rest of the compartment. I tried to glue them back on, but no luck. These lights got minimal use, and no abuse and this one didn’t last too long.
Rating: 3 / 5