ASP Aspen, retail $14.95 Texas Tactical Supply
Manufactured by ASP (1-800-236-6243)
Last updated: 08-05-04
The Aspen is the fraternal twin brother to the Mirage and Sapphire lights, made by ASP. It is a single LED, lithium cell microlight that can be clipped to just about anything to give you a bright light anytime you need it.
A single white Nichia LED is powered by a pair of lithium CR2016 cells, activated by the press of a rubberized button.
The plastic and metal case keeps all the goodies inside.
SIZE:
The Aspen comes ready to use right out of the package. To get light, give the black rubberized button a squeeze; release the button to turn it back off.
An integral clothing clip allows you to affix the Aspen to just about any clothing article or attach it to a keyring with just a flick of the wrist.
The batteries in the Aspen are non-replaceable, so when they poop out, you mail it and $3 back to the address on the package
and they simply send you a new light. The instructions state that battery replacement is a warranty item
The Aspen is reasonably durable, but these lights have been known to break open after a high fall. Should this happen, you can usually reassemble it and have a working light. It is composed of a poly-type plastic material with anodized aluminum side panels, with a metal spring and a metal counterbalance weight for the clip tucked away inside. The mainly plastic frame construction is agumented with the metal sides, so it could be just a touche more impact-resistant than the all-plastic Mirage.
The lifetime warranty covers the batteries (see above) and the LED. It has been reported that warranty service is quite good, so even if the dog gets ahold of it, chews it up, and then drops the pieces in the toilet, they'll replace it.
The spring loaded clip is a nice feature, you can just flick it right onto your clothing or other object; to remove it, depress the clip and remove. Don't just yank on the Mirage, as doing so will possibly break the clip.
As of 08-05-04, I've been informed by a user of lights with clothing clips like this that the clip can become broken with only a minor pull if the two ends do not latch.
Beam from the Aspen at 12".
Brightness of this sample topped out around 14,000mcd, then started falling right away like all coin cell lights will. The Aspen is intended for intermittent bursts, not for long-term usage.
TEST NOTES:
Unit was received some time earlier this year, and sat dormant in its packaging until 09-22-02. I will now have to look through old emails to try and find who sent it so they can be credited.
In case you lose the package and it's time to send it back, here is the address you mail it to:
ASP, Inc.
2511 E. Capitol Dr.
Appleton WI. 54911
USA
Texas Tactical Supply offers the Asp and the Mirage (both similar lights by the same maker), but I did not find a listing for the Aspen.
UPDATE 00-00-00:
Any updates related to this review will be posted as they happen.
PROS:
Pleasing appearance.
Spring loaded clip attaches to almost anything.
Small size.
Reasonably durable.
Warranty service reportedly excellent.
CONS:
User cannot replace batteries.
Momentary-only pushbutton - light won't stay lit unattended.
Light is a bit dimmer than its brother, the Mirage.
MANUFACTURER: ASP
PRODUCT TYPE: Clip-on LED light
LAMP TYPE: LED
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Medium spot
SWITCH TYPE: Momentary pushbutton
BEZEL: N/A
BATTERY: 2x CR2016 lithium
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Sealed unit, unable to measure
WATER RESISTANT: Splash/sprinkle resistant only
SUBMERSIBLE: No
ACCESSORIES: None
WARRANTY: Full lifetime
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