CTD 8-LED FLASHLIGHT

CTD 8-LED Flashlight, retail $5 (www.cheaperthandirt.com...)
Manufactured by (Unknown Chinese manufacturer)
Last updated 11-14-07




(In reference to the package I received from CTD):
{sung like the Foreigner song "Feels Like the First Time"}
Feels like a flaaaaaash-liiiight...feels like a FLAAAA-aaaash-liiiight!!!
Feels like a flaaaaaash-liiiight...feels like a FLAAAA-aaaash-liiiight!!!

This flashlight does not have a formal name, so CTD 8-LED Flashlight it is.

This is a flashlight that has eight white LEDs in the business-end, powered by three AAA cells held in a carriage inside the barrel. It is turned on and off via a click-action pushbutton switch on the tailcap. It comes in a rugged looking titanium colored metal body, which I believe is made of a material known as "pot metal". It's not magnetic, but it feels a bit too heavy for aluminum, so that probably isn't it either. And I was able to cut through it with a knife, so it isn't stainless steel either.


SIZE



To use the CTD flashlight, feed it first (see below), and then you can go to town.

Press the black tailcap button firmly until it clicks and then release it to turn the CTD on. Repeat the same action to turn the CTD off.

There is no momentary or signalling mode available when the flashlight is off, however, you can blink the CTD while it is on by partially depressing the tailcap button. If you don't mind the backward or reverse feeling of this, you can blink the flashlight this way.



To change the batteries in your CTD, unscrew and remove the tailcap, dash it to the ground, and stomp on it with spiked golf shoes...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead. ;-)

Tip the black plastic battery carriage out of the barrel and into your hand. If necessary, remove and dispose of or recycle the used cells if they are present in this carriage.

Insert three new AAA cells into the carriage, one in each compartment. Orient each cell so the flat-end (-) negative faces a spring for it in its compartment.

Once the carriage is full, insert it into the flashlight's barrel, aiming it so the spring on the end goes in first. Screw the tailcap back on, and be done with it.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on that tailcap now? ;-)

Due to the way the flashlight was constructed, I am not able to obtain a current usage reading for you.



The CTD appears to be at least reasonably durable. I smacked it against a steel rod ten times (five on the tailcap, and five on the bezel), and caused no damage that I can readily detect. The flashlight still functions properly too.

As for water-resistance, it is weather-resistant, but not waterproof or submersible. When I removed the tailcap, relieved the CTD of its battery carriage, and performed that dreadful suction test, some leakage was detected. It isn't a HUGE leak, but it leaked nonetheless. A slightly larger leak was detected in the switch end. So while I don't think you'll have any trouble using in rain, snow, or other foul weather; dropping the CTD into water or water-like liquids probably wouldn't be very good for it.


As you can see in the above photograph, on the inside of the bezel (head), there's a retaining ring (that would require a spanner wrench to remove or tighten) and a circuit board with the LEDs on it. Since there has been some talk on Candlepower Forums about modifying this flashlight, the photograph above was provided.

As I said earlier, I was able to cut through the flashlight body with the blade of a knife. The blade of a Swiss army knife, to be precise.
Would I really try to cut up a brand spanken new flashlight?
You bet your sweet patootie I would, if it's in the name of science.

The flashlight appears to be made from a metal called "pot metal", rather than the aluminum or stainless steel that other flashlights are made from. It has a titanium-colored finish on it. I believe this finish is painted on; as I was easily able to scratch through it with a screwdriver blade. So this flashlight may not stay new looking for that long if it's abused or regularly thrown into a toolbox with wrenches and screwdrivers.



Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 72,200mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.

IMPORTANT This measurement was performed using batteries of unknown but
limited prior usage; I'll remeasure the CTD with new cells when I can afford them.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this flashlight.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was ordered from Cheaper Than Dirt on 07-24-04, and was received in the mid-afternoon of 08-03-04. A member of Candlepower Forums posted the link to this flashlight, which I promptly purchased.

Product was made in China.
A product's country of origin really does matter to some people, which is why I published it on this web page.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
Reasonably durable construction


CONS:
Not water-resistant or submersible
Finish is not anodized
Possibly made of a potentially toxic metal


    MANUFACTURER: Unknown
    PRODUCT TYPE: Small handheld flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: 5mm white LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 8
    BEAM TYPE: Narrow flood with soft corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton on/off on tailcap
    BEZEL: Metal; LEDs and reflector protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 3x AAA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes; weather-resistant at minimum
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: Very small lanyard; already attached
    WARRANTY: Unknown/not stated

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star RatingStar Rating





CTD 8-LED Flashlight * www.cheaperthandirt.com...






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