ECLIPSE

Eclipse LED Light, retail $TBA
(Buy one here or here.)
Manufactured by Princeton Tec (http://www.princetontec.com)
Last updated 12-14-08




The first thing you'll see when you buy a Princeton Tec Eclipse is that you don't need a knife, razor, or scissors to get it out of the package. Just pull the two halves of the plastic package apart at the top, and your new Eclipse is ready to light your way out of whatever situation you got yourself into. :-O

The Eclipse is a small light that goes on your keyring, belt loop, or zipper pull; using a special detachable keychain clip you can take off the flashlight body if necessary. Or, should I say, the flashlight itself detaches from the clip, so you can leave the clip on your keyring (or wherever) and flash the Eclipse around as needed.






The flashlight is ready to use right out of the package.

Squeeze the rubbery black button on top of the case once for full power (high), press it twice for medium, press it three times for low, press it four times for a slow blink, press it five times for a faster blink, and press it a sixth time to turn it back off.

If you wait longer than about 2 seconds between button presses, the Eclipse will turn OFF instead of going to the next mode, so you need not go through all of the rigamarole every time you use it.

The Eclipse is supposed to turn itself off after 00:07:30 of on-time; that will have to be tested when I find a clock with a second hand somewhere in this dump of a laboratory. :-P



To change the batteries, first pop off the clip and set it aside. Then take a small flat-blade screwdriver and lift up on the small tab on the battery door with it. The door should pop up at this time. Lift it off and set that aside. Remove the two dead CR2016 cells and replace them with new ones, button (-) end facing down. Be sure the second battery you put in goes under the small metal tab inside the battery chamber. Snap the battery door back on, being sure the tab on the door goes into the slot for it on the flashlight body, and the whole thing fits flush with the rest of the flashlight's bottom. Snap on the clip, and be done with it!

The clip fits on facing either way, so lefties and righties can use the Eclipse with the same comfort.

Battery life is stated on the package as 12 hours on high, 24 hours on medium, and 36 hours on low. We'll see about that. :-)




Judging by the picture above, the Eclipse looks busted. But trust me, it isn't. You're supposed to be able to take the flashlight off the clip whenever you feel the need to.

The Eclipse seems to be quite sturdy. Although the clip could come off if the light is thrown or dropped from a great height, it should just snap back on if it comes off, provided you don't run over the light with a tank.

The package says the Eclipse is "waterproof", though I haven't made an alcohol-fueled attempt to drown it in the toilet or sink yet. :-)

The Eclipse has a digital switch, so it should not flicker or get stuck because of a bad mechanical switch connection.

Pressing the button on the Eclipse launches it into High mode first; further presses give you Medium, Low, Slow blink, Fast blink, and Off. If you don't press the button within about 2 seconds of a previous push, it will turn off instead of going to the next mode.



Beam photograph at around 12".
17,000mcd on high
10,700mcd on medium
7,350mcd on low.

All measurements taken at exactly 12" on a Meterman LM631.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrographic analysis of the LED in this flashlight.
USB2000 spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.



TEST NOTES:
Test units were received at about the same time from William Z. at Texas Tactical Supply and David C. at Pocketlights, so it's up to you where to buy one from. :-O


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
Decent intensity for a "one-banger"
Multiple intensities available with a single button
Reasonably durable construction


CONS:
Uses batteries that could be locally expensive or difficult to obtain
Clip could become broken if it is reefed on or pushed in too forcefully


    MANUFACTURER: Princeton Tec
    PRODUCT TYPE: Keychain flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Central hotspot with soft fall-off
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton, multiple modes
    BEZEL: None
    BATTERY: 2 ea. CR2016 lithium coin cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown or unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: Unknown
    ACCESSORIES: Batteries, already installed
    WARRANTY: Lifetime

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating









Princeton Tec Eclipse * http://www.princetontec.com






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