THREE-COLOR SLIDING TORCH

TSI Three-Color Sliding Torch, retail $9.95 (www.sharperimage.com...)
Manufactured by The Sharper Image (www.sharperimage.com)
Last updated 03-17-07




The TSI (The Sharper Image) Three-Color Sliding Torch (hereinafter, probably just called the "Torch") is a small, pocket sized LED flashlight that uses two LEDs and three AAA cells to produce its light.

The Torch is operated by sliding the lid down from the reflector (as shown in the second photograph above). Colors (white, blue, and red) can be selected with a small slide switch on the back of the unit. One of the LEDs produces the white light, the other has two dice (light emitting chips) inside to produce the red and blue.

It can be carried in a pocket, briefcase, or purse; or clipped to a belt or pants wasteband using the metal clip included (removeable, but attached when you receive the flashlight).


SIZE



To use the Torch, first feed it with the included batteries (see below) and then it'll be ready to go.

Slide the cover downward until it stops to expose the reflector; this turns the Torch on. Sliding the cover back up over the reflector turns the Torch off.

A small slide switch on the upper left rear of the Torch enables you to select the LED color you want. With the switch set to its lowest position, the Torch will emit white light. With the switch set to the center position, the Torch will emit blue light. And with the switch set to its highest position, the Torch will emit red light.

The Torch comes with a metal belt clip, which can be removed if desired. To remove the clip, turn the Torch upside-down (so the reflector/slide assembly is facing downward). Squeeze the two metal prongs inward; they will then pop out of their receptacles. Reverse this process to attach or reattach the belt clip.
You can use this clip to attach the Torch to a belt or pants wasteband.



To change the batteries in your Torch, turn it upside down, and slide the battery door off. If necessary, remove and dispose of or recycle the three used AAA cells from the battery chamber.

Insert three new AAA cells into the battery chamber, following the polarity markings embossed into the bottom of each receptacle. Slide the battery door back on until it clicks into place flush with the chamber's opening (so it's all the way on), and there, you're finished.
Please ensure the belt clip is on the outside of the battery door when you slide the door in place.

I don't have current usage measurements yet, so please stop asking. ;-)



The Torch is at least *reasonably* durable, but it is not very water-resistant, and is definitely not submersible. So you'll want to steer clear of creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceansides, docks, puddles of laborador pee, snowbanks, ditches, sinks, tubs, toilets, etc. If it falls into water or water-like liquids, take the battery door off, remove the batteries, dump out the water if necessary, and set it in a warm dry place for around a week to ensure it's completely dry when you reassemble it. If it fell into seawater, an unflushed urinator or john, or if something peed on it, douche the parts off with fresh water before setting them out to dry. You don't want your Torch to smell like seaweed or urine when you go to use it next. Besides, salt (from seawater or pee) can't be that good for the switches.

I did smack it against a steel rod ten times, and did not break or damage it. And it withstood a couple of drops: one from about 3 feet, and another where I threw it at my wheelchair tire and let it clatter around on the floor. The floor is covered with a low pile (about 0.10") carpet with no backing over linoleum. I don't know how well it will withstand falls directly to concrete though. I think it may become cracked. I didn't say it will become cracked, but it may. So you'll probably want to be at least reasonably careful with the Torch around this surface.



Beam photo (white) at ~12".
Measures 8,210mcd.



Beam photo (blue) at ~12".
Measures 1,540mcd.



Beam photo (red) at ~12".
Measures 1,280mcd.

All measurements were taken on a Meterman LM631 light meter.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the red LED in this flashlight.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the blue LED in this flashlight.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the white LED in this flashlight.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from WWW.TWO-CUBED.COM.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was purchased at the downtown Seattle Sharper Image store on 05-19-04. Cost was $9.95 plus tax.
I know that TSI has some gun control horse puckey going on and that they should be boycotted by flashlight users, but this was just too cool to pass up.
I saw it in their catalogue while sitting on the toilet this morning, and had to buy one.


UPDATE: 05-21-04
It has been asked of me who makes or sells the red/blue LED in this product, and I honestly don't know. So please, stop emailing me about that.


PROS:



CONS:



    MANUFACTURER: The Sharper Image
    PRODUCT TYPE: Pocket flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 2 (one white, one bicolor red/blue)
    BEAM TYPE: Varies depending on the color selected
    SWITCH TYPE: Slide front of flashlight for on/off; slide color select switch on back
    BEZEL: LEDs and reflector protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 3x AAA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: TBA
    WATER RESISTANT: Splash-resistance at best
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: 3x AAA cells
    WARRANTY: 90 days

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Three-Color Sliding Torch * www.sharperimage.com...






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