PLW-3 (new type)

PLW-3, retail $26.95 (http://www.theledlight.com)
Manufactured by (unknown)
BUY IT AT THELEDLIGHT.COM
Last updated 05-15-01

LED Light



The PLW-3 is another black, 3 "AA" LED flashlight that uses 1, 2, or 3 white LEDs.

This light comes in a black ABS plastic case, and has a clear Lexan safety head that glows when the light is being used..

SIZE



If your PLW-3 didn't come with batteries already installed, put them in. :)
To turn the light on, give the head a firm clockwise twist; to turn it off turn the head the other way. The PLW-3 is similar in shape and size to another three-AA light I've tried, but it has some distinct differences.
The beam seems to be split into three distinct bluish spots, with white all around & in the middle. There really aren't any dark spaces to offend you.

This light easily illuminates a large room at night, and its color is much better than any incandescent - and like any good white LED light, it won't turn all orange when the batteries start to poop out.

The PLW-3 comes with the stretchy lanyard on the tail and an elastic wrist mount device, which allows you to affix the light to your arm for hands-free usage.



The PLW-3 uses three "AA" cells, which are cheap and easily available. Like many other lights, you unscrew the head until it comes off, dump out the dead batteries, and drop in three new ones button-side (+) up.
The only loose part besides the end cap is the LED module, which is a small can-shaped thing that fits into the body of the light right above the batteries. So this is another light you don't open directly over the can when it's time to change its batteries. After your batteries are in, simply drop in the LED module with the LEDs facing up, and screw on the cap. Done with that.

Since the battery change is a tool-free process and the LED module only fits one way, you should be able to do this in the dark - strictly by feel - if need be.

The batteries are rated to last approximately 25 hours at high brilliance, and 100 additional hours at a reduced level..
Battery life testing is in progress, but during the short time I've had it, I have not been able to deplete them.



The PLW-3 appears to be a fairly rugged flashlight. It should easily survive just about anything short of being run over, so I wouldn't worry at all about having it fall or get knocked to the ground. The PLW-3 just bounces back for more. It's made of ABS plastic, and has a GE Lexan bezel, which is the strongest transparent plastic made today.

It is also waterproof to 300 feet, and as such makes it a nice light for the great outdoors.
Double O-rings seal out weather and other nasties.

The LEDs themselves are sealed inside the light by the transparent bezel, giving them valuable protection from the elements and accidents.


LED Light
Funny but perfectly usable beam from the 3-LED version.


LED Light
Deliberately underexposed to show the somewhat seperated beam centers.


The PLW-3 comes with a wrist lanyard / hanging loop on the end, so you can hang it from a tent ceiling or keep it around your wrist while hiking or looking for the camp toilet. It also comes with a new device for physically mounting the light to your arm, so you can have both hands free and not worry about having to hold a flashlight. The new clip consists of a strong elastic webbing and a "C" clip the body of the light fits snugly into.




TEST NOTES:
This "new" version of the PLW-3 uses the regular narrow-beam white LEDs, not the wide-angle like the old style.
Test sample came with additional LED modules to convert it to a wide-angle PLW-1 (1 LED), and a narrow angle PLW-2 (2 LEDs).



PROS:
Reasonably durable & bright, cheap common batteries, hanging loop, waterproof, illuminated safety ring.

CONS:
Doesn't stand on-end unassisted, wrist lanyard is very stiff and is not elastic enough, alignment of LEDs cannot be altered.


          MANUFACTURER: Holly Solar
          PRODUCT TYPE: Handheld flashlight
          LAMP TYPE: LED, 5mm, white
          No. OF LAMPS: 1, 2, or 3
          BEAM TYPE: (Sample) Three distinct beams emerged, soft corona
          SWITCH TYPE: Twist-on bezel
          BEZEL: Clear, ribbed outer wall
          BATTERY: 3 AA cells
          CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown
          WATER RESISTANT: Yes
          SUBMERSIBLE: To 300 feet
          ACCESSORIES: Stiff wrist lanyard
          WARRANTY: Full lifetime through The LED Light




                PRODUCT RATING:

                DURABILITY: 9
                BRIGHTNESS: 9
                USEABILITY: 9
                BATTERY LIFE: 9
                BATTERY AVAILABILITY: 10

                OVERALL SCORE: 46



Pilot-3 LED Light * (http://www.theledlight.com)



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