SKUNKLIGHTS SKYLIGHT
Skunklights Skylight Solar-Recharged LED flashlight, retail $27.95 (www.skunklights.com...)
Manufactured by Skunklights (www.skunklights.com)
Last updated 11-07-12

Skunklights Skylight


If I've said this once, I've said it a hundred times. You might be thinking "What kind of bunghole would make a solar powered flashlight?" What this is though, is a RECHARGEABLE flashlight that uses its built-in solar panel to charge its built-in lithium vanadium battery. So you never have to buy batteries for this flashlight, and it can be recharged many, many times before the battery starts to poop out.

This model is the "Skunklights Skylight", with a 10-minute auto shutoff circuit. No dead batteries because of a light that got accidentally left on.

It comes in a plastic or epoxy resin body; with the only nonplastic components being the glass over the solar panel, the LED body, and the metal lanyard clip.

This version was designed for increased intensity at a cost of some battery life.
But since the battery is rechargeable, there is no additional cost to you.

This product is made by the same company that brought you the FreeLight and the SkyLight, so you know it will be of high quality and durability.


SIZE



The Skunklights Skylight comes ready to use right out of the package, however putting it in a bright, sunny window or under a good lamp solar cell facing the light source for a few hours will ensure it's topped off and ready to go when you are.

To use the new Skunklights Skylight, just press and release the button to turn it on, and press & release it again to turn it off.

The unit has a ten minute auto-shutoff; staying on for just over nine minutes and then entering a rapid blink until the ten minute mark, upon which time it turns itself off. So you really don't need to worry too much about it "going off" in a box or bag during transport or storage; or triggering itself in your pocket and subsequently causing the battery to become discharged.

Recharging the battery is as easy as setting the light down solar cell-up someplace bright, such as near a window or under a lamp.



You'll never have to change batteries or bulbs in a Skunklights Skylight, so this section really isn't needed.

Place the Skunklights Skylight in a sunny window or under a good lamp solar cell side up (button facing down) to recharge it. If the batteries are totally shot, 8-10 hours under good light (like sunlight) should charge it fully. The light will flash when used to indicate the battery needs to be recharged.

According to the Skunklights website:

"The solar powered skylight charges best in bright sunlight or under a bright lamp, but avoid getting the skylight too hot (don't leave it on your car's dashboard or other areas that might get very hot). Heat shortens the life of the rechargeable lithium battery. Also, deep discharging of the battery shortens its life. Try to charge your skylight frequently so the battery never discharges fully. This will ensure years of trouble-free operation."

Skylight in the 'charging' position

The self-discharge rate of the battery is a very low 2% per month, so it won't hurt the Skunklights Skylight at all if it's forgotten in a purse for a few weeks or packed in a suitcase for a trip and subsequently not needed. You don't have to go to the trouble of putting it in the sun each and every day if you aren't using it a lot - that simply isn't necessary.

Advertised runtime on a fully-charged battery is approximately 3 hours.

Advertised battery lifetime is 10,000 full charge/discharge cycles.



The new Skunklights Skylight appears to be well-made and reasonably durable, just like its brothers, the original Free Light, the Free Light II, the Skylight Comfort, and the Skylight Steel. The body is composed of a durable plastic or resinous compound The only really fragile component is the glass window that covers the solar cell; which is slightly recessed so it shouldn't break if the light is dropped. Attacking a defenseless Skunklights Skylight with an ice pick or a hammer will probably kill the poor thing though, so please try and play nice.

The unit is sealed and cannot be opened. It is also splash proof and submersible to one meter (just over three feet).

The Skunklights Skylight uses a circuit that regulates the solar cell's current to prevent overcharging and also to prevent overdischarging when the light is being used. In ordinary use, you may never have to throw the light away. Truly, a light to last you a lifetime.



Beam photograph at 12" from target.
Measures 23,900mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic anaysis of the 5mm white LED in this flashlight.


Spectrographic analysis
Same as above; newer spectrometer software & settings used.


Spectrographic analysis
Same as above; yet newer spectrometer software & settings used.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic anaysis of the 5mm white LED in this flashlight; yet newer spectrometer software & settings used.


Spectrographic analysis
Spectrographic anaysis of the 5mm white LED in this flashlight; spectrometer's response narrowed to a band between 450nm and 470nm to pinpoint native emission peak wavelength, which is 457.189nm.

USB2000 Spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.



ProMetric analysis
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was received on 04-24-06, sent by R.K. from Skunklights.

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


UPDATE: 04-26-06
I currently have the product clipped to the keychain on my EDC bag; we'll see how it holds up under the abuse of riding around with all those jingling keys.


UPDATE: 03-28-08
The product is still clipped to the keychain on my EDC bag; so far, all those jingling keys have yet to damage it, and it still functions properly.
The keychain has been dropped a number of times over the last (almost) two years, and the Skunklights Skylight has weathered this abuse just fine.





PROS:



CONS:



    MANUFACTURER: Skunklights
    PRODUCT TYPE: Solar-rechargeable flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: 5mm white LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Narrow flood with dimmer corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton on flashlight body
    BEZEL: Stainless steel; plastic lens protects LED
    BATTERY: Internal rechargeable; lithium-vanadium, capacity not known
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER- AND PEE-RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: Yes, to 1 meter
    ACCESSORIES: Lanyard (9.5cm looped)
    SIZE: 51mm L x 28mm W x 10mm D
    WEIGHT: 23.50g (0.830 oz.) incl. keyring attachment
    WARRANTY: 5 years

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Skunklights Skylight * www.skunklights.com...






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