SQUID LIGHT

Squid Light, retail $29.95 (http://www.squidlight.com)
Manufactured by Montane (http://www.squidlight.com)
BUY IT AT THELEDLIGHT.COM
Last updated 07-30-06




The Squid Light isn't like any flashlight you've ever used before, so don't expect it to behave like any flashlight you've ever used before. Featuring three brilliant white LEDs on the ends of three flexible stalks, the Squid is designed to be a tent light, a table light, and a handheld flashlight all in one!

Additionally, the light has two brightness settings, so you can custom-tailor the light output for what you need it for. Or you can always have it on the low setting to make the batteries last longer.


SIZE:



The unit I received was ready to use right out of the package, so I don't know if you'll have to feed yours first or not (it says "batteries not included" on the package). If you have to feed yours first, follow the battery installation instructions below, and then start using it.

Press the rubberized button on the bottom of the light once for low, twice for high, and three times for off.

The Squid stands up on its tail, so you can set it on a table, a flat rock, or the floor and it won't go anywhere unless you kick it. :-O

You can bend each LED stalk up to 180° so you can get light anywhere you need it. (Very early units would occasionally short out inside when you did this, extinguishing all the LEDs, but this has been fixed in Squid Lights you can buy now!)





Pull the three LED stalks out of their notches at the top of the Squid first. Then, unscrew & remove the top half of the light body, exposing the three AAA cells it feeds from. Dump the 3 dead batteries in the garbage, and drop in three new ones, following the polarity markings next to each battery chamber. Two of the batteries go in tail (flat side) first, and one goes in head (button-end) first. Screw the top half of the Squid back onto the bottom half, tightening until it stops, and go play!

Battery life as shown on the package is "20 hours" on high, and "7+ days" on low.
I'll have to check that to be sure. :-)



The Squid Light seems to be quite durable, and should survive most kinds of accidents you might have with it. It would probably become broken if you ran over it though, so please don't get in your car or truck or on your motorcycle and do that.

There are clear plastic globes surrounding each LED, and rubber-like plastic collars around the base of each LED where it is attached to its stalk. There are also rubber-like plastic bumpers at the head and tail of the Squid, so it should just bounce around all funny when it's thrown or dropped.

The Squid is supposedly water resistant, and floats if it falls in a toilet, tub, sink, fishtank, pond, river, creek, or other body of water.
I have not yet thrown mine in the toilet though, so I can't back this claim up yet. I heard a rumour that one of these things leaked, but I have not seen this for myself. Guess I'll have to throw mine in the john and see what happens. :-P
There is a transparent "O-ring" on the part of the light that comes apart for battery changes; this should become slightly compressed when you screw the light together and seal out rain, dog pee, swimming pool water, toilet water, yucky basement water, and other nasties.



Pictures of the Squid in a couple of different configurations.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the LEDs in the Squid Light.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from TWO-CUBED.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was received in early May 2003.

The Squid comes in several different color combinations. The one I'm testing is their "Melon & Lime" variant.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
Decent construction
Water-resistant enough that you probably don't have to worry about it
Two brightness settings
LEDs can be aimed any way you see fit


CONS:
Could become broken if stepped or sat on - ouch!!!
Could be a bit brighter - but it's not bad as it is
Early versions could short out if manhandled - this has been fixed however


    MANUFACTURER: Montane
    PRODUCT TYPE: Tent/area light
    LAMP TYPE: White LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 3
    BEAM TYPE: Variable/depends on how LEDs are aimed
    SWITCH TYPE: Pushbutton, digitally manipulated
    BEZEL: Protected LEDs at the ends of flexible stalks
    BATTERY: 3x AAA cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: Hanging lanyard
    WARRANTY: 1 year limited

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating









Squid Light * www.squidlight.com






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