TREK 1 , (Special order only) (http://www.tek-tite.com)
Manufactured by TEKTITE
Last updated: June 03 2001
The Trek-1 is a 3 "AA" flashlight that uses a single white LED and a built-in magnifying lens in the bezel to help concentrate the beam.
It comes with a stretchy wrist lanyard affixed to the tailcap.
SIZE:
Here's another flashlight you can just rip open the bag and start using almost right away.
My test sample came with the batteries already installed, so it was good to go immediately.
If yours doesn't install three "AA" cells (see below) before using it.
To get light, turn the clear lens bezel clockwise until the flashlight comes on; to turn it off twist the lens bezel in the other direction.
A black plastic cap covers the sides of the lens bezel; this may be left in place or removed if you wish the end of the flashlight to glow
when in use. (I found the light easier to operate without this piece, see below for update).
To feed Baby for the first time, unscrew the clear bezel until it comes completely off. Holding the flashlight upside-down (business end facing the floor) when you do this will usually allow the LED base and reflector ring to stay inside the lens so they do not become lost.
Insert three "AA" batteries, button-end facing up, into the barrel. Lay the LED board on top of the batteries, put the reflector in place (the LED fits in the hole :), and screw the lens bezel back on.
This flashlight will require a full battery life test, as it wasn't clear on the paperwork as to the expected battery life.
But I'd expect no less than 50 hours at near full intensity, and another 100 at lower levels.
Like all Tektite and C.Crane flashlights, the Trek 1 comes in a tough ABS plastic case with a G.E. Lexan lens bezel.
The LED is a super bright, newer Nichia model - the brightest money can buy.
You can drop-kick this flashlight across the next county, and nothing will happen to it. Because it uses an LED instead of an incandescent, the bulb will not pop even with a severe impact.
The Trek 1 is also sealed with twin O rings, and is therefore waterproof to 1,000 feet, so don't worry a bit if it falls in the toilet or if the kids plop it in the fishtank.
As a single LED flashlight, this one is as bright as they come. A magnifying lens built into the lens bezel provides a slightly narrower and brighter beam than a naked LED would, but this gives a distinctly bluish tint to the central part of the beam. Some may find this objectionable; if this is the case and you just can't bear it, the lens bezel can be swapped out with those on any of the other "AA" and "AAA" Trek series flashlights.
The Trek 1 comes with a black plastic shade that prevents spill light from the sides. I found that although handy for some, I had some minor difficulties in turning the flashlight on and off with this piece in place - at times, it tends to "freewheel" around the head unless a lot of pressure is applied while turning. This seems to occur on some models of Trek "AA" and "AAA" lights more so than others. (See below for an update on this)
A possible solution may be to apply a tiny dab of rubber cement to one or two spots inside this cap, and then push it onto the bezel.
Rubber cement has the advantage of being easily removable if you later decide to go without the shade cap.
Another idea may be to just put a small sized rubberband around the light's head and then push the cap over the band.
The light is fitted with a stretchy lanyard and a pair of slots on the sides to affix it to a backpack or other strap.
The entire body is ribbed to help you maintain your grip, even with cold or wet hands. This and all of the other 3 "AA" and 2 & 3 "C" cell Tektite lights have this nice feature.
Light has a magnifying lens built-in that makes the beam slightly brighter than expected.
The Trek 1 is brighter and much less bluish than the Pelican L1, and it is easy competition for the Mag Solitaire.
The "standard" that most people choose for single-LED white is the Photon II, which I will compare with as soon as I dig it out from the rubble of last month's you-know-what. :o
TEST NOTES:
Camera closed two stops to show the distinctly blue tinted central portion of beam. But nowhere near as blue as the Pelican L1.
Flashlight was held approximately 26" for this shot, so the bluish central area would fill more of the target.
UPDATE 06-03-01:
Tektite has redesigned the light hood that fits over the head. Four ribs now line the inside to grip the serrated flashlight head and prevent the hood from "freewheeling" as you turn it.
Any updates related to this review will be posted as they happen.
PROS:
Durable construction, waterproof, uses cheap & common batteries, excellent battery life, longer range than most single LED flashlights.
CONS:
Sinks like a rock, main part of beam decidedly bluish
MANUFACTURER: Tek-Tite
PRODUCT TYPE: Handheld flashlight
LAMP TYPE: LED, 5mm, white
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Central hotspot with chip artifact, soft fall-off
SWITCH TYPE: Twist-on bezel
BEZEL: Clear lexan bezel with ribbed outer wall
BATTERY: 3 AA cells
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Approximately 350 milliamps
WATER RESISTANT: Yes
SUBMERSIBLE: To 1000 feet
ACCESSORIES: Alkaline batteries, wrist lanyard
WARRANTY: Lifetime
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