Powerlight HX-G011 (Silver)
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Summary:
| Battery: | Single AA |
| Switch: | Reverse Clicky |
| Modes: | Single |
| LED Type: | Generic |
| Lens: | Plastic |
| Tailstands: | Maybe |
| Price payed: | $4.28 |
| From: | DealExtreme.com |
Pros:
- Very long battery life
- Very affordable
- Small and visually attractive
Cons:
- Highly variable build quality
- Not anodized for hardness
Build Quality: ★★☆☆☆
The Powerlight is basically a term for cheap 1xAA LED lights with a clicky switch that look approximately like the light pictured in this review. They are available in a rainbow of colors from a multitude of suppliers. I don't think there really is an "original" one, but I bought two units in two different orders from DealExtreme because DX is well known. The first sample has a black rubber switch that protrudes from the tail by about 1mm. The switch on the second sample is almost flush with the rim of the tailcap, and it does tailstand, albeit a bit wobbly. It comes with a nice landyard and a quick disconnect. The threading on the tailcap of the first sample was quite smooth for the price, but the second sample felt much grittier. The thread is linear, with no definitive feeling when the last thread is being traversed to seat the tailcap onto the body. The body doesn't seem to be hardened in any way. The lens is plastic. The tailcap has a regular spring inside. The light feels almost weightless. It has an O-ring on the cap, so I imagine it will withstand heavy rain or even a brief dunking. The head does not disassemble. The first sample I received worked very well during the first week, but then it started to fail to power on. I think I have isolated the source of the problem to the switch, as it flickers when I nudge the switch with my fingernail. So in summary, you might get a really nice flashlight for the price, but you could also receive a dud.
Battery Life: ★★★★☆
Despite being one of the cheapest lights available with a cheap generic LED, it really excels for its battery life. On a good quality fresh Alkaline AA it will produce usable light for several days. On an old AA that no longer powers my wireless mouse, it runs for 12 to 24 hours. If you use it with a very low battery in an emergency situation, make sure not to turn it off, as it will not power up when the battery is very drained, although it will keep running on the same battery. If you accidentally turn it off, wait a few minutes and will probably fire up again.
Light Output: ★★★☆☆
The light output won't stun an intruder or blind your dog, but it will light up your path or let you read comfortably at night. The LED could be Luxeon-type, as I have seen this light advertised as "Luxeon LED" on other sites. The hue is a tad bluish. The hotspot has a few little dark spots in it, probably because of manufacturing smut on the LED. The hotspot smoothly transitions to the aura. The focus seems normal for a light of this size.
Update: Upon further examination, the beam quality of my second sample is actually excellent. I would give the light output a full five stars. The brightness isn't so excepcional, but the light quality is. There are no spots, no shadows, no noticeable hotspots, just smooth, clean, usable light from the center all the way out to the edge of the aura. I'm impressed. My second sample is up there with the best of my flashlights in this criterion.
Summary: ★★★☆☆
The Powerlight HX-G011 is a fine option for a truly bargain conscious buyer. It is also good for using in dirty or harsh conditions, because if it gets lost or destroyed you can probably afford a new one without shedding many tears. I like it. Recommended. If you own this light please leave your star rating! Anonymous users can also rate this without registering. Note that you are not rating this post, but rather the product itself.
