Aili Portable USB 5v 1.2A Power Bank Torch
Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary:
| Battery: | 18650 * 2 (parallel, 2nd optional) |
| Switches: | 3 - Discharge, Lights, Meter |
| Modes: | 1 mode |
| LED: | 2 * 1 watt CW |
| Lens: | TIR, wide flood |
| Tailstands: | Yes |
| Price Paid: | $13.00 US shipped |
| From: | Ebay seller haruyr_kb |
| Date Ordered: |
Pros:
- Good value at price paid.
- Customer selects quality, chemistry, and capacity for replaceable 18650 batteries (not included).
Cons:
- Miniature phillips screws on charger endplate.
- Plastic endplates.
Features / Value: ★★★★★
Nice aluminum case body compared to the typical plastic case; and it is still surprisingly lightweight (similar to the weight of my SolarForce L2). The built-in double flashlight has TIR lenses that merge into a nice smooth floody beam. The charger end shares power to recharge or power other electronic devices that will work withing the supplied voltage and amperage. Charger is built in, and unit will supply power while charging if the power supply (not included) has adequate capacity (max ~1.6A).
Design / Build Quality: ★★★★☆
A very nice looking unit as supplied. After a drop from table height to tile, the aluminum remained unscratched, while the plastic charge meter button had some very light scratches. With 2 batteries a lot of capacity can be carried in a small package that is not much bigger than 2 of today's skinny cell phones. With the design of the screwed endplate, this unit is designed for long-term use of a pair of batteries which are recharged inside the unit by some form of external power supply (such as a phone charger). I would have MUCH preferred that the charger end had knurled or hex head screws or even nuts on threaded rods so that removal and replacement of the batteries is both a simpler chore and longer-lasting than screws where the finish and heads can easily strip. The push buttons are pretty flat to the surface, but I feel the unit should be carried in a case that will protect them from being accidentally engaged. My wife has a hard-sided sunglass case that would hold two of these units, so we'll look for something similar but thinner to use as a case for her purse or a jacket pocket. Around the house the unit's design is anti-roll and no case is necessary.
Battery Life: ★★★★★
Battery life is pretty much dependent on the batteries the user puts inside the unit. I've modified my unit to more easily swap batteries since I'm using harvested laptop cells. If I weren't, I'd get some 3400 mAh unprotected panasonics sold by a trusted vendor.
Light Output: ★★☆☆☆
With just a 2W rating, light is useful out to about 50 to 75 feet, at least when batteries are fully charged. Based on shining it up into very large oaks about 50' off the back patio. Interestingly, the twin beams merge really well at even very, very short distances. Because it is so floody, the useful distance drops off pretty fast and is pretty dim at over 100 feet. At 2W, amperage draw should be about 250mAh for each light and run time should be nearly 10 hours with 2 average 2400mAh batteries and about 14 hours with 3400s. The light circuit shuts down when voltage drops too low for charging output (about 3v on mine), but I was able to reactivate the circuit and the lights continue to work afterward. Even at only 3v the lights were bright enough to easily light up the far side of a 30 x 30 foot room.
Summary: ★★★★☆
My wife asked for it and I can't think of a better recommendation than that. Additional links, photos, and testing info in the usage notes below.
