LRI PWK Photon II LED Keychain Micro-Light, White Beam
by LRI
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List Price: Our Price: $7.45 You Save: $4.50 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Buy Used: from $2.90 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of LRI PWK Photon II LED Keychain Micro-Light, White Beam
Customer Review: Great light, but newer model is better
Summary: 4 Stars
The Photon Micro-Light II is very small, hangs easily on a keychain, and shines brightly for a light smaller than your thumb. The light illuminates when you push a button with your thumb. While I like the light a lot and it works very well, there are a couple significant downsides to this particular model. First, to keep the light on when you remove your thumb, you must slide a tiny, tiny switch -- something that people with limited mobility will find difficult if not impossible to do. For most folks it's not hard, but for some it would be a concern. Second, changing the batteries requires you to remove four tiny screws with an extremely small philips head screwdriver (similar in size to a screwdriver for the screws in eyeglasses).
I would suggest considering a more recent model by the same manufacturer, the Photon Freedom Micro Light [Tools: Flashlights], which addresses my concerns about the Photon II. Changing the batteries on the Photon Freedom does not require removing screws, the brightness can be adjusted, and the thumb button controls a number of lighting options without the stiff, ridiculously small sliding switch. Many color beams (including UV, IR) are available for both the Photon II and the Photon Freedom (you choose one color beam to purchase--you don't get several colors out of the same flashlight), and the newest version of the Photon Freedom with white beam boasts a new LED twice as bright as earlier models.
Well over a year since purchasing several of these, the lights are still working. The light has been very helpful and convenient to keep in the car. I attached a small square of adhesive velcro (loop side) to the back of one of these lights, and attached a small square of the corresponding hook side of the velcro to the top of the steering column of the car (behind the steering wheel). The light is tiny, out of the way, and right where I can access it instantly to check a tire at night or check the engine.
In sum, Photon II is a great little light, durable and bright. The newer Photon Freedom is somewhat easier to use and maintain and boasts more features.
Customer Review: Photon II, Best of the small LED Keychain Lights, not weatherproof
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second Photon LED Keychain Light that I have owned. I gave the first one away (a Photon Micro-Light I, Blue LED) to a fellow soldier in the U.S. Army who needed the light more than I did.
Yes, the Photon II does have a plastic case, is not "weatherproof" but it is light in weight, durable and outputs a very good amount of light for its size. This improved model that Amazon is currently selling has a type of keychain clasp that makes detaching it from your keychain much easier.
I got almost four years of use from the first Photon I LED keychain light I owned before I needed new CR-series Lithium batteries for it. The batteries are commonly available at Radio Shack, a good Camera store or from Amazon.
In addition to a round pushbutton on/off switch you depress, there is also a small locking on/off switch so you can turn the LED light on without having to hold the round button down. You will find yourself using the small "fingernail" locking on/off switch more than you would think - the locking on/off switch is an innovative and very useful feature.
This product is hard to beat at this price - get it while Amazon has them in stock (Amazon does not always have all LED colors available).
If you want a LED keychain light in an aluminum case, which claims to be "weatherproof", consider the Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight, in Black.
Overall, the Photon II is a recommended product.
What to get for someone "who has everything?". Gift one of these Photon II's to that person.
Customer Review: Wow! Brighter than I expected!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just received my Photon II in the mail earlier today, and I've been playing around with it since I got home from work. When I ordered it, I wasn't expecting much. Just a simple flash light good enough for emergencies when I didn't have a bigger one at my disposal, or possibly just to find one big enough to give a decent amount of light. This was much more than the sissy keychain flashlight I had expected.
I already had a full sized flashlight from Energizer which uses 2 D batteries to power 6 LEDs. The Photon II, which uses 2 coin batteries to power a single LED is obviously not as bright, but it comes shockingly close.
Altogether, the flashlight takes up almost no space. It's tiny. To give you something to compare it to, it's about the size of a bottle cap, and it weighs next to nothing.
As for the drawbacks, I have already taken it apart to check out the batteries, and it uses those tiny little precision screws to keep it closed. Those can be frustratingly easy to strip from my experience, so make sure you've got the right size driver before trying to open it up. Also, the thing will come apart once you've got it open. The bulb isn't fastened down to anything, so make sure you do it in an area with plenty of light just in case you drop something. Also, try to go slow when taking it apart so you can make sure you know how it all goes back together once you're done changing the batteries (number CR2016, make sure you get 2 of them).
In the future, I'll update the review with information on how durable it is and how long the battery lasts. For now, I've had it less than a day. My initial impression is that I'm very impressed.
Customer Review: Bright but other problems with design exist. <UPDATED>
Summary: 2 Stars
UPDATED BELOW
On the bright side (put intended) this is one of the brightest LED keychains I've seen.
Simply put though, the momentary switch requires so little pressure that the slightest press on the switch flashes the light. This includes other keys or pocket items pressing against the switch and lighting in your pocket. It's probably amusing to onlookers and yes, it's accidentally activated in my pocket! Hopefully nobody was around.
I thought that the off-on switch would disable this feature but it is just in parallel with the momentary switch and does not provide a full Off capability.
My opinion is that this design is similar to one I had over five years ago and many manufacturers probably discontinued that design due to these problems (Which I saw then)resulting in poor battery life. I would recommend steering away from this design and try one first at your local store before purchasing to make sure that the switch provides enough resistance to prevent accidental activation.
This one will be returned due to the design issues.
--------UPDATE------- August, 2009
I ended up keeping this light and scrapping out the LED from this one and placing it in a new "Inova CB-W Translucent Microlight" body. To make this fit you must have to file down the diameter of the LED's wires slightly to make it fit in the Inova's LED socket AND observe polarity. Otherwise, it now is my favorite keychain light and has worked for six months. You can pick up the Inova at a Target or elsewhere!
Customer Review: Amazing Power and Fantastic Size
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this light mainly for the size and weight. However, I was floored at the power exhibited by the LED. I'm not saying it will light up the great outdoors at night, but taking into account the size of this light and that it has only one LED, it is an amazing amount of light produced.
The switch may be a little on the small side for some people. I find it easy to use with just a flick of a thumbnail. If the switch proves to be a bother you can always give the unit a quick squeeze, even with gloves on, producing a satisfying beam of light.
As for the construction, it is extremely light-weight and tiny, but very tough. It has a solid feel, with no rattles or creaking. I carry it attached to my keys in my front pocket along with coins and so far I see no scratches and the light remains super bright. No complaints there.
Changing the battery requires removing 4 tiny screws, but I don't suspect that will be too much of an effort, nor something you will find yourself doing often. The battery shelf-life is 10 years according to the package.
There are far cheaper lights out there, but take it from me, I've bought several and they have all disappointed by either breaking in a very short time or just being way too low powered. Spend the extra 5 or 6 bucks and you'll be quite happy with the end result. If I had purchased this light first I would have saved more than ten dollars by not having wasted money on the cheaper lights!