Reviews > Lighting > Flashlights - LED > Energizer 2 in 1 Flashlight > Test Report by Frances Penn

ENERGIZER 2 IN 1 LIGHT
TEST SERIES BY FRANCES PENN
LONG-TERM REPORT
February 04, 2014

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TESTER INFORMATION

I have been backpacking for six years mostly on long weekends in Southern California with two or more 5-day trips per year in the Sierras. My total daypack weight, including food and water, is usually 15 lb (7 kg) and my total backpack weight, including food and water, is usually 26-30 lb (12-14 kg) depending on the need for a bear canister. I have recently converted to a tarp, bivy and quilt sleeping system instead of a tent. I have experienced all night rain, hail, heavy winds, camping in snow once, but mostly fair weather.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Energizer
Year of Manufacture: 2013
Manufacturer's Website: www.energizer.com
MSRP: US $19.99
Listed Weight: none listed
Measured Weight: 7.5 oz with batteries installed (213 g)
Dimensions: 7.5 in (19 cm) long, 1.5 in (4 cm) high, 2 in (5 cm) wide
Light Output: up to 150 lumens of lantern light for up to 100 hours or 75 lumens of focused flashlight beam for 10 hours
Color: black with orange side panels that wrap around the hang loop

package

The Energizer 2-in-1 LED light is a flashlight and lantern in one handheld unit. The flashlight with one large LED is at the end by the on/off button and the lantern runs along one flat side of the handle. The lantern light cover is clear textured hard plastic that reflects the 2 LEDs down the length of the light. There is an opening at the opposite end of the flashlight for hanging while in camp. This opening is not big enough for a carabiner, but it does fit small diameter rope. The grip pieces that run along the side of the light are constructed of textured soft plastic. The first press of the on/off switch turns on the flashlight. The next press turns the flashlight off and the lantern on. Pressing the button again turns the lantern off. The light has a custom dimming feature that operates in both flashlight and lantern mode.

batteries

The light uses four Energizer AA batteries that were installed in the light when it arrived. The panel for the batteries is on the back of the light. The panel opens with a half turn of a screw that pops up to release the panel. I used a screwdriver to turn this screw, but a coin or knife can be used.

comparison

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The light arrived twist tied to a cardboard package that displayed the features on the front and back. On the back is a perforated area that when opened revealed the instructions in very small print folded into a small plastic wrapped bag. The inside of the package also revealed two full size sheets of promotional materials outlining the features of this light as well as similar lights by Energizer.

When I first pressed the on/off button, the flashlight turned on and then turned off after a few seconds as programmed by the "Try Me" feature mentioned below.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions printed in English, Spanish and French indicate the "Try Me" feature needs to be disabled before the first use by removing the batteries, waiting 10 seconds, re-inserting the batteries and turning on the light. This is to prevent the light from being left on accidentally in the store or during shipping since the package allows access to the on/off button.

The instructions also describe the custom dimming feature that operates once the light is turned on by holding down the on/off button until the desired dimness is achieved. To deactivate this feature, just turn off the light. When the light is turned back on, it resets to flashlight mode on the brightest setting.

The instructions also indicate this light is water resistant and suitable for use outside. The light should not be immersed or operated under water.

Energizer guarantees that this light will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the entire life of the light. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by accident, unreasonable use or modification. Energizer will either repair or replace the light without charge. The shipping charges will also be reimbursed if the light should prove defective.

TRYING IT OUT

There are no movable parts on this light. It feels solid and sturdy in my hand. It is easy for my thumb to locate the on/off switch on the side of the flashlight portion of the light. When I operate the light with my left hand, the lantern light is mostly covered by my hand. When I operate the light with my right hand, the lantern portion directs the light away from my hand. Being predominantly right handed, this works fine for me but may be somewhat of a problem for left handed people. The flashlight is at the end of the light close to the on/off button, so it doesn't matter which hand is used to operate the on/off switch. The opposite side of the on/off switch is smooth plastic with a small raised bar for the light to sit on when placed on its side. The light also stands up on the casing that surrounds the flashlight end of the light.

The light is bright when operated inside a dark room. I used it to light my way to my car at night and found the light to be very bright. When dimmed to the maximum amount, the light appears bright. I look forward to using it out in the field where there are no building lights nearby. I also plan to test the light by enjoying some bedtime reading.

SUMMARY

The light feels sturdy in my hand. I look forward to getting it into the field on my next trip.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Trip #1:
Location: Cottonwood Lakes area by Mt. Langley, California USA
Elevation: 11,100 ft (3,400 M)
Trip Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions and off trail portions
Temperatures: 40 to 70 F (4-39 C)
Weather: four sunny days, four windy and cloudy days, one afternoon of light rain with cool nights

Trip #2:
Location: San Jacinto State Park, California USA
Elevation: 10,860 ft (3,310 M)
Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions with small snow patches
Temperatures: 35 to 60 F (1-33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with wind during the night

Trip #3:
Location: Big Bear, California USA
Elevation: 7,000 ft (2,100 M)
Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with some rocky portions
Temperatures: 35 to 60 F (1 to 33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with a cool night

Trip #4:
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Elevation: 3,200 ft (975 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: sandy desert off trail with lots of desert cactus to avoid
Temperatures: 35 to 60 F (1 to 33 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with light winds during the day and heavier winds at night

Trip #5:
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Elevation: 4,500 ft ( 1,372 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: sandy desert off trail with lots of desert cactus
Temperatures: 25 to 50 F ( -3 to 10 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with winds during half of the days and nights

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

This light is very bright and versatile. Being able to reduce the brightness of both the flashlight and the lantern has been a useful feature. The light performed well on all the trips, three additional car camping trips and on evening walks in the neighborhood.

I tied a lanyard to the loop end of the light so I could hang it in a tree in camp. This picture shows the difference in light output on the brightest and dimmest lantern settings.



The lanyard also worked to hang the light inside my tent for bedtime reading.

Being able to place the light on its end or on its side in camp is also a very useful feature. I found the light to be stable. It stayed where I placed it and did not fall, as long as I placed it on a reasonably flat surface.

Mostly I used the light on the dimmed lantern setting for 3-4 hours at night in camp during dinner and while getting ready for bed. I have used the light at least 52 hours on the backpacking trips with an extra 36 hours of use on the car camping trips. Additionally, I used the light on the brightest flashlight setting on my evening walks at least 6 hours. I have used this light a total of 94 hours on all of the brightness settings.

The light is still as bright as when I first installed the batteries and turned it on. In looking at the manufacturer's light output specifications that indicate the light should last for 100 hours on the lantern setting and 10 hours on the flashlight setting, the batteries are due for replacement soon.

SUMMARY

Considering the weight and size of this light, it will not be my first choice for backpacking trips, but it will definitely be my first choice for car camping trips. The adjustable light brightness options on the flashlight and lantern settings combine to make this light very versatile.

This test series is now concluded. Thank you to Energizer and BackpackGearTest.org for this testing opportunity.

Reviews > Lighting > Flashlights - LED > Energizer 2 in 1 Flashlight > Test Report by Frances Penn