Initial Report

Pak-Lite Flashlight

Date: August 13th, 2004

Reviewer Information

Name: Jim Sabiston
Age: 50
Height: 6' 3" (1.9 m)
Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Email address: JimSabis(at)aol(dot)com
State: New York
Country: USA

Backpacking Background:

I've been camping for several decades. I joined the Adirondack Mountain Club four years ago, the Appalachian Mountain Club a year later and am active in both. I have also expanded my backpacking to include more winter trips, mountaineering and backcountry cross country skiing, and participated in the AMC's Winter Mountaineering training program with Chauvin International Climbing Guides. More recently, I have actively studied ways to backpack lighter and more efficiently. During the summer months, my style tends toward very light, but not quite ultralight. I use a hammock or tarp for warm weather, and a small four-season tent for winter trips. Most of my other gear is very changeable, as I am constantly experimenting with gear and techniques.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: C. Crane Company
URL: http://www.ccrane.com
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Light source: 2 Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
Projected battery life (with included lithium battery):
                                    Low setting: 1200 hours
                                    High setting:   200 hours
Size (assembled):        Length: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
                                    width:  1 in (2.5 cm)
                                    depth:  .6 in (1.5 cm)
Listed weight (assembled):      1.5 oz (42.5 g)
Weight as delivered (assembled):    1.5 oz (42.5 g)
MSRP: $29.95 (with lithium battery)

Initial Impressions:

The Pak-Lite arrived packed in a small, clear, hard plastic case, typical of the packaging found in retail stores. Inside was the assembled flashlight, with a lithium 9-volt battery, and a small advertising flyer. The Pak-Lite flashlight is a small LED based flashlight having two LED elements and two light settings, high and low. This is the first flashlight I have ever seen where the battery is larger than the 'flashlight'! The 'body' of the Pak-Lite has been reduced to the smallest practical component by eliminating the need to enclose the power source. Instead, the body holds only the twin LED lighting elements, an interesting miniature toggle switch and a small circuit board. This level of miniaturization is made possible by the unique contacts of the common 9-volt battery. The battery contacts mate up with the flashlight contacts mounted directly to the LED circuit board. When pressed together, the battery becomes an extension of the small, squared-off flashlight body. The connection is quite snug and there seems little chance of an accidental separation outside of a substantial impact. Removing the Pak-Lite from the battery requires a concerted push, but is not overly difficult.

One surprise is the design of the on/off switch. I have become accustomed to expecting either a push button, rocker, or sliding switch on these little lights. The Pak-Lite goes in a different direction entirely and uses a small toggle switch. The small, light grey toggle is located in, and well protected by, a small indent on one side of the  flashlight body. The switch has three positions. Set the toggle in the center position and the light is off. Move the switch to one side and it activates the low setting. Move the switch to the other side and it activates the high setting. The switch makes an audible 'click' when moved and provides a nice tactile response that, when combined with the 'click', leaves no doubt that the switch was moved.

The Pak-Lite is unadorned by any type of fastening device. There are no straps, holes or loops to attach the flashlight to anything. This is not too much of a surprise considering that approximately 75% of the flashlight is actually the disposable battery. However, the simple straightforward design lends itself to easy adaptation for specific purposes. To this end, the manufacturer of the Pak-Lite included a number of items with the flashlight to experiment with. These include an elastic headband, with loops to hold the Pak-Lite like a headlamp and several bits of Velcro, which will be handy in creating custom attachment systems.

Unlike many multiple element LED lights, the Pak-Lite does not control brightness by changing how many LED elements are activated, as both LED bulbs are on regardless of whether the high or low setting is activated. Instead, the actual brightness of the bulbs are changed from one setting to the other, no doubt by changing the amount of power fed through the little circuit board. The LED elements stand proud above the front of the light housing, rather than being recessed into it.

The Pak-Lite flashlight In Use:

The Pak-Lite is easy to use by simply flicking the tiny toggle switch to the desired position. The small size and recessed location of the switch may make it difficult to use with gloves. Otherwise it is literally a snap! There is a dramatic difference in the light output between the low and high settings. The low setting is very low, but provides enough light to move around a darkened room without difficulty. The low setting provides barely enough light for reading a typical paperback book. The high setting is brilliant by comparison, providing enough light see around our bedroom room in detail. This setting is more than sufficient for reading.

Summary:

Things I like:
1 – Light weight.
2 – Small size.
3 – Simplicity

Things I Don’t Like:
1 – Nothing to mention yet. The weather resistance and ease of using that teeny toggle switch while wearing gloved will bear special attention.

Test Plan:

The primary focus and goal of the testing program will to test the effectiveness of the two bulb LED lighting element. The traditional shortcoming of LED technology to date has been brightness. While LED lights have offered incredible battery life, the trade-off has been less than blindingly bright light beams.

Of interest will be both the utility of the Crane Pak-Lite design and its durability. The unusual, minimalist design naturally draws attention to the aspects of exposure to the elements, especially at the battery contacts, a feature of particular interest to fisherman, kayakers and even backpackers who are exposed to wet environments and rainy conditions. The web site claims the light is ‘weather-resistant’, but it will be checked. As the light is reportedly used by US Air Force Special Operations, a certain amount of durability is certainly implied.

I plan to use the Crane Pak-Lite for most typical backpacking uses, such as finding my way around camp and double checking tent or tarp setups before turning in for the night. Also, how useful would this light be for attending to chores such as cooking or sorting through gear in the dark? What is its useful range in the dark a spot light or an area light? Further:

- Will it make a comfortable and practical reading light on its low setting?
- The light does not appear to have any of the ‘usual’ options for securing, such as a metal ring or strap holes. I will experiment with the headband and Velcro bits for practical and useful set-ups.
- Can the light be operated easily when wearing gloves?
- Is the construction tough enough for it to live in my backpack or daypack?
- How difficult is it to maintain (change the battery) in the field? (This should prove to be one of the real strong points on this light!) The stated battery life of 200 hours on the high setting and 1,200 hours on the low setting will almost certainly be beyond my ability to check unless I just leave the thing and wait for it to die!

I would like to extend my thanks to the Crane Co. for the opportunity to test this interesting little light.