Owner Review Coast LED-Lenser V² 6 Chip Dual Color Tactical Torch, Model: LL7736D

Date: September 6, 2006

Reviewer Information

Name: Kevin Hollingsworth
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Height: 6’ 1” (1.9 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
Email address: kholling55@yahoo.com
City, State, Country: Williamsburg, Va. USA

I started backpacking and camping when I was in the Scouts. I spent 20
years in the military, which mostly curtailed my personal outdoors
adventures. I have mostly gone camping and then day-hiking in the
surrounding area, but have been on a few multi-day hiking trips. When
I camp and day hike, I normally carry a light load, a waist pack with
mostly food and water, with a few other things. On three to four day
trips, I will carry a pack weighing about 45 - 50 lb (21 - 23 kg). I
have been hiking in Colorado, (Pikes Peak area), Korea, Egypt, and
most recently Shenandoah.

Product Information

Manufacturer:  Coast Cutlery
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL:  www.coastcutlery.com
Note: All measurements are mine (unless otherwise specified)
Listed weight with battery (from package):  6.2 oz (175.8 g)

Weight assembled with battery and carrier:  4.0 oz (113.4 g)

Weight assembled with battery:  3.3 oz (93.4 g)

Length:  3.9 in (9.8 cm)

Width:  1.0 in (2.5 cm)

Battery Type: AAA (Alkaline included)
Bulb Burn Time (Bulb Life): None listed. 
Battery Burn Time (Battery Life):  About seventy hours with alkaline battery.
Power Output (according to manufacturer): 62.3 mW

Illumination distance: about 11 ft (3 m) red light/25 ft (8 m) white light

 

The Coast LED-Lenser V² 6 Chip Dual Color Tactical Torch comes in a plastic shrink pack that includes the flashlight, a plastic battery pack, three alkaline batteries, a sheath with a karabiner clip, and a lanyard.  The lanyard is about 7.9 in (20.0 cm) in length and the karabiner clip is .2 in (.5 cm) diameter and 1.9 in (4.9 cm) in length. The V² has the following features: 

 

• Cloverleaf Reflector Tube System
• 5 high-intensity white light chips
• 1 high-intensity red light chip
• 24 ct. gold contacts
• Tactical lightweight aluminum casing
• Dual switch on/off system
• Lifetime Warranty

 

 

The V² uses three AAA batteries. The batteries are mounted into a battery pack and then installed by unscrewing the head and inserting the battery pack into the body of the flashlight. The 5 high-intensity white light chips and the high-intensity red light chip can be used separately or simultaneously, through the use of the two on/off switches.  The switches are colored coded for the modes and the red switch has ridges to identify the switch in low light situations. The body and head is aluminum. The head contains the LEDs and is screwed into the body.  Between the head and the body, there is an o-ring that is used to prevent moisture from entering the body. 

 

I have used the V² on many trips in the past two years.  These have included camping trips in both built-up campsites and backcountry sites.  These sites have all been in Virginia, mainly the Shenandoah National Park and in areas around the eastern coast of Virginia.  I have found the V² to be both dependable and durable.  The V² is great for general camp uses in either the red light or white light mode. The red light is best suited for close in work, such as reading, finding something in a back or tent, or for a momentary flash of light.  The red light is also used to help protect night vision. The white light is best suited for night hiking or for lighting up a large area. The drawback for the white light mode is that the beam is too spread out and can not be focused on a single area.  The mode switches are easily to identify in light, but in the dark, the switches feel the same, even though there are ridges on the red switch. The long battery life is a plus, but if the battery go out, it would be difficult to change the batteries under a low light or no light condition.  The batteries are placed into a battery pack that holds three AAA batteries and then placed into the flashlight body. This would be no easy task in the dark.

 

The light is advertised for use in extreme environments. I have dropped it on hard surfaces and used it under varied conditions. The environment has included temperatures as low as 20 F (-7 C) and as high as 105 F (41 C), and in both wet and dry condition. I have used it in mountainous conditions, with altitudes around 3000 ft (914 m), and in wooded and clear type areas at around sea level. The V² has not been advertised as water resistant or waterproof, but I have never had any type of moisture problems. I have used it in both damp, misty conditions and in a continuous rain. It has taken a lot of punishment and has never failed me.

 

The lanyard fits around the hand comfortably and the case can be clipped to almost anything by using the carabineer that comes with the light. The case can also be attached to a belt using the loop.

 

Summary

 

Overall I am quite pleased with the Coast LED-Lenser V². It has been dependable and durable, and it always worked when I needed it.

 

Things I like:

1. Durable.
2. Dual color mode – Red/White
3. Battery life

Things I don't like:

 

1. Battery pack –difficulty in change the battery, especially in low-light situation.
2. Inability to focus light