Maxxeon WorkStar 220 Pocket Floodlight
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Tester
Information
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| Name:
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David
Wilkes |
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E-Mail:
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amatbrewer@yahoo.net
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Age:
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45 |
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Location:
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Yakima
Washington USA |
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Gender:
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M |
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Height:
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5'11"
(1.80 m) |
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Weight:
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180
lb (82 kg) |
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Biography:
I started
backpacking
in 1995 when I moved to Washington State. Since then, I have
backpacked in all seasons and conditions. I prefer trips on
rugged trails with plenty of elevation gain. While I continuously
strive to lighten my load, comfort and safety are most important to me.
I have finally managed to get my basic cold weather pack weight, not
including consumables, to under 30lbs (14 kg).
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Product
Information
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Manufacturer:
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Maxxeon Inc.
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Year
of Manufacture:
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2011 |
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Manufacturer’s
Website:
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www.maxxeon.com |
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MSRP:
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US$29.97
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Advertised
Weight:
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1 oz (28 g)
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Measured
Weight:
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0.9 oz (26 g)
1.6 oz (44 g) with batteries
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Dimensions:
| Length 6 in (15 cm)
Head Diameter 9/16 in ( 14 mm)
Body Diameter 7/16 in (10 mm) |
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| Image
courtesy of Maxxeon Inc |
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Product
Description:The
WorkStar 220 (hereafter referred to as the light or the flashlight) is
advertised as being a pocket floodlight. It is a small, pocket size,
handheld flashlight with a bright wide beam rather than the narrow beam
of many small handheld flashlights. It uses an aluminum body and is
water resistant.
“The rugged
WorkStar 220 LED Pocket Floodlight™ is designed for technicians for
daily use in a demanding shop, manufacturing or maintenance environments.”
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Initial
Report
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May 31 2011
Some
of the features of this light are an orange peel finish reflector, T6
Aluminum body with Black Type II Anodizing, Bright white LED lamp, and
rubber O-rings. The light uses 3 AAAA (Quad A) batteries and is rated
for 2 hours of continuous use or 4 hours of typical intermittent use. The
on/off button is located on the end, and features a rubber cover and
two modes of operation (momentary & continuous on). The light comes
with a 1 year warranty (I could not locate any details on the warranty).
 The
light comes with one set of batteries included. This is good because so
far I have not found these in any of the local stores I have visited.
The light dissembles into 4 parts, end cap (with the switch), body,
body extension (between the body and the lamp housing) and the lamp
housing. Any of these can be opened to access the batteries. The
batteries install like most other flashlights I have used, simply slip
them in with the positive terminal towards the lamp end of the light
(there is a drawing of how they go in printed on the packaging the
light arrived in). The light is operated by pressing the button either
partially or completely down. To use the light in the momentary mode,
depress the button slightly and the light will go off when the button
is released. For continuous use, depress the button all the way until
it clicks and the light will stay on until the button is fully
depressed again.
 I
inspected the light and dissembled it down to its individual pieces. I
could see no obvious signs of flaws or defects. Unscrewing the
individual parts was easy, but the threads felt firm. The gaskets
looked to be in good condition. The lamp housing looks to be sealed, I
could find no way to remove the lamp. When assembled the light feels
solid and durable.
The first time I turned the lamp on I was
looking directly into the light. I will NOT be doing that again. This
light is BRIGHT! The beam from this light is larger than any pen light
I have used. The manufacturer claims the custom designed reflector
“creates a huge floodlight beam - no rings, no shadows, no hot spots”.
While I can see a much brighter center beam and weaker outer beam and a
small ring that is darker, I will say that the light is much more
consistent than any other handheld flashlight I have used. And the beam
is quite wide for such a small light.
The button is very easy to
operate, with an audible click that can be felt as well as heard. I
tested turning the light on and off a few times and the switch action
was firm and consistent. The same goes for using the light in the
momentary mode. The pressure needed to turn the light on momentarily or
to the continuous was easy to determine.
I turned the light on and let it run continuously for 2 hours with no noticeable change in the light level.
I
tested the light in a darkened room and it lit up almost an entire wall
from only a few steps away. In a well lighted office I used the light
to peer behind a computer and under some desks. The light is bright
enough to be visible even in a brightly lit office, and quite effective
in lighting small areas such as behind a computer or bookshelf. I
placed the light in a sink full of water and operated the switch a few
times. After removing it and drying the outside of the light I
dissembled it and found no indication of moisture on the inside.
Likes:
- Small & lightweight
- Bright wide beam
- Simple one button operation
- Waterproof
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Dislikes:
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Field
Report
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Aug 17 2011
Use- 3 day climb up Mt. Adams Washington Cascades
- 2 day climb up Mt. Adams
- 12 mi / 19 km day hike (Hyak Washington)
- 6 mi / 10 km day hike Cowiche Canyon (Yakima Washington)
- Occasional use around my home/garage
During
my trips up Mt Adams I used the light in my shelter (Bivy on the first
trip, tent on the second) for a few short periods (less than a few
minutes each). The day hike at Hyak involved hiking through a 2.5 mi /
4 km rail tunnel twice (repurposed for hiking/biking as part of the
Rails to Trails program). For at least a few years prior to
reviewing this light I had not used a hand-held flashlight. Instead, I
have used various headlamps. So I was surprised at how much I like
this light. The small size of this light makes it easy to store
in the top pouch of my multi-day backpacks as well in the small gear
bag that I use to help me avoid losing some of my smaller items. And
this is how I carried the light on my two trips up Mt. Adams, on the
first trip in the top pouch of my backpack and on the second in my
small gear bag. The small size also makes it easy to stash in a pocket.
On both Mt. Adams trips, after setting up camp I simply slipped the
light into my jacket pocket for later use.  As
far as actual use goes aside from the 2hrs I left it on when I first
received it, and then the two trips through the rail tunnel, I
have not had it on for more than a few minutes at a time. Around the
house I have used it to look behind bookcases and my computer as well
as for looking for things in my garage. At camp I used it to locate
items and to check the time when I awoke during the night (both trips I
ended up going to bed before dark). Much to my surprise I have yet to
drain the original set of batteries. The bright light and wide
beam make this light useful for the above-mentioned tasks. Since it is
small and easy to keep in a pocket, it has been on hand when needed. I
normally am not a fan of lights with a push button switch on the back
as I have had cases when they would get turned on during storing (such
as in the pocket of a backpack with other gear). So far this has not
been a problem for this light. In addition, the switch has remained
firm but easy to use. When I need light for just a few seconds I simple
depress the button with the flat of my thumb and the light comes on but
does not go in to the point that it clicks and stays on. If I want the
light to stay on I simply push a bit harder or shift my finger so I am
using more of the tip of my thumb to get the button to click to the on
position. I tried using the clip to attach the light to a strap
on my backpack so it would be handy if needed, but I did not trust it
to stay on so I choose not to carry it that way.  While
looking for sources for the AAAA batteries this light uses I discovered
that 9V batteries are made by combining 6 of the AAAA batteries into a
single case. I purchased a 9V battery (they are readily available in
just about every store I have visited) and used a knife to dissemble it
(not something I would recommend as I came close to slicing open my
hand a few times in the process). While I did find 6 AAAA size
batteries inside the 9V battery case, I could not get the Maxxeon light
to work with them until on a hunch I inserted them backwards. So if I
can’t locate some AAAA batteries I could always pick up and dissemble a
9V battery. Aside for the difficulty in locating batteries (I
still have found only one store that carries them) I have found the
light to be functional and reliable. In fact, there have been a few
times, such as at work, when I have wished I had the light with me
(such as trying to read a label on a computer and find a small item
that I lost under the seat in my vehicle). So in addition to carrying
it in my pack, I have started carrying it in my work vehicle.
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Long
Term Report
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Oct 11 2011
During the final two months of the test, I have
carried the light on two short bike rides (trying to recover from an
Achilles heel injury) after dark, one weekend family camping trip, and
numerous times at home, at work and in my vehicle. Unlike the hike
through the rail tunnel, my use has been for very short durations, a
few seconds to maybe 5min.
During the family camping trip, I
used the light primarily for lighting the way on the long walk to the
campground bathrooms. Around the house and at work I have found this
light to be quite handy when I need some illumination for things
like computer cables, or replacing a bulb in the trunk of my wife’s
car. It has quickly become the first light I reach for around home.
I
finally replaced the batteries a few days after the Hyak tunnel hike
using the batteries I obtained by dissembling a 9V battery (installing
them backwards as noted in my Field Report). What prompted me to
replace the batteries was that I noticed the light just did not seem as
bright as I recall it being. After replacing the batteries I was again
reminded of how bright this light is. Something I like about the better
LED lights I have used, this one included, is that the light dims well
before completely failing, as this feature provides me ample
opportunity to replace the batteries before they go completely dead.
For
my bike rides, while I have lights on my bike, I like to bring an
additional light along in case one of them fails or I have to correct
mechanical problems. Luckily on these two trips I did not have to use
the light, but its small size allowed me to easily fit it into my under
seat tool kit (tucked into the holster of my multi tool).
I
continue to look for places that sell the batteries for this light, but
except for two drug stores, I have yet to find any in my town.
After
using this light over the last few months, except for the batteries not
being as readily available as other sizes I have been quite pleased
with it. Despite being held in my teeth, rolling around in my vehicle
console, being tossed into a sack with my other small gear, it is
showing no signs of wear. Even the rubber cover over the switch,
something that could be a weak point, looks almost new.
While it
is unlikely I will be willing to give up the hands free convenience of a
headlight for backpacking, I do intend to carry this as part of my
standard daypack “essentials”, and plan to continue to use it for
camping. But I believe where it will see the most use is in my vehicle
(I often have to work at night) and around the garage.
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This concludes
my Report.
I would like to thank the folks at Maxxeon Inc
and BackpackGearTest.org
for the opportunity to test fine this product.
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