Reviews > Lighting > Flashlights - LED > Nite Ize L.E.D. Wand > John Waters > Initial Report

May 22, 2006

Contents
Biographical Information
Product Information
Arrival Information
First Impressions
Test Plan

Tester's Biographical Information

Name: John R. Waters
Age: 57
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.7 m)
Weight: 178 lb (81 kg)
Email Address: exec at bysky dot com
City, State, Country: White Lake, MI USA

Backpacking Background

My backpacking began in 1999. I've hiked rain forests in Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, on glaciers in New Zealand and Iceland, 14ers in Colorado and the deserts of Death Valley. Currently, my wife and I hike or snowshoe 6-8 miles (10 km-13 km) 2-3 times a week in the Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area (3800 acres) with other day long hikes on various SE Michigan trails. We also hike frequently in Colorado and are relocating there in 2006, which will increase our weekly hiking time and trail variety tremendously.

My day pack weight currently is about 18 lb (8 kg) now, with overnights weighing in over 25 lb (11 kg). I'm aiming to reduce that weight load by 40% or more.

Product Information (from manufacturer's website) http://www.niteize.com Manufacturer: Nite Ize, Inc. Style: L.E.D. Wand Colors: Clear Weight: Not available on website MSRP: $15.00 USD Transforms the Inova® Microlight™ flashlight into a versatile Signal Marker / Spot Beam / Beacon. FEATURES: Shockproof Waterproof Durable Floats / Submersible - Depth rated to 1000 feet (300 m) One mile visibility Use as Signal marker, Spot Beam, Beacon and more Limited Warranty: Nite Ize warrants that for two (2) years following the purchase of any Nite Ize Product that the Product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Color: Clear w/green and blue Inova Microlights
Length: 7.75 in (19.68 cm)
Weight without Microlight: 3.50 oz (99 g)
Weight with Microlight: 3.75 oz (106 g)

Arrival Information

When the box from Nite-Ize arrived, I was surprised and pleased to find not just one product to test but TWO. Each retail blister-type package is fitted with a hole at the top for retail display and is colorfully illustrated with promotional information on the L.E.D. Wand. Opening the plastic packaging, I found an Inova Microlight, the Nite Ize L.E.D. Wand, a clip and an adjustable wrist lanyard in each. One package contained a blue Microlight, the other had a green Microlight. In addition, a promotional brochure on Nite-Ize products was included.

First Impressions

What a neat toy, both figuratively and literally! I'm sure my grandson would have a blast playing Star Wars with these, but he'll have to wait his turn, because I really want to see how useful these will be in the field.

After taking the Wand and the Microlight out of the packaging, it took no time at all to assemble the product. The corded wrist lanyard was easily secured to a slot on the top of the cap. The lanyard has a clear cordlock to adjust and solid rubber end piece with "IN" stamped into it; very useful for securing the Wand to your wrist for hiking, climbing or diving. Two quick twists of the cap separated it from the Wand body and gave access to three slotted compartments. A clip for additional Microlights can be stored on one side, extra batteries on the other and in the middle I put the Microlight; facing down to light the bar or up to light the cap. Two quick twists of the cap to screw the cap back on and the assembly was completed.

However, I was surprised to find that the Microlight has to be turned on before it is inserted into the Wand. There isn't any way to turn the Microlight on, or off, once it is in the Wand. So whatever mode the Microlight is in when it's inserted is what you live with until you can open the unit and take the Microlight out to change modes. I'll be interested to see how this works with more rugged operating conditions.

Turning on the Microlight was intuitive. One squeeze and it shone brightly, a second squeeze and the Microlight dimmed. A third squeeze and the Microlight changed into a strobe light, flashing quickly (and brightly). The fourth squeeze turned it off. Once in any mode, I found that an additional squeeze would also turn the Microlight off. If the button is held for 5 seconds when in strobe mode, it switches into signal mode, so those who know Morse Code can signal SOS or SEND PIZZA, etc. When I inserted the lighted Microlight bulb down into the Wand, the whole length of the acrylic rod and poly-carbonate body glowed. The bottom of the Wand is clear polished and projected a very bright beam. Inserting the lighted Microlight bulb up, just the cap became illuminated. I'll measure the length of the beam and viewing distance under different conditions and modes in the field report.

The Nite-Ize L.E.D. Wand appears to be well-made with all edges smooth and unblemished. I am excited about testing it in the field.

Test Plan

As a degreed engineer, I'm really interested in the construction and performance of the Inova Nite Ize L.E.D. Wand.

General Questions:

Useability

How easy is to to assemble and activate the nightstick on the trail? Can I do it in the dark? Can I do it with gloves on, wet or cold hands, etc.? Will I lose "parts?" Can I change the batteries easily in all trail conditions? Where can I buy new batteries? Are the batteries readily available even in trailhead areas?

How well can *I* see the light at various distances when used as a beacon, strobe and/or spotlight, on both low and high power? Can the light be seen in all weather conditions such as daylight, night, fog, rain, snow, etc.? What practical trail and camp uses for the light wand can I come up with?

Quality and Durability

Of what material is the O-ring made? Is it heavy-duty? Will it break under normal usage, in cold weather for instance?

How long do the batteries last?

I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period.

Field Conditions

Our tentative plans for the next 6 months are for several 2 - 3 day hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Southern shoreline of Lake Superior and at least one-week trip to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Southern Colorado, as well as doing miles of bushwhacking back-country hiking though 18,000 acres of BLM in the Cooper Mountain range North of Canon City, Colorado.

Rain, snow, high humidity, low humidity, sandy soil, rocky ground, high altitude and low altitude will probably all be encountered for testing. I will start testing in Michigan during early spring weather, which will likely be wet and cold, and continue through the higher temperatures of later spring and summer in Colorado. Temperatures could range from 30 F in Michigan to 90 F in the desert areas of Colorado (-1 C to 32 C), giving an opportunity to test over a wide temperature range and a variety of conditions.

I will also be testing in variety elevations, from the sandy lakeshores of Michigan at 177 ft (54 m) above sea level, to a high of 12,360 ft (3767 m) in the Sangre Mountains of Colorado.

Thank you for the opportunity to test this product!

John R. Waters

Reviews > Lighting > Flashlights - LED > Nite Ize L.E.D. Wand > John Waters > Initial Report