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Summer 1999 Webzine
In this issue: Baglady Boarding Pass | Staying in Touch | Gadget Review | Web Site Review
Gadget Review
The LED Flashlight by the C. Crane Company
Located in the small town of Fortuna in Northern California, the C. Crane Company is probably most familiar with radiophiles. In fact, it was the C. Crane Company that introduced America to the Baygen radio, the hand-crank, battery-free emergency AM/FM/TV radio made in South Africa.
C. Crane's newest product is the LED flashlight, which they have dubbed "the mos practical flashlight ever made." The following is the description from their web site:
"This is also one of the brightest flashlights of its size in the world. Made with ultra bright, white LEDÍs. The light lasts at a super bright level for a continuous 50 hours and countless hours at a reduced level. Waterproof with bulb life rated at thousands of hours. Extremely convenient for backpacking or purse. It has slots for a optional strap and a hole on the end for a string handle. Made in the U.S.A. Uses three "AA" alkaline for cost efficiency and convenience. Size: 7-3/8" x 1-1/4"diameter. Batteries included."
The price is not cheap. They cost $34.95 each, although you do get a price break if you buy three or more, in which case the price lowers to $29.95 each.
If you've ever had one of those waterproof dive lights, the construction is very similar. The body is one solid piece of plastic, and there is a rubber O-ring where the clear cover connects to the body. You will immediately notice a difference when you look at the light bulb area. There is not one, but two light bulbs! Actually, technically they aren't even bulbs. They're light-emitting diodes. And the use of LEDs in flashlights is fairly new. According to the C. Crane Company, this kind of flashlight was not possible to make even a year ago. When you turn the flashlight on, both LED lights go on. The flashlight casts a bluish white light that is very unusual for most flashlights, which usually cast a yellowish light. I've tried the flashlight in total darkness, and while you can buy flashlights with brighter, wider beams, this one works fine for most uses such as reading maps, finding your cabin door at night, etc.
In addition to two parallel belt loops on the sides, this flashlight also comes with a lanyard made of covered elastic. The length of this lanyard is such that you can wrap it around your wrist while you hold the flashlight in your hand.
The only minus about this flashlight is for ultra traveliters who will not tolerate a flashlight almost seven and a half inches long. It's about the length of your standard toothbrush, but it's considerably thicker. For those of you who think this LED flashlight is too long, C. Crane also sells a shorter cousin that is half the length that costs an extra five dollars. The only drawback with that is that it uses special lithium batteries, which may not be readily available on your trip.
If you don't mind paying a higher price for a flashlight of very good quality, I recommend the LED flashight model AWL. If you want a smaller flashlight and you don't mind having to use a special battery, you can get its shorter cousin, model LWL.
You can place your order online, directly from the C. Crane Company's web site.
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