Coleman Dual Action Carabeamer FlashlightI saw this a few days ago on Amazon - it was on special offer for a little under 4 pounds - and as you can never have too many torches thought I'd get one, to go along with the collection of others which I seem to have built up over the years.
It arrived this morning. Firstly it was packed in that clear thick moulded plastic that cuts you to pieces as you try to open it, and you always have to resort to using scissors or a Stanley knife or similar. This packaging though had perforations on the back to allow you to open it without having to use scissors or a blade - unfortunately for me that didn't work as every time I tried to use the perforations the plastic snapped off in little pieces, with (you guessed it) incredibly sharp edges. I ended up cutting along the perforations with, yes, a Stanley knife, but credit to the makers for trying.
Anyway, getting the torch out and firing a set of new Duracell D batteries into it I switched it on, pointing it at a wall about 6 or 7 feet away. Nothing. Then I noticed there was a row of 3 or 4 LEDs on the side which were lit, and these provided a low level of light - nothing that useful to be honest. Another press of the button and the main beam came on. It was what I would describe as underpowering, especially considering it was from a Xenon bulb! So thinking the batteries might be dud I tried a new pair of Energizer alkalines with the same result.
This is very disappointing, and because of the low price isn't worth sending back. This is the first torch I've ever binned. Feeling a little guilty about that I fished it out of the rubbish - I'll give it to the local charity shop...maybe someone else will appreciate it. It actually seems more like a toy than a serious torch. I have another xenon-bulbed torch, again powered by 2 d-cells, and with it's 2.5 inch reflector it can illuminate (albeit faintly) a block of flats some 350m from my home - this Coleman torch can barely manage the garden from an upstairs window!
The original price for this torch was fifteen quid. Even though I got it for under 4 I feel robbed. It's the worst "torch" I've ever bought - describing it as a "torch" is stretching it...a lot.
Don't waste your money on this - use a candle or even a kids torch instead as you'll get as much light.