I am puzzled by simple things - I will never cease to
marvel at the intrusive simplicity of radiowaves, the altruistic heart
of the hydrogen bond - which makes it possible for us to eat ice-cream;
the sublimation of solid matter into gas (another word for explosion)
and now I have a new one to add to my long list: the SHAKE flashlight.
This new and impressive gadget uses the Faraday Principle
of Electromagnetic Energy more than a century old: if an electric
conductor such as copper wire is moved through a magnetic field (like
a magnet), electric current will flow to the conductor. This current
then flows to a small capacitor which will temporarily store it to
provide the power necessary to power the super bright LED.
Packaging
1. one (1) SHAKE flashlight
2. one wrist cord
3. instructions
Ergonomics & Design
The "see through" design lets you marvel at the ingenuity
of the process. The gripping is aided by some ridges and the on/off
switch work fine and it is easy to operate.
SIZE
Its size compares to a flashlight powered by 3 C Batteries. Length
11 and 1/4 " x 1 and 1/2 " in diameter for the tube while
the bulb. It weighs 11 oz. or 308 grams.
Functionalities & Features
Not much here to discuss. One positive ON/OFF switch.
How did it work for us?
YES, it does make light. When I first got it, I started shaking the
flashlight but no light came out! Well, I say! It is broken. Then
a voice from behind suggested "maybe you should read the instructions".
Who wants to read instructions? Well, as usual I was wrong and she
was right. The instructions clearly state that you should be shaking
the light HORIZONTALLY and not vertically as I had done.
No harm done. As soon as I followed the instructions, "Shake
it horizontally as shown above for 15-30 seconds to give up to 5 minutes
of continuous super bright LED light visible up to 1 mile", the
unit started to function with no further problems.
I shook it for 30 seconds, allowing the metal cylinder to make 90-100
passes through the magnet. This resulted in light being produced for
more than 18 minutes. It is true that the light got dimmer and dimmer,
but it continued to shine for 3 times longer that its advertisement.
Final Comments
Well, do we need this one? Let me recap its merits:
This is an impressive list. One small objection is on the amount
of lumens produced. On the other hand, I understand that the 'niche'
claimed by this flashlight is that of a "light duty or emergency
tool". Within its niche, the unit is perfect.
Only time will tell, but I think that the ratio value/investment
leans toward the positive pole for this marvel of simplicity.
Have fun in our wonderful outdoors
Maurizio
(Maurice) Valerio, President and Founder
Top Rated Adventures
EMP Tek, Inc., 382 Marshall Way. Layton,
UT 84041 T: 800-543-2205 F: 801-543-3300 sales@emptek.net
