Streamlight Nanolight® 73001 Review
3/14/2010
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Photos of the packaging and the Nanolight. |
| Manufacturer's information: |
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Truly tiny, the Nanolight® is a weatherproof, personal flashlight featuring a 100,000 hour life LED. Includes a non-rotating snap hook for easy one handed operation when attached to a keychain.
* Easily attaches/detaches to just about anything with convenient pocket clip or key ring
* Up to 8 hrs. run time
* Machined aircraft-grade aluminum with anodized finish
* Powered by 4 alkaline button cells (included)
* 100,000 hr. lifetime high-intensity LED
* LED available in white (10 lumens)
* Size: 1.47" (37.3mm) length x .51" (13.0mm) diameter
* Weight: .36 oz (10.2g )(with batteries - 4 LR41)
* Available in black (and pink) |
| About the Nanolight |
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| AA, Nanolight, AAA |
Fenix E01, Nanolight |
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I purchased this flashlight because I noticed a friend of mine had one on her keychain. It was small. In fact, it was so small that maybe tiny, or even micro, would have been a better description.
I sometimes shop at Amazon and, when searching for a flashlight, the Nanolight 73001, by Streamlight, appeared on the list. I immediately bought one (ummm two... I purchased a pink one 73003, and then another black one to qualify for free shipping).
(For every pink Nanolight sold, Streamlight, Inc, will donate $1 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®*. By purchasing this product you are helping to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.)
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| Using the Nanolight |
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| Nano left, E01 right |
E01 left, Nano right |
Light output test in total darkness(uncropped):
Camera 2 feet from table
Focal Length: 40mm
Aperture: f8
Exposure:
1/125 sec
ISO: 400
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This flashlight is a total surprise. It has a 10 lumen output equaling that of my Fenix E01 that I've had for a couple of years.
The light output of the Nanolight has the same blueish/purplish tint like the E01. When turned on and placed side-by-side the Nanolight appeared to have a tad wider beam than the E01 and, maybe, brighter. I'm thinking that the battery in the E01 is a little used so I replaced it with a fresh one. Visible results were the same. I figured that taking photographs may offer some clues. After a few photographs, I realized that the Nanolight does have a slightly wider beam and is just a bit brighter than the E01.
As I've mentioned before, the Nanolight is small, which makes it light. At .36 ounces with batteries (almost 1/3 the weight of the E01 with battery) and, on my keychain (of course, our keychains vary), it's so unobtrusive that it feels like it's not there. That's how small and light it is. I've had several of those flat, momentary on, keychain (might as well call them disposable) lights, the Nanolight is smaller than those.
Like the E01, to turn on the Nanolight, you turn the head clockwise when facing you, counterclockwise when pointing away from you (opposite of the Mag Light). I found that turning on the Nanolight with one hand to be difficult, with my old hands, but, when it's on a keychain, it's easier because the snap hook does not swivel.
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| Batteries |
Battery life (4xLR41's), as claimed by the manufacturer, is up to 8 hours. The usable light on my Nanolight was a little over 10 continuous hours, however, I'm not sure as to what point did the light start to diminish. I did buy additional batteries, 10 pack Maxell's (because they were cheap), and found these batteries are probably of a lower quality because on the first test, the Maxell's lasted only about 4 hours of continuous use while on the second test, the light went out at about 6 hours 10 minutes.
Installing the batteries was a challenge because the batteries would rotate when dropping them into the body. A little Google and I found that by stacking the batteries (+ side down) and lowering the body over the batteries, then, using a card to turn the body over, made installing these little tiny LR41 batteries a lot easier.
The quality, and construction, of the Nanolight, is pretty good (in my first impression) especially the metal (lobster claw) snap clip. The black anodizing on the Nanolight appears to be painted because it has a glossy finish (unlike the E01, which is matte). In fact, after several months on my keychain, the Nanolight does show some signs of wear (where the E01, after a couple of years, still appears as new). |
| Conclusion |
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| After 6 months |
The quality, and construction, of the Nanolight, is pretty good (in my first impression) especially the metal (lobster claw) snap clip. The black anodizing on the Nanolight appears to be painted because it has a glossy finish (unlike the anodized finish of the E01, which is matte). In fact, after several months on my keychain, the Nanolight does show some signs of wear (where the E01, after a couple of years, still appears like new).
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Pros:
Quality plated metal snap clip. (should the flashlight ever fail, I will save the snap clip).
Bright light output for it's size.
Extremely light weight.
Battery life is pretty good for a keychain flashlight because you're only using it sparingly (unless it's your main flashlight).
It seems to be weatherproof because I have used it a few times in the rain. As far as being waterproof, I have no intention of performing that test unless it were to happen accidentally.
Cons:
Black anodized finish is not that durable.
LR41 batteries are not that common in stores as are AAA, AA, C & D's.
:-)
Gary Kawamura |
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