Victorinox AA LED Flashlight
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Equipment information: Manufacturer: Victorinox Brand: Victorinox Model: V2A-MR Product features:
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Price List for Victorinox AA LED Flashlight
| New | New Usually ships in 24 hours | $13.63 | ||
| Used | Used Usually ships in 24 hours | $12.30 |
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Sports reviews of Victorinox AA LED Flashlight
Customer Review: Nice-looking LED flashlight, but pales in comparison with the Maglite mini
Sport shop rating: 3 Stars
I was attracted to this Victorinox AA LED Flashlight mainly because it advertises '4.8W LED' on the package. In contrast, my MAGLITE Mini LED Flashlight only claims a 3W LED. Furthermore, according to other extremely positive Amazon reviews, the brightness of this Victorinox flashlight is supposed to blow Maglite out of the water. After testing this flashlight, however, my observation is the complete opposite.
[Light Output]
The luminosity of Maglite mini is rated as '69 lumen'. The Victornix package says '4.8W LED', but makes no mention of the light output.
In my side-by-side comparison, the beam from Victorinox is significantly dimmer compared to that from the Maglite mini. Of course the Maglite can operate in spot-mode while the Victorinox has a wider fixed beam, but even the peripheral light of the Maglite beats that of the Victorinox. See the beam shot I uploaded to 'Customer Images' section, and you'll see what I mean.
It turns out that the '4.8W' number is the Absolute Maximum power rating of the LED, not what it is actually driven by the Victorinox flashlight. According to my own measurement, the Victorinox consumes 2.2W of input power at 3.0V battery voltage. On the other hand, the Maglite consumes just 1.6W at the same voltage. But how can it be that the Maglight is brighter at lower power? My only explanation is that the LED used in Victorinox has lower Luminous Efficacy. That means it is less efficient in converting power to light. The same problem was found in first-generation Maglite LED flashlights. But the 2nd-generate Maglite features an improved LED (Luxeon Rebel ES 3W) with about twice the efficacy. Based on the poor performance of the Victorinox, it is probably still using a 1st-gen LED inside.
[Exterior]
The Victorinox LED flashlight looks very well-crafted. It is slightly shorter and thicker than a Maglite mini LED flashlight (see my customer image for size comparison). Its body is heavily textured for easier gripping. The Maglite body is smoother and thinner, making it difficult to grip when wet, or when wearing gloves.
The difference in length is mainly because the Maglite has a much longer reflector design. This is necessary to provide a tightly focused spot. The first-generation Maglite LED flashlight has a shorter reflector, so its beam is also diffussed like that of the Victorinox.
[Interior]
Both the Victorinox and Maglite accept two AA cells. I have no problems using rechargeable batteries (SANYO eneloop) in them. One thing to note: the Victorinox loads from the front by unscrewing the reflector head, and the battery direction is opposite to that for normal flashlights.
[ON/OFF switch]
Both flashlights turn on/off by twisting the head, but in opposite directions. The Victorinox turns on when the head is fully tightened, and off when it is loosened. Note that it is important to twist at least 1/2 turn to ensure the light stays off. If you twist only 1/4 turn, the light may come on when there is a slight pressure applied to the head. The Maglite stays off when its head is fully tightened. It turns on when the head is loosened by 1/4 turn. Further turning of the head acts to focus the beam.
[Power Regulation]
Both Victorinox and Maglite are not well-regulated against battery voltage. Their input powers drop by roughly 1/3 when battery voltage drops from 3.0V (two fresh alkaline cells) to 2.5V (two NiMH cells). However, the Victorinox does a better job in manitaining useable light until battery voltage drops to 1.2V. The Maglite is unable to function once the battery voltage drops to 2.2V.
[Extra Features]
The Maglite has a multi-mode electronic switch that allows the flashlight to operating in 25%, blinking, and 'SOS' mode. Its reflector head can be removed to use the LED in 'candle mode'. The Victorinox does not have any extra features.
[Bottom Line]
The Victorinox LED flashlight looks very nice, and is reasonably priced. So it can be considered a good product for gift-giving. However, its light output simply cannot hold a candle to the Maglite mini LED flashlight. But how did other reviewers get the opposite conclusion? I can only assume that they were comparing the Victorinox to older 1st-gen Maglite loaded with half-dead batteries.