Each morning I walk my school aged childcare children to their bus stop, which is about 300 yards from my home. Living in Alaska, we deal with darkness for much of the winter, even at 8:45 in the morning. We also run into an occasional moose from time to time, so it’s essential that I have a good flashlight to carry down with me. Not only so we can see where we are going, but so that other cars on the road can see us.
I spent $65 on a industrial grade flashlight two years ago, and have been a little bit disappointed with it, but recently I ran across some LED flashlights at my local Fred Meyer store, and was so impressed with them that I purchased four of them!
Description
These flashlights were on display on the paint counter, and they didn’t come in a plastic package, but rather were just standing in a cardboard case. They came in red, blue and silver colors, and are quite small. They measure 3 1/2″ in length, and are 1″ in diameter.
The AmPro flashlight is made from machined aluminum, and seems extremely durable. The center of the unit is smooth, with the words AmPro in stamped onto the aluminum. The other ends have a diamond pattern, giving the flashlight some dimension and depth.
The unit requires three AAA batteries, which are held in place unlike any other flashlight I have ever seen. To replace the batteries, you simply unscrew the end of the flashlight, and a black cartridge will come out. This cartridge holds the three batteries, which snap securely into place.
What makes this AmPro flashlight so bright is that it has nine LEDs, one is in the center, and a ring of eight more surround it. for your home or garage. The product has an operating life of over 100,000 hours!
My Experience
When I picked up the flashlight in the store, the salesperson warned me not to shine it in her direction. She said that people have done that and it is blinding. There is indeed a warning on the side of the flashlight that warns that LED lights can cause damage to your eyes, and that you should not look directly into the LED lights. You should not point it into anyone eyes.
There is no obvious on and off button on this miniature flashlight, but the end of it has a rubberized black button, with little nubs on it to help you get a good grip in case your hands are cold or wet. This immediately turns on the nine LED lights.
For your convenience, there is a hole in the end of the aluminum flashlight that would allow you to put a chain through it, so you could hang this from a purse, backpack, jacket, etc.
I am amazed that this very powerful flashlight retailed for only $4.40, because it is nearly as bright as my very expensive flashlight! Now when we go to the bus stop, I let two of the older children carry an AmPro 9 LED flashlight. A child at the front of the line carries one, as well as a child at the back of the line. Nobody is going to fail to see us coming in the dark! It’s compact enough that this flashlight would fit just about anywhere, and it certainly looks and feels like it is made to last for many years.
If you are looking for a powerful flashlight, I would recommend looking for the AmPro LED line of flashlights. They are excellent, and affordable.
