Stanley 95-112 Tripod LED Flashlight
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Stanley 95-112 Tripod LED Flashlight
Customer Review: A STAND UP LIGHT
Summary: 5 Stars
I gave this light to my husband for Christmas - he is a engineering, home fix it - car fix it kind of guy and owns many lights for various products. He LOVED this - the swivel feature, the tripod feature and the LED aspect - I was a hero with this gift! Highly recommended for all of its features. Well made and looks great. Stanley MaxLife 369 Tripod LED Flashlight #95-112MCustomer Review: A Stanley tool shines. . . Maybe, it's a guy thing.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, maybe it is a guy thing, but most of us love our flashlights. From the ultra $$$ compact, titanium rechargeable "Official Police Duty" models to the MAG [tm] 8 D-cell metal behemoths [are we compensating or just in the market for a lighted "nightstick"]? In fact, some officers actually attempt to cite these behemoths as "concealed weapons" if carried under a car seat or even a trunk! Yep, most guys have quite a collection of flashlights yet still we seem forever compelled to get the next coolest model holding the promise of a cure for two most common flashlight ills at any price or configuration:
A) The first nemesis and the Achilles heel of even the best "industrial" models - the infamous push, pull, twist, click, tap, clap ON/OFF, ALMOST ON-ALMOST OFF switch that rivals the temperament of the average Latina (oh no you didn't - uh, yea, I just did ;o) j/k
B) The second and equally frustrating nemesis that plagues each of us lantern consumers: Those darn springs, clips, or flat metal contacts either at the base or face of our "dysfunctional" lanterns that quickly begin to demand numerous contortions, rattling, pleading, yelling, screaming, cajoling, shaking, banging, tapping, twisting, re-twisting, re-"fill-in-the-blank" procedures--reportedly including Latin [there he goes again] incantations lifted from dark and dusty books as our flashlights sporadically shift from dazzlingly bright to dauntingly dim precisely, or so it seems, as we're about to illuminate the "object de desire".
Manufacturers are keenly aware of these persistent problems and Man's search for closure. Yes guys, they're aware of our vulnerability, knowing full well most of us are willing once again to get suckered into purchasing, yet again, the latest "new and improved" lifetime guarantee version as soon as they hit the shelves while just as soon, our exasperated spouse, soul mate, sister, mother, and even the occasional aunt just shake their head in utter disbelief as we reach yet again for the newest display just...one... more... time. Honest.
"Don't you have *enough* flashlights?"
Just how many men have heard this exact lament is unknown, but you know who you are. Upon deep introspection and candid reflection, many men are forced to ponder the inescapable truth to this question and utter the only plausible response, "No".
Now, as to why so many of us are compelled to shine the light in *your* eyes is as of yet another unresolved mystery and will probably remain so although there are many "opinions"; most of which I've heard on more than one occasion. .
So, while necessity may be the mother of invention, ingenuity is the father. No one could possibly deny the copious selection of the ingenious and not-so-ingenious flashlight designs, all directed at the simplest of tasks and in response to an *evolutionary* need to turn dark into light since the discovery of fire. A need so strong, so pervasive, so relentless, even religious doctrines espouse, "LET THERE BE LIGHT!".
So we arrive--finally--at one of these latest versions of modern man's fire sticks: the Stanley[tm] MaxLife "Tripod Series" LED flashlight.
So, how does Stanley's latest entry stand up?
DESIGN-
5 stars- As a handheld or stable free-standing lantern due to the tripod's light aluminum legs--protected by a well-configured, positively slip-proof extruded grip of non-conducting [temp or volt] soft rubber [read very grippy] when in the handheld position--also serve as the battery compartments for NINE "AA" BATTERIES (3 each) and provide reasonable stability. Three [read "economy pack"] "AA"s kept inside each leg or "tube" by a tough, *course*-threaded polymer cap [read altogether stable, durable, rust-free, and *not* easily strippable]. Yes, I said nine. This fair amount of power storage--especially for this number of "AA"s is significantly variable as the power button is actually a three-way switch; three levels [one LED, three LED, six LED] that always manage to cast a perfectly focused and precise circle of light no matter how many LEDs are in service. Now THAT is one well-designed and highly polished reflector and brilliant LED placement! And the levels on this three-way are actually distinct, usable levels: each serviceable under specific conditions. Did I mention the swivel head? Three firm detents allow you to direct the light pretty much wherever you need it. However, an extendable center post -like those on higher end tripods in general--would have been a welcome addition. Ok, it's not a perfect world, is it?
EASE OF USE-
4.5 stars- Unlike many other combo stick/free-standing models, this Stanley morphs from hand to stand using an extremely uncomplicated and therefore reliable device, a small but easily found button that just shifts a magnet from the steel ring at the bottom of the aluminum legs, quickly releasing all three of the spring-loaded legs to their "outrigger" position. Very cool-no catches to snap off or wear, just a moving magnet and a steel ring; a perfect demonstration of the ever popular canon, "Occam's Razor": though this design may translate into the occasionally unwanted deployment of a leg or two in your tool box or hand. Sorta like the "safety" on a Glock semi-auto pistol, only far less deadly.
DURABILITY-
4 stars- Let's see, rubber, aluminum, a *non*-cushioned plastic head. . . just how many drops terminating abruptly on a workshop floor will this product survive is anyone's guess. I'm guessing not too many: highly dependent on what part strikes the concrete first. . . However, since the plastic swivel head is the lightest segment, your mileage may have more to do with physics than luck but physics and be a phunny thing. Ya just never know when applying theory to the real world. Let's just say this product is from Stanley, a brand of tool more typically marketed to the homeowner than at the professional. But sometimes more important than the durability of a flashlight is the duration the flashlight actually lights, especially for those residing along hurricane alley. Stanley wisely lets us know on the lowest setting [one LED], their flashlight will last for 200 hours with a typical alkaline battery. I'm also guessing that a high-grade set of rechargeable "AA's, like 2400mh rated, will fair much better than the former. I see no reason to doubt Stanley's claim however one LED provides the kind of illumination that's best once your eyes adjust but will probably not cause that uninvited houseguest, the cockroach, to scamper wildly into wherever it crawled out of. Come to think of it, I'm not sure cockroaches "scamper" at all.
IN SUMMARY-
For the homeowner or "occasional" handyman, the Stanley[tm] MaxLife "Tripod Series" LED flashlight is a nifty and useful little gadget and will certainly find its way into many a kitchen drawer or homeowner's workshop, and seems a great candidate for extended power outages. It's very versatile, quite affordable when on sale, which it wisely often is, does everything a flashlight is suppose to do, and will likely impress your friends and neighbors. It's compact design is well-executed, the use of LEDs means no regular bulb replacement and low battery consumption [think GREEN], and the ability to wear two hats reasonably and equally well, both as a handheld and a stand-alone, is always a plus.
As for the button thing, just be warned THIS flashlight has TWO of them, and one of them is a 3-way ;o)
AX~
[master woodbutcher and seasoned termite]
Customer Review: A flashlight/tool in one
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great flashlight. It is extra bright, light weight and stays in the position you want. Great gift for the tool freakCustomer Review: An OK tripod light. Not the brightest.
Summary: 4 Stars
Feel flimsy tho sturdy.
Dumb idea to put the on/off button and tripod release button right beside each other. The tripod release button just moves the magnet strip away from the leg contacts, so the legs swing open.... but they can be manually open.. so no point in that feature anyways.
LED light intensity is ok for focused work like automobile repairs etc. but not great for work that has work area of more than a sq.ft.
I use this as a emergency flash light in the car and it work great for that purpose.
For the price I paid, its ok deal.
Compact, light weight and easy to carry. Good for occasional user. I would not recommended for professionals/frequent users.
Customer Review: As long as you know what you're getting...
Summary: 5 Stars
It's an extremely bright flashlight, even on the low setting. Great battery life (they're run in series, not parallel, and it knows when to pull power from the stronger batteries) and great for single person use with its tripod stand and an adjustable head. If you don't care about adjusting the brightness and don't need a weighty flashlight, this is for you.