Eveready Compact Metal Flashlight Review
The Eveready Compact Metal flashlight offers a single emitter and just one mode and runs three AAA batteries, which are included. Read on for testing!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight product page.
Versions of the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight
The website indicates this is the only version of the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight.
Price
Depending on when or where you buy the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight, the price can vary. I got mine on amazon.com for around $5! (That’s a referral link.)
What’s Included
- Eveready Compact Metal flashlight
- Lanyard (attached)
- AA batteries (3)
- Battery holder
Package and Manual
The Eveready Compact Metal flashlight actually ships, as shown above, loose in an Amazon.com box. (!!!)
There is no manual.
Build Quality and Disassembly
As the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight is “very flashlighty,” I can say that I love the look! It’s a great size, too.
I can’t even say that the build quality is “very low” – but the materials do seem less than ideal.
For example, the metal used throughout is very thin. You can immediately notice that with the light in hand, even without unscrewing any parts. But below, you can see the retaining ring is probably stamped sheet metal. Very thin, very cheap.
When unscrewing the parts, you’ll notice the thin metal, too. The threads feel like they’re ready to roll.
Both the head and tail end have springs, which is good. They’re sufficient, but fairly light springs. This is not a tactical flashlight, though.
Both the head and tail can be removed from the cell tube. The tube is not reversible. Also, it’s male/female. (And on a personal note, the tailcap will not screw directly into the head. That’d be fun, though!)
Size and Comps
If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. The version below is a custom laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full post on an engraved orange host right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to buy your Convoy S2+ now!
Also above is the light beside a TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats. I also reviewed that specific edition, the “Oveready BOSS FT Collector Vintage Brass” 35. I love it!
Retention and Carry
A lanyard is included with the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight and it ships already attached. This lanyard is the most basic, just like your mom.
Here’s another good measure of the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight being made cheaply. The hole that this split ring attaches to is so tiny and not cared for. The edges are a bit sharp. You won’t get cut on them though – the hole is too small. The split ring is just rolled wire, too. It does have sharp ends.
That’s it – there is no pocket clip.
Power and Runtime
The Eveready Compact Metal flashlight runs on three AAA batteries. They are in series, so the light really runs at 4.5V at a maximum. These Eveready cells are included.
The cells go into this plastic battery holder.
It’s hard to see but the holder has an arrow so you’ll know which way to put the holder into the light. Without even noticing the arrow, though, just note that the holder’s button side goes toward the head (just like in about every flashlight!)
Here’s an output test on the included cells. There’s just one mode, so this is it!
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On | 80 | 66 | 71 (0s) 66 (30s) |
0.27 @4.5V |
Pulse Width Modulation
The single mode does not use PWM.
Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor. Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.
User Interface and Operation
There’s a single switch for controlling the Eveready Compact Metal flashlight. It is a mechanical reverse clicky. Actually the reverse clicky aspect is irrelevant, except to note that since it’s not a forward clicky, there’s no momentary output for the light.
The switch honestly feels a lot like a McClicky (which is a forward clicky) but does have a more hollow sound.
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Click | On |
| On | Click | Off |
| Any | Tap | No change |
LED and Beam
Eveready does not state what emitter is used here. I’m digging this reflector, though! It’s very much like the Ledil Boom reflectors but quite a bit bigger, I believe.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
The beam is cool white in the center. Since it looked a bit different at the edges, I did test the perimeter too. That was more neutral. That’s good! Duv ranges all the way across the BBL though, and CRI is middle of the road.
Beamshots
These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)
I keep the test flashlight on the left, and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Summary and Conclusion on the Eveready Compact Metal Flashlight
It’s tempting to hate this fairly low-quality light. However, at $5, you could probably do a lot worse. For example, it’s not complicated by a bunch of modes or any strobes whatsoever. That’s great! Also, outside of the very center of the beam, it’s not all that cool white. Even has reasonable CRI! If you can get over the fact that it feels absolutely cheap in hand, it can be a nice light to throw around.
The Big Table
| Eveready Compact Metal LED Flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | Unstated |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $4.97 |
| Cell: | 3xAAA |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | ? |
| Switch Type: | Mechanical |
| On-Board Charging? | No |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 80 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 66 (82.5% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 19.9 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 55 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 137lux @ 3.092m = 1310cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 72.4 (131.6% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 4500-5800 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Me |
| All my Eveready reviews! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.
What I like
- Middle of the road CRI
- Very inexpensive
- AAA cells should be easy to source
- Great beam profile
What I don’t like
- Very cheap build materials
- Cells are in series
- CCT drift from cool white in the center
Issues I relate to
- Switch feels dead inside
Notes
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!
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Well played! Happy April Fools’ Day!