Dimensions & Weight
Case Material
Case Features
Case Access Type
Switch Type
Reflector Type
Lens Type
Bulb Type
Circuit
Beam Type
Beam Characteristics
Overall Output
Nominal Color
Battery / Power Type
Battery Life (advertised)
Environmental Protection
Accessories
Special Items of Note
Warranty
Retail Availability & Cost

1-Classification- The Photon Freedom is a standard bearer or benchmark against which most Key chain lights of less than two inches length are currently compared. A direct descendant from the original Photon 1 Micro it's in the top echelon of current day squeeze lights that seem to share the same ancestor, the Duracell Squeeze light- a behemoth that used 2XAA batteries to power a single LED and was designed to be disposable. While many high quality squeeze lights currently exist, few have the quality of build and usability of functions offered in the Photon Freedom. In addition to being a market leader in its niche, the Photon Freedom is offered in many more configurations than even its nearest competitors.The Photon Freedom and it's predecessors are also pressed into service to fill needs often associated with full size flashlights or specialty illumination devices.It further demonstrates that it's possible to offer a range of users a product that can be used by both the technologically challenged as well as those that appreciate sophisticated microprocessor controllability in something as basic as a key chain light. As such it crosses the boundaries between key chain lights, markers, beacons and special spectrum markers and inspection lights.
2- Build Quality- The Photon Freedom is made in the USA of Glass-filled polyurethane or G10 .This is a polymer compound that has proven its worth as a replacement for steel and other metals in products such as handguns, medium-heavy duty machine parts, transportation products and knife scales to mention but a few.The use of so strong a material in the Photon Freedom, makes it tough enough to take beating like no other key chain light in its class. This also means that the Photon Freedom like the rest of the Photon Micro series will often outlast similar products in normal everyday use. These are mass production high quality lights that are suitable for light to medium duty everyday or occasional use. Though featherweight, the Photon Freedom is well made and not likely to come apart or suffer damage from interactions with other key chain inhabitants.By reducing the opportunity for serious damage to just a very few regions of the product's anatomy, the designers of the Photon Freedom have maximized its reliability while still offering customers a product that can indeed be opened for battery replacement. A handy hat clip that doubles as a magnet enabled hand's free stand is equally well built and extends the functionality of the Photon Freedom.
3- Physical Features -Flat and squeeze friendly, diminutive and minimalist.
The diminutive form factor of the Photon Freedom makes it an ideal candidate for stowage where other lights would simply not be welcome. In addition, it seems to be one of the few products in its class that would fit comfortably on a zipper-pull, charm bracelet, necklace or alternative wearable jewelry application.
4- Wall Thickness- N/A
5- Finish-Black fine pebble grain textured natural G10 polymer
6- Fit- The battery compartment cover fits precisely in its place on the underside of the light. The light itself fits securely into the included hat clip

1- Laterality Dominance. The flashlight is ambidextrous and is a true pleasure to use since it fits perfectly in the space created when a thumb pad and finger pad meet.
2-Switch Activation At the most basic level, the Photon Freedom is activated by simply squeezing the flat top and bottom between a thumb and finger until it comes on. The pressure switch is actually on only one side ( called the top) of the light. Beyond this basic functional model, there is a bit of a learning curve in using the Photon Freedom.
-Lights are shipped in "demonstration" mode. To exit this mode:
- Press and hold the switch until the light turns off (about 20 seconds). After that you can access all of the full use modes.
The functional interactions are as follows:
-Off -> Press and release:RESULT= ON-High
-On -> Press and release:RESULT= OFF
-To gradually dim the light from ON-High-> Firmly Press and hold: RESULT= variable dimming that can be halted by releasing pressure on the switch
To turn off the light from any level-> Quickly Press and release:RESULT= OFF
-To gradually increase levels from a previously dimmed level -> Press and hold: variable brightening occurs which can be interrupted by releasing the pressure
-To enter optional blinking and SOS modes-> from ON or OFF-> squeeze light with continuous pressure till it has passed through one dimming cycle. It will then blink once to signal a mode change. RESULT= It will then enter the first option of the blinking modes-> Slow flashing. Continue pressing and it then scrolls to the next modes Medium Fast & Fast Flashing and finally SOS mode
- Releasing pressure at any of these settings makes them permanent until either the battery runs out or the switch is pressed to turn the unit OFF. To move to the next optional mode the user simply applies firm constant pressure to the switch
- To enter momentary ON mode -> Very rapidly squeeze the light in a series of On/Off cycles till it does not stay on (In real terms this requires quite a bit of dexterity in order to 'bypass' the standard switch programming- a feat that requires lightning fast reflexes and a nimble thumb or finger action). The light will then be constantly on high every time it is temporarily squeezed.
- To exit momentary ON mode-> Press and keep pressure on the switch till it finally turns Off.
Analysis- The Photon Freedom is thus designed for two levels of user- Beginners and Experienced. For most users , the basic functionality of ON-High / OFF is enough. For those that need the flexibility of the advanced options, a read of the instructions and a few minutes of practice will generally embed the enhanced use models for special context usage.
3- Battery Changes are effected through removal of the 'underside' logo cap with a fingernail or small pointed implement. Once removed, the two CR-2016 coin cell batteries may be slid out from underneath their metal strap entrapment and replaced with fresh ones. This last action- removing the batteries- will likely necessitate the use of the same implement used to get the compartment cover off. The batteries are in so tight a space that there is nary room enough to wiggle them out without the assistance of the aforementioned sharp and pointed implement.
4-Loss Prevention/Stowage-A nickel plated 1cm diameter split ring and gate-clip 'lobster-claw' are furnished in addition to the dedicated hat clip/stand /magnetic base accessory. A generously large .25" (6.5mm) lanyard hole may also be used instead of the supplied terminal hardware. LRI, the manufacturer of the Photon Freedom also offer a neck lanyard as an optional accessory.
5-Handling.Lacking any complex shapes switches or other protrusions, the Photon Freedom is easy to point and handles ergonomically between finger and thumb. For hands free usage it rides between one's lips as would a coin. Caution should be exercised as the Photon Freedom is small enough to swallow accidentally- making a 'mouthing' option less appetizing in the event of careless misuse. A light this small encourages all manner of creative attachment. For the Photon Freedom owner the included hat clip accessory takes care of most such needs, with the optional lanyard completing the kit.

1-Controls- The upper textured side is the only control device.
2-Component/Section Accessibility Only the battery compartment is user accessible.

1-Deployment The Photon Freedom’s form factor and size suggest that it may be stowed and deployed in a manner similar to other lights of this category. As is the case with many micro lights of this type, the key chain that hosts them is often the main 'handle' while the light itself is simply another 'appendage'- one that also happens to be a tool for pointing illumination. As un tethered discrete illumination tools, they are easily deployed from cover or stowage with the same ease that one might produce a coin nestled in a coin pocket.
2-Changing 'States'- Focus is fixed at the optimal beam angle produced by the emitter. The squeezing action is the stereotypical model for such lights. The sophisticated modes offered by the Photon Freedom do require a read of the instructions as well as some practice for neophytes to master. Once mastered however, the usage models become embedded in muscle memory for quick and easy semi-intuitive implementation. The programming of the Photon Freedom is a significant improvement over the previous model in that some inadvertencies have been effectively mitigated against. In addition, by making the entire surface area of the 'control' region active (Rather than the bifurcated switch of the Photon III), users are more likely to affect a predictable activation and therefore less likely to inadvertently activate the light in an unintended manner.
3-Usage Options The Photon Freedom is tiny enough to use as a key chain light for keyhole location or it can be pressed into service as a highly respectable navigation aid at distances of up to 20' in total darkness. We discovered that these lights make excellent search tools for fly fishing or other tackle boxes, hobby and general near proximity foraging. Optional Photon Freedom versions with colored or infrared / UV spectrum LEDs make them useful tools to covert operatives as well as pilots, CSI and military personnel.

1-Summary Comments-The Photon Freedom is a well crafted small production flashlight from an innovative manufacturer. It's in the vanguard of LED key-chain lights- not only due to it's tiny size, but also because it uses sophisticated microprocessor control to affect a range of LED illumination levels as well as special purpose flashing and signaling functions. Its build quality and reliability have earned it well justified praise and respect in a field crowded with competitors. In its evolution from one iteration to the next, the Photon Micro Light has improved in user interface and programming usability and functionality even as it has retained it's signature form-factor, build quality and outstanding customer relationship management and support.
2- Outstanding features:
-Made in USA
- Excellent fabrication quality
- Beginner & Advanced modes
- Highly respectable brightness for its size
- Very respectable battery runtime
- Generous 5mm diameter key-ring/lanyard hole
- Extensive model line including IR & UV as well as colored LED's and 'covert' model
- Aggressively priced
- Excellent Lifetime warranty & friendly manufacturer
- Stylish design and superb retail packaging
- Common type batteries
- Well designed and useful accessory clip
3-Value. Exceptional quality to price-point ratio.
4-Areas Cited For Improvement A) Battery removal may be tricky for some.

5 Stars- Highly Recommended- Benchmark/Best In Class

ABOVE -Backside Battery compartment cover removes without tools to allow battery replacement.

ABOVE (Relative Brightness). LEFT- Minimum Level | CENTER-Medium Level | RIGHT- Maximum Level

Footnotes:

(*2) Maximum Distance for Object Identification (MDOI). The maximum distance that a person without the aid of magnification-can with normal or corrected vision, under a given ambient level of light, identify an object of known size, and clearly distinguish it from its surroundings. We have tentatively identified the following scenarios for such measures:

• A single average sized person/body identification scenario
  • Urban (city, inside buildings, dark alley, lit streets)
  • Rural (countryside,farm residential backyard)
  • Environmental (dessert, woods, wetlands, over water)
  • Natural & manmade disaster (fire, flood/mudslide,earthquake, hurricane /tornado,bombing scene, collapsed structure etc)
• Small Inanimate Object (smaller than a shoe-box)
• Medium Inanimate Object (Black Plastic 33 Gallon (124Litre) Garbage Bag stuffed with a big sleeping bag)

(*3) Usability testing results - in progress.

(*5) Context Inclusive Illumination Window (CIIW) as compared with a Context Exclusive Illumination Window (CEIW) .

• CIIW describes a subject illumination paradigm wherein the illumination target is the focus of the beam's brightest disc or 'Hotspot' and peripheral objects to the target are more dimly illuminated in a larger disc that surrounds the focus or hotspot. This outer region is also referred to as a corona or penumbra.
• CEIW describes a subject illumination paradigm wherein the illumination target is the focus of the beam's brightest disc or 'Hotspot' and peripheral objects to the target are not sufficiently illuminated to be easily discernable at the periphery of subject beam's focus or hotspot.

© 2005 - Imägo Metrics - All Rights Reserved
Original standards designations (including acronyms) depicted in this, as well as all of our evaluations are the exclusive intellectual property of Imägo Metrics LLC and subsidiaries. Reproduction without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

All Photographs © 2005 - Imago Media