Dimensions & Weight
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 Gerber/CMG Sonic are a pair of lights sharing the original design foundation created by CMG for the Sonic series. The Gerber version reflects adjustments to the original design that for the most part are significant improvements. The Sonic is a venerable key chain light design that retains it's signature conically shaped head and conical tail design of the original Sonic. As such they may be reminiscent of Rocket Age design - a school that drew its inspiration from Space Age Rocket silhouettes. Though some may argue that the larger CMG/Gerber Infinity & Infinity Ultra are key chain worthy as well, the Sonic series are quintessential key chain lights.
2- Geometry- Both are radially symmetrical cylinders with distinctive conically shaped heads and tails. Subtle changes in the Gerber Sonic geometry include:
- A more obtuse angle of head cone than the CMG version
- Apparently separate head section- not apparent in the CMG version
- The Gerber Sonic is wider at all sections than the CMG version
- The scooped-out CMG tail cone has been straightened in the Gerber
- The Gerber's version has more pronounced and aggressive knurling than does the CMG
- The LED of the Gerber version protrudes by 1mm out from the front end while the CMG version is inset by 2mm- a variance of 3mm.
- The tail-flat of the CMG is 5mm versus the 3mm of the Gerber
3- Build Quality- The Sonic is made of High Strength Aluminum with various colors of HAII anodizing to protect against the elements. This is a mass production high quality light that is suitable for moderate duty everyday use. The updated Gerber version seems have better quality machining and finish is visibly superior to that of the CMG version. On/Off turning of the Gerber twist tail switch is noticeable smoother.
4- Physical Features -The Sonic is the second smallest light that Gerber makes and a clean looking and inviting silhouette. So many Key chain lights simply look like billets of aluminum with knurling on them.The Sonic is a refreshing departure from the norm. The idiosyncratic 'snout' effect of the Sonic's fore-end makes it a natural for pointing light precisely. This may have a positive psychological as well as practical effect during actual use.
5- Wall Thickness- The aluminum wall thickness of the battery tubes are : CMG Sonic=.5mm / Gerber Sonic=1mm
6- Finish- As evaluated-Clear anodized aluminum for the Gerber and Glossy black HAII anodizing for the CMG.
7- Fit- The tailpiece fits snugly on the CMG and moves more smoothly than on the Gerber. The Gerber Sonic has a 30% fewer thread count in the tail piece- making it a little faster to remove it's tail cap.

1-Controls- The tail cap is the only control device.
2-Component/Section Accessibility- The battery compartment is accessible through the unscrewing of the tailpiece. The head of the Gerber Sonic appears to be separate from the body section- suggesting that it may be removable.

1-Deployment- The Sonic’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 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.
2-Changing 'States'- Focus is fixed at a usable Spot (CMG) or Wide-angle (Gerber) beam angle.The Sonic has no variable focus or levels adjustment capability.
3-Usage Options The Sonic is more than powerful enough to use as a key chain light for keyhole location or inspection at close range. It may also be pressed into service for near distance navigation in darkened rooms, passageways and theaters. Now better ruggedized in the Gerber materializationn the Sonic is an improvement on a popular key chain light.

1-Summary Comments-The Gerber Sonic is a well crafted mass produced flashlight from a reputable manufacturer of small personal accessories- especially knives. It's size is at the average of key chain and pocket flashlights. In it's updated form, the Gerber Sonic contains some significant improvements, though a newly exposed LED may not necessarily be one of them. As such, it makes a welcome gift to anyone that wishes to have a user-centric key chain light that's dressy enough to carry with formal attire and yet is rugged and aggressive enough for casual and outdoors use as well.
2- Outstanding features:
- Excellent fabrication quality
- Very good LED color and beam pattern
- Highly ergonomic and user centric
- Reasonably priced
- Distinctive Silhouette
- Excellent warranty
- Updated design & styling
- Excellent retail/ presentation packaging
3-Value. Excellent quality to price-point ratio.
4-Areas Cited For Improvement A) Could be offered in two versions- with recessed or exposed LED B) Does not stand on its tail for ceiling bounce mode C) Deserves more anodizing colors D) Deserves to include a terminal quick-release clip

4.75 Stars-Highly Recommended (Gerber Sonic)

ABOVE,LEFT- Note LED 'Exposed' VS 'Covert' | RIGHT -Tail cap design variance


ABOVE.LEFT- Gerber Sonic (DirectBeamShot- DBS) | Right-CMG Sonic (DBS)

Footnotes:

(*1) Medium Men's glove size- Also, a Standardized Flashlight Hand Size Metric (SFHSM)

		Small A-B = 4.5" or Shorter
		Medium A-B = 4.5"-5"
		Large A-B = 5"-6"
		X-Large A-B = 6" and Longer

(*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