| |
Gerber
- Tracer™
Description.
The Gerber Tracer
is a two 5mm (Nichia) LED headlamp running from one
AAA battery-in a unified head. This light is a typical
example of a growing family of flashlights-on-a-headstrap
that have permeated the personal illuminations market
over the past three or four years. The Tracer is ultra
lightweight and uses only one AAA battery to drive
two LEDs with the help of a tiny voltage step-up circuit
contained in the headlamp.
The body of the Tracer is black plastic with a metallic
reflector bar across the front that modulates light
from the two LEDs into a broader beam. The back of
the unit easily comes off to afford access to the
battery compartment. A simple (rubber boot) protected
click switch on top affords simple On/Off functionality.
The unit uses a 3 point headstrap but the top headband
can be easily removed if preferred. The headlamp pivots
90º in the vertical axis to direct illumination straight
ahead as well as infinitely downwards . The Tracer
is classified as a specialized illumination device
allowing for hand's free head-mounted lighting at
ranges between 12 feet and a few inches from the user
and for tasks that require mobile but hands-free low
level illumination. The Tracer would be a welcome
apparatus in the home, workshop, campsite or on the
job. Its poor waterproofing makes it less useful in
downpours or in situations where heavy splashing may
damage the circuit. It's unknown if forehead perspiration
could also enter the battery compartment, and in any
manner interfere with its operation.
------------------
MSRP $23.95 US
------------------
Specifications.
- Colors:Black or Blue
- Composition:Polycarbonate. Elastomer
- Fabrication:Injection molded plastic
- Dimensions:H=,L=,W=
- Net weight: With battery=1.7oz
- Quick observations:Ultralight, handy,
and flexible illumination angle
- Power source: 1X AAA battery ( included
)
- Emitters:2 5mm Nichia LEDs
- Runtime:10 hours peak, 40 hours
usable
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Accessories-Three point headstrap
(included)
------------------
Evaluation Results & Conclusions...
Ease of Use
Excellent . Requires very little learning
if any. Highly intuitive functional model. Pictogram
instructions plus one-line captions sufficiently illustrate
battery loading/replacement, uses and functionality
. End-uses are limited only by one's imagination.
Tactile feedback gives the user a sense of control
over the product when tilting the head or turning
the light On & Off. The switch is on the top of
the unit and requires 'focused' pressure to activate.
The switch's sanoprene (rubbery) cover rests in a
recess to protect the unit from accidental activation
. Battery replacement is easy but some care and attention
are required to ensure that the circuit is not damaged
or that the battery is inserted in the wrong orientation.
Battery compartment closure must be performed with
care so as not to accidentally break the side-clips
or fail to properly engage the two flanges in the
proper places.
5 points
------------------
Task performance optimization
Excellent . The Tracer successfully accomplishes
the task of furnishing personal space illumination
close up. It also does a very good job at furnishing
general navigational illumination both indoors and
outside. We liked it best for nocturnal campsite tasks
that beg for hands free illumination. At tasks such
as pitching a tent, walking to a latrine, hiking ,
preparing a fire or reading- the Tracer shines admirably.
At home it provides excellent hands free lighting
for 'dark-corner' tasks such as working beneath bathroom
plumbing, examining a circuit breaker box, foraging
in a backyard, or simply fishing around in tight,
dark places. The LED's bluish color cast makes it
less comfortable to read by than other more powerful
headlamps, but in a pinch it serves well for short
sessions of an hour or less. It's marginal waterproofness
makes it less of a survival head light that an occasional
head-mounted light.
5 points
------------------
Durability
Comprehensive torture tests have not been
done, but the build quality is fair for its price-point
and intended purpose- civilian personal use and camping.
The fit and finish are acceptable though not exceptional
. Replacement frequency will depend on variables such
as frequency of dismantling / re-assembly, roughness
of use, exposure to UV and heat/cold as well as other
unpredictable factors.We wouldn't venture to predict
how well the Tracer would survive being stepped on
or driven over accidentally by a bike or car, but
it would survive storage in a rucksack or a pocket
very nicely. Based on continuous everyday use for
two weeks we have provisionally given this product
a durability rating of:
2.5 points
------------------
Adaptability
Within the narrow functional constraint of
a head-mounted design, the Gerber Tracer is a suitable
problem solver for a number of end-uses. At the time
of this evaluation there were no additional modules
or accessories available, . We should stress that
it provides a low level of light that though ideal
in close-up situations, may not serve the purpose
of flooding a large room with light or for intense
forward directed illumination.
3 points
------------------
Pros > 1)Domain specific but context flexible
2) Excellent ergonomics and usability 3) Uses common
AAA batteries 4)Minimalist styling/aesthetics 5)Intuitive
to use and easy to learn 6)Long run times per set
of batteries 7) Long life LEDs never need replacement
8)Limited lifetime warranty
Cons > 1)Could be brighter 2)
Not waterproof 3) battery compartment flanges could
become broken 4)No battery polarity orientation aid
5) Flimsy fabrication 6) Not the same quality of construction
as contemporaneous Gerber lights.
Rating -3.0 Stars =
Marginally Recommended
Supplier
: http://www.gerberblades.com/latest/portablelighting.php
|
