Gizmodo: torch

Duracell's Rugged Daylite LED Flashlights Annihilate the Darkness

Sean Fallon — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

A knife, some rope and a decent flashlight. When it comes right down to it, these are tools that a guy can really use. As for the latter of the three, a good choice may be these new "Daylite" superbright torches from Duracell. Besides a sturdy all-weather design, the Daylites feature TrueBeam technology that uses "both a lens and a reflector to capture and project up to 100 percent of the light," which they claim significantly enhances brightness. Plus, a 3:1 zoom eliminates the annoying dark spot typical of most flashlights.

Duracell will be offering the Daylite in three varieties: the 80 lumens AAA / AA versions (both $25) and the powerful 160 lumens CR123 version ($35) beginning this month at drug and hardware stores. Duracell seems to be aiming at the MagLite market with the Daylites, but it remains to be seen whether the performance justifies the price tag. [Duracell]

Walking Stick With Suspension, Flashlight and Flashing Signal is Perfect for Supergran

Kit Eaton — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:44:00 EDT

Were I an old geezer right now, my gadget-cravings would no doubt include this multifunction walking stick. It's adjustable, has in-built suspension, an LED flashlight, flashing signals and an alarm and is one bad-ass walking assistance device. Ok, so it's probably designed mainly for hikers and other outdoorsy-types, but if your grandma or grandpa is into gadgets and has walking troubles, then I can imagine they'd love this. Available now for $31. [Gadget4All via 7Gadgets]

The Olympic Torch Transformed Over History

Mark Wilson — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

We'd never want the burden of carrying the Olympic torch, not so much because of the pressure, but because we're out of shape and there's a distinct possibility that we might burn ourselves. However, we're more than willing to look at the NYT timeline of the Olympic torches over the last 70 years and appreciate the torch's evolution from crude, mace-like fire stick to long fire rod. And this year's red scroll designed by Lenovo (yes, that Lenovo) might actually be our favorite. Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games. [NYT]

BluePointer Bluetooth Headset-Laser Pointer Mashup Won't Make You a Borg

Kit Eaton — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:15:00 EDT

I mean "Locutus of Borg" rather than the "Bjorn" variety of course... but admittedly, having a Bluetooth headset that you can whip off and use to fire red laser beams around is pretty sci-fi. It's the BluePointer from Brando, and I suppose it's a multipurpose gadget for professionals with little room in their briefcases: it's also got an ultra-bright LED torch and it can be used to flick through the slides in your presentations. You simply pair it with a notebook supporting HID profile and away you go. It's got a talk time of six hours, standby of 120, and does Bluetooth v2.0+EDR class 2. Available now for $90, assimilation into the collective not included. [Brando]

Wakey Wakey, Hands On Snakey, It's the Twist Torch from Brando

AddyDugdale — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:23:00 EDT

Measuring 81 centimeters, this Twist Torch from Brando can be bent into any shape you wish. The more brutal amongst you may even use it to perform home endoscopies, and the more fashion-conscious may wish to wear it as a necktie at your club so that the steward doesn't throw you out for being incorrectly dressed. The pervy may want to stick it where the sun don't shine and make Innerspace-esque videos, the DIY geek may want to light up murky little crannies with it, and the plain loco may want to sit it in a basket, play namby-pamby music on a recorder, and wait for it to sit up and start swaying.

All this craziness in a tube will cost you $11. [Brando]

Solar Powered Music, Fake Detection and Flashlight in One

Kit Eaton — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:09:37 EDT

I love this weird combo, multi-tool gadget: it's a mashup between the Solar Phone Charger and the great 5-in-1 Pen. It's got a solar cell to top up your gadgets with juice (USB connector, or cellphone adaptors), a UV note-checker, LED flashlight and, best of all, an FM radio. Why not an MP3 player? Where's the tool for getting stones out of a horse's hoof? Nope, just an FM radio. At least we have this reassurance "Security guarantee: There is not any danger to use." Yours for $45.99. [GizFever via RedFerret]

Let There Be Light, in the Form of a USB Rechargeable Clip

Charlie White — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:51:47 EST

Charge this mini flashlight in a USB port, and use its notebook clip to shed light on your laptop keyboard. For less digital activities, use its book clip to illuminate that page-turner trash you read under the covers every night with no one the wiser. It has an LED inside that's bright enough to light up the night, and once you've spent its internal battery, it only takes about three hours to charge it up again. Who needs a $400 electronic book reader, when a mere $14 keeps you from cursing the darkness, reading good old-fashioned paper? [Brando]