Ryobi 18V Flashlight: A bright flashlight
Written: Jan 25 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use, durable, bright.
Cons: Not well balanced, heavy.
The Bottom Line: A nice little flashlight
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| yakkowarner's Full Review: Ryobi 18V Flashlight P700 |
This is a flashlight that uses the Ryobi 18V battery system. This is the same battery that I use in my portable drill, my portable reciprocating saw, and my
portable hand vacuum. All of the tools I own are very well made and easy to use.
To use this flashlight all you do is plug in the battery to the bottom of this unit and click the trigger button with your index finger. Click it again to turn it off. Really hard isn’t it.
The light & lens quality
It is a pre-focused plastic lens so unlike our Maglights, you cannot change how the beam is focused. I actually prefer it that way because it is one less thing to worry about. But keep in mind that the beam is not as well focused as it could be. The center looks more like an omega symbol than a perfect circle of light. But it has never bothered me nor hampered my task at the time.
Features
-Swivel head- The head can swivel so the light is project forward, slightly to the side, or in the up position (about 70 degrees, not straight up.)
-Easy to use trigger switch- Just like a squirt gun.
-Carrying Strap ready- Located on the back of the main unit, just above the battery.
Ergonomics
Unlike the drill, this is not very well balanced. When you hold it loosely it wants to lean forward a bit. But this really isn’t a problem because this flashlight is designed to be used around the home/work site, not on the trail. It sits perfectly on the ground so you can use both of your hands freely.
The Head also twists. This way you can point it forward or up. For example, when I was hooking cable on the back of my television I just sat this on the ground pointing up and I was able to see everything perfectly. It points up at around a 70-degree angle, which is a better angle to project light from for the odd jobs I have done around the house.
The trigger is easy to pull. In addition it locks to the on position. Just pull the trigger once and it is on. To turn it off pull the trigger again.
Changing the light bulb
There are 4 parts you are concerned about when changing the light bulb. The plastic screw cap, the clear plastic covering, the metallic reflector, and the permanently attached spring. You unscrew the screw cap that is holding the lens. Be careful because the lens is not permanently attached to the screw cap. Then remove the reflector unit. The light bulb is held tightly to the spring, which also is used to complete the circuit. Just pull out the bulb with the “formal” pull-n-twist method. Insert the new bulb, put the reflector back on, secure the lens in the screw cap if it was removed, and screw the cap back on. You can do it all in about a minute.
Battery life
I left it on continuously and found that it lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes. But at around the 30-minute mark I saw a noticeable decline in brightness.
Luminosity
I would rate this at the same brightness as a 4-cell Maglite. It is pretty bright and will annoy those that you choose to flash, but it isn’t at the level of a stream light or the beautiful 6-cell.
Durability
As with all of my 18-volt tools, this is a very durable product. I have dropped it and tossed it around like I do most tools. Other than a couple of scratches, there is no damage to the unit. The only thing I have had to do is change out the light bulb.
Weight & Dimensions
Weight without battery: 10 oz.
Weight with battery: 2 lbs, 9 oz.
Height: 9 7/8 inches or 11 inches (light pointing down and up respectively)
Width: 3 inches.
Length: 6.5 inches.
Summary
This is another great tool from the Ryobi one+ 18V portable tool collection. It is bright, easy to use, long lasting, and durable. It sits on the ground, which means that the user will have access to both of their hands while working. The unit also has a swivel head for better light control. Definitely a worthwhile purchase to your household tools.
My other Ryobi 18V tools.
Ryboi 18V drill.
Ryboi 18V reciprocating saw.
Ryboi 18V hand vacuum.
Recommended:
Yes
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