Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii Review

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii Made a Bold First Impression

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii from Nite Ize promises to breathe new life into your old AA mini flashlight. Promising extended battery life, shockproof construction, and a focusable beam, this little kit seemed like the perfect solution to upgrade a drawer full of dusty flashlights. What drew me to the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii was the prospect of modernizing those older flashlights without replacing them.

My problem was simple: I have several AA mini flashlights, relics from various camping trips and hardware store impulse buys. The incandescent bulbs were weak, the batteries drained quickly, and frankly, they weren’t reliable. The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii promised a simple, cost-effective solution.

Upon unboxing the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii, the immediate impression was “simple, yet effective”. The kit consists of an LED replacement bulb and a push-button tail cap. The components felt sturdy enough, though not exceptionally premium. It’s a simple design, indicating an easy installation.

I considered other options like buying entirely new LED flashlights. However, the allure of repurposing existing flashlights and the relatively low price point of $7.49 made the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii an attractive proposition. It seemed more environmentally friendly than discarding perfectly good flashlight bodies.

My first impression was cautiously optimistic. It seemed like a convenient way to get enhanced performance from an old flashlight. I was eager to see if it lived up to the promises of longer battery life and improved brightness.

Real-World Testing: Putting Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii to the Test

First Use Experience

I first tested the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii in my backyard, a controlled environment where I could easily compare its performance to the original bulb. I installed it in an old Maglite AA mini flashlight, a common type that this kit is intended for. The upgrade process was straightforward, taking less than a minute.

The difference in light output was immediately noticeable. The LED was significantly brighter and whiter than the dull yellow glow of the incandescent bulb. Even in the ambient light of my suburban backyard, the focused beam projected noticeably further.

There were no immediate issues. The push-button tail cap was easy to operate, and the flashlight felt more responsive than before. It felt like a brand-new flashlight for a fraction of the cost.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of use, including a camping trip and a few late-night dog walks, the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii has proven surprisingly reliable. It’s been subjected to damp conditions and a few accidental drops without any noticeable degradation in performance. The shockproof claim seems valid.

There are no visible signs of wear and tear on either the LED bulb or the tail cap. The LED bulb is expected to last much longer than the original incandescent one. The improved battery life is substantial. I have used the upgraded flashlight for approximately 10 hours in total, which is said to last for 25 hours.

Compared to my previous experiences with incandescent bulbs that would dim quickly and require frequent battery changes, the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii has significantly improved the usability of my old flashlight. It provides a brighter, more reliable light source with much longer battery life. I can safely say the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii definitely outperforms.

Breaking Down the Features of Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii

Specifications

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii boasts a few key specifications: extended battery life of 25 hours, shockproof construction, a focusable beam projecting up to 40 meters, and an easy-to-install push-button tail cap. These are the core features Nite Ize highlights.

These specifications matter because they address the common shortcomings of traditional AA mini flashlights. The extended battery life reduces the need for frequent battery replacements. The shockproof design enhances durability. The focusable beam adds versatility in different lighting conditions. These are all significant improvements.

Performance & Functionality

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii performs its job admirably. The LED bulb provides a significantly brighter and more focused beam than the original incandescent bulb. The push-button tail cap is a welcome improvement over the twist-on/off design of many older flashlights.

The main strength is the simplicity and effectiveness of the upgrade. It genuinely transforms a weak, unreliable flashlight into a useful tool. A minor weakness is that the beam, while focusable, isn’t as wide or evenly lit as some dedicated LED flashlights.

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii meets and even exceeds my expectations. It provided an affordable and effective way to improve the performance of my old flashlights. It’s definitely worth the $7.49.

Design & Ergonomics

The build quality is decent for the price. The materials used are simple but functional. The light is constructed for ease-of-use.

The push-button tail cap is easy to operate, even with gloves. There’s virtually no learning curve. Any user should be able to understand the benefits immediately.

Durability & Maintenance

Given the shockproof claim and the solid construction of the LED bulb and tail cap, the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii appears to be fairly durable.

Maintenance is minimal. Simply wipe the lens occasionally to ensure optimal light output. There are no moving parts that require lubrication or special care.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii comes with only the LED bulb and the push-button tail cap. There are no additional accessories included.

There are no specific customization options for the Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii itself, beyond potentially using different brands of AA batteries. However, since it is designed for use with standard AA mini flashlights, it will work with any accessories designed for those flashlights. This will include belt clips, lanyards, and colored lenses.

Pros and Cons of Led Combo Upgrade Kit Ii