Go Anywhere Date of Purchase: 18 August, 2010
Tests/Topics:
- Costanza Wallet
- Family Sedan
- 3 Story Drop
- Family Sedan, take 2.
- DIY Electrician
- Trout Pond Float Test
- Heat Wave
Claim: "FITS IN WALLET OR PURSE"
Test: Costanza Wallet Lite or Costanza Lighted Wallet?
This widget is an LED flashlight that is packaged in a credit-card-like body. The obvious benefit of a credit card flashlight is that it is small enough to store almost anywhere. The keyword here is almost. Although this flashlight is the shape of a credit card, it is not quite the thickness of a credit card. When it comes to putting this thing in your wallet and carrying it everywhere you go (while desperately waiting for that moment of ultimate heroism), it depends greatly in the style of wallet that you carry.
If you've modeled your life after George Costanza and think of your wallet as "...an organizer, a secretary, and a friend," then you may not even notice a little extra bulk in that over-plump billfold.
On the other hand, squeezing this flashlight into a typical male wallet without being irritated by the extra girth would be a challenge (especially if you plan leaving it in your back pocket for long periods of time).
Does this mean that the claim is false? Not necessarily. A generously-sized ladies wallet/clutch would probably be the best bet for storing a credit card flashlight. So maybe the claim should read, "Fits in large non-pants-pocket-style ladies wallet..."
Claim: "CRUSH PROOF -WILL NOT GET DAMAGED"
Test: Family Sedan
Imagine that you are using your ultra-portable, incredibly hip, credit card flashlight to shuffle through your purse in pursuit of your lost car keys. You're so excited when you finally locate that ridiculously over-embellished key chain, you overlook the fact that you've tragically dropped your light source on the pavement under your car. Let's also imagine that at some point you remember exactly where you were when you lost this invaluable device (you won't). Will it survive the extreme weight of cars, trucks, mopeds, and roller skates that will inevitably roll over it until you have the chance to come to its rescue?
There's a simple test for that, assuming that one has access to a modern family sedan. (By the way, the author of this blog lives in the U.S. Doesn't everyone have a car? ) Credit card flashlight family sedan crush test, take one...
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| Before |
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| After |
This is the part where the reader sits back and says, "how boring." Not only is this a valid response to the photos above, it would have been a likely response from anyone passing by during this uneventful test. The short and simple result: roll over this flashlight as many times as you want- nothing will happen. However boring this test may have been, here was one unexpected outcome - we'll get to that later.
Test: 3-story drop
To further test the durability of this weeks product, it only seems natural to toss it from a 3-story window. You can probably use your imagination for a real-world situation where this might occur (for the unimaginative types, here's some help: reflect on of some of your finest sibling feuds). Although slightly more fun than rolling over a flashlight in a car, this proved to have mostly the same effect on the flashlight: no significant damage.After several drops, the only noticeable damages were cosmetic. When the point of impact happened to be on a corner of the flashlight, it received a new battle scar. Take that, little sister.
Claim: "CANNOT GO OFF ACCIDENTALLY"
Test: Car-crush, take 2
How do you prove whether or not a flashlight can go off accidentally? Technically, you only need to make it go off accidentally one time to prove that it can in fact go off accidentally. Rather than formulate some sort of test (something involving a group of people with various body-types and several folding chairs?) for this, why not just wait and see if it ever goes off unexpectedly?
Initially, the family sedan crush test was meant to prove the durability of the Eon Ice flashlight. Then it became apparent that it was also a test to dispute the accidental discharge claim. As the car rolled backward and forward, a small flash of light revealed a flaw: if you roll over this flashlight with a car and expect it to stay off the entire time, you will be disappointed.
One possible argument could explain this unfortunate flaw. If your flashlight is under your tire, then it is probably lost and needs to be found. If it needs to be found, then it probably needs to call for help in some way. Was the flashlight simply screaming "find me!" via tiny flashes of light? If that is the case, it is the most intelligent flashlight in the world and it may have been in the news lately. Did you miss that report as well?
Claim: "TWIN LIGHTS... MORE RELIABLE AND BRIGHTER"
Test: DIY Electrician
Installing a light fixture can be a pain...
"If I have to turn off the power, then how will I see."
"With your Eon Ice Everlasting flashlight, of course."
No two people ever actually had this extremely cheesy conversation, but you get the idea. If you're going to be working in the dark, you will need a light source. Unfortunately, the Eon Ice failed this simple test - not because it wasn't bright enough, though. It failed because it only stays on when you keep the button pressed. If you've already dedicated your right hand to a light fixture and your left to a screwdriver, you'll probably lack the coordination and flexibility required to somehow press a flashlight button with your forehead and point the light in the right direction with your elbow. Although that sounds like a decent game-show-style stunt, a typical do-it-yourself-er may not be interested in participating. Therefore, the Eon Ice may be better utilized as an emergency light than a work light.
Test: Trout Pond Float Test
Yes, this flashlight is waterproof. Any questions? Yes. How do you test such a claim? 1. Dunk in water 2. Dry 3. Does it still work? Yes. That was easy. Any more questions? Yes. Does it float? That's a different story...
Because this claim is actually not that interesting or challenging, we'll just have to make it interesting. The float test seems fair - what good is a waterproof flashlight if it ends up at the bottom of the lake? This test involves transforming this small credit card light into a small credit card light/raft, complete with center console and Lego®-man captain....
With the console securely fastened (using extra-strength glue, of course), the vessel is ready for its maiden voyage on the high seas pond.
The captain prepares for launch...
...and takes the plunge.
All the way to the bottom.
Luckily, he survives the tragic maritime disaster and washes ashore with the wreckage.
The trout pond test results are as follows... Waterproof: YES. Sinkproof: NO. And our brave young captain scores a 9 out of 10 for maintaining his positive attitude (and that ridiculous grin) throughout the course of his ordeal.
Bonus Test: Heat Wave
One potential use of this flashlight could be to have a convenient light source in your car at all times. For this plan to work, it would have to withstand the extreme heat that typically occurs in vehicles during the summer months. Although some informal studies have been done on this topic, it is hard to predict how hot a car will get while it roasts in the sun. Most test results seem to put the upper limit somewhere around 150 F. With this in mind, we baked the Eon Ice in a household oven for 30 minutes at 200 F (just to be on the safe side). The result: with no cosmetic or functional effects, the Eon Ice posts a clear victory in this area.
Summarize:
This convenient and portable flashlight performed quite well under various forms of abuse and stress. Although it can take all the hits and keep on shining, it didn't perform as well when faced with practical, regular use. It's small size and slim shape are simply trade-offs for usability. This is definitely an item that you can toss in your purse and forget - it can just roam around at the bottom along with your pepper-spray, lost lipstick, and month-old granola bar until that one moment when you might need it. It would also fit nicely in a glove compartment for emergency use.
VERDICT: RECOMMENDED
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