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PentagonLight MOLLE light (desert)
PentagonLight's Molle Light:
PentagonLight's Molle compatible offering is reported to be a compact personal light for use by military professionals and civilians alike.With a reported 5000 service hour shockproof light source, a tail cap compass, and filters galore this light seems like a bargain for any purchase purpose. A clip system is used to affix this compact light in a variety of configurations to any molle gear, and practically every other load bearing gear system.
Taking on the classic military "Elbow Torch" design, and infusing new LED and waterproof technology the Pentagon Molle light boasts a 40 lumens bright miniature multifunction must have.
In theory this little piece of equipment could be your best friend; the problem however is that this light has been tested, measured, and found wanting. Well, honestly this particular light, never even got the chance to be tested in any extreme conditions. It failed the most simple, basic, beginning of any qualifications; Everyday use. PentagonLight makes it a point to brag about their rugged construction surpassing mil-spec requirements. Specially placed O-rings and tight engineering tolerances, and other just jargon is just that, talk. Talk is cheap, and so it would seem is the construction of this light, in fact the only thing that isn't cheap about this is the price. The least I've found this for is $31.99 usd, the most $52.99 usd. I paid $39.99 for this light and the shop owner threw in an extra filter for me. I expect something for $40, and I think everyone should. For roughly the same price I could buy a low end Surefire, or a Fenix light, or even 2 Military Elbow Torches (which may not be so bright, or multipurpose, or compact, but goddamn are they rugged).
Attached to my TadGear EDC Fastpack this molle light would serve my land navigation illumination purposes, or so I thought. First problem I encountered was the horrible amount if snag the attachment clip provided when slid on to my external molle rigging. So I then moved it to the chest strap, not my first choice of configuration, but functional nonetheless. The second woe set in immediately with the button sensitivity. against other gear, and a rifle strap the light would flash on inadvertently, at the most inopportune time. Talk about giving away my position, a 40 lumen flash even for a second was embarrassing (to say the least) in simple training exercises. This problem was unsolvable from a functionality standpoint. If I kept the tail cap unscrewed to the point where the light wouldn't turn on, the tailcap fell completely off, and let's be honest Whiskey Tango Foxtrot good is that scenario??
So I resigned the piece to civilian use only designation. It sat in the closet for a month and then was worn only when I loaded up a pack for weighted urban and forest hikes. The devil is in the details, and I expect any piece of equipment I purchase and carry to have been made with the details of use taken into consideration. This light boasted all the proper credentials, but up to this point had failed me miserably when exposed to the realities of daily use. The compass kept just fine, which was a nice surprise, and although small and easily forgotten, existed. You rarely can have too many compasses on any journey. Now I have a Pentagon weapon light that has served me wonderfully. Without fail. It was dropped in a situation once, and then run over , and summarily retrieved the next day. The light surprisingly showed barely any scratching, and worked without incident. The compact light in question was dropped on pavement and had to be knocked against my fist a few times before reactivating.
The worst surprise came recently when I went on an extended urban walkabout. At about dusk I attempted to use the light to my chagrin it would not respond. Tap, Rack, Bang (I realize this doesn't need to be racked but if you understand remedial action you get the idea) remedial action failed to help, so I attempted to field strip it. NOTE: this light had sat in a temperature controlled closet for at least 2 months. To my horrific dismay the tailcap was not dislodging easily and in the pit of my stomach I just knew I would be soon finding a corroded battery. Sure enough, clogged like Atkins Arteries. The corrosion had sealed battery inside the tube and prevented the tailcap from removal, also causing the plastic grooves of the tailcap to strip during removal. With a knife blade I was able to get the light to flash on and off enough to get what I needed done.
When I finally returned home, I used some Coca-Cola (cherry coke to be exact) to loosen the corrosion and dislodge the battery. The O-Ring seal had become brittle (which I did not understand why), and crumbled away. This light had never been exposed to any undue wetness, not even a rainstorm. Moisture, the sworn enemy of all things electronic must have sent some of the most special forces ever known to attack this light with precision and prejudice, because none of my other equipment stored in the same place and used in the same manner had suffered this fate. In fact I checked. I scraped away the excess crud, cleaned the tube, and dried the light. I reloaded the tube with a fresh AA and the light worked again. But who cares? The O-ring is gone and the tailcap pulls on and off instead of twists. With all the problems the light has given me, it's a lesson, not a tool. What lesson did I learn? Don't buy promises, buy products.
The light has failed at everything except working intermittently. I will not buy another, I will not send it back for a replacement. I will most likely end up gutting it for the electronics to do something fun with LEDs (who doesn't love a good pressure activated LED cluster trap?) It may be a minor gadget but, when you need a light, you need a light Z-Day or not. Don't buy this light. Laugh at those who do. I am replacing it with a recommended (by a trusted source) Streamlight Sidewinder. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I am rating this with![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/2/JSotH8ckhq1IXULAjWgyZg2938/GW25H41 "[Untitled]")
because it is 40 lumens bright like it says this is coincidentally the same rating I give a pinched piece of loaf.
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| Specifications: | |
| Brightness: | 40 Lumens. |
| Runtime: | 3 hours. |
| Batteries: | one AA Alkaline. |
| Lamp: | .5 Watt White LED |
| Filter color: | Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange |
| Length: | 3.4" (88mm). |
| Weight: | 1.5 oz. (42 grams) |
Taking on the classic military "Elbow Torch" design, and infusing new LED and waterproof technology the Pentagon Molle light boasts a 40 lumens bright miniature multifunction must have.
In theory this little piece of equipment could be your best friend; the problem however is that this light has been tested, measured, and found wanting. Well, honestly this particular light, never even got the chance to be tested in any extreme conditions. It failed the most simple, basic, beginning of any qualifications; Everyday use. PentagonLight makes it a point to brag about their rugged construction surpassing mil-spec requirements. Specially placed O-rings and tight engineering tolerances, and other just jargon is just that, talk. Talk is cheap, and so it would seem is the construction of this light, in fact the only thing that isn't cheap about this is the price. The least I've found this for is $31.99 usd, the most $52.99 usd. I paid $39.99 for this light and the shop owner threw in an extra filter for me. I expect something for $40, and I think everyone should. For roughly the same price I could buy a low end Surefire, or a Fenix light, or even 2 Military Elbow Torches (which may not be so bright, or multipurpose, or compact, but goddamn are they rugged).
Attached to my TadGear EDC Fastpack this molle light would serve my land navigation illumination purposes, or so I thought. First problem I encountered was the horrible amount if snag the attachment clip provided when slid on to my external molle rigging. So I then moved it to the chest strap, not my first choice of configuration, but functional nonetheless. The second woe set in immediately with the button sensitivity. against other gear, and a rifle strap the light would flash on inadvertently, at the most inopportune time. Talk about giving away my position, a 40 lumen flash even for a second was embarrassing (to say the least) in simple training exercises. This problem was unsolvable from a functionality standpoint. If I kept the tail cap unscrewed to the point where the light wouldn't turn on, the tailcap fell completely off, and let's be honest Whiskey Tango Foxtrot good is that scenario?? So I resigned the piece to civilian use only designation. It sat in the closet for a month and then was worn only when I loaded up a pack for weighted urban and forest hikes. The devil is in the details, and I expect any piece of equipment I purchase and carry to have been made with the details of use taken into consideration. This light boasted all the proper credentials, but up to this point had failed me miserably when exposed to the realities of daily use. The compass kept just fine, which was a nice surprise, and although small and easily forgotten, existed. You rarely can have too many compasses on any journey. Now I have a Pentagon weapon light that has served me wonderfully. Without fail. It was dropped in a situation once, and then run over , and summarily retrieved the next day. The light surprisingly showed barely any scratching, and worked without incident. The compact light in question was dropped on pavement and had to be knocked against my fist a few times before reactivating.
The worst surprise came recently when I went on an extended urban walkabout. At about dusk I attempted to use the light to my chagrin it would not respond. Tap, Rack, Bang (I realize this doesn't need to be racked but if you understand remedial action you get the idea) remedial action failed to help, so I attempted to field strip it. NOTE: this light had sat in a temperature controlled closet for at least 2 months. To my horrific dismay the tailcap was not dislodging easily and in the pit of my stomach I just knew I would be soon finding a corroded battery. Sure enough, clogged like Atkins Arteries. The corrosion had sealed battery inside the tube and prevented the tailcap from removal, also causing the plastic grooves of the tailcap to strip during removal. With a knife blade I was able to get the light to flash on and off enough to get what I needed done. When I finally returned home, I used some Coca-Cola (cherry coke to be exact) to loosen the corrosion and dislodge the battery. The O-Ring seal had become brittle (which I did not understand why), and crumbled away. This light had never been exposed to any undue wetness, not even a rainstorm. Moisture, the sworn enemy of all things electronic must have sent some of the most special forces ever known to attack this light with precision and prejudice, because none of my other equipment stored in the same place and used in the same manner had suffered this fate. In fact I checked. I scraped away the excess crud, cleaned the tube, and dried the light. I reloaded the tube with a fresh AA and the light worked again. But who cares? The O-ring is gone and the tailcap pulls on and off instead of twists. With all the problems the light has given me, it's a lesson, not a tool. What lesson did I learn? Don't buy promises, buy products.
The light has failed at everything except working intermittently. I will not buy another, I will not send it back for a replacement. I will most likely end up gutting it for the electronics to do something fun with LEDs (who doesn't love a good pressure activated LED cluster trap?) It may be a minor gadget but, when you need a light, you need a light Z-Day or not. Don't buy this light. Laugh at those who do. I am replacing it with a recommended (by a trusted source) Streamlight Sidewinder. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I am rating this with
because it is 40 lumens bright like it says this is coincidentally the same rating I give a pinched piece of loaf.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White76Knight |
Latest page update: made by White76Knight
, May 11 2011, 9:05 AM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
fixing the spacer to adjust the frame width
- White76Knight
1 word added 1 word deleted view changes - complete history) |
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Keyword tags:
Flashlight
gear
light
molle
protective clothing
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvtomatKalashnikova | "Pinched piece of loaf" | 1 | Oct 2 2010, 12:58 PM EDT by timberrattler | ||
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Thread started: Oct 2 2010, 12:55 PM EDT
Watch
damn man
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Keyword tags:
Flashlight
gear
light
molle
protective clothing
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