Review: Ozark Trail 500 lumen flashlight, model 20047

Gun Watch ^ | 10 November, 2013 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Ozark Trail is a lower end brand marketed at Walmart.  Just because something is inexpensive does not mean that it cannot work well.   Value for the time spent is an important consideration.  Flashlight technology has advanced so rapidly with light emitting diodes (led) that inexpensive lights of today can easily outperform expensive lights of a few years ago.

I have been looking for a light that is very bright, so it could temporarily blind an assailant at  night, yet be tough enough to use as a makeshift  blunt instrument if necessary.

My brother recommended this light to me, as he had purchased one, abused it, and it was still working well after a few weeks.  I went to the local WalMart and picked one up for the sticker price of $29.97, which is a bit cheaper than I used to pay for a 4 cell Maglite.    The light is very sturdily made, and can take quite a bit of abuse.  I takes six AA type batteries, which are included in the price, a nice extra that would cost an additional $3 if bought separately. 

The light has a single switch with two settings, high and low.  The high setting, at 500 lumens, is said to last for 7.5 hours, the low setting at 100 lumens, is supposed to last 38 hours.   All of that can be read at the WalMart web site.

The switch cycles through the three modes.  Click once, high mode, click again, low mode, click a third time, off.   It is a momentary off switch, so you can flash it by holding partly down to turn it off, and letting it return up to turn on.

It is a reasonably  tough light, so it can be used as an improvised short billy if need be.   I found the diameter to be about right for a good grip.  Here is the light with batteries alongside for scale:

The light is 9.5 inches long, with the body 1.5 inches in diameter.  The end cap reduces down to 1.1 inches, and is flat, so the light can be stood upright on either end.

Note the flat reduced end and the ridges running along the length of the body.

Subjectively, the light is very bright.  If shown in an aggressors eyes at night at less than 10 feet, they will be dazzled for several seconds while their eyes adjust.  On an overcast and moonless night, I could make out individual tree trunks across a field 250 yards away.  Having once had to traverse 20 miles at low speed while using a flashlight as a makeshift vehicle headlight, this light would perform that function with authority.

There are some caveats that need to be considered.  First, WalMart is notorious for having items that are desirable, only to run out in a few days, never to stock them again.  Second, a light is of marginal use if it does not work.

My brothers light has always worked well, in spite of considerable abuse to see if it would break.  I did not have that fortunate experience.

The first light that I purchased seemed to work... I put it on the night stand and went to bed.   I woke at 0100, and decided to try the light.  Push switch.. nothing.  After a few iterations, it came on and worked fine.  I wondered if I had fumbled something so shortly after waking up.   That morning, I went hunting with my brother and some friends.  The meet up occurred well before dawn, so I took the light.   I pressed the switch.   No joy and no light.  After a few iterations, I tossed it on the car seat.    A couple of hours later, when I returned to the car,  I noticed that the light was on.

I returned to WalMart and exchanged it.  The new unit seemed to work.    A couple of days later, I stuck it in my back pocket as I went for a 4.5 mile hike to get some exercise, only an hour before dark, with the temperature about 40 degrees.    On my return an hour later,  I pulled out the light and clicked the switch... no joy, no light.   I set it down on a table and worked on more urgent matters.  A few minutes later, the light came on.   Could temperature be the problem?  I placed the light in the refrigerator and waited.

Two hours later, the light would not turn on.  I placed the light beside the wood stove.  15 minutes later, the light worked fine.  I put the light back in the refrigerator and repeated the results the next morning.   My brother put his light in the refrigerator, and never noticed any difference in performance.

Back to WalMart for the third trip and third light.  This one has had no problems.  I found that if I held the light at the head end, so that I  could trigger the switch with my trigger finger, and thrust the light hard against a heavy bag, my hand tended to slip forward.   It would be possible to cut one's hand on the raised ridges on the light's body.

To alleviate this problem, I wrapped the body with hockey stick tape at a point where the grip seemed natural and secure.  Several wrappings of tape were used to create a sloping stop that was comfortable and prevented the hand from slipping forward.   Numerous hard thrusts to a heavy bag proved this to be effective.   Several side impacts were done as well.   The light continues to function well.  I found that the middle finger worked well to control the switch with this grip.

I have always thought that a bright light at night gives an excellent option for evading an unpleasant encounter.   If the threat is more serious, the light could serve as an improvised short billy club.

Caution must be observed.  A hard and fast thrust with the reduced end cap to the solar plexus  will almost certainly result in loss of breath for many seconds, but if the solar plexus is missed, the flat and focused nature of the end cap could easily result in a cracked sternum or broken ribs.   If the body of the light were used in a side strike against the upper thigh, there is an excellent chance that the leg would be temporarily paralysed; hit a bit lower at the knee and the joint could be dislocated.   It is even possible that the patella could be fractured, resulting in long term disability.  If a side stroke were delivered to the head, it is likely that the ridges would result in superficial cuts and lots of blood, not to mention the real possibility of a concussion or worse.

I have never had a TSA agent stop me from carrying a flashlight in my carry on, though I have done so on several occasions.   I once carried a four cell mag light into a high school graduation where firearms and knives were forbidden.   The ceremony would end about dark, and it was a bit of a walk to the parking lot.  No one complained about the light.  While this light is not a weapon, care must be used if it is forced into that role.  Some police departments have banned the use of substantial flashlights because suspects have been severely injured and even killed when such lights have been used as bludgeons.

If you decide that the trouble is worth it, and obtain one of these lights, be sure to keep the receipt and to test it rigorously for several days.  Do the refrigerator test.   If you purchase one that works, it can be a useful tool.

I like the light and intend to keep it.  It is not as heavy as the bigger Maglights, and the size and weight seem about right to me.


©2013 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[lafarge]

Oh good grief, you need a flashlight weapon??? Just put a bayonet on the end of it.

[cuban leaf]

I saw those. They are the first thing I’ve seen that remotely competes with the 550 lumen flashlights at costco that cost $25 a pair. But the costco ones have adjustable beam and adjust all the way down to a square “pencil” beam.

They also run on two C cells each.

[ansel12]

I am very partial to Fenix lights. You can go to the Fenix-store.com to see them, just click on the AA selection.

In AA I own their LD12 which uses a single AA, LD22 which uses 2AA, HL21 headlamp, 1AA, and the HP25 headlamp using 4AA, many here would like the LD41 or E40 using 4 AAs, their E series are almost the same as the LD series except fewer settings and cheaper.

If you are going to own quality lights though, you should start using Eneloop NiMH batteries (rechargeable) because they won’t leak and destroy your lights like Alkaline batteries do. The generation 3 Eneloops hold 90% of their charge for one year, and 70% of their charge for 5 years, they are called low-self discharge, rechargeables.

If you want really powerful lights for reaching out their 200 yards with massive amounts of light, then you will need to start buying lights that use the 18650 battery.

I carry this one on my belt every day.
http://www.fenix-store.com/fenix-PD35/

Fenix PD35
Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness
5 Brightness Levels Plus Strobe
Turbo - 850 Lumens - 1 hr. 15 min.
High - 450 Lumens - 2 hr. 30 min.
Mid - 170 Lumens - 7 hr. 45 min.
Low - 45 Lumens - 29 hr.
Eco - 10 lumens - 140 hr.
Low-voltage warning function to remind you to replace the battery
Reverse polarity protection guards against improper battery installation
Over-heat protection to avoid high-temperature of the surface
Tactical tail switch with momentary-on function

[snuffy smiff]

Have they come up with an insert yet for something bigger than a 3 D-cell Maglite? I love mine and have yet to run the batteries even close to empty but I still want a 5 or 6 D cell for the ‘heft’...

[loungitude]

Costco has a pack of two “500” Lumen lights, for $30. Sold under the Duracell name, the package includes six C size duracell batterys. The housing is anodized aluminum, and has an interesting telescoping (instead of rotating) beam focusing adjustment. I’ve had them only a few hours, but they work good and the price is right.
I have a high-quality one at the bedside for defensive use, however the lithium batteries are too expensive to use it as a utility flashlight.

[ansel12]

Candlepower and Lumens don’t compare, they are two different things.

http://www.flashlightuniversity.com/lumens-vs-candlepower/

[Lurker]

Thanks very much. I’m in the market for another flashlight.

[yarddog]

Thanks, that is a good explanation.

[Political Junkie Too]

I made my own LED flashlight for home use, that uses dead AA or AAA batteries and a Joule Thief circuit. The website that I originally used to get the schematic is not online anymore, but this one is a clone of it.

In short, a Joule Thief uses a homemade transformer and a transister to cause the LED to blink at 50,000 times per second, allowing an LED that normally needs 3.2 volts to run on 0.8 volts or more. Most home devices that use AA or AAA batteries, such as TV remote controls, will see a battery as "dead" when it reaches 1.25-1.30 volts. There is still plenty of power left in these batteries.

An LED driven by a Joule Thief and a 1.25 volt battery can run uninterrupted for a week or more.

For mine, I took a bright LED from a cheap Brookstone keychain flashlight, and put it in a Radio Shack 2 AA battery case, using one side for the single battery and the other for the circuit. I added a switch to the side, and a small spring in case I want to use a AAA battery instead of a AA battery.

-PJ

[Cyber Liberty]

I have a Fenix LD01 parked in my pocket. Has a Cree LED that you recommended to me a couple years ago. Great, great flashlight.

[Scrambler Bob]

M4L

[ansel12]

I also have a Fenix LD01 on my keychain, when I posted to you I had the old one called the LOD-CE that I bought in May of 2007, during it’s more than 6 years on my keychain, it never skipped a beat, a couple of months ago I decided to get the newer model to pick up the new low which is 3 Lumen for 27 hours, and the increased brightness.

The LD01 is extraordinary for a AAA light, and is vastly superior to, and brighter, and longer running, and more durable, than the 2D battery flashlights of the past.
It has three brightness levels
High - 72 Lumens - 1 hr. 28 min.
Mid - 26 Lumens - 3 hr. 8 min.
Low - 3 Lumens - 27 hr.
Digitally regulated output - maintains constant brightness

[I want the USA back]

If it’s effective the libs will try to ban it. Except for hardened, violent criminals.

[ansel12]

It’s kind of weird having a full on flashlight in your pocket everyday isn’t it, so tiny it runs on a single AAA, yet it blows away the 2D flashlights of 10 and 20 years ago.

One night going outside with my old one, I realized that it was really all the flashlight the average homeowner needed by the 20 century standard, much more and better, in fact, it was one of those, realizing the future is here moments.

[Cyber Liberty]

Do you work for Fenix??

I am extremely satisfied with my Fenix light. Before then, I just hated LED flashlights, but this one is different. I have to be able to whip a light out and see details in colors, and this light does the job. I don’t know what I’d do without it. And it takes a company-supplied AAA battery.

[Cyber Liberty]

You gotta check out the Fenix stuff.

[ansel12]

Do you work for Fenix??

No, I'm a plumbing contractor who needs some awareness of lights for a variety of situations and conditions, and I have a lifetime interest in flashlights, and even collect a little, my oldest is from the 1920s and I recently acquired a 5 cell Ray o Vac from about 1965.

I was reading all the flashlight forums since around 2000, or whenever they started, and got into good quality lights, then Fenix started around 2005? and introduced to America top notch lights at a much cheaper price than had existed until then, and they were also more advanced. technologically.

The best key chain light available back then, the one all the guys praised to the hilt was this one, that had previously been priced at about $60.00, but in this review is at $40.00 (and more advanced than the previous model).

This Fenix was better for me, with it's much longer run time, and it's more affordable price of $15.00, remember these prices were from 8 years ago, and were for tiny little key chain lights. I don't know if the other light is still made anymore or not since they seem to have faded away, but Fenix has never let me down.

So far, for almost all flashlight niches, from the key chain to a powerhouse flashlight for searches, or even cop lights, I usually end up suggesting a Fenix.

[ansel12]

Those reviews in post 37 are from the 2005-2006 flashlight era.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

500 lumen lights generally sell for $200+. That is what makes it interesting.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Kind of my thinking also