Carter Review - Tektite Trek2 LED Flashlight

Does the Tektite Trek2 measure up to the manufacturer's claims?

Will the Trek2 meet the demands of our Scouts across the country?

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by John Stead, Orangeville, ON email jstead@CarterRV.com

In this his article, "Harold J. Carter" evaluates the suitablity and reliability of the Tektite Trek2 LED flashlight for use by Canadian Scouts.

The test unit was a used Tektite Trek2 LED flashlight with the word "Scouts" embossed on the body. This unit was a loaner from the "5th Meadowvale Scout Troop" in Ontario Canada.

Manufacturer Claims (Tektite Industries, Trenton NJ, USA):
- The perfect emergency or backpacking light
- Over 40 hours of light from 3 AA alkaline batteries.
- Many additional hours of light at reduced level.
- Twin ultra-bright, white LED's will last over 10,000 hours.

Scouting needs:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Reliable
- Water resistant
- Long battery life
- Compact size
- Bright light beam

The flashlight consisted of three components and a set of three "AA" Energizer batteries. The black battery housing and clear lens cap appear to be made of a tough impact resistant plastic.

The grip on the housing is a rugged design that can be felt when wearing gloves. Attached to the housing was an elastic lanyard and slots for some sort of strap. Perhaps for a wrist strap.

The heart of the unit was in the LED assembly. Here we could see two LED bulbs and a resistor mounted on a small circuit board and housed in a plastic collar.

"This is obviously one well made, tough flashlight that Tektite has put together ... Harold J. Carter"

The below table compares the operating costs of three flashlights including Harold J. Carter's own LED Maglite conversion.

Ongoing Operating Costs:

Flashlight
Model Battery
Life Bulb
Life Battery
Cost Bulb
Cost Total
Cost

Standard Maglite
(double "AA" batteries) 5 hours 15 hours $2.00
$0.40/hr $2.00
$0.13/hr $0.53/hr

Carter LED Maglite Conversion
(triple "N" batteries) 50 hours 1,000 hours $9.00
$0.18/hr $6.00
$0.006/hr $0.19/hr

Tektite Trek2
(triple "AA" batteries) 50 hours 10,000 hours $3.00
$0.06/hr n/a $0.06/hr

This next table compares the investment costs of three flashlights. For comparison, the purchase price and subsequent costs to operate the flashlight for 100 hours are included.

Costs for purchase and first 100 hours of use:

Flashlight
Model Initial
Cost Battery
Cost Bulb
Cost First 100
hour Cost

Standard Maglite
(double "AA" batteries) $18.00 $38.00
38 @ $1.00 $10.00
5 @ $2.00 $66.00

Carter LED Maglite Conversion
(triple "N" batteries) $46.00 $9.00
3 @ $3.00 n/a $55.00

Tektite Trek2
(triple "AA" batteries) $45.00 $3.00
3 @ $1.00 n/a $48.00

As you can see from the above tables, the Tektite Trek2 is a very economical product for the short term and long term when compared to the other two models.

"The savings of $0.47/hour is enough reason to purchase the Tektite over the Maglite ... Harold J. Carter"

The next part of the evaluation is water-resistance and battery life. The Tektite Trek2 has two "O" ring seals to keep the water out. This model is more than just water-resistant, it is water-proof and submersible.

For this test, "Harold J." has turned on the flashlight and dropped it into the toilet tank at the office.

09:00 September 30th, 2002   (0 hours)
- the test begins.

06:30 October 1st, 2002   (21.5 hours)
- Tektite Trek2 still going strong after 21.5 hours.
- A Maglite would be on its 5th set of batteries by now.

06:30 October 2nd, 2002   (45.5 hours)
- Tektite Trek2 still going strong after 45.5 hours.
- A Maglite would be on its 10th set of batteries by now.
- At first, there was no noticable difference in brightness from yesterday. When compared side by side to another Tektite Trek2 with fresh batteries, there is an obvious drop in light intensity. The 45 hour model still has ample light to take through the darkest of places.

06:00 October 3rd, 2002   (69 hours)
- Tektite Trek2 still going strong after 69 hours.
- A Maglite would be on its 14th set of batteries by now.
- At this point we are far beyond Tektite's claim on battery life. There is still ample light to read, walk or do anything you need to in the dark. I also remind you that this flashlight has been underwater all this time and has only come out for the pictures.

"It would be a waist of good energy to throw these batteries out ... Harold J. Carter"

Conclusion:

The Tektite Trek2 is not only suitable for today's scouting needs, it is the ideal flashlight for anyone.

It is everything the manufacturer says and more. I'll take the Tektite over a Maglite anytime. (Especially if they have both been in the "on" position for 60 hours.)

One feature that really stands out is the very low cost in operating the Tektite. Scouts can attend a weekend camp and only need one set of batteries. This same set of batteries may last many camping trips.

There is only one thing I would like to add to the Tektite Trek2 flashlight which is buoyancy. If this flashlight goes overboard, it's going to the bottom. You may want to add a longer lanyard or one of those floating "bobbles" made for boat keys.

... Harold J. Carter

Click here to visit www.tek-tite.com.

All TEKTITE® products are designed to withstand the toughest conditions. These rugged flashlights, white LED flashlights, strobes, marker lights and accessories are highly acclaimed worldwide by scuba divers, mountaineers, fire fighters, military, industrial, and other demanding customers. They feature components of space age polymers, computer-designed reflectors, high-tech lamps and other features that make TEKTITE® Torches your best choice for tough jobs. When you think of TEKTITE®, think of quality, reliability and performance.