Today we’re going to take a look at a rather obscure offering from one of my favorite brands, Anker. All of my friends know which company makes my favorite phone cables. They also know that same company sells very nice power-banks. Honestly, if my friends weren’t so busy enjoying the various Anker products I’ve recommended to them in the past I’m not sure I’d have any friends left. However, though Anker is probably best known for cables and batteries, most of their other products are high quality too.
Point in case: the Anker LC130, an ‘ultra-bright tactical flashlight’ sold under a rather uninspired name. Luckily enough, when it comes to flashlights it doesn’t really matter what you call it as long as it illuminates things, and that’s one area where you could say the LC130 really shines. I’ll see myself out. But seriously, every other flashlight I’ve ever owned pales in comparison to this beast. The LC130 packs 1300 lumens into its exceptionally well finished aluminum frame, prompting the piece of paper that comes with it warning you not to point it into anyone’s eyes unless you want to elicit temporary blindness. This thing means business.
Daylight at the Push of a Button
Illumination from forty feet away by my phone’s camera flash (left) and the LC130 (right)
Anker advertises the LC130 as having a power output of 15 watts, or enough power for meaningful illumination up to 1200 feet away. That’s just shy of a quarter-mile range. Most of my other flashlights barely illuminate my own feet. With the LC-130 in hand I can cause an artificial dawn for an entire neighborhood at the touch of a button. It doesn’t have an adjustable focus, but who needs it? The LC130 casts a wide pool of light smitten with a central beam of high-intensity light, essentially removing the need. I don’t even bother turning on the lights in my detached garage anymore because of how well the LC130 illuminates my surroundings.
Five Distinct Modes
If I decide the light is too blinding, I can cycle to the first of two lower-power modes by hitting the power button (a large button found on the end of the flashlight which provides extremely satisfying auditory and tactile feedback) and rapidly hitting it again. It also comes with a strobe option and an S.O.S. signaling mode built in. The only downside to this method of switching modes is that in order to change to the next setting you need to briefly turn off the flashlight. Luckily this is rarely a problem, as the LC130 actually remembers which mode you left it on. Once you’ve selected your preferred mode you likely won’t be changing it very often.
Innovative Design
Anker doesn’t give exact specs on expected battery life from the included 5000mAh lithium-ion rechargable battery, but other online sources claim close to six hours, which I wouldn’t doubt based on personal experience. Obviously the batteries will last much longer with one of the lower-power modes. Once the battery is installed, there’s no need to remove it ever again thanks to a slick built-in micro-USB charging port found by unscrewing the flashlight’s end-cap. The threads are smooth as butter, and bottom out nicely to prevent over-tightening. Once you’ve unscrewed it you can simply let the end drop, as it’s secured to the rest of the flashlight by a nifty internal tether.
You can tell that this is a premium quality flashlight just by holding it. It has a good weight to it, but is lightweight enough not to be tiring to hold. The smooth black finish is pleasant to hold and textured to afford excellent grip even while wet, which is convenient as this unit’s IP67 rating means it can survive being submerged for up to half an hour in water a meter deep. It also means the LC130 is dust resistant for those looking to illuminate untouched treasures in the far-side of your attic.
I never thought I would get excited about a flashlight, but I show off my LC130 at every opportunity and relish the chance to venture out at night. If you think there’s room in your life for a high-powered flashlight, click the link below. The difference is night and day, I promise.