FL12 FLASHLIGHT
LumaRay FL12 Flashlight, retail $119.95 (Company has gone tits-up)
Manufactured by LumaRay
Last updated 11-19-19
The LumaRay FL12 is a new LED flashlight that features twelve white LEDs in the bezel, powered by three C cells in the barrel.
It has a very futuristic appearance to it; my housemate thought it looked like it belonged on Star Trek. I think it would more correctly belong on the set of Andromeda, but both are Gene Roddenberry shows, so I guess we're both right. 
The FL12's inventor also suggested that it might be appropriate on the sets of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica.
SIZE
To use the FL12, feed it first (see directly below), and then you'll be ready to rock.
Twist the bezel (head) clockwise (as if tightening it) to turn the FL12 on, and twist the bezel counterclockwise (as if loosening it) to turn the FL12 off.
There is no momentary or signalling function available, so don't look for or expect to find one.
A greenish glow will come from the lensed LEDs when the FL12 is off and it had been used recently; this is from a GITD (Glow-In-The-Dark) compound around these LEDs, and if the flashlight is set where you can see the bezel, the glow should be visible with dark-adapted vision for up to ten hours.
I don't normally show flashlight packages, but this one is unique enough to warrant such a photograph. Note that this one has been through the postal system, so it is a bit beat up.
To change the batteries in the FL12, locate the cantilever assembly below the bezel (head), and while holding the flashlight so the business-end faces the ceiling or sky, turn this cantilever assembly clockwise (as if tightening it) until it stops.
Hold the flashlight in one hand, with your thumb over one of the pads on this cantilever assembly. With the other hand, place your thumb and forefinger over the other two pads on the cantilever, and push down (toward the tailcap) on these pads. This should release the bezel.
Photograph showing the cantilever assembly pulled back to show how it released the bezel.
Remove the bezel, throw it to the ground, look at it all funny, and stomp on it with old or used bowling shoes...O WAIT!!! THAT'S THE GOOD PART!!! So just set it aside instead. 
Tip the three used C cells out of the barrel and into your hand, and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit. Shake the flashlight slightly if necessary if the cells do not slide out. This is a feature of the FL12, so when you're changing batteries in total darkness, they won't just all tumble out and fall on your feet...ouch!!!
Drop three new C cells into the barrel, button-end (+) positive facing outward.
Press the bezel straight onto the barrel until you hear it click; then turn the cantilever assembly counterclockwise (as if loosening it) until it stops.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on that bezel now?
Photograph of both bezels (the FL6 and the FL12), showing that the 12-LED bezel has six of its white LEDs in that circular area at the center. That greenish glow you see coming from the lensed LEDs on the outer perimeter of each bezel is a glow-in-the-dark compound in there; this is completely normal and is nothing whatsoever to be concerned about.
The FL12 appears durable, and IS durable. When I administered that terrible smack test on it (ten whacks against the corner of a concrete stair; five against the side of the tailcap and five against the side of the bezel), only the expected damage was found: some light gouging on the tailcap and bezel where it was struck. No optical or electrical malfunctions were detected.
Water-resistance is AAA+++.
The FL12 is waterproof and submersible to 15 feet, so you need not be concerned about using it in foul weather; and water-landings won't kill it either. And if the dog takes a leak on it, just take the garden hose to it or douche it off under the faucet - good as new.
The FL12 will stand on its tail to shine on the ceiling, so it can be used as a flameless "candle".
The barrel has a smooth texture, but both the tailcap and bezel have plenty of texture, so retention (the ability to hold the flashlight when your hands are cold, oily, gloved, or wet) should not be a major issue here.
A lanyard may be attached if desired, use any of the attachment points on the tailcap for this purpose. A lanyard is not provided with the FL12; if you wish to use one with this flashlight, you'll have to procure it elsewhere.
The primary light output consists of a medium spot with a sharp fall-off at its perimeter, produced by convex (magnifying) lenses in front of the six LEDs around the outer perimeter. The beam is white, with a blue ring around its outer edge - this is a perfectly normal beam configuration with lensed LED flashlights. All of the individual beams from the outer edge of the bezel coalesce into a circular beam at approximately 8". This 12-LED bezel also has six unlensed LEDs clustered in the center to provide some flood illumination in addition to the medium spot the six lensed LEDs already provide.
The FL12 uses the new Nichia rank CS white LEDs, which are nearly twice as bright as their immediate predescessors.
Because this flashlight uses LEDs that are probably not terribly overdriven, it will not heat up noticeably no matter how long you keep it on. In fact, one of the people at LumaRay left one on for more than 15 days, and it was still producing enough light to "shoot across a pitch black room 15 feet away" (his words, not mine). That would indicate that no excessive load is being placed on the batteries.
Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 712,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.
This is a fantastic value for a product using 5mm LEDs!!!
Spectrometer plot of the LEDs in this flashlight.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from WWW.TWO-CUBED.COM.
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.
Beam photo at ~15'.
That red star thing in the lower photograph is from an American DJ Laser Widow.
TEST NOTES:
Test unit was sent by P.L. of LumaRay and was received on the afternoon of 06-29-05.
I had to wait two days before I published the evaluation because I did not have any new C cells on hand.
This flashlight is made in the United States. A flashlight's country of origin really does matter to some people, which is why I published it on this web page.
UPDATE: 00-00-00
PROS:
Very unique appearance as flashlights are concerned
Very unique way of changing batteries
Durable construction
Water-resistant and submersible
Produces an impressive spot of light
Also produces reasonable spill light
Includes glow-in-the-dark compound behind lenses
Long battery life
Uses batteries that are common and relatively inexpensive
Battery cushion ensures cells just don't fall out and hit your feet *ouch!*
CONS:
Backspill may be of concern to some users
MANUFACTURER: LumaRay
PRODUCT TYPE: Medium/large handheld flashlight
LAMP TYPE: 5mm white LED
No. OF LAMPS: 12
BEAM TYPE: Medium spot with corona
SWITCH TYPE: Twist bezel on/off
BEZEL: Plastic
BATTERY: 3xC cells
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
WATER RESISTANT: Yes
SUBMERSIBLE: Yes, to 15 feet
ACCESSORIES: TBA
WARRANTY: 1 year
PRODUCT RATING:
There is no "4.95 star" graphic; that backspill issue is the only thing preventing the FL12 from being a 5-star flashlight! It still made Trophy Case placement (boy did it ever!!!), so LumaRay ought to be proud of themselves!!!
LumaRay FL12 Flashlight *
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