TRI-STAR BLAZER


Lite-Pro Tri-Star Blazer, retail $84.79 (http://eppescorner...)
Manufactured by Lite-Pro, LLC. (www.lite-pro.com)
Last updated 11-21-19




The Lite-Pro Tri-Star Blazer (TSB for short) is a sturdy handheld flashlight that uses three Luxeon I LEDs in an almost all-aluminum body. The TSB has a Type II anodized finish on both the inside and outside of its body, and is powered by three C cells in its barrel.


SIZE



The TSB I received for evaluation did not include any type of packaging (yes, it's that new), so I cannot provide you with instructions on how to remove the flashlight from its packaging.

Install three C cells first (see below), and then you can go paint the town red - or in this case - white.

Press the rubberised button on the barrel until it clicks and then release it to turn the TSB on; repeat the same action to turn the TSB off. This is continuous or hands-free mode.

There is no momentary or signalling mode available when the TSB is off; however you can blink it when it's on by pressing the button less firmly (before it clicks) and holding it that way as long as you need the TSB off; release the button to turn the TSB back on.



To feed your TSB, unscrew and remove the tailcap, dash it to the ground, and stomp on it with old or used bowling shoes...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead.

If necessary, tip the used C cells out of the barrel and into your hand or onto a bed or chair, and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.

Insert three new C cells in the barrel, button-end (+) positive first. Don't just drop them straight down, or you might break something. Hold the barrel almost horizontal and slide them in that way. There is a plastic insert inside the barrel; this belongs there and you should not try to remove it.

Finally, screw the tailcap back on, and be done with it.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on the tailcap now?

Consumes 1.170 amps (1,170mA) on my DMM's 4A scale.
This was measured using Ultra Alkaline Supercells I purchased at Wallgreens.




Photograph of the bezel, showing the LED optics.

The TSB appears to be quite durable. When I administered the smack test on it (ten whacks against the corner of a concrete stair; five whacks against the side of the tailcap and five whacks against the side of the bezel), I found the expected damage. There is some very light gouging on the sides of the tailcap and bezel where it was struck. No optical or electrical malfunctions were detected. Just like I found with the Tri-Star Phazer last night.

The TSB is weather- and splash-resistant, but it is not submersible. So please try not to drop it in creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceansides, docksides, puddles of rat pee, slush piles, mud puddles, tubs, toilet bowls, cisterns, sinks, fishtanks, dog water dishes, or other places where water or water-like liquids might be found. A little rain or snow probably wouldn't hurt it though, so you need not be too concerned about using it in moderately bad weather.

If it fell in water and you suspect it got flooded, disassemble it as you would for a battery change, dump out the water if necessary, and set the parts in a warm dry place for a day or so just to be sure it's completely dry inside before you reassemble and use it again.

If it fell into seawater or if somebody or something peed on it, douche all the parts out with fresh water before setting them out to dry. You don't want your flashlight to smell like seashells or piss when you go to use it next. Besides, salt (from seawater or pee-pee) can't be very good for the insides.
So like I said, you should have no problems whatsoever using the TSB in foul weather; and shallow-water landings should not kill it either. But please try not to drop it in the drink.

The TSB has a slightly aggressive (sharp) knurling on its tailcap and barrel; and a narrow band of knurling on the bezel, so retention (the ability to hold the flashlight when your hands are cold, wet, or oily) should not be an issue at all.

The beam color is pure white, with no yellow, blue, purple, or "rotten cat urine green" visible anywhere in the beam. Not in the hotspot, not in the corona either. The beam is collimated by a Fraen acrylic refracting optic that appears to be specially designed in a triangular configuration for three Luxeon LEDs. This appears to be very similar to, if not the same, as the optical train found in the Tri-Star Phazer.



Beam photograph at ~12".
Measures 886,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.
Beam color is pure white, without that "rotten cat urine green" tint you see in this photograph.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this flashlight.


ProMetric analysis
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.




Beam photograph at ~15'.
That red star thing is from an American DJ Laser Widow



TEST NOTES:
Test sample of the Tri-Star Blazer and two other flashlights were sent by G.T. of Eppe's Corner on 03-24-05, and were received late in the afternoon on 03-28-05.


UPDATE: 08-30-06
I went to perform a spectrographic analysis of the Tri-Star Blazer and it failed to come on, even when loaded with known-new C cells.

I metered the batteries just to be certain that was not "it", and all three metered no less than 1.5 volts. I also tried manipulating the tailcap; stll no joy.


UPDATE: 10-19-06
I got the Tri-Star Blazer working again. I just needed to tighten the bezel tighter than it was before. So I took care of that spectrographic analysis I attempted to do in late-August.


PROS:
Durable aluminum housing
Uses batteries that are relatively inexpensive and readily available
Uses LEDs which do not burn out like incandescent light blubs
Weather-resistant
Easy-to-use pushbutton switch


CONS:
A bit large for the amount of light it produces
Weather-resistant but not submersible
Uses a fairly high amout of current; this could equal shorter-than-desired runtime


    MANUFACTURER: Lite-Pro, LLC.
    PRODUCT TYPE: Medium-large handheld flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: Luxeon I LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 3
    BEAM TYPE: Medium spot with slightly dimmer penumbra and significantly dimmer corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Press rubberised button on barrel on/off
    BEZEL: Metal; LEDs and optics protected by plastic window
    BATTERY: 3xC cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 1.170 amps
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes, weather- and splash-resistant at minimum
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: Wrist lanyard
    WARRANTY: Not stated/TBA

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star RatingStar Rating





Tri-Star Blazer * http://eppescorner...






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