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At first glance the Photon Micro-Light III appears identical to the Photon II. It does not have screws to hold it togther. You just pop a little plate off to access the batteries and then put it back on. The differences in the two lights are substantial. On the Photon II you squeeze the light for brief periods of light or slide a switch to turn the light on or off. The Photon III contains a micro-chip switch that operates differently depending on which end of the light you squeeze. The front half is just like squeezing a Photon II - it stays on as long as you squeeze. Squeezing the back half of the light turns it on until you squeeze again. I found this switch easier to turn on and off than the switch on a Photon II.
The micro-chip lets you set your light to one of seven modes - high, medium, and low intensity, three different speeds of strobe light, or auto turn-off. With the light set in medium mode you can turn the switch on and get medium intensity. You squeeze the front half of the light to bump it up to high. The seven settings only affect the on/off switch at the back of the light. There is no way to set the light to low intensity on the switch with a bump up to medium for instance. I like the idea of having seven different modes on the light. I'm not sure when I would use any of the strobe settings except in an emergency. The seven settings are the highlight of this light and they are also my only complaint. When I first heard about the multiple setting I was excited - it would be nice to quickly bump the light down or up in intensity depending on what I was doing. The problem is that changing the mode isn't a quick process. To change the mode you squeeze the rear switch and hold it. Every four seconds it changes to another mode. When you reach the desired mode you release it and that becomes the mode for the switch. So to set the switch from medium to high you have to squeeze it for 28 seconds straight. My fingers get tired and usually it takes me two or three squeezings to cycle through the modes. So if you are expecting to have a light that quickly switches between high, medium, and low you'll be disappointed. If you want a medium or low intensity light you can bump to high intensity as needed you'll be happy with this light. Just use the various settings, pick the one you like the best, and leave the rear switch set to that. When you need the really bright light just give the front a quick squeeze as needed. There were some problems with the circuit board switch on the early Photon III's and we have been waiting to make sure that any we sell will have the newer improved switch. The first we received had a faulty switch. All the lights now have the new switch to give you years of trouble free service. On a turquoise light with the light set to medium you still get a very bright light. To preserve your night vision or to avoid disturbing others (like checking in on your children at night) you'll still want to use a red or orange light. Bottom line - I like it. My main light is now a Turquoise Photon III set on medium intensity attached to my pocket knife. My backup light is a Red Photon II on my keychain. Click here to order your Photon Micro-Light III's from TheNakedPCStore.com |
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