Customer Reviews

Gerber 31-000063 Iris Flashlight

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, I consider myself a "Novice" Flashaholic. I currently have the following lights; Fenix TK10, LD1, PD2, TK20, Surefire G2L, and a Streamlight Scorpion. I had wanted a good light that used AA's and I thought the TK20 would be the one, however, while it throws pretty far, it has a very tight beam and not much spill. So, when I saw the Iris and it had the ability to focus with 60 lumens I thought for $31.00 I said what the heck.

It really is more comparable to the G2L, which is a very popular light and costs around $68. The body I believe are made of similar materials; they feel and look the same. However, it's much longer, as a matter of fact that's on of the things I don't like about this light it's fairly long. I think the length is due to the bezel housing that allows it to focus, it does seem lighter though. It has a "clicky" on the tail and does allow for momentary on-off, it doesn't feel as robust as my Fenix's however, hope it holds up. The color of the light appears blueish-white as compared to the G2L which is more blueish. It also has "orangeish" ring around it, particularly when the beam is in a tight focus, however when you open up the beam it seems to be minimized. Also, when you are in a tight beam there is no spill. As far as brightness, it seems as bright as the G2L...just my perception. In a tight beam it also seems to throw very well too. When you open up the focus it's fairly large and is still pretty bright. The very feature of being able to focus tight and open it up is a big plus on this light. It gives you the flexibility to perform different tasks with one light. I wish the Fenix TK20 had that feature. The other plus is the use of AA's, as many of you know the 123A batteries are fairly expensive.

I like the light and will probably get another one, or two. The only unknown is its durability...but for those considering buying this I'd say give it a try...for the price it's not bad. I give it a 4 stars.

I purchased this flashlight from Amazon over a year ago in preparation for a week long backpacking trip with my 83 year old grandpa up into the Rockies in Montana to visit a lookout tower that he worked on when he was 18. I was looking for a lightweight, battery efficient flashlight that would hold up to any abuse it might take during the trip and give me a good solid beam. In all respects, I'm extremely pleased with the purchase and still use this flashlight for any outdoor activities.

As far as weight is concerned, the flashlight without batteries is quite light although I assume the lightweight backpacking purists might look for something a little lighter. Any extra weight this flashlight might have comes in the form of increased durability. For example, the housing for the batteries is a metal tube just a touch larger than a AA battery. Loading batteries into the flashlight feels more like slamming a shell home in a nice bolt action rifle and is oddly satisfying. Although this might add a touch to the weight of the flashlight, it is definitely stronger as a result.

The battery compartment is sealed and the composite material on the outside shell is very durable. I have not intentionally tried to damage it, but it feels very durable and has withstood a number of long excursions without issue.

Regarding efficiency, I looked for a LED flashlight specifically so I would not need to pack as many extra batteries with me. At the very end of the Montana trip, I replaced the batteries for the first time. I wasn't using it alot, but I was very pleased with the life of the batteries. Of note, the beam loses brightness and distance when the batteries are running down, but continues to function so I actually continued to use the first set of batteries around camp as they put out plenty of light for that kind of work.

As far as brightness goes, I'm really impressed with the LED. The light is very white and the beam has no rings or artifacts in it. The ability to adjust the width of the beam is really nice as well and at the time I bought this flashlight, it was the only one available with that feature. Again, note that if the batteries are running low, the distance and brightness decreases substantially so if it isn't performing like you are used to, it's probably time for a change in batteries.

I haven't shopped for flashlights recently so I don't know what is on the market now, but I also have no reason to look for a new flashlight. The Gerber Iris is working great and I don't see myself picking up another flashlight in the near future. I am impressed with the power and quality and can wholeheartedly recommend it for everything from hardcore backpacking to investigating those weird sounds behind the house late at night.

I was surprised, and slightly amused, to find that there exists a subculture of flashaholics, but now I find myself teetering on the boundary... I first picked up an Inova Bolt 2A, which I like. Then I decided to splurge on this Fenix LD25 --as well as a Gerber Iris w/adjustable focus (for half the price of the Fenix LD25). Well, as the prices, specs, and reviews would suggest, the Fenix LD25 is the best (though most expensive) of these flashlights. It's great to be able to select from multiple brightness settings (3, 45, 85, 180 lumens), and I've found I mostly prefer the 85 lumen setting as the best balance of brightness and efficiency (6.25 hrs, almost triple the run time compared to maxing out at 180 lumens). One reason I just picked up a Gerber Iris was to try out the adjustable focus, which sounded like a very appealing feature. It is, but frankly the Fenix offers a great combination of focused throw coupled with a relatively broad spill, whereas when you focus the Gerber it's got no spill and when you broaden it you get much less throw and perceived brightness or intensity. So the Fenix is better, with no need to futz with focusing, which is one more thing to potentially break as well. I'll still keep the Gerber, as it's a decent and lightweight flashlight for half the cost of the Fenix LD25, and the Gerber offers a just-bright-enough-for-me 60 lumens with a relatively lengthy 8hrs run time, making it competitively efficient in my book. And I'm keeping my Inova Bolt 2A as well; it's a simple single setting on/off flashlight with a fairly nice and bright 107 lumens with 3.67 hrs run time. It's cost was mid-way between the other 2, with less features, but it works well, with no chance of accidentally entering the blinking SOS setting of the more complicated Fenix LD25. But again the Fenix LD25 is better overall, as its 85 lumen setting seems fairly comparable to the Inova's 107 lumens, yet its run time is almost double.

Purchased for a bicycle helmet light. Attached easily with a Twofish bike block. Bright, lightweight, and runs over 8 hours on regular alkaline AA batteries. Endcap clicky switch is easy to operate even when on the helmet. Ability to adjust beam for wide / spot works easily and gives a smooth beam without a dark center as with other lights.

I didn't know I wanted to spend $32 on a flashlight for the house but after looking at what was available locally none of them hit me as what I needed.

I needed a flashlight that had good output and a wide field of light. As soon as I read the ability of the iris in this flashlight I was convinced and bought one.

The fact that it operates on ordinary AA batteries was another selling point for me as I didn't want to have to be buying expensive batteries.

It has fully met all my needs and I highly recommend it

I got this Gerber Iris as a Christmas present, along with some AA Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries. I like this flashlight but the one I got has somewhat lesser specs than stated by the other reviewers. The blister-pack packaging states that per FL 1 Standard this light provides 45 lumens for 5 hours 45 mins. It claims useable light to 93 m. It also is said to have a 2147 cd; this apparently has something to do with the quality of the beam spread.

By my own observation, in tight focus it illuminates a nice, uniform 1 ft diameter area at a 10 ft distance. At that same distance and with the focus wide-open, it illuminates a 5 ft diameter area. Regardless of the focal setting the observed intensity of the light is quite good in the 10 to 20 ft range I tested (inside a totally dark house at night).

I'm not too concerned about the lesser 'run time' of 5 hrs and 45 minutes versus longer run times stated by others as I plan to use this flashlight primarily around the house, and with Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

The supposed recessed push-button on-off switch on the end of the flash light is not totally recessed. It would be nice if it were, as it would allow the light to be placed on its butt end. As it is, the light falls-over when placed on its end.

I like this light and will keep it, but for about the same money others should also consider the Inova BLT-2A Bolt LED Flashlight, 3.8-Watt. It is also a quality built flashlight and produces a brighter light along with some additional functionality. The only thing it does not have is a variable focus beam. A friend of mine has the Inova and really likes it. He does not think that a variable focus beam would provide him any significant additional value.

12-28-11 Update: I called GerberGear, the manufacturer of this flashlight. They confirmed that the lesser specs on the packaging are the correct ones for this light, as I've stated above; the specs by others (even as stated by the gerbergear.com website) are incorrect. That said, I still like the light as it is of good quality and produces ample light for my needs.