Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray

by Joby

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With Joby's Gorillatorch adjustable tripod flashlight, you'll be able to tackle a wide range of jobs in dimly lit conditions without having to balance a standard flashlight under the crook of your neck. With its powerful magnetic feet and bendable and flexible legs, you can illuminate virtually any target and keep your hands focused on the job at hand.

The Gorillatorch illuminates your target while keeping your hands free (see larger image).

Control the level of brightness with a twist of your wrist.

The Gorillatorch offers a focused illumination thanks to its ultra-bright CREE LED--providing up to 65 lumens (1 watt) of lighting power--and high-quality reflector optics. A dimmer feature allows you to select the ideal brightness for any situation, and this also enables you to optimize battery life when needed. At its brightest setting, the Gorillatorch provides up to 20 hours of continuous use, while you'll get up to 80 hours of battery life when the dimmer is dialed to its economy setting. The Gorillatorch is powered by three AA batteries (included).

When it's time to turn off the lights, the Gorillatorch's adaptable form factor enables you to stow it anywhere--from a toolbox to a kitchen drawer to a camping backpack.

The light's water-resistant housing is made of durable ABS plastic and it has a polycarbonate lens with a 2.16-inch diameter bezel. It measures 7.87 by 2.95 by 2.56 inches and weighs 1.6 ounces (6.5 ounces with batteries installed). The Joby Gorillatorch is backed by a limited 1-year warranty.

Endless Uses

Based on Joby's award-winning Gorillapod tripod for cameras, the Gorillatorch can wrap its flexible legs around almost any surface to provide needed illumination--attach it to the bedpost for lights out reading, secure it to a tree branch or tent pole to illuminate your campsite. The rubberized rings around each spherical component of the leg helps the Gorillatorch to firmly grasp the surface it's clasped around, and they protect painted or varnished surfaces from getting scratched.

With the addition of its neodymium magnetic feet, the Gorillatorch can secure itself to metal surfaces such as car hoods while checking the engine, late night tire changes, or a fusebox door during power outages.

You can also use it as you would a normal tripod, such as for shining a light on night-time barbecues, or use it as a handheld with the legs straightened while walking the dog. The rubberized foot grips provide enhanced stability on slick or uneven surfaces.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.6 x 3 x 7.9 inches ; 6.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002IT5DIU
• Item model number: FL1-01AM
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,007 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

321 of 322 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 2 cent investment turns a 3-star light into a 5-star star, June 8, 2010

By 

Robert S. Tobias (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Yellow (Tools & Home Improvement)

Length:: 1:57 Mins

What I really liked is the way this light could be positioned. The tripod legs bend in any direction. The light can be tilted as needed. The little colored bands are rubberized so when you twist them around something they stay put. The feet are likewise rubberized so they stay put even if placed on a slanted surface. Inside of each foot is a magnet and any one of then is capable of supporting the weight of the entire light.

What I found misleading is the dimmer switch. This is actually a light with two levels of output, all the way on and about half way on. You adjust this by twisting a knob and might be able to catch some slight variations between the two but they are not really that useful even if they were easier to set.

What I didn't like was the beam focus. The center is tiny and really too bright. If you use it to light what your working on it is frequently so bright you have to look away. Outside the tiny center it's usually too dim to be of much good.

I fixed that problem for two cents. (Actually, probably lots less but I'm too lazy to do the arithmetic.) What I did was cut a 3" square of Glad Pressing Seal 3 Pack and put it over the light. It acts as a diffuser and produces an evenly bright, wider angle beam that is (IMHO) perfect.

Finally, if you are considering this light you may also want to check out the Joby Gorillatorch Flare Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight. It's similar to this one and the video review I've posted there provides a comparison between the two models.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews, accompanied by detailed videos, can take the place of first-hand experiences that are often lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and try to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and the video at least entertaining. If there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

110 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good product that delivers what it promises, September 23, 2009

By 

Mark A. Adams (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray (Tools & Home Improvement)

I just received the Gorillatorch and have been testing it. In the short time I have tested it, I have found it to be an excellent idea with a good implementation.

Pros:
* The LED used in the unit is very bright and in conjunction with the dimmer function allows an excellent range of illumination
* The legs consist of multiple ball and socket joints that allow easy positioning with good rigidity.
* Each ball has a rubber-like ring around it (the gray rings in the photos) which provides a good friction grip when wrapped around an object.
* The tripod feet have the same covering as the rings giving it a low slip tripod base.
* The tripod feet contain strong magnets that hold the tripod securely to a metal surface in any orientation (up, down or sideways).
* The Battery/Lamp reside in a single assembly so there is no restriction on rotating the light.

Cons:
* The unit I received has a battery compartment electrical contact issue. The battery compartment cover contains contacts that connect the battery (+) terminals with the unit body. This contact can be affected by tapping on the case, turning the lamp off and back on when it is switched on.
* The dimmer works well, but is non-linear in operation. The dimmer/switch rotates over approx. 220 degrees, but the dimmer operates over the last 90 degrees.
* The light produced is very similar to a flashlight - a bright center with a less bright surrounding light ring. As the primary use for the unit is as a work light a change to create a more uniform lighting area would allow the LED's brightness to be better used.

Overall this is a very good product that with minor gripes, delivers what it promises

104 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Disappointing In Some Respects, December 4, 2009

By 

R. Herbert (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a great idea that is well implemented - mostly. The standard Gorilla three-legged grips are great, and the magnetic feet have a stronger attraction and holding power than I expected. Where this falls down is the light. It casts a wide, but very uneven beam. It is super bright in the center, but falls off quickly to very little illumination beyond that. As an example; from two feet away, the super bright center is about 2"-3" in diameter. Immediately past that, the output falls by 80-90%. And there is no way to adjust that, something that is common with many flashlights. There is no adjust-ability of the reflector to broaden or tighten the beam. You're stuck with that hot center.

All in all, I'd call it a good attempt marred by lack of one major feature. It's still a potentially great product if that one issue isn't important for you. But the addition of that one adjustment would make it a truly great item.