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5.0 out of 5 starsLike the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt
ByJohn S.on February 9, 2017
Like the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, this was not meant for us. It's an extremely well designed and refined product, the result of many cycles of testing and revision, like the DC-3 the Arriflex, and the Singer sewing machine. I have five of them from the Indiegogo campaign, and have two of them up and working.
This is intended to replace open wick kerosene lamps in places that don't have electric service. For that, it works very well. Solar with batteries would also work, but would require annual battery replacement. This will work for years without any intervention.
By first world public utility standards, the light is extremely dim. Compared with kerosene lamps, it's much brighter. Unlike kerosene, there's no ongoing expense, just the labor of raising the weight every 20 minutes. Poverty means you can't trade your labor for much value. This offers the world's poorest people a little light for a little lifting. That's a good deal. (BTW, I don't think they're the equivalent of $80 each in the third world.)
So why would a first world guy like me buy any? First, because these folks are doing a good thing, and doing it the right way. They have a good technical idea, and they're making a proper sustainable private business of it, not a charity, assembling in Kenya for the market there. Second, though L.A. has regular DWP power at the moment, a day will come when a major earthquake will take that away. Unlike battery solar systems, these can be stored for decades and should work when the need arises. Third, it's a novelty and a very well done job of engineering.
-- J.S.
