PRODUCT TEST: Frankensled Flashlight System

WHAT IT IS:
Frankensled is a company that began developing innovative equipment for extreme adventure snowmobiling, but many of their products have been adopted by serious ATVers and UTVers. One of the most popular items, the Trail Finder flashlight works off one rechargeable 18650 lithium battery (included). The flashlight can produce 820 luminance and can withstand 6 feet of submersion for 30 minutes in water. The 6061 aluminum casing is anodized black, and the internals are rugged enough to resist harsh vibration and survive drop impacts of up to 5 feet. With the battery installed, it weighs only 165 grams (5.8 ounces). To fully utilize the flashlight, Frankensled has developed a clip that allows it to mount to your helmet via a GoPro-compatible mount. The Trail Finder headlight system costs $150, but it includes the flashlight, mount and these accessories:

• 1 – rechargeable 18650 battery
• 1 – 110-volt charging system
• 1 – 12-volt charging system
• 1 – lanyard
• 1 – holster
• 1 – spare O-ring
• 1 – spare switch cap
• 1 – spare cap

PERFORMANCE:
Normally, you can skip the instructions for a flashlight, but we recommend you spend a few minutes going over the Trail Finder’s owner’s manual. The flashlight is painfully bright, so it’s not a toy for children, and it has several signal modes that can be lifesaving if needed, but it’s just as useful to know how to switch past them to standard flashlight mode. Selecting modes is a simple process of partially pressing the rear-mounted power button the number of times you need to reach the setting you want. The flashlight keeps the setting until you change it.

For a compact flashlight, the Trail Finder is extremely bright, and the flat-edged flanges on the flashlight body keep the light from rolling on tilted surfaces. There’s also a handy pen clip on the body to keep the light within easy reach on clothing, and a lanyard that lets you hang the light inside a tent or vehicle for hands-free use. The lithium battery can provide more than an hour of light with the flashlight on the brightest setting. The helmet mount is easy to use and secure, and the light can serve as a headlight for night riding or an aimable work light. The case and switch have a sturdy, high-quality feel.

We weren’t near deep water during the test, but we dropped the Trail Finder into a 5-gallon bucket of water. The light operated perfectly underwater. Back on dry land, we opened the case and found no sign of water penetration.

THE VERDICT:
Frankensled’s Trail Finder flashlight isn’t cheap, but it’s a rugged piece of equipment that’s built to handle the rough treatment of off-road riding. It puts out a lot of light and can operate for hours between charges. The mount turns the flashlight into an emergency headlight or a work light, which could save a ride or even a life.

contact: www.frankensled.com or call
(403) 837-8368.
rating: ★★★★
price: $150