This week I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a Joby Gorillatorch Switchback - a bit of a mouthful really :)
When I first heard the name, I too was confused as to what it was...
My confusion did come to an end thankfully, and soon I was able to get up close and personal with this illuminating little gadget.
The Switchback (as I will refer to it for the rest of the review), is a really handy multi-functional torch / lantern / headlamp with some unique and nifty features built in.
It expands upwards from its plastic shell and transforms into a useful lantern that can either be free standing, hung from a hook or mounted on top of the supplied Joby Gorillapod (which attaches to anything it can grip around).
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| In the box - the Switchback, and the uber-cool Joby Gorillapod... |
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| Decent and even lighting from the "92% ultra-efficient holographic lens"... |
Next up on its list of features is the night vision red light, which preserves night vision when in use.
Check it out:
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| The Switchback is "reddy" for anything... :) |
If it's something a bit brighter that you need, simply press the clip on the side of the Switchback, and the bottom releases the battery pack, attached to an elastic strap.
Gently tug on the strap, and you now have a torch / headlamp, complete with a comfy and adjustable head strap - the torch can be used for normal or red light illumination.
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| The LED's can be angled straight ahead or downwards... |
The Switchback is powered by 2 x AA sized batteries, from which you will get 1.5 hours of light on the brightest setting (130 lumens), up to 72 hours of light on the dimmest setting (5 lumens).
Joby also include a really useful adapter for the Gorillapod, which allows you to use it as a tripod for most cameras and video cameras - remember that it's not just an ordinary tripod, but one that can wrap around stuff :)
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| "Serving suggestion"... camera not included :) |
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| The Gorillapod likes to wrap its tentacles around things... |
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| Battery indicator, main switch & red light switch |
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| Nice touch - "Ethically manufactured in China"... :) |
All in all, the Joby Gorillapod Switchback is a great combo lantern and torch, which offers great flexibility and some useful innovations.
It is ideal for use around the house as an extra light source (Eskom load-shedding comes to mind...), or outdoors on camping trips and excursions.
The small print under the box also impressed me - "Ethically manufactured in China"...
I did try to dig a bit deeper on this one, but I can only assume it to mean that Joby does not make use of Foxconn to manufacture its products, if you know what I mean... :)
So where can you pick up one of these cool gadgets?
Right here on Nybbles & Bytes - just
drop us a mail or fill out our
contact form with your order and contact details, and we will manage the rest.
Current pricing is only R 640 each, so get in touch now while this price (and stock) lasts.
Please take note of our T's & C's below:
No orders shall be dispatched until fully paid for;
All above pricing is subject to stock availability;
Product specifications & pricing may be subject to change without notice;
Please allow 4-6 working days for delivery;
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Edit @ 21:28 on 28/03/2012:
Got a chance to see this toy in action this evening as Eskom plunged us into darkness...
Very impressive indeed - I discovered that if you hold the main switch down, the light cycles through various brightness levels until you let go, at which point it remains at that set level.
Secondly, if you hold the red light switch down, it begins to flash, alternating between red and white light (great for emergencies, also good for an impromptu disco :).
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