Goal Zero Torch Solar Crank LED Flashlight,

2014-04-22T20:00:00

I bought this at Costco at a Goal Zero roadshow, and was thrilled with the concept. But tried to use it camping over the weekend, and saw several shortcomings that made me return it to Costco for a refund. Those are: 1) the solar panel is very difficult to get open (extracted from the slot it sits in), 2) the hand crank part you need to grasp with your fingers while cranking is very small and difficult to hold comfortably/securely while cranking for an extended time, and 3) the on/off toggle switch on my unit would stick when you pressed on it -- it didn't want to release when you pushed it down to toggle to the next function. I had to press & jiggle it to get it to release.

CamperAaron

Originally posted at

2014-04-16T20:00:00

I love this flashlight, when out hunting, I just set it out in an open area that gets sun all day and when I get back to camp it's charged an ready to go with the built in panel.

tommyguns

Originally posted at

2014-02-25T19:00:00

I purchased this light for my husband . However, I do not know who uses it more, him or me? I can not say enough about this light. I have used it late at night when covering our organic garden plots, working outside to finish a project, also used when loss of power. My husband uses it in the camper trailer and outside when finishing a concrete patio. I keep it on the window edge to constantly get sun. When I need it, it is ready. I am sure we will purchase another one for our pepper bag. Buy this light, you will not regret it.

Big M.

Originally posted at

2014-01-14T19:00:00

THIS THING IS GREAT. I OWN TWO AND GOT TO GIVW A 3RD AS AGIFT. THE PERSON THAT GOT THE GIFT LOVES IT.

CAMPER

Originally posted at

2013-12-27T19:00:00

Used sometimes to walk the dogs and occassional use for general flashlight. Never really used the crank except for familiarization. Not sure why it broke. Still useful as a rechargable utility light.

Cycling_rick

Originally posted at

2013-12-22T19:00:00

I belong to a mobile home park that advocates emergency preparedness. This flashlight is the perfect tool because it can be cranked in a true emergency..it is solar, so that alone is awesome!

Mary A.

Originally posted at

2013-11-22T19:00:00

the battery wont hold a charge, cant use it for more than a min, let me know if you want to correct this or if i should trash it

dog g.

Originally posted at

2013-11-06T19:00:00

It has been about a year since I but this product and it is as good as the day I received it. I have saved a lot of money on batteries and now my four year old can use it all he wants with no complaints from me..... I am going to buy a few more for those power outages in the near future.

In d.

Originally posted at

2013-10-17T20:00:00

I think it is really great that there are 3 ways to charge the light which do not involve batteries. It is quite bright - much more so than our battery power lights. In my comments, I tried to critique the plastic clip that is supposed to hold the solar panel in place when we use it. Too bad, but I have to tape the panel down because, if I don't, it flops down in my way.

Tony

Originally posted at

2013-09-11T20:00:00

I'm a former Marine and have used a lot of different lights. This light doesn't compare to them since it has different charging methods and hasn't failed me yet. Would definitely recommend this light to anyone who is looking for a dependable light.

Ronny

Originally posted at

2013-09-08T20:00:00

Our four youngest share a bedroom, each with their own bunk. Figuring out how to manage reading lights for each bunk has been difficult. Wind-up flashlights are too dim and hard to handle for reading. Battery-powered lights start bright enough, but the kids never remember to turn them off. Replacing batteries is always inconvenient. Plug-in lights require running extension cords to a limited number of outlets. This solar flashlight has been the solution. It hangs in the window for solar charging and can be grabbed at any time as a reading light. I've never had to charge it by crank or plug. Our only problem is that we have only one! We're planning on getting more.

Karen H.

Originally posted at

2013-08-21T20:00:00

We used it several times when the power was out. It lit up the room when we hung it from its hook. Gave it away to a friend. I am getting another for me and probably Christmas gifts

G E.

Originally posted at

2013-08-17T20:00:00

When its dark and i cant see. It has a solar charger . Nothing

Nick a.

Originally posted at

2013-08-15T20:00:00

We love using this anywhere we would use a flashlight. We have given this as a gift several times and the recepients LOVE THEM!!!

Shell

Originally posted at

2013-08-15T20:00:00

Charges fast using solar. Useful on camping trips- just leave out during the day and you are ready to go.

CB

Originally posted at

2013-08-14T20:00:00

Purchased as a gift and ending up keeping it because it's so handy and cool! (I did purchase another for the gift) It charges in almost any light and doesn't need direct sunlight to charge. I don't use the crank very often because it's so easy to charge by solar where I live. I use it indoors and when I take the dogs out at night and in the car when we travel. I can't recommend this highly enough and it is very sturdy and well-built.

Big J.

Originally posted at

2013-08-14T20:00:00

I purchased it to be a fall-back light in the case of emergency (super flashlight). However, on a recent camping trip, I hung it in my tent. It provided plenty of light for a long period of time. I didn't need to charge it the whole trip!

Great H.

Originally posted at

2013-08-14T20:00:00

After owning many other products I find this light to be the best! Very reliable and I don't have to worry about replacing batteries. I leave it by the window and it is always charged and ready to use.

TSki

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

This product is absolutely amazing for when the power goes out and you need to continue working on a task.

Solarlover

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

We are hunters preppers and all around self reliancers this flashlight works amazingly for all our uses. My son even uses it as a night light, we love the hook built into the end it hangs perfectly. The crank is easy enough fot all my kids to use and the solar charger works fast and lasts long. We have since bought a second and are thinking about purchasing a third.

laurawdavis

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

this is one easy and convienient accessory that has paid for itself in a few situations already you don't have to worry about batteries going dead on you when the light gets weak just pull open it's own built in solar panel and charge it up or use the crank to keep it going in the dark or plug into wall outlet.

reddenn 5.

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

Great product. Never have to buy batteries again. I like the way you can switch between lights.

radcon

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

I use it as standby flashlight which is always available, is very reliable, is never out of power, has solar energy source and also crank energy source, I also can use it as a stand.

vj

Originally posted at

2013-08-13T20:00:00

The spindle on the crank broke off before I ever used the light. A representative replaced it for me and said his had snapped off also. He agreed that part was a poor design. The company has very good company service. I bought it for outage failures and for camping. No batteries are required so it is inexpensive to have.

Rosie S.

Originally posted at

2013-07-31T20:00:00

Before I got my own, I gave one of these to a friend for her birthday. When I contacted her to find out how she liked it, she told me that it was awesome, so much so that her son abducted it for himself. When I got my own, I discovered why the kid took it. Its design is ingenious and if you can't find a way to charge this thing, you just aren't trying. It charges by its integrated crank or solar panel (less than 2 watts) or an AC adapter (included) or 12v car adapter (included). When using the crank or solar, there are 2 small red LEDs (1 for the crank and the other for the solar panel) as indicators that power is being generated. When charging it using the AC adapter, the single red/green LED on the adapter stays red when charging and changes to green when fully charged. The solar panel and crank are on the same side and, when completely folded, the crank partially folds under the solar panel but when the crank is in use, the solar panel folds back in place and out of the way of the crank handle. The solar panel flips up to angle toward the sun or act as a stand to position either set of lights and there is a retractable, rotating hook for hanging it vertically. It has two sets of very bright white LED lights (5 in the front to use as a regular flashlight and 18 on the top to use as a work/flood light - each LED 0.25W LED: 20 Lumen) with a 3-position switch (flashlight, work/flood light, and off). It's not small but it's very well designed and feels and looks high quality. Dimensions are about 9" long X 2.5" wide X 1.5" thick. I haven't had it long so I can't give a long-term review but for what I've experienced and read so far, I give it 4 stars for design, quality and functionality. The only reason I don't give 5 stars is that the internal battery cannot be replaced by the owner (according to Goal Zero) and there is no port to charge a cell phone, as many competitors have. Some reviews say the crank handle is too small for their hands and that they didn't like the kind of battery that was being used (Ni-MH rechargeable battery). I suggest reading reviews on Amazon and this page before making a decision to buy or not.

prepare4tomorrow

Originally posted at

2013-06-13T20:00:00

Works as advertised! Showed it to an outdoorsy co-worker, he felt it would need a built-in radio and a USB output to charge devices with (like the GZ Lighthouse) before he thought of getting one for himself. Granted I'd get a "Torch 2" if it had those additional features, too. Goal Zero as a company has a lot of great potential, and I thank you for changing the way I think about power conservation and renewable power sources. Keep on doing what you do best!

Driverdkh

Originally posted at

2013-03-13T20:00:00

I bought this for myself, but accidentally left it at my boyfriend's house one day and now he won't give it back! He loves it and is constantly using it for all sorts of things - working under the hood of the car, looking for something behind the couch, walking the dog, you name it. It is amazingly bright and we've used it for several hours at one time without it showing any signs of dimming. Then he just sits it on the windowsill to charge. I plugged it in the wall once for the initial charge, and we've never plugged it in since. It seems to charge enough just sitting it in the window, which isn't particularly in a sunny location (and we live in Washington, which insn't particularly sunny anyway)I guess I'll have to buy a second one if I want one at my house...

Elf

Originally posted at

2013-02-08T19:00:00

I'm using this mostly to walk my dog at night and take it with me in the car if I go on a long trip out of state. It has a wonderfully bright light that lights up a wide area. I just love this light.

Charlie

Originally posted at

2013-01-27T19:00:00

I use the product when we have a power failure, which if often.

Bob

Originally posted at

2012-12-28T19:00:00

I am stoked to have one of these, sure to use it for camping/car, a lot. I have five suggestions to make it even better: 1) a red flashlight for using in camp at night so as not to blind me/my campmates 2) same red light, but flashing strobe, for emergency marking 3) the hook on the bottom seems flimsy, and does not retract all the way into the base. I predict is is the first part to break off. I may break it off on purpose so that the light will stand up on its own... but I also want to be able to hang it. 4) it would have been so easy to use a micro or mini usb port to charge! instead of the cylindrical charger. everyone has usb chargers floating around. the goal zero RockOut speaker system... for example. In fact: how cool would it be if the crank could be used to output usb voltage? regardless of the output: the usb input would mean one less charger/cord to tote. 5) the solar panel only tilts in one direction, which is better than being fixed in place, but not as good as swiveling. on a panel this small, directionality makes a big difference. okay, a sixth want: if the crank were in the middle of the light, and had a hole in it, you could hang the work-light facing downward. (or add simple D-ring loop under the solar panel, for looping a carabiner/string through it, to hang). ahh, and, make the battery user-replaceable. batteries don't last forever, and they get better all the time.... I'm stoked on the product, but if any/all of these thins were included, it would be even better for my needs.

sandcruiser

Originally posted at