Review of Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $34.95
Sale Price: $29.99
Today's Bonus: 14% Off

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.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

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

Best Deals for Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray

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.

Honest reviews on Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray

I have used this for camping, reading, and electrical work. I am amazed by how strong the magnets are and they attach easily to metal. It's not large so you can carry it like a regular flashlight and use it in tight spaces. Also, the bulb is a Cree which is more expensive than a LED. You can dim the light by turning the knob instead of having to click to pre-set light levels. I highly recommend this as a gift if you don't know what to give.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Joby Gorillatorch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight, Gray

A bendy-legged light should make itself handy. And the Gorillatorch can hold itself in position in some situations. But the product design could be improved.

* The switch has a very light detent so it's easy to accidentally turn the light on and drain the batteries.

* The light focus is too tight for many uses. An adjustable beam would be nice but failing that a wider beam would be more versatile.

* The light and its legs are quite bulky, even when scrunched up.

A good LED headlamp is a much better alternative for the majority of uses this light might serve. I'm a bit of a flashlight gadget nut and would be hard pressed to recommend this light. Perhaps if you often have to open your car's hood and you can frequently use the magnetic feet. Most of the time, I'm having to pull steel tools and hardware from the light so I find the magnets more of an annoyance than a cool feature.