Starlite 213R (1-AA), retail $6.50 (Sino Union Tech. Co.)
Manufactured by Sino Union Technology Co
Last updated: 02-03-08
This is the baby brother to the Starlite 128R, made by Sino Union Technology Co.
The small plastic flashlight comes in a number of transparent colors, and features a specially made, prefocused white LED lamp and is powered by only a single "AA" cell.
Instead of the expected "LED-like" beam, this model has an inverter-based LED bulb that actually uses the flashlight's reflector, and it does so
fairly well too.
SIZE:
To use your new "Baby Starlite", feed it a single "AA" cell.
Turn it on by sliding the barrel-mounted switch forward (towards the reflector); slide it back towards the butt of the flashlight to turn it off.
Remove the Starlite's head by unscrewing it, put an "AA" cell in button (+) side facing outwards, and screw the head back on.
Just like your old fashioned Eveready two piece.
Everyone knows how to do one of these. :)
Battery life is as of yet unknown - this will have to be tested... you will very likely read it here first.
First estimates point to a lifetime of 15 to 30 hours though, with the first 3-6 hours being at or near full power.
I still don't know exactly what kind of plastic the new Starlite is made from, but like its predecessor, it should still be sturdy enough to shake
off everyday bumps and bruises, provided you don't throw it or stomp on it.
Since I did manage to break several samples of this type of light already, I guess I'd better throw this one around a bit as well. (See test notes below)
The Starlite is not water resistant to any major degree; if dropped in sink, tub, or toilet, water will almost certainly pour into the light through the switch opening.
So this might not be the ideal candidate for foul weather outdoor adventures - though it will work perfectly well for fairweather camping & hiking, and it is splash
resistant enough that a little rain probably won't hurt it. It's a good candidate for indoor, around-the-house type of usage, or to keep in
your purse or backpack.
This version (the 1-AA) will stand up on its tail to act as an "electronic candle", lighting up a room bright enough to walk around with its beam reflected
off the ceiling.
Now, the good part of this light is its bulb. It has been totally redesigned from the original Starlite.
The LED appears to be a new or custom-made part from Nichia Japan. Notice how the dome just goes over the "guts" of the LED. This gives the LED
a very wide and even beam, and allows the flashlights reflector to catch much of the light and direct it into a traditional style flashlight beam.
In this picture, I deliberately contrast-enhanced the upper portion of the bulb so you can see it better.
Inside the bulb base is a tiny, but powerful DC-DC inverter circuit. This converts the 1.5 volts from the battery into the (approximately) 3.6 to 4 volts
needed by the LED. This allows the light to run on just one battery, not three like most other white LED lights.
Light measures 27,900mcd on a new battery (several minutes intermittent use only).
As you can see by the picture, the beam is much narrower and better focused than the original Starlite.
There is a quantity of "spill" light in a wide cone or corona that aids one in walking around at night.
This spill light is not shown in the picture above because the main beam is so much brighter.
Neither the main beam nor the spill light is as bright as the 2-cell version.
Spectrographic analysis of the LED in this flashlight.
Beam cross-sectional analysis. Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.
TEST NOTES:
Original sample was provided by Brock Neverman, as were all Starlite (-L and -R models) flashlights.
Extra bodies (no bulbs) for destructive testing were later provided by Sino-Union (see below).
Light comes in the following colors: water clear, transparent aqua, transparent magenta, and several other cheerful colors.
Manufacturer requires a minimum order of 12.
UPDATE 10-05-01:
I have been sent extra bodies (three each) of both the 1-cell and 2-cell Starlites, sans bulbs.
So I need not be afraid to keep breaking them. Guess I better scrub the toilet and set up my improvised chapel for the flashlight funerals
that are likely to be forthcoming. Sino Union is still grappling with the breakage issue, and may eventually need to find a new vendor for the
plastic bodies - they will still continue making & improving the lamps themselves however.
It would actually be worth buying just to harvest the bulb and use it in another flashlight.
UPDATE 02-07-02:
The Starlite 213R is now available in single quantities from the following:
Sinotone International Limited
90 South Spruce Ave. Suite E
South San Francisco, Ca 94080
Tel: (650) 583-8306 Fax: (650) 583-8326
Contact: Mr. Zeng John
Email Address: mailto:sinotone@yahoo.com
PROS:
Cheery and colorful.
Fairly unique.
Better than expected beam
Cheap batteries
easy battery change
easy on/off switch
less expensive than most other LED flashlights.
Stands on tail unaided
CONS:
Not water resistant (splash resistant only)
not as durable or impact-resistant as most.
If broken, rescue the bulb to use in another 1-cell light (good luck finding a 1-cell in a PR-base - maybe buy a couple of these Starlites
in case you bust one)
MANUFACTURER: Sino-Union Technology Co
PRODUCT TYPE: Small handheld flashlight
LAMP TYPE: LED, 5mm, white
No. OF LAMPS: 1
BEAM TYPE: Narrow spot with soft edge, wide corona
SWITCH TYPE: Slide on/off
BEZEL: Clear bezel with flat lens. Integral reflector
BATTERY: 1 AA cell
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Average ~200mA
WATER RESISTANT: Splash resistant only
SUBMERSIBLE: No
ACCESSORIES: None
WARRANTY: Unknown
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Now, the good part of this light is its bulb. It has been totally redesigned from the original Starlite.
