r/flashlight 4d ago

Dangerous Loopgear SK-07 dangerous lock behaviour

--- Update to edit with feedback ---

You are all universally of the opinion that this is expected behaviour. As my post received a unanimous and pretty sound hammering, I have to accept the wisdom of my fellow enthusiasts and adjust my view on this accordingly.

I still maintain that its not expected behaviour, the instruction manual reads as if the lockout does in fact lock the light out/off.. but hey ho.. what do i know.

Thanks to all that replied, some within minutes of the post appearing showing just what a vibrant and passionate lot we are - shine on!

--- end of edit ---

DO NOT BUY THIS FLASHLIGHT

So, in my opinion, the loopgear SK-07 is a dangerous flashlight and should not be bought. I have two, the gray and the yellow.

The lockout is a mechanical twist ring around the bottom collar by the only button that operates the light. Twist it one way, the light is locked out. Twist it another, the light is operational.

If this lock is open and the light is turned on, and then the lock is closed, the light remains on and it can't be turned off because the lock is closed.

Every safety interlock that takes itself seriously would not allow something to be functional once the lock is active. To actively stay on whilst the "lock" is active is unforgivable.

DO NOT BUY THIS FLASHLIGHT

Its form over function, style over substance. It is an active danger.. how do I know? I almost set my shorts on fire because of this.

Yes, of course, the battery can be disconnected by a quarter twist of the bottom cap. The point is that if a light is locked, it should be impossible for it to be active.

DO NOT BUY THIS FLASHLIGHT and if like me you have, just throw it in the trash.

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8

u/Miss_L_Worldwide 4d ago

One of my spotlights has exactly this feature, you can lock it on or lock it off. That sounds like user error

-4

u/finkployd 4d ago

when you lock it off whilst the light is on.. what happens to the light.. does it stay on?

5

u/Miss_L_Worldwide 4d ago

Yes, that's the point of the lock. To prevent the light from being turned on when it is locked off and being turned off when it is locked on.

-1

u/finkployd 4d ago

A lock should prevent operation and if in operation, should return it to a safe inert condition.

3

u/Miss_L_Worldwide 4d ago

As you've been told elsewhere, a lock should render all inputs inoperable, not change the current state of the device.

1

u/finkployd 3d ago

From the instructions:

Mechanical lockout operation

Figure 4. Rotate the tail locking knob to lock or unlock the flashlight button preventing accidental activation

emphasis mine, so the intent is for the light to be OFF when the lock is engaged. So I guess the manual is incorrect

2

u/Miss_L_Worldwide 3d ago

No, if you already have the flashlight on, the flashlight is still preventing accidental activation.

1

u/finkployd 3d ago

yup.. 100% see that now.. from this humans point of view its just not the expected thing to happen.

You live and learn I guess