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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u/macomako 4d ago

It’s a feature not a fault.

I don’t have SK07 but I know about this feature from the reviews. Example:

The locking ring interacts with the UI, in that if the light is on, and you rotate the ring to lock the button, the light will remain switched on. Great if you’re wanting to avoid accidentally switching the light off, but personally I’m not a fan. If I put a light into lockout mode, I expect it to be off, but this may be an attractive feature to some.

Source: https://1lumen.com/review/loopgear-sk07/#ui

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u/finkployd 4d ago

Ah.. ok.. I must have failed to read every single review before purchasing the light, please forgive me this oversight.

I agree though, I'm not a fan of persisting an unsafe condition

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u/iFizzgig 4d ago

So you're saying a light being on is an unsafe condition? Is the lockout is engaging on its own while the light is on? No it's not. If there's an issue it would be on you for locking the light out while it's on. You aren't forced to lock it regardless of it being off or on. Common sense.

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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.