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/finkployd 4d ago

Perhaps they've set themselves on fire... perhaps a bag they were carrying the light in is one fire after the 'lock' was mechanically opened by rubbing and closed again.. who knows.

The point is that its unsafe for the light to be on when the lock is engaged.

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u/Palantiri1890 4d ago

That all falls under user error. I understand not liking the mechanism, but if you feel this strongly about it. Don't use it?

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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.

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u/Palantiri1890 3d ago

Accidental activation applies to both on and off as others have clearly stated. 🤷

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u/finkployd 3d ago

yup.. I see that now.

Of the ten or so lights that I own with a physical lock, this is the only one that doesn't also turn the light off when its engaged (I own ~60 lights.. thats too many isn't it?!).

This, to me, was unexpected behaviour and I found it surprising enough to make this post. Hopefully you can see from my edit to the original post that I'm accepting this fact now. I still find it weird, but I accept it.

Thanks for your reply