Milwaukee Focusing Flashlight

Milwaukee is a brand that often evokes a sense of reliability and solid performance in the world of tools. With that kind of reputation, I was quite eager to get my hands on their Focusing Flashlight, model 2107S, to see how it stacks up against the competition. Unfortunately, my experience has been rather mixed, highlighting both strengths and significant weaknesses.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you notice about the Milwaukee Focusing Flashlight is its impressive build quality. Constructed from hard anodized, structural-grade aluminum, the flashlight feels robust and durable. It's designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and resistant to chemicals, which makes it suitable for a variety of harsh environments. Additionally, it boasts a drop rating of 4 meters (12 feet), which adds an extra layer of confidence in its durability.

The flashlight is compact and lightweight, measuring 5.39 inches in length and weighing just 0.14 lbs. It easily fits into a pocket or tool bag, making it convenient for everyday use. The removable metal pocket clip is a thoughtful addition, although in practice, it has its own set of issues that I will touch on later.

Light Output and Modes

The flashlight features two light output modes: High mode at 325 lumens and Low mode at 25 lumens. The High mode provides a beam distance of 115 meters (377 feet) and lasts for about 5 hours, while the Low mode can last up to 18 hours. The beam is adjustable, allowing for both a focused spot and a broad flood, which is quite useful in different scenarios.

When it works, the light output is impressive. The warm tint is easy on the eyes, and the transition between flood and spot is smooth. However, the flashlight's performance is inconsistent, which brings me to its most significant drawback.

Performance Issues

From the outset, the flashlight exhibited intermittent failures in High mode. It would turn on, flicker, and then shut off. This was particularly frustrating during tasks that required consistent illumination. Upon further inspection, I discovered that the issue might be related to the tightness of the retaining ring inside the tailcap. Tightening this ring using thin needle nose pliers or a small caliber spanner wrench seemed to resolve the issue temporarily. However, this is not a fix one should have to perform on a brand-new flashlight.

Another major issue is the quality of the switch. The flashlight has an on/off and momentary-on button switch, which feels flimsy and unreliable. On more than one occasion, the flashlight would turn off unexpectedly, making it unreliable for critical tasks.

Aesthetic and Practical Flaws

While the flashlight's build quality is generally good, it has some aesthetic flaws. The red clip, which rotates when you unscrew the rear cap to change batteries, can scrape off the black paint from the body. This not only looks unprofessional but also exposes the metal underneath, potentially compromising the flashlight's corrosion resistance over time. For a product that positions itself as a high-quality tool, this is a glaring oversight.

Additionally, the flashlight does not come with a sheath, which is a missed opportunity. Given its tendency to turn off unexpectedly, having a secure way to carry it would have been a valuable addition.

Battery Life and Power Source

The flashlight uses standard AAA batteries, which is convenient as these are readily available. However, the flashlight seems to consume batteries rather quickly, especially in High mode. This is something to keep in mind if you plan to use it frequently. A rechargeable battery option would have been a welcome feature, reducing the ongoing cost and environmental impact of disposable batteries.

Final Thoughts

The Milwaukee Focusing Flashlight has the potential to be a great tool. Its compact size, impressive light output, and robust build quality are all strong points. However, the performance issues, particularly with the switch and intermittent failures in High mode, are significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored. The aesthetic flaws and lack of a sheath further detract from its overall appeal.

In its current form, I cannot recommend the Milwaukee Focusing Flashlight. While it has some excellent features, the reliability issues make it unsuitable for anyone who needs consistent, dependable illumination. If Milwaukee addresses these issues in a future iteration, this flashlight could become a top contender in its category. For now, though, you're better off looking at other options that offer more reliability and better overall performance.