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I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out

Sorel · 31 · 4281

us Offline Sorel

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I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
on: August 20, 2014, 05:35:51 PM
...as carrying both the Midnite Minichamp and a Spartan in my pocket seemed redundant and bulky, at least compared to when I only carried the Spartan. I love having a light though, and I guess I've been spoiled by the light on the Minichamp, because when I got the Spartan Lite, I was absolutely flabbergasted by how dim its light was. It's not just dim compared to a real flashlight, it's even (extremely) dim compared to the Minichamp. I kind of felt let down; it didn't feel to me up to Victorinox's standards. Maybe I just got a dud, but I've read here that others have found the 91mm lights to be inferior to the 58mm ones.

Anyone know why this would be?

PS I should have taken pictures for comparison purposes, but I forgot to; instead, here's one of the Spartan just being itself  :drool:


us Offline detron

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #1 on: August 20, 2014, 05:37:31 PM
I cannot answer why,  but I will tell you the 91mm SAKs with lights are much dimmer than the 58mm ones.  you did not get a dud.
If I can help, let me know 


us Offline RoboYeti

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #2 on: August 20, 2014, 10:46:38 PM
I have a Huntsman Lite, a Signature Lite (with the old red LED), a Swiss Card Lite (with a white LED) and a Wenger Microlight Pocket Tool Chest (white LED).

The Signature Lite is so dim that I cannot use it to navigate in a dark room unless my eyes have had a long time to adjust, and even then it is barely enough. I guess one could use it for signalling, or to find a keyhole, but otherwise the light on it is basically useless and I don't carry it.

The Huntsman Lite is certainly not on par with a dedicated LED flashlight or even a bright keychain LED light in terms of brightness. I do think it is bright enough to find one's way in a dark room and that it is useful as a flashlight for my purposes. One major drawback for me is that the batteries it takes (CR1225) are not available anywhere I could find in stores. I had to order replacements online.

The Swiss Card Lite and Wenger Microlight both seem brighter than the Huntsman Lite, but neither is especially impressive. The Wenger is a bit tricky for me to turn on. It requires a lot of force and I always have to try pressing around a bit on the scale to get it to stay on reliably. It uses two batteries though, so I expect it to last longer than the Swiss Card, although the Swiss Card seems to be the brighter of the two.

It comes down to your expectations. The older SAK red LED lights are terrible. I think the SAK white LED lights are fine as basic flashlights but they do not compare favorably to the modern LED lights which are so common now. Hopefully Victorinox will improve them one of these days. I don't see any technical reason why they couldn't.


um Offline Mr. Whippy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #3 on: August 20, 2014, 11:09:24 PM
The little Victorinox lights have never done much for me.  Besides the fact they require a fairly costly battery, they just don't put out enough light. :(


us Offline Sorel

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #4 on: August 20, 2014, 11:21:09 PM
I'm pretty happy with the light on the Minichamp, that's why I'm so confused about the poor performance of the 91mm  :think:
I mean, sure, it's not the kind of light that the EDC crowd is into, but it's good enough for my purposes, and comes with blades, scissors, and pen  :climber:


ca Offline Syph007

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #5 on: August 21, 2014, 12:16:06 AM
Yup I had one very briefly and wasnt impressed at all with the lights on the 91mm SAKs.  The plastic housing is also incredibly flimsy.  I have a 58mm manager with a white led and its easily 100 times brighter than the 91mm led.
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us Offline Luna Knife

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #6 on: August 21, 2014, 01:24:01 AM
It would never be my only flashlight for a weekend in the woods


00 Offline Fattsgalore

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #7 on: August 21, 2014, 06:02:11 AM
I know it's disappointing, so...so disappointing.
But live and learn. I got a Traveller Lite, it was one of those "whomp whomp" experiences. Glad I just wanted it for the scales internals.

It'll be a nice piece to add to the collection though. I personally like to try out all Vic has to offer first hand, see weather a tool design is a stud or a dud. The 91 lights are definite duds.

Love the 58mm white LED. Not really a work or hiking/outdoors light, but it's not meant for that purpose. Keychain friendly, convenient, great form factor. Add the Rambler's tool set and a pen and you got a great companion for urban/suburban EDC.


au Offline PTRSAK

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #8 on: August 21, 2014, 12:31:30 PM
I really can't understand why Victorinox hasn't upgraded the LED to something more modern.
I mean look at how much light some of the mini keychain flashlights put out. Even a cheapo Spotlite Speck is many times brighter.
My only "xxx-Lite" was a Spartan-Lite which I modded with added scissors. I'm not sure if that makes it a Climber-Lite or an Explorer-Lite. I'm thinking of searching out a suitable size LED and upgrading the Lite module... 




Or I could rip it out and replace it with a Wenger wrench.


wales Offline hiraethus

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #9 on: August 21, 2014, 04:10:07 PM
I'm thinking of searching out a suitable size LED and upgrading the Lite module... 

Me too.  Must be possible to get an up to date LED to fit to these.  A Mountaineer Lite would be a great EDC knife for me, but a £50+ it'd be an expensive experiment.


gb Offline Cupboard

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #10 on: August 22, 2014, 10:49:49 PM
How do they compare with a Fauxton?


us Offline Luna Knife

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #11 on: August 26, 2014, 04:16:25 AM
We branded cows this weekend so the Spartan Lite served a good purpose in helping me find my way at 3am without disturbing family members sleeping at the ranch house


au Offline PTRSAK

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #12 on: August 26, 2014, 05:17:07 AM
Yep. There is little worry of a Spartan-lite disturbing anybody's sleep.  :facepalm:
Unless you dropped it on them.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #13 on: August 26, 2014, 05:28:21 AM
When your eyes are dark adapted it takes a tiny amount of light to navigate. Sounds like a neat item to have when I'm out looking at the stars.

Maybe I will look into one. :tu:
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #14 on: August 26, 2014, 06:03:18 AM
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #15 on: August 27, 2014, 04:11:45 AM
What about this one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Spartan-Lite-Blue-Transparent-NEW-/251621635229?nma=true&si=YER8IkLApeLOXnqXXFIfe95ZjBc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Did have a nice "Pat" mini screwdriver with it and was priced right I guess.

I see red and green translucent but no blue...are the blue scale models scarce?
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #16 on: August 27, 2014, 02:31:47 PM
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline ducttapetech

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #17 on: August 27, 2014, 02:39:55 PM
Lol!
Not sure. I know some of the Cybertools come with clear blue scales.

That's us mobile.

Nate

SEND IT!


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #18 on: August 27, 2014, 03:02:24 PM
I've got a translucent blue scaled CT41 and know someone who got the XLT with them from Ukraine.

Sent from the land of the long white cloud.



us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #19 on: August 27, 2014, 03:02:39 PM
Thanks Nate! I really loused up that question...I meant just on the Spartan Lites.

 :facepalm:
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline ducttapetech

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #20 on: August 28, 2014, 12:09:21 AM
Lol. On the spartans I am not so sure.

That's us mobile.

Nate

SEND IT!


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #21 on: August 30, 2014, 05:07:59 AM
Cigar tonight.....
Blk ops.JPG
* Blk ops.JPG (Filesize: 54.81 KB)
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #22 on: September 02, 2014, 04:38:30 PM
bump...

- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


de Offline coSAK

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #23 on: September 02, 2014, 05:14:57 PM
Do anyone know, why the Spartan Lite is named Spartan Lite?
I mean, Victorinox advertises the Spartan as the standard (or basis) tool set of their 91er SAKs.
Every other 91er SAK with additional tools got a different name.
Why not the Spartan Lite?
Some would say: Hey, that's what it is, a Spartan with a flash light.
But think of the inline Phillips...
So the naming is somewhat misleading.
WANTED: Red Farmer, Red Harvester, Soldier/SI 1975, Genuine Horn scales, Wenger 19th Hole Cigar Cutter


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #24 on: September 02, 2014, 05:18:17 PM
Do anyone know, why the Spartan Lite is named Spartan Lite?
I mean, Victorinox advertises the Spartan as the standard (or basis) tool set of their 91er SAKs.
Every other 91er SAK with additional tools got a different name.
Why not the Spartan Lite?
Some would say: Hey, that's what it is, a Spartan with a flash light.
But think of the inline Phillips...
So the naming is somewhat misleading.

Yeah...replace the light with a magnifier and it's a Passenger....
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline wonderwolf

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #25 on: September 04, 2014, 03:48:30 AM
bump...

(Image removed from quote.)

Oh now isn't that alox just as pretty as can be.
"A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow" - The Edge


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #26 on: September 04, 2014, 04:21:44 AM
:salute: It is quite fetching.....
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #27 on: September 04, 2014, 04:35:41 AM
Stop pushing the blue alox on me.  :twak:


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #28 on: September 04, 2014, 05:06:50 AM
Stop pushing the blue alox on me.  :twak:

Baaah-lue  ALOX!!!!!    :pok:  >:D 





- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: I really wanted the Spartan Lite to work out
Reply #29 on: September 04, 2014, 05:13:38 AM
Stop pushing the blue alox on me.  :twak:

Baaah-lue  ALOX!!!!!    :pok:  >:D 

(Image removed from quote.)
A blue electrician would be so mint!  And...  :twak:


 

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