Runners’ flashlight, do you have one? I am reviewing the Nathan Zephyr Fire 100 Hand Torch Runners’ Flashlight. I got it from Fleet Feet, Mt. Pleasant, SC. They have the coolest stuff.
Lately I have been much more focused on safety
. Perhaps seeing two drunk men while running at 4am on the Cooper River Bridge had something to do with it. And yes in the dark I run with a flashlight. Actually flashlights. I have run with flashlights. I have dropped them more than once. I have dropped and kicked one. I have broken b
ulbs. I have even left one on the hood of my car and drove off and when I got home it was gone. I promise, it just disappeared. And to add insult to injury I even lost one somewhere in my car.
What makes this flashlight different is that it is pretty. Okay, perhaps being pretty isn’t its best attribute, but it helps. This flashlight works for me because it fits in my hand. It straps on so that I do not have to even hold it. I can turn it on with one finger. Yes, even I can do that.
It has two lights. The front one is bright and has a 24-degree downward angle to light your path. And it lit my path very brightly. It has three modes: high, low and low/strobe to accommodate varying weather and light conditions. I tried all three. The strobe one gave me a headache.
The second light is bright red in the back of the flashlight that flashes. I like this because cars and bicycles (yes, I have been almost run over by a few) can see me just in case they miss my reflective vest.
The battery life is impressive: five hours on high, eight hours on low, and fifteen hours on low/strobe. I charge it using the USB cord.
What also sets this apart from other flashlights is a push-button emergency siren. That button is right under the front light button and yes, I pushed it by accident more than once and after awhile it is annoying. Yes, it is loud.
This flashlight gives me the comfort that at least I can see the cracks in the sidewalks before I trip on them. And the siren will not summon the cavalry. It will however hopefully startle an attacker to give me just enough time to get away.
It fits on my hand with a snug strap so I won’t drop it. I won’t drop it so I won’t kick it, and hopefully not lay it on the hood of my car. The only thing I have to learn is how not to keep pressing the button for the siren.
I give this flashlight five ^5s.
I have to admit the idea of a flashlight for runners (or walkers) is spot on. Even the most feature-packed, lumen-rich torches lack the functionality of the Nathan Zephyr Fire 100 out on the road. Great review.