QuiqLite XP-440
- Details
- Written by JT McAvoy
While at the SHOT Show 2007 I ran across and interesting product called a Quiqlite. It is a small twin led light that fits in your pocket and has a rotating head to adjust where the beam goes. The light comes in several different color combinations, listed below. It was an intriguing product with potential. Quiqlite was nice enough to provide me with one to try out. I chose the green and white color combination.
At first glance you notice that this light is small and mostly plastic. Your initial impression maybe to think that it is flimsy and would be easily broken, but do not be fooled, this little light is very tough and durable. It has been slammed in doors, caught between my body and a helicopter fuselage, dropped, rained on, momentarily dunked in water, blood splashed on it and multiple other things. During all of this there was only one time I was worried about breaking the light. This situation arose when the light was in the fully extended position and was caught between my body and the helicopter body. If it had been bent 180 degrees, I think it would have broken. However because of the force it would have taken to break the light at that point I was more worried about bodily harm to myself first and the light second.
The twin led light has two setting. The first click was for green and the second was for the green and the white light. The lights are very bright. The green really over powers the white light. The white light does add enough color that at close distances (which is what the light is intended for) it works out perfect. For as bright as the light is, it is still not over powering, therefore it does not ruin your vision at night. Quiqlite advertises that it is 90 degree viewable. However at any distance over 6 inches I found that the field of view that was lit was actually closer to 180 degrees. The light was perfect for looking at licenses, doing paperwork, and as a small subdued flashlight.
I experimented with the position of the light and the pocket clip that comes with it. Quiqlite has several different adjustable positions. I found that while clipped in my pocket, the middle position put the light exactly where I needed it. As for the clip I found that I could use it in several different ways and positions to meet my needs in a given situation. There was not much that it could not clip and adjust too.
With that said there are a few things that could be improved or changed on this light. The first thing that I would change is the pocket clip. It is designed well but at the top of the clip where it secures to the top of the light the overhang (see picture) needs to be a little longer to secure it in place. I found that if tugged with any force this short piece would allow the light to slip and separate from the light itself. The second thing that I would improve on is a section of mini wiring under the light. When in any of the extended positions it is slightly exposed and has the potential to be pulled on and broken. There needs to be some type of protective covering or armor there to protect this wiring. The third and final change that would be nice on this light is with the lighting itself. The first click turns on one light (in my case green), the second turns them both on (in my case green and white). I would add a third click there to turn on the other color by itself (in my case the white only). This could prove useful and make a single Quiqlite more adaptable and usable in a certain situation.
Quiqlite is a tough product. It is durable, adaptable, and concealable. Its slim design allows it to be worn without getting in the way while you work. This makes it very easy to carry on your person all the time either to use or as a just in case light. This light seems to be great not only for the public service community but also for your casual every day user or hikers. Despite the changes and minor improvements that could be made, it is a very well designed product that keeps the user in mind. It is now an indispensable part of the equipment I carry everyday and I recommend this light to anyone who needs a small, slim, tough light to carry for everyday duty work.
**Other colors are all white, white and UV, white and green, white and red, white and blue.
You can find out more about these lights at http://www.quiqlite.com/
