Today I present to the community my review of the Bolder LC40, a tough rechargeable flashlight.
I have had the flashlight for about a month now and have found it very handy to have around and this is exactly why I purchased it because I needed something small (check), bright (check), and tough (check). I will add that the clip is perfect for the smaller size and it clips securely into a pant or shirt pocket unless you are hanging upside down and moving around it should not fall out.
As per usual I will focus on areas that could be improved because it performs as advertised almost entirely.
The strobe is absolutely ridiculous, the only use I could think of for the strobe is a low budget rave or annoying friends. The problem is that the frequency is way too high and becomes an annoyance more than a function. The strobe should be similar to the hazards on a car maybe a little faster.
In regards to the strobe it would be nice to see both the strobe and the SOS modes on a separate button so that when you are cycling through the modes you aren’t greeted with a headache inducing strobe when you just want a brighter light. This would be difficult to do with the limited real estate on such a small device.
A feature that I believe should be added would be a red light mode. This would be great for the targeted activities of hiking or camping, in the dark even the lowest setting seems harsh on the eyes and a red light would greatly reduce that strain.
One of my biggest problems is the shape, you set it down shining on a specific subject and it rolls over. Don’t get me wrong it fits great in the hand and pocket but it needs a flat edge to keep it from rolling around. The clip helps in some situations but it can still roll the other way if you rest it on it’s clip.
Overall, I highly recommend it to inspectors, campers, hikers, or those who just like to be prepared.