LED Lenser V2 Triplex - A Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

If you only ever buy one LED flashlight make it a LED Lenser V2 Triplex

LED Lenser V2 Triplex
With new light chip technology
Cloverleaf reflector system
3 high quality LED’s, in fact a high intensity LED light chip
Solid metal casing
Durable nylon pouch and lanyard included

Burn Time: Up to 10 hours from 1 AA alkaline battery.
Dimensions: 141mm x 37mm
Weight: 160gms
Power Supply: 1 x AA alkaline battery (Two sets of batteries included: 2 x AA)

The patented pure metal housing is ergonomic and extraordinarily smooth to the touch. The patented photon tube reflectors cause the high power diodes to shine with undreamed of brightness. Due to its low power consumption, 1 x AA alkaline battery will provide up to 10 hours of light.

Price: approx. GBP 24.99

Agents in the UK: Ledco Ltd. www.ledco.co.uk

Manufacturers: Zweibrüder Optoelectronics GmbH www.zweibrueder.com

Well, so much for the information from the manufacturer and UK distributor.

Yes, I have written the original review of this product some years ago for another, now defunct, publication. However, I thought, after the experience, a positive one, that I have just had with this flashlight, it needs to be rerun.

I said that I was impressed with the LED Lenser V2 Triplex flashlight when I wrote the original review on it and, as as I have mentioned before on occasions, I do not impress easily. And that was just as regards the design and especially the light output from this little light. I am even more impressed with it now, and the reason for that you will find out shortly.

The light is about the size of the so-called “Mini Maglite”, the one that uses 2xAA batteries as power source, but that is about where the comparison ends. The power source in this one that I have tested and am using is one single AA alkaline cell and considering that, the light output is awesome and then some more.

The light source is a three LED light chip in a cloverleaf pattern and the diodes produce an extremely bright and intense white light.

The only drawback that could be mentioned is that the beam cannot be focused but, then again, there are others of the same manufacturer where this is indeed possible and I do hope to be able to review – should the manufacturer/agents be prepared to furnish me with the samples for review – some of their tactical flashlights, including the new one that is aimed at the law enforcement market. I have seen it and handled it already but have not been able to put it thru its paces properly, not having a review sample to hand.

All I can say is that this surely is a lot of light in a small package and don't let the price deter you. This is a solid little flashlight made of solid stuff and I am sure it will give many, many years of reliable service.

I have just put one – in its holster – still in the pocket of a pair of pants – through a full washing cycle in the washing machine and the light still works perfect. I wonder how many others would have held up like that. And therefore my verdict on this flashlight would be a definite 20 out of 10 would that be possible.

© 2011

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Radius® 3-Piece Tool Set from Lakeland – Product Review

Radius® 3-Piece Tool Set
Lakeland Ref 51729
Price: £26.99
not available in store

The set comprises cultivator, weeder and transplanter (trowel).

Curvaceously comfortable, the patented handles are ergonomically designed to work with the natural position of your wrist, maximising power while minimising stress. With aluminium blades that are both lightweight and strong, this set includes everything you’ll need to make tending to your flowerbeds a pleasure rather than a chore.

While I must say that I am not the greatest of friends of aluminium for use with garden tools in this case I may just make and exception. The one problem I can see with aluminium, however, is that that metal wears down faster often in comparison to steel. The other side of the coin, however, is that you can wash the tools and don't have to worry about whether or not they are 100% dry when you hang them up – the best way to store any garden tool – or not, as aluminium does not rust nor in any other way corrode.

The tools perform and handle well, are well balanced, and the half-moon, sort of, shaped handle allows for a much more natural holding and handling of the tools than do the straight handles of ordinary garden hand tools, be they trowels, cultivators, or what have you.

The proof of the pudding as to the strain reduction certainly will be in a prolonged use of the tools, especially in a more-or-less professional setting, but from what I have seen so far using the trowel (transplanter), and the weeder, they handle very well indeed.

The weeder I have found to be a very useful tool for the removal of weeds from the crack in paving. It actually has a lip on the underside designed to get into the groves in the paving and cleanly cut off the weeds.

Oh, did I say that I like the tools? Well, I do and very much so.

© 2011

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Radius® Pro Lite Garden Tools from Lakeland – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Radius® Pro Lite Garden Tools

Spade – 1.23m (48½") H.
Lakeland Ref 51727 – Price: £28.99

Fork – 1.22m (48") H.
Lakeland Ref 51728 – Price: £28.99

Ergonomically designed to fit perfectly into your palms with the patented ‘O’ grip handle having four times the gripping surface to comfortably accommodate both hands as you work. Combined with the extra-long, lightweight fiberglass shaft, these tools provide more leverage with less effort to take the toil out of tilling.

Kathryn from Lakeland's Buying Team tested these and loved them so much she didn’t want to return the samples so Lakeland had to request new samples. I must say, I don't blame her one bit. I too love them but also have a few comments on them. Lots of it is positive but also one or two misgivings.

The heads are carbon steel heads and judging by the singing sound of the blade of the spade it is hardened carbon steel.

The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating and therefore it is difficult to say as to how well those tools may hold up over some years of work.

Personally I have two concerns. One is the rivet that holds the shaft to the tool. I have seen too many of those kinds of rivets in other tools fail, though the rivets on the Radius® tools here look much more substantial than those I have had problems with. The other is the fork. It is not made from a single piece of steel but the two center tines are a “U” shape that was welded in. I am not sure whether this is common or not – I would have to ask pother makers – but the fact is that the welds are visible and it is possible that there could rust be forming in time to come in the crevices of the welds.

When it comes to use, however, those tools are great requiring much less bending. It takes getting used to the big “O” handle and the length of the handle at first but then you can really feel the benefit of needing to bend all that way and thus keeping your back in a much better position; one where back strain while not totally being eliminated will be reduced.

Although my vegetable garden is all raised beds and containers, the latter of various kinds, including one ton builders bags, old bathtubs and shopping carts, the tools – both spade and fork – were great when used in the raised beds with virtually no bending whatsoever necessary.

I have also, for the test, dug over a piece of ground that once was an old lawn, which I tried to turn into a vegetable beg some years back, and which has reverted to very difficult ground. That was very easy work with the Radius® Pro-Lite Spade though the fork found it more difficult due to roots and such where the spade cut through and a fork, obviously, cannot. With any shorter-handled kind of spade it would have been hard going, I should very much think.

Radius® garden tools are designed and developed in the USA by Bruce Baker, who has been a gardener all his life, with a special interest in bonsais, and he says that he's always been interested in tools, sand that certainly shows. While being designed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, the tools are, however, made in the People's Republic of China rather than in the United States.

A little reminder: the heads of those tools are made of carbon steel and carbon steel, unlike stainless steel, will rust a lot easier. Therefore, as with all tools, including stainless steel ones, clean the well after use with warm water and then thoroughly dry them. Hang them up, don't stand them on the ground. That way they should last a very long time.

Once again, aside from the couple of misgivings of mine, I love those tools and wish that they had been around before I hurt my back some years ago, amongst other things while digging beds as a professional gardener.

If I would have to give a star ration we are looking at 4.5 out of 5 and the half a point that has been lost is simply due to the weld and the rivets in the shafts. Otherwise this would be full marks.

© 2011

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Fiskars Camping Axe X5 – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Fiskars Camping Axe X5 is an ideal small axe (hatchet) for hikers and outdoor people.

In years gone by – maybe still today – there were small axes (hatchets) about that were referred to as “Forester hand axe” and this one definitely falls under that category and usability. The X5 would be idea for a forester and forest manager to carry on his or her rounds, and also for countryside officers and Rangers.

The X5 is a small, light axe that can be easily carried in your bag or on your belt and comes with a canvas sheath with some ballistic nylon accoutrements, such as the flap and the belt loop.

The weight of the blade is 390 grams and the overall weight of the axe is 480 grams. The length of the hatchet is 228 mm, just a bit over 8 inches. The axe head is just under 5 inches from blade to poll. It is drop forged with a precision ground, double hardened blade for maximum durability, yet, so it is said, it is easy to sharpen. I say, so it is said, for I have, not as yet, tried to sharpen it, as there is no need.

The blade is extremely resilient, as I have found out when I dropped it onto tiles of sorts where a chunk was taken out of the tile but the blade suffered no damage whatsoever. Just glad I got my bare foot out of the way quick enough when the hatchet fell; the result otherwise would not have been pretty.

A PTFE coating on the blade reduces friction by 25%, making it easier to pull out of logs, and it also protects the blade against corrosion.

The handle is molded around the head to ensure it stays put, even in heavy use, and is made from ultralight and durable Fibercomp™ which minimises fatigue and makes the axe virtually unbreakable.

A real little all-rounder hatchet that is ideal for any outdoor activity and for foresters and rangers as a utility hatchet for trail marking, marking trees for felling, removing small trees, etc.

The UK recommended retail price for the Camping Axe X5 is £33.33 excl. VAT which, with VAT of currently 20%, should equate about £39.99. This is, I am well aware, not cheap by any standards but, on the other hand, you will get a quality tool that, even if not too well cared for, will last for a long time to come.

© 2011

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Fiskars Weed Puller – Product Review

Weeding - Reinvented with Fiskars Weed Puller

Grampa's Weeder on steroids

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Weeding is essential to keeping your lawn tidy and beautiful but it can be hard work to do it the ‘organic’ way without using chemicals.

Fiskars Weed Puller makes the task quick and fun: step-pull-and eject and the weed is extracted from the lawn by the root, while the gardener remains comfortably standing up. These innovative tools keep your hands and knees clean, and save your back from unnecessary strain whilst weeding with a ‘green’ conscience.

The Fiskars Weed Puller will be starring in a high profile TV advertising campaign – the first for a UK garden hand tools company. Running over the core gardening season from Easter until summer, the advertising campaign will reach 10 million consumers highlighting both innovation and the green aspects of the Weed Puller.

Andrew Smith, Managing Director of Fiskars UK Ltd, says: “Gardening is the UK’s number one hobby and we’ll be capitalising on this by undertaking an industry first with our TV campaign. As well as supporting retailers with increased brand awareness and improved merchandising, we continue to bring innovative and durable products to the market, making Fiskars the first name in garden hand tools.”

‘Green weeding’ - made easy

The Fiskars Weed Puller is a great invention for removing weeds, such as dandelions, from the garden. The tool is comfortable and easy to use: no digging or bending down is required and no chemicals are needed.

The Weed Puller is designed with a foot rest at the base of the shaft, allowing the tool to be easily driven into the ground by stepping on the ‘pedal’. Pulling the shaft towards you makes the deep-reaching stainless steel claws grab around the weed’s root from multiple directions, after which the tool is extracted from the ground. As such, unwanted plants are removed by the root and will not re-surface later. The special sliding mechanism ensures the weed to be safely ejected from the tool, eliminating the need to bend down and remove it manually.

I would not use the pedal as a stepping spur, as this would be unnecessary also, as the tool goes in easy enough with out this. But this is just a preference of mine and also, I assume, the long-handled version – the W82 – that I reviewed can be pushed into the ground easily.

The spur, or pedal, is the action which makes the Weed Puller work, in the same way as the good old Grandpa's Weeder – from the United States – with its wooden handle.

The difference to the old world tool of Grampa's Weeder Fiskars Weed Puller is basically the old tool on steroids and especially the ejector makes it faster to use.

The sleek design and high-functioning mechanisms of Fiskars Weed Puller enable users to easily tend a thoroughly “green” garden as no chemical or toxic weed-killers are required.

Personally I would not necessarily target dandelions though. Instead I harvest them as lettuce – no kidding – and dandelion is simply delicious and so versatile.

I have use the Fiskars Weed Puller W82 on some seriously large and deep rooted weeds in my garden and they came up a treat. Being that easy to use the Weed Puller would also be a great addition to the armory of any local authority gardener for caring for bowling greens and other formal lawns, without the need to go for toxic substances. Something that is very important in today's world, as with climate change, pollution, and dwindling oil supplies.

Fiskars Weed Puller W52: key characteristics

• Deep-reaching stainless steel claws grab the root from multiple directions

• Aluminium composite keeps the tool lightweight, yet sturdy

• Ejection system easily releases weed from tool when extracted from the ground

• Weight: 917 gr.

• Length: 99 cm

The innovative Fiskars Weed Puller has been awarded the Red Dot design award. The Fiskars Weed puller has an RRP of £39.99 including VAT and will be available in stores from early April at B&Q Focus, Homebase, independent garden centres and online at Amazon and Tesco.

The Weed Puller under test, however, was the W82, the one with the extendable handle, making it easier still on your back than the original model. I do not have a price for this one at the present moment and I suggest that readers might like to check the Fiskars website for their country as to availability and pricing of and for this product.

Garden Tools. Reinvented

Fiskars have always driven innovation of tools that reduce the effort, fatigue and strains often associated with gardening. Ergonomic, high performance cutting and landscaping tools are designed to do the hard work for the consumer, increasing the pleasure obtained from the gardening experinece. Fiskars Gardening Tools are designed with reinvention in mind-based around the power to make gardening easier.

With a long tradition and heritage for design, Fiskars is strongly committed to new product development and optimised manufacturing processes. Fiskars intends to reinvent the gardening experience, making it simple and pleasurable through tools that act like an extension of the body, boost power, improve control and reduce strain.

Please note that the the telescopic version of the product, the W82, is available exclusively at Homebase at RRP £55.00.

© 2011

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Breakfast Cereals Grows Up

Dorset Cereals – Product Review

Breakfast cereals have definitely come along way and they have now grown up and the more adult ones have also come out of the niche that was reserved for Muesli alone, it seemed. There was little choice. It was either corn flakes, shredded wheat stuff, and other children's breakfast cereals or you had to go for rather bland and ordinary muesli. Finally we, the older ones, and we will have to guard those packets without lives, have our own proper breakfast cereals in the form of Dorset Cereals.

Oh, and did I mention they do a couple of great chewy bars as well? I didn't? Well, I have now. Those are called “chunky slices”. Three varieties that I had the pleasure, and a pleasure it sure was, of trying and they are all equally great, though my absolute favorite must be the “Cranberry & Almond” one. That is not to say that I did not equally enjoy the others as well; I am just a sucker for cranberry. The “Date & Pecan” is also worth mentioning and I may have had a little of a toss up between which of them are my favorites. As said, the all three are equally great, but I am just a sucker, and I said that already, for cranberry.

There are, 8 different muesli varieties in the Dorset Cereals range and I had the pleasure to try seven of them. As I have said already, cranberry will get my vote every but the berry ones definitely are great, no two ways about it.

In addition to that there are now a new range of porridges, so I understand, which I have not been able to try as yet.

There is just one problem with them all, I have noticed; they are way too moreish. One of them packs is never enough.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

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The BoGo Light – Product Review

The BoGo Light is a concept that brings light into the darkness, and here especially in the developing world, but not only there, as the BoGo Light is also great as an emergency light source.

I received the review sample of the cute orange BoGo Light in the beginning of February 2008 and due to the lack of sunlight in our areas at this time of the year to fully charge the light is a slight problems as, theoretically, it requires a full day of sunlight to fully charge the replaceable rechargeable batteries (three at, what I would assume to be, 1.2VDC each). Otherwise, however, the light is brilliant, literally, and this pun was, also, by the way, intended.


The first thing that I was taken with was the fact that when opening the battery compartment to install the three supplied Ni-cads that there was a proper waterproof seal present that stayed in place and resealed the compartment once the cover was screwed on again. Having had some bad experience with a cycle light that took water during rain and then having pointed out that the instructions state that the light must not become exposed to rain and wet it is rather refreshing to see those seal in this flashlight. Then again, we must not forget that Mark Bent, the CEO of SunNight Solar is a former Marine and we military guys know how things need to be in such cases.

While the BoGo Light may, primarily, be intended for Third World countries, oops, sorry, countries of the Developing World, this light would equally be useful and helpful for the Romani People who live in similar situations to those poor in Africa and India, and other such places, e.g. with no means of light other than candles, kerosene lanterns, or battery powered flashlights and, maybe, just maybe, a gasoline-powered generator. The latter is, however, often only an option for those that have a little more money. Personally, as a Rom myself, I would love to have the BoGo Light available for Romani NGOs to distribute to those of the community that could make good use of them.

In addition to this the BoGo Light is the ideal for general preparedness and for survival situations, whether floods, hurricanes, ice storms, or what-have-you. Even in the event of a “normal” power outage such a light would come in extremely handy. The light can sit, until it is needed, quietly, on the windowsill soaking up daylight and is therefore always charged and ready to go as and when needed for a number of hours without, like with wind-up lights, having to crank a handle every thirty minutes or so for around a minute. By no means am I trying to diminish the idea and invention and concept of the wind-up/dynamo charged lights, far from it; I am just stating a fact while making an observation. They equally have their place in this world as does the BoGo Light.

The term BoGo stands for Buy one – Give one, and it is this principle upon which the light is being sold. You buy one for US$ 25 plus shipping from SunNight Solar in Texas – only via their website – and another one will be sent to the charity of your choice in Africa or to US troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Having now had the unit here for a couple of days, and, having allowed it to get charged on the windowsill in our dull winter daylight plus from electric light in the evening at home I have been able to give it a little try and am very favorably impressed. The six LEDs are extremely bright and the light, with even the low powered charge that the Bogo Light could obtain from this very dull daylight around here, lasts for a number of hours. It would, I assume, require the real amount of sun hours to obtain the six hours or so of light from the BoGo Light.

All in all I can but recommend this light to anyone, and I mean anyone, however, those that are preparing for the eventuality of an emergency of whatever kind and for homesteaders and such the BoGo Light is a light that should be on the shopping list as a stand-by for the as and when or even for general daily use.

The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is making an impact worldwide. From Cairo to Cape Town, from the Caribbean to the Amazon, it is improving the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight. BoGo means Buy one, Give one. Mark Bent and SunNight Solar Ltd want their lights to benefit the less fortunate; therefore, with each light purchased in the developed world, a second identical light will be donated to an organization that will distribute it in the developing world with the company's direct financial support. Give the Gift of Light, and Help Change the World!

So, go to the website and buy one and donate one to a worthy cause, whether this is for some of the poor in the developing world (and maybe we could even get a Romani NGO equipped some day with those) or for the US troops serving abroad in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Erm, and, erm yes, before anyone suggests it I must admit, I have fallen in love with the BoGo Light.

Some more information as to the history and such of the BoGo Light shall also follow soon.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

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Pedalite Pedals – We are on Again

& so are new pedals...

Having reported to you in the pages of this journal the other day, that is to say on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the failure of one of the Pedalite Pedals of my review set and my assumption that water might have been the culprit I would like to update you on what it happening.

Firstly, it seems that it is some sort of mechanical problem rather than water and something in fact appears to have come adrift inside the pedal affected. More details on that as soon as I get the information back from the good folks ate Pedalite International who now have the set of old pedals to carry out investigations up them.

I now have a brand new set of pedals on my bike and, as before, I am thrilled with the powerful flashes of light from the LEDs in the pedals. I feel so much safer riding my bicycle in the dark, and often for me this is a must; the riding of it in the dark, that is.

The nice folks from Pedalite International in fact came personally, but then I do not live a million miles away from their offices, to change the pedals on the night of Wednesday, November 21, 2007, so that investigation into the failure of the pedal could begin the next day. Now that is what I call customer relation management.

There is a chance that the set that I was given on the Cycle 2007 Show was in fact a “Pre-Production Model” and now a proper production run of the pedals and the failure could be due to that fact. We shall find out in due course I hope and think.

I have to say that I am very happy that the last report and verdict on the Pedalite Pedals is not going to be the final one as I am, in general, very fond of those pedals. We all hope that this is but a freak incident and all will be well in the end. As Simon Theobald, the Managing Director of Pedalite International, said to me on the phone, Murphy and Sod are alive and well and their law often still has bearing on things.

I doubt that there is anything out there on the market that gives the same visible protection to the cyclist as do those pedals and they are an “always on” system, with no batteries to worry about and no chance of forgetting to turning them on.

I shall keep you updated as to the outcome of the investigation and as to the further riding experience of mine with the Pedalites.

© M Smith (Veshengro), November 2007

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