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How often have you cursed your torch as its beam dims and dies just when you need it the most? Or resented the weight of carrying extra torch batteries while traveling? The revolutionary new Lightwave 2000 torch from the Lucido Cool Light range gives an incredible 340 hours of light on just one set of standard batteries, ensuring that you'll never be troubled by your torch again!

In place of a conventional bulb, the Lightwave 2000 uses 4 light emitting diodes (LEDs). Unlike bulbs, which produce large amounts of heat and therefore transform only about 10% of battery energy into light, LEDs convert almost 100% of battery energy into light. Therefore, a set of batteries lasts 15 to 20 times longer in a Lightwave 2000 than in a conventional torch.

The developers claim that this high-efficiency LED technology is 'the greatest innovation since Edison invented the light bulb'. It's certainly impressive: a conventional torch stops working after a matter of just a few hours, whereas after 14 days of nonstop use the Lightwave 2000 still emits enough light to allow one to read a map.

The Lightwave 2000 is of fairly standard shape and design, 18 cm long and comfortable in the hand. It has a shockproof plastic case and the LEDs are almost unbreakable, making this an indestructible torch. The manufacturers even claim that you can run over the Lightwave 2000 in a car without breaking it!

I tested it first in pitch darkness. The beam travels well and is extremely bright - so bright in fact that (at least with new batteries) I wonder how much use it would be for reading. Certainly it would be impossible to use, say, in a hostel dorm - it would illuminate the whole room! The LED's diffuse white light is a good approximation of daylight and isn't as hard on the eyes as a standard torch's yellow light. I didn't go so far as to try running it over with my car, but I did bash it around a bit and no, it didn't break. An added benefit is that the torch is not only 'water resistant' but also waterproof (to a depth of 1 meter).

But the advantages don't stop there! Even used continuously, LEDs last for an astounding 11 years, and this, plus the fact that they are all but unbreakable, means that you'll never have to replace another bulb. Add to this the considerable savings from buying many fewer batteries and the manufacturers estimate that you'll save over $70 during the lifetime of the torch. And of course, using fewer batteries is environmentally friendly too.

Overall, I am very impressed. My only slight criticism would be that the torch lacks a focusing facility. A variable brightness switch would also be a nice addition—and would help the batteries last even longer! Another minor point is that, at approx. $35, the Lightwave 2000 is somewhat more expensive to buy than a conventional torch. As explained above, however, this is more than compensated for by the huge savings made by buying fewer batteries and no new bulbs.

Lucido also offers a headband for converting the Lightwave 2000 into a head torch, and a variety of other torches with LED technology, including a tiny, lightweight key ring torch.

This is a state of the art product. It was awarded the European Outdoor Award for Innovation 2000/2001. As Lucido says, 'some day ALL torches will be made this way!'

Photo courtesy of Lucido Ltd.

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