Outdoors

Waist-worn flashlight gets hip with hands-free high beams

Waist-worn flashlight gets hip with hands-free high beams
Worn at the waist, the Repulsor features a 60-degree beam angle, max output of 7,911 lumens, and 2,300 ft (701 m) throw distance
Worn at the waist, the Repulsor features a 60-degree beam angle, max output of 7,911 lumens, and 2,300 ft (701 m) throw distance
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The Repulsor flashlight looks like it could have been a prop from the original 1984 Ghostbusters movie
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The Repulsor flashlight looks like it could have been a prop from the original 1984 Ghostbusters movie
Worn at the waist, the Repulsor features a 60-degree beam angle, max output of 7,911 lumens, and 2,300 ft (701 m) throw distance
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Worn at the waist, the Repulsor features a 60-degree beam angle, max output of 7,911 lumens, and 2,300 ft (701 m) throw distance
The Repulsor is able to mount on bicycle handlebars with a standard attachment
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The Repulsor is able to mount on bicycle handlebars with a standard attachment
The Repulsor's pair of 50 W Xenon HID lamps are run by an 8,000/12,000-mAh lithium battery
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The Repulsor's pair of 50 W Xenon HID lamps are run by an 8,000/12,000-mAh lithium battery
The Repulsor is constructed out of durable aluminum, tempered glass, and impact-resistant plastics
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The Repulsor is constructed out of durable aluminum, tempered glass, and impact-resistant plastics
The Repulsor secures to the back of belts, and flexible arms allow the lenses to aim in almost any direction
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The Repulsor secures to the back of belts, and flexible arms allow the lenses to aim in almost any direction
View gallery - 6 images

What happens when you want directed illumination, yet also need to keep your hands and forehead clear for other tasks or gear? One startup is looking to address such situations with a new generation of flashlight. The Repulsor is designed to be worn about the waist, delivering bright beams that rival those found on many cars.

Modern LED technology has been able to create some powerful, portable, and even connected lighting options. It's not uncommon to find pocket-sized EDC flashlights capable of hours' worth of 100-lumen output from a single AA battery. Some of the latest headlamps, such as the Nao+, feature smartphone integration for greater lighting control. Although the latter may be hands-free, not all would consider it comfortable to wear.

We've recently seen the magnet-mounted Zyntony Ra strap light, which is USB-powered and conveniently wearable. However, with its 60-degree beam angle, max output of 7,911 lumens, and up to 2,300 ft (701 m) of throw distance, the Repulsor takes personal lighting to the next level.

By design, the Repulsor flashlight looks like it could have been a prop from the original 1984 Ghostbusters movie. Users secure this 2.8-lb (1.3-kg) light to the back of belts, and the flexible arms allow the lenses to be aimed in almost any direction. It's like equipping high beams on the hip.

The Repulsor secures to the back of belts, and flexible arms allow the lenses to aim in almost any direction
The Repulsor secures to the back of belts, and flexible arms allow the lenses to aim in almost any direction

The Repulsor's pair of 50 W Xenon HID lamps are run by an 8,000-mAh lithium battery, which is good for up to 90 minutes of non-stop full-power operation (115 minutes for the 12,000-mAh model) per charge. And with the wall adapter, the Repulsor needs only an hour of plug-in time before it's ready to go.

In addition to the LED display and power setting switch, the flashlight features a USB output port for charging mobile devices. Although constructed out of durable aluminum, tempered glass, and impact-resistant plastics, the Repulsor is, at best, water-resistant only.

Those who are interested in a bicycle headlight option can choose to mount the Repulsor to handlebars. It's designed to work with a standard attachment, allowing users to ride bikes at night with the kind of visibility one normally gets from motor vehicles.

The Repulsor flashlight is currently funding on Kickstarter, having raised 257 percent of its US$20,000 goal in three days, with another 44 days left to go. Pledges for the Repulsor start at $175 for the 8,000-mAh capacity battery, and $199 for 12,000-mAh.

If production goes according to schedule, backers can expect shipments to start sometime this July.

Sources: Repulsor, Kickstarter

View gallery - 6 images
8 comments
8 comments
MQ
Needs to get the beams up a little higher, how about a nice bi-light chest harness. call it a
OuroborusSeven
I can't tell if this is a subtle April Fool's joke or a real product.
Kpar
Wow, that's a lot of lumens!
The only issue I have is the placement of the headlights- as shown in the photo, they would interfere with normal swinging of the arms while walking. I presume that the designers have a provision for adjustments.
pt88
More like Data's 'bully blinders' from The Goonies.
Mohsen88
WOW, its great but I think Users may facing a problem when using because of hands movements while walking ...
Madlyb
Wow...just wow. I didn't get a sense of scale until I scrolled down and saw the unit on the model and...just wow. Those things are freakin' huge and with 8000 lumens, they are going to generate some serious heat and that is on top of the interference with arms mentioned by previous posters.
Charles Barnard
Overweight. Best classed as a self-defense weapon. All it needs is circuit to flash it at 4-5Hz and it'll knock people down....
unklmurray
Well, I read the comments B 4,I started to write this 2 C if you guys had read the article or were just talking out of yer necks......{really dumb saying]And Yes the photo of the guy just standing there ,makes placement look really stupid, Whereas in the main photo at the start of this article and in the gallery shows a person wearing them just above the stomach and to the middle,kinda between the bottom of the sternum and the belly button,a really high waist, band but when I look at the lights ,If you are a guy you could wear them like a ''Bra'' on yer chest would be perfect alignment for them.......and the price is about right for rechargeable lights,If they go "Retail,I'll buy 2-4 sets......." I don't do the ''Kickstarter......crowdfunding thing anymore''I don't like getting screwed!! So when it goes to ''Retail I'll buy some..........