Flashlights are something that I’ve always liked, even as a kid. Sure, those flashlights from 40+ years ago weren’t that bright, but it was a way that I could keep reading books after I was supposed to be asleep. Today, flashlights don’t even have to take the classic barrel shape. The titanium EcoSwitch gives us a quite different aesthetic.
EcoSwitch: what it is
At a very basic level, the titanium EcoSwitch is a compact LED flashlight that’s ready for Everyday Carry (EDC). It has a few things going for it that really make it great for always having it on you. First off, there’s the size. It’s just a bit larger than a AA battery, and weights just 30g. Second, you’ve got a two-way clip that allows it to easily be hooked onto your bag, pocket, or hat. Wait, you don’t want it on your person, but still need hands-free? There’s the magnetic tail cap for that. Finally, you’ve got a variety of lighting modes.
The lighting modes
Right off the bat, you can tell there’s something different going on here in the photos. You’ve got a standard emitter at the end of the EcoSwitch, but then you’ve also got a larger 5-LED section on the side. For both the main light and the side light, you’ve got two modes: high output (the default when it comes on) and low output. The side panel has another trick – a red/blue strobe feature that can be used as an emergency signal.
The battery
To keep the EcoSwitch compact, it has a 100mah polymer lithium battery. That seems low capacity, and it is compared to the power banks that we’re used to carrying. Even so, you can get up to an hour and a half of runtime (on low). Once the battery is ready to be charged, it can be completely topped off in just 40 minutes (a benefit of the smaller cell).
The battery is good for 300 charge cycles, so you’ll have to work out in your usage just how long it’ll be good for. If there was one thing that gives us pause on backing this project, it’s that battery. The smaller size and cycle rating means that, likely in a few years, you’re going to have a small chunk of titanium that doesn’t emit light.
Wrapping things up
Whatever LED flashlight you carry – even if it’s a simple AAA-powered one – is going to do a better job of lighting up an area than your cell phone will. When you get into something like the EcoSwitch, well, then you’ve got all manner of things you can do, and ways you can light up the dark. Earlybird pricing starts at $59, and the campaign is already fully funded. It wraps up on April 23, 2025, and delivery is anticipated for July 2025. Check it all out over at kickstarter.com
EcoSwitch Tech Specs
