Weighing in at only 4.9 oz, this  flashlight has the power you need to cut through the dark

One of the Ten Essentialsfor any outdoor excursion is a reliable  flashlight. But before you go out to get an aluminum baton that holds 8 D-cell batteries, consider Gerber’s new Iris flashlight, that packs a powerful beam in a 4.9 ounce package.

The Iris features an adjustable LED beam that can go from a wide spot to a narrow flood by twisting the outer housing. This makes it perfect for use navigating around your campsite at night, or hanging from the inside of your tent.  We really liked that this flashlight looks and feels rugged, but it’s very lightweight. 

The high-impact resistant glass-filled nylon shell is incredibly strong. We dropped it from 10 feet to a concrete floor and it didn’t even leave a mark on the surface. The shell  is also water resistant and features O-rings in the battery cap to keep out moisture. The shell also has a textured finish with ribs that ensures it won’t slip out of your wet or cold hands.

Two AA batteries operate the Iris for up to 8-hours of continuous use. A rubberized push button switch on the battery cap, features a positive detent that clicks it on or off. You can also touch the button to have the light go on momentarily, but we recommend unscrewing the end when you have it in your pack. This prevents it from turning on accidentally.  We left the Iris on for about 25 minutes and although the front LED lens doesn’t get hot, the surrounding case will get warm.

The Iris has a 45 lumens brightness and has a visual beam distance of about 164 ft.  when in the narrow beam mode. The flashlight measures 6.375-inches in length making it a compact,  yet powerful flashlight to have with you at all times.

The Iris retails around $50. For more information, visit www.gerbergear.com