Celestron is more known for outdoor lights, but has products LE can use too.
Celestron is the optical division of Valor Electronics, and originally focused on founder Tom Johnson’s interests in astronomy. Johnson brought observatory-grade optics to the masses, while streamlining the manufacturing process. Since its founding in the 1960’s Celestron has continued to be a market leader, creating dozens of revolutionary new products including telescopes, sport optics, and microscopes.
Recently Celestron has introduced the production of their Elements ThermoTorch 5 and ThermoTorch 10 flashlights. These new flashlights combine high quality material manufacturing and LED performance, with creative features for those who live and work in the outdoors.
The Celestron ThermoTorch 10 has several features beneficial for law enforcement, particularly in rural settings.
Celestron ThermoTorch
Hunting, fishing, and law enforcement activities always involve being out in the elements. Half of police work is done in the dark, or at least low-light conditions, and many times those actions are also in some of the worst environmental conditions. Extreme temperature variations, wet weather, and terrain that requires tough equipment are situations that face all law enforcement officers, from the sprawling urban cities to the vast rural areas of America.
The ThermoTorch 5 is more compact.
The new Celestron Elements ThermoTorch 5 and [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CJ1C9B0″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]ThermoTorch 10[/easyazon_link] are 3-in-1 outdoor tools, serving as a tactical flashlight, a hand warmer and a portable power bank for recharging smartphones, tablets, cameras, GPS devices, MP3 players and more.
The ThermoTorch 5 comes with a 5,000 mAh rechargeable battery providing up to 5 hours of heat as a hand warmer. The larger [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CJ1C9B0″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]ThermoTorch 10[/easyazon_link] has a 10,000 mAh battery can provide up to 10 hours of heat. Both flashlights also have a C-link feature that allows them to be connected to other Celestron power sources to essentially double the battery life between recharging. The flashlight feature in the ThermoTorch is a 3-mode 5W LED system rated at 300 lumens.
Though not the brightest flashlight on the current market by any means, the ThermoTorch lights still provide a very nice amount of light, with some really beneficial features – particularly for those who work in rural areas.
The tail cap folds out in a C-link feature to expose common USB ports.
The auto charge feature simply requires the ThermoTorch to be plugged in to a USB port. With the C-link feature, officers in rural areas, or on elongated crime scenes, never have to worry about their cell phone battery going dead, or their GPS unit failing at a critical moment. The ThermoTorch is designed to be water-resistant, dust proof, crush proof and are drop tested to hold up under real-life conditions.
Another view of the ThermoTorch 5.
Elements ThermoTorch 5 Features:
- 3-in-1 Outdoor tool: Tactical flashlight, Hand warmer and Power bank
- CNC manufactured housing is IP65 rated water-resistant, dust proof, and drop tested
- 3 Mode CREE® 5W LED rated at 300 lumens
- 5000 mAh battery provides up to 6 hours of continuous heat for user’s hands
- Charges a variety of hand-held or other electronic devices
- C-Link feature allows other Celestron power banks to extend heat times up to 16 hours
- Auto charge feature simply plugs into the USB port to begin charging
- Warranty: 2-years for defective parts.
Elements ThermoTorch 5 Specifications:
- Battery Type/Size: Lithium Ion Metal Cased Cylinder / 5000 mAh
- Batteries Required: (1)
- Overall Length: Not listed (approximately 3.0 to 4.0 inches)
- Width: Not listed (approximately 1.0 inch tube)
- Weight: Not listed
- Battery Life: Hand Warmer function up to 6 hours
- Hand Warmer Temperature Range: 103° to 114° F (approx.. 40° to 46° C)
- Flashlight Modes: Low, Medium, High
- Flashlight Power/Times: LOW = 60 Lumens for 22 hours
- Flashlight Power/Times: MED = 100 Lumens for 14 hours
- Flashlight Power/Times: HIGH = 300 Lumens for 4 hours
- Flashlight Bulb: CREE® XLAMP® XP-G2 bright white- 5W LED
- Battery Life: Hand-warmer/Light simultaneous 2-hours (LOW setting)
- MSRP: $69.99.
Another view of the longer ThermoTorch 10, which is probably more practical for law enforcement uses.
Elements ThermoTorch 10 Features:
- 3-in-1 Outdoor tool: Tactical flashlight, Hand warmer and Power bank
- CNC manufactured housing is IP65 rated water-resistant, dust proof, and drop tested
- 3 Mode CREE® 5W LED rated at 300 lumens
- 10000 mAh battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous heat
- Charges a variety of hand-held or other electronic devices
- C-Link feature allows other Celestron power banks to extend heat times up to 20 hours
- Auto charge feature simply plugs into the USB port to begin charging
- Warranty: 2-years for defective parts.
The ThermoTorches come with a nylon carrying case.
Elements ThermoTorch 10 Specifications:
- Battery Type/Size: Lithium Ion Metal Cased Cylinder / 5000 mAh
- Batteries Required: (2)
- Overall Length: Not listed (approximately 6.0 inches)
- Width: Not listed (approximately 1.o inch tube)
- Weight: Not listed
- Battery Life: Hand Warmer function up to 10 hours
- Hand Warmer Temperature Range: 103° to 114° F (approx.. 40° to 46° C)
- Flashlight Modes: Low, Medium, High
- Flashlight Power/Times: LOW = 60 Lumens for 48 hours
- Flashlight Power/Times: MED = 100 Lumens for 30 hours
- Flashlight Power/Times: HIGH = 300 Lumens for 8 hours
- Flashlight Bulb: CREE® XLAMP® XP-G2, bright white 5W LED
- Battery Life: Hand-warmer/Light simultaneous 6-hours (LOW setting)
- MSRP: $89.99 ($79.95 + Free Shipping at [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CJ1C9B0″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Amazon[/easyazon_link])
Final Thoughts
BlueSheepDog Crew members have not had the opportunity to handle, use, or test the features and claims of the Celestron Elements ThermoTorch flashlights. As such, we cannot recommend their use for law enforcement duties. However, the features of the lights appear to be well worth investigating.
Who wouldn’t appreciate having a flashlight that provides additional hand-warming heat during the cold winters. In addition, the ability to plug-in cell phones, GPS units, or other devices could prove to be critical for officers in rural areas, or investigating complicated crime scenes or long-term events like a barricaded subject.
Though the ThermoTorch only produces 300 lumens, this is still a respectable amount of light, and more than enough for many law enforcement functions. We will attempt to obtain a ThermoTorch for review, but in the meantime keep these lights in mind if you are considering a back-up flashlight.