From the makers of the GorillaPod, which was reviewed on TakTik earlier in Feb 2010, now comes the GorillaTorch! Based on the same concept, with the unique flexible tripod legs, only this time in the space where you would have put your camera they have attached a torch unit.

Now if you’re like me you are probably thinking why the hell would I want a torch on a tripod but then I remembered the times that I had been working inside my PC with a small torch clamped between my teeth so I could see what I was doing. In fact the more I thought about it the more uses I could find for it, including power outages, lights-out reading, camping trips, roadside breakdowns, home improvement, lighting in a shed/garage, night-time barbeques/parties etc, etc, etc.

The unit has a 65 lumen, ultra bright CREE LED with a reflector for an intense beam and an adjustable dimmer but what does that mean in terms of brightness? Well let me tell you that I leant out of the window of my second floor studio flat and looked out into the dark garden below, I couldn’t see much at all. Then I turned the dimmer up on the torch to its most powerful setting and shone it out of the window, following the intense beam that was emitting from the torch I was able to see very clearly what I was shining it on. Very impressive especially when you consider that my eyesight is terrible at the best of times and even worse at night! Then I thought what a great thing to have if you hear a noise in the garden but you’re too afraid to go out and have a look because this little baby is powerful enough for you to see without having to venture outside.

The torch is water resistant which is handy considering our current climate and, as with the GorillaPod, the legs have ball and socket joints enabling you to twist and bend them into any sort of position. It also has rubberized feet so if you just want to stand it up in a tripod position it doesn’t slip or scratch your surfaces. Furthermore it has extremely powerful magnetic feet and can be stuck on a vertical metal surface and not move or fall off. You can pretty much attach it to just about anything in some way thus leaving your hands free and able to see just what you need to!

The torch is powered by 3 AA size batteries and weighs around 185g so it’s very portable. Battery life is quoted at around 20 hours on its maximum setting, 50 hours on optimum and 80 hours on economy. Ok so it’s not the cheapest torch in the world but with its endless uses and practicability it is worth every single penny, a superb investment!

RRP: £29.99 and available from Amazon and other retailers.

See www.intro2020.co.uk for more details