With no engine to charge the boat batteries, a waterproof torch was essential while we were on power rations on our way to Cascais. Not only did it allow me to navigate my way round the cockpit, finding out which rope was which, but was vital in steering the right course as we had no compass light. Fortunately, before the race I went down to my local chandler and purchased a NitePalm PALM4.
The NitePalm Palm4 is a wide angle beam LED torch which is powered by a 9V alkaline cell. It has 4 different modes, including high, low, SOS blink and 'always on' which projects a very low output soft glow so it is easy to find at night. It provides up to 40 hours of continuous bright light on full power or 200 hours of strobe. But the really interesting fact is that if left on 'always on' permanent glow mode the battery can last for well over a year!
The textured rubber cover provides both good grip and durability. The torch was dropped and thrown around on several occasions, but coped with the low level impacts well. It is operated by a small push button switch which is easily navigated with a gloved hand. Make sure you read the instructions though, so you know how long to hold it down to activate different settings.
Its small, ergonomic design means the PALM4 is easily stowed, though I didn't think much of the belt clip option. Within a day it had snapped straight off and as it doesn't come with any other fastening I was forced to fashion a handle out of a piece of string. Another slight irritation is that you require a coin to change the battery. Not that I have had to do this in the short time I have owned it, but this could potentially be quite an annoyance if you were in a hurry.
When using the full beam function, the NitePalm PALM4 can throw out a beam of approximately 90 feet through its fisheye lens. This produces a wide focused pool of light that is slightly more intense in the centre. Due to a protective rubber rim around the lens, the beam is cut off around the edge, so no peripheral areas are lit.
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A user friendly, durable torch that is useful for sailing. The price is right at only £12.95. But don't relay on the belt clip too heavily as it may well let you down.
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For more information on NitePalm, visit www.nitepalm.com.
