There’s no rule that says everyday tools need to be mundane and boring. With the trend in everyday carries and kits, people are discovering how ordinary objects can become more interesting or even more functional by changing their designs. Sometimes that means giving the object a fresh new look, one far removed from the original design and yet even more familiar to people. A flashlight, for example, doesn’t have to just be a cylindrical or rectangular stick you point with, and this concept design runs with that freedom to envision alternative forms, giving it the shape and interface of one of the most familiar products of this age: our smartphones.

Designer: Sihyun Choi

There is, of course, a good reason why conventional flashlights are shaped as long fat cylinders. They’re easy to grab and wrap your hands around, and their length allows you to possibly insert it in narrow spaces. There might also be some traces of their original inspiration, the equally cylindrical candlesticks. It might be an ergonomic design, but ergonomics can change over time as well.

Today, for example, many people are just as adept at grasping their smartphones in their hands, which is the inspiration behind the WHITT concept. In a nutshell, it takes the basic form of a smartphone but puts the internals of a flashlight instead. It’s not a completely faithful recreation of a smartphone, of course, considering it tapers to one side a bit. It actually looks more like a lopsided flask or even a handheld laser projector in this case.

WHITT is also operated like a smartphone, at least when it comes to turning it on and off. The button is at the side, like where you would find a phone’s own power button, which is something we probably unconsciously push dozens or even hundreds of times a day. The similarities end there, however, as the flashlight isn’t even powered by rechargeable batteries. It uses two AA batteries that can be easily swapped out, unlike the fixed batteries inside smartphones.

As interesting as the design might be, it still leaves the question of ergonomics hanging. Opposite the tapered side is a curved edge with a ribbed surface that should improve the flashlight’s grip. Even then, a cylindrical flashlight is probably still easier to grip firmly, which is an important aspect of the tool’s utility.

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Life is like an adventure. You never know where it takes you so you best be prepared with the right tools to face anything. Everyday Carries have become popular exactly for this reason, making sure you have everything you need for any situation. Of course, not all tools are made equal, and some designs come in small packages at the expense of functionality and usefulness. A small flashlight, for example, might be able to do just one thing, and it won’t last very long on small AAA batteries. There’s no rule that says you have to pick between power and portability, and this very capable flashlight is proof of that. It crams no less than three types of very bright lights and can even function as an emergency power bank, all while sporting a compact palm-sized design that can withstand any weather condition or even an accidental drop in a puddle.

Designer: LOOP GEAR

Click Here to Buy Now: $57 $99 (43% off). Hurry, only 930/1000 left! Raised over $174,000.

EDC flashlights are quickly growing in number, and they’re defined by how small they can be to fit in your pouch or even your pocket. Most of the time, the smaller devices get, the less capable they become, but the LOOP GEAR SK05 is ready to prove them wrong. A small handheld device can function as a floodlight, a spotlight, and even a sidelight with enough brightness to let you safely see in the dark or call for help. And it’s designed to be easy to use with one hand, freeing your other hand to take action when needed.

The LOOP GEAR SK05’s ergonomic design includes grooves to rest your fingers on one side, and a rounded trim edge on the opposite side for your palm, giving you a confident grip whether you hold it with your right or your left hand. The dial ring that sits on the side is the only control you need to operate the flashlight and it’s conveniently always under your thumb, no matter how you hold it. You can easily switch from floodlight to spotlight with a turn of the dial or press the center button to activate the sidelight. There’s also lockout mode so that the flashlight doesn’t turn on accidentally in your pocket or bag and drain the battery or, worse, cause a fire hazard.

Spotlight & Floodlight Fast Switch

Sidelight

With its small size, it’s pretty mind-blowing how bright the SK05 can be. The SK05 Pro floodlight can reach a maximum of 3060 lumens output (2250 lumens for the base SK05), and the maximum beam range for the spotlight is 405 meters (370 meters for the SK05). The sidelight is no slouch either, featuring five modes (Constant Light, Flowing Light, Running Light, Night Light, and Colorful Light) and seven colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple), and you can even adjust the brightness for each of these. The sidelight can be used not just to illuminate or set the mood but to also call attention in case of an emergency.

Powering the LOOP GEAR SK05 are two rechargeable 18650 batteries, but the EDC flashlight is so robust that it can even work with a single battery thanks to the SK05 Pro’s parallel circuit design. You can also easily pop off the cover and replace the batteries in a flash for continuous use. And when it comes time to charge those batteries, the onboard 20W Type-C charger can fill them up in just two hours. Thanks to that USB-C connection, the SK05 can also function as a 20W power bank, keeping your phone from draining its own battery too quickly.

If its industrial design isn’t enough proof, the LOOP GEAR SK05 is made to withstand extreme weather conditions, especially with its IP68 rating that helps it survive underwater for a while. The EDC flashlight’s versatile design includes a clip for belts and pockets as well as a magnetic tail cap that can attach to the side of cars or any metal surface, freeing your hands to do the work you need to accomplish. And if the $200,000 stretch goal is reached, LOOP GEAR will also make the A03 Sheath for even easier handling as well as protection for the EDC flashlight. With the compact and versatile LOOP GEAR SK05 EDC flashlight, no darkness or emergency will be too tough to handle, bringing not only brightness but even a bit of power to your outdoor and nighttime adventures.

Click Here to Buy Now: $57 $99 (43% off). Hurry, only 930/1000 left! Raised over $174,000.

The post Handsome EDC flashlight is compact, powerful, versatile, and is also a power bank first appeared on Yanko Design.