TerraLUX, best known for the MiniStar line of LED upgrade modules, also has a small line of performance flashlights. The LightStar family consists of several AA-powered flashlights, with the new LightStar300 featuring a wide beam pattern and increased brightness over older models. Standard features of the LightStar are aluminum construction, removable pocket clip, and a wrist strap lanyard.
Key Specifications
- Output: 140 lumens (estimated)
- Runtime: 3h
- Battery: 2 x AA
- Length: 5.9″
- Diameter: 1.0″ bezel, 0.9″ body
- Weight with Batteries: 5.25 oz.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- MSRP: $54.99
- Actual Pricing: ~$35
Pricing & Ordering
MSRP for the LightStar300 is $54.99, and is available in titanium gray or high visibility orange. The LightStar300 can be found for around $40 at retailers such as Amazon.com.
In The Box
Included in the blister packaging are: TerraLUX LightStar300, lanyard, and 2 x AA Duracell alkaline battery.
The LightStar300 is backed by TerraLUX’s new lifetime warranty, which covers all LightStar flashlights purchased since September 2010.
Batteries
The LightStar300 uses two AA alkaline batteries, which are included, and NiMH rechargeable and Energizer Lithium primary AA’s may also be used for increased brightness and more consistent output.
The Light
Head
The head features a glass window and a textured orange-peel reflector, and cannot be removed from the body.
There are three flat edges on the head, which stops the light from rolling away.
Body
The light is type-II anodized aluminum inside and out, and both the pocket clip and lanyard ring are removable.
Tail Cap
On the tail cap is a reverse clicky-type switch covered by black rubber.
The switch is recessed, which prevents accidental button presses or mode changes, and the tailcap can be unscrewed a quarter-turn to lock-out the light.
Modes
After turning the light on, a light tap on the switch changes the mode. The light retains memory of the previously used mode for approximately 5 seconds.
1 Click: High
A single click activates 100% mode.
2 Clicks: Low
With two clicks, the ~10% mode is activated.
Performance
At the moment, TerraLUX does not use ANSI standardized specifications, and the stated 300 lumens is theoretical and does not consider optical losses. Actual output is around 140 lumens for high mode and 10 lumens on low.
In contrast with tactical lights, the LightStar300 has a more evenly distributed flood beam, which is easy on the eyes and great for close or indoor work.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
Conclusion
Functional would be the best way to describe the LightStar300. Most flashlights are designed for high-output tactical use, which tends to be a drawback for household or professional use as tactical lights are designed to illuminate distant objects. With a smooth glare-free beam, the LightStar300 is ideal for everyday use around the home or workplace.
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Just thank you for the great review. All I wanted to know if this is really 300 lumen, and no other review seemed to have mentioned it but you! Thanks!
Hi there I have a lightstar 220 and the actual OTF lumens is around 160 so this light is going to be much brighter than 140 OTF.
Thanks for the review
I have this terraLUX 300 along with an 80 lumen 2AAA terralux, BUT have some problems!!! in both the LED has “burnt out”. Both times this occurred about 2days of putting new batteries in (duracell alkaline by the way). The 1st indication of any problem is the rubberised switch started to bulge and on opening I’ve found my new batteries AA and AAA alike have sweated and leaked. The litestar 300 died immediately and the smaller model a few days after with once more fres batteries inserted. Would be interested to know if this could be considered under the lifetime warranty as am unable to change the LED in either as seem to be very much sealed units. I am in Australia so would need to send them to USA and only worth doing if valid under warranty. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Brenda,
I have forwarded your concerns to TerraLUX, and they should get in touch with you shortly.
Robin
I have the TerraLUX LIGHTSTAR 300 in orange. It is a very nice little light, and gets used daily. (I even had a combination sheath made for it and my EDC folding knife) , however, I too, am having recent problems with it. It has served me well, but the non-removable head is loose on the body and the output is less than before. As it has the lifetime warranty, how do I get it replaced?
First of all if you can’t fix it, I WILL purchase another one. I’ve owned my titanium TerraLUX Lightstar 300 at least 7 years and alas the LED will flicker or fade out. Be advised this is NOT a complaint, I just wish it was end user repairable.
I have been known to turn around on my way home to retrieve it whenever I forgot it. I hope it’s repairable because if I do have to purchase a new one, what am I to do with the broken one? It would be like throwing a good friend away?
It’s a superb product and I can’t count the number of times my friends borrowed it and “forgot” to return it. It’s just one hell of a flashlight as evidenced by the fact that after all these years I haven’t lost it! My daily running around stuff Is a wallet, phone, Kershaw folder, and the lightstar 300.
Thanks for making them,
Anton
Help!!! I have a Lightstar 300 and 220. I have the same problem with both. The tail cap switch has failed. When the first one went bad i took it off of the spare but now that one too has died. I have to press it several times until proper contact has been made and even then i can’t bump or it will turn off. So now I have 2 bad flashlights. If you can direct me where to purchase the cap switch i will be very thankful.
Our company has been purchasing the Lightstar 300 series for about the past year. Recently we have had five of them stop working. LED lights have gone out in them. Batteries have sweated and leaked after only being in the flashlights a week. We would like to send these back for replacements, as the other one’s we are using work great. Just need to find out if this is covered under the warrenty
I have to have my terralux 300 for work daily. Hands down the best ,most dependable I’ve ever ownedone. I only wish it could be repaired. The led seems to be fading out at times ,then it just goes dark. Most of the time with a little coaxing it’ll come back on. I just can’t bring myself let it go. Best tool in my bag for sure. I’d like to know if it could be a warranty issue. How could I find out if it’s covered or not ?
Yeah I got 4 Lightstar 80 lights. They work till you need batteries and then NEVER WORK AGAIN! I guess they are programmed to shut down the junk led when the batteries die. POS !
Never buy Lightstar
My wonderful starlight 300 stopped working. What can be done about a replacement? Thank you, Roy
My Terra LUX Lightstar 300 wiil no longer light I have replaced batteries to no avail. Is it the diode? Is there a warranty? Thanks
Dennis,
Most likely the issue is with the driver since you are not getting any output at all, but you are unfortunately out of luck even though the product has a lifetime warranty. TerraLUX has split into two companies, with flashlights business becoming LightStart Corp, which seems to be defunct now.
Robin
I need new 300 !!!!! Or parts!!!!