Handy flashlight a bright idea

File IMPEL Tronics innovative telescoping flashlight under the “I wish I had thought of that!” category.

extendable-telescoping-magnetic-flashlightsThe Extendable Magnetic LED Flashlight is truly a bright idea. It’s a slim, compact LED flashlight that extends to nearly two feet long, with handy magnets on both ends. The heavy-duty magnet on the bottom can lift up to 8 pounds and attaches to metal, such as the beams in your basement, so you can use it for hands-free illumination.

There is also a magnet on the light head that makes it easy-peasy to retrieve metal objects in hard-to-reach places, such as when your car keys slide into the crevice between the front seats. You can attach it to your belt or a pocket with a sturdy clip.

The nice folks at IMPEL Tronics sent me a flashlight to try myself. I put it to the test in my dungeon of a basement laundry room, where the flashlight illuminated a few wire hangers on the floor under the ironing board — and then picked them up with the magnet! No bending, no contorting to reach the hangers.

This flashlight is metallic pink, ideal for a girl’s night stand. The original IMPEL Tronics Telescoping flashlight also is available in black, silver, red and blue and can be purchased through the company website and a handful of distributors. MSRP: $20.99.