ESZ Fishing is a tenkara brand you’re likely not aware of unless you pay really close attention. Known for making quality, yet under the radar rods and accessories, I’ve been given the opportunity to try and change that perception, and their fly tying lamp is one of the latest items to land on my desk. Full disclosure: Ethan at ESZ sent this lamp for evaluation purposes. With an upcoming fishing trip requiring some serious vise time to get prepared, the timing was good and I’ve had a few solid sessions to form some early impressions.
First Impressions
Right out of the box, the ESZ Ultra-Portable LED Fly Tying Lamp feels more substantial than the $49.99 price tag might suggest. It’s compact, folding down to just 6 x 2.75 x 2 inches and weighing about 13 ounces, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy in the hand. The build quality has a reassuring solidity to it that I appreciate, especially on a piece of gear that’s likely going to get tossed in and out of a bag.
What I Like
The brightness is the headline feature and it delivers. The lamp offers stepless dimming across three lighting modes: warm (3000K), cool (6000K), and a mixed option in between. That means you can dial in exactly the kind of light your tying session needs. I’ve been tying small kebari and the cool white mode in particular makes it easy to see thread wraps and fine materials clearly.
The power bank function is a feature I wasn’t expecting to care about but immediately found practical. The built-in 10,000 mAh battery provides roughly 10 hours of runtime at full brightness, and with the included USB-C cable and certified power adapter brick, you have everything you need right in the box. No hunting for a compatible cord, no adapter anxiety before a trip. That kind of completeness in the package is worth noting.
For travel, the foldable design and compact footprint make it easy to pack or not really worry about sacrificing desk space for at home use.
A Few Caveats
The button controls are functional but not immediately intuitive. It took a few minutes of fiddling to get comfortable with the mode switching and dimming sequence. Nothing that a quick glance at the manual won’t sort out, but there is a bit of a learning curve on what is otherwise a simple device.
I also have to be honest about the countdown timer feature, which offers 15, 30, or 45 minute intervals alongside a built-in digital time display. I can see the intent behind it, managing your tying session in timed blocks, but I haven’t found a use for it personally and doubt I will. If that feature resonates with how you approach the vise, great. If not, it’s easy enough to ignore.
Early Verdict
A few sessions in, the ESZ lamp has earned a spot on my tying bench and I can see it making future trips with me. At $49.99 with everything included, the value proposition feels strong for a portable lamp with this level of brightness and versatility. That being said, not being a hardcore fly tyer, I don’t claim to be an expert on all the other competing lighting solutions, so your thoughts may differ. If my opinion changes, I’ll revisit with a longer-term evaluation down the road, but the early read is a good one.
ESZ Fishing has kindly provided a coupon code for all Tenkara Angler readers!
Save 10% off your purchase at their website using code TANGLER
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