Based on the form of its more modest predecessor, the Buckshot speaker, the Buckshot Pro now boasts a light with three settings - strobe, camplight and torch - as well as a USB output to transform it into a powerbank for charging your phone or GPS.
On the speaker front the Buckshot is certainly better than most phones (and will prolong that device's battery life), but despite its Passive Bass Port, doesn't exactly blow us away with the size or quality of its sounds. A full charge of the Lithium Ion battery will give you between 10 and 16 hours of music
On the other hand, the light functions are impressive, with a powerful, wide beam from the single LED on flashlight mode. Press again to access the camplight mode, and the flashlight switches off and the white rubber rim of the light attachment lights up. This radiates a diffused, non-dazzling light around the Buckshot Pro, which is easily enough to light a small group of tents or a big family tent.
Press one more time and the LED will strobe, making the Buckshot a beacon in emergencies with an extended battery life and visibility.
To access the powerbank USB you unscrew the slightly cheap feeling plastic collar and simply unplug the light from the USB slot. A full charge of the 2600 mAh battery takes about 3 hours an it will charge your devices with an middle-of-the-range power 1.1A.
Other than the plastic collar connecting the light to the main body, the rest of the Buckshot Pro feels good quality, and is covered with a grippy rubber sheath. The whole unit is dust and water resistant to IPX5 and comes in a choice of six different colours.
The 'bike mount' is essentially two rubber rings with a flat section to hold it on your bars but, while it's useful to have as a back up, is not really good enough to replace a 'proper' dedicated bike light.
All said though, the Buckshot Pro is a useful Jack of all trades for any camping or outdoor adventure and justifies its place in your backpack.
