Big all-around "Dad" light

[fneuf]

Hello,

My dad would like to upgrade his current light. He has an old big 4D bulb flashlight, "Philips" branded and would like a similar sized lamp. He knows the type of power we can now get of small lights, but is more comfortable with big one (more easy to find for instance).

So here is the small spec requirements:

• Type: Flashlight
• Length of his current one: 330mm
• Head diameter of his current: 95mm
• Weight of his current: 790g (batteries installed)
• Energy: Rechargeable cells (in an ideal world I would prefer NiMh over LiIon, and the always possible, while rare, accidents with this tech)
• Beam should mix flood and throw
• Multiple modes including a "moon mode" to be able to walk/see @ 1m (and to remind him of his old Philips bulb :devil: )
• Interface have to be simple to use, or to understand
• Integrated USB charger would be a plus, but not mandatory (he already has an olight USB charger)
• Use : 80% around the house, 20% small hiking (<5km)
• High CRI
• No really a budget limit (but considering the intended usage something above 100$ would really need to justify its price)
• I'm opened to mods
• Have to be delivered for Christmas

When he opened the discussion on that, I instantanely thought of the Convoy L6, though it is still way smaller than his current offering it could probably feet the purpose. My second thought is the BLF GT, but this one would clearly be overkill (probably too big and too powerful, and will never be there for Christmas).

And you, what models would you recommend?

 

[ven]

How about a malkoff drop in for the maglite, just a thought and he keeps the same form factor.

 

[stfc69]

Acebeam K60, although not particularly high CRI...

 

[bykfixer]

Maglite 3 cell ML300 from WalMart or Home Depot. $35 plus some Rayovac leak proof batteries.

Similar in size/weight and easy to operate.
You can buy D sized adapters and use AA eneloops if the Rayovacs are a no go.

 

[LeanBurn]

How about a malkoff drop in for the maglite, just a thought and he keeps the same form factor.

big 4D bulb flashlight, "Philips" branded. .... It's not a Maglite, so fit would be questionable. A Cree type drop-in "may" work but it wouldn't fit the moon-mode or rechargeable criteria.



What about a pop can light like the Thrunite TN4A ?

 

[nfetterly]

Or the BLF Q8 popcan light. Lithium though...

 

[Agpp]

Being open to mods adds many possibilities. Timing requirements kills most of them.
I suggest to look into Emisar D4 UI. Simple yet powerful. Ask Lexel if he can supply a driver early enough.
Host? BLF Q8 ain't large really. You'll pay premium to have one shipped from Europe, but take it, replace the LEDs with 219b and you're going to make a superb light.
Alternatives?
MF01 comes to mind. Costlier, slightly larger, floodier, much more powerful.

 

[Keitho]

I'm slowly converting my wife into a flashaholic. She's discovered that she loves the Noctigon M43 I casually put by the door. I have it set up in ui3 on med/high/low, but mostly she just clicks it on and off. She doesn't realize that the light looks so good because of the color temp and CRI of the Nichia LED, and she CERTAINLY doesn't know the cost!

To make it work for your dad, you'd want a 4 cell charger and some protected cells, which puts you over budget and gets you into lithium ion. But, for "impressive" high CRI in a still-shockingly-small package, the M43 is still hard to beat.

 

[fneuf]

Here is an illustration of the current flashlight I took for you guys. No beamshot, but it really looks like a candle, no kidding.

​

Thanks for all your propositions!

@ven @bykfixe: One slight update, I'm based in Europe. Therefore any Maglite is generally overpriced. For instance an ML300, as quoted in this thread, is around 95$.

@Agpp: As I understand the GT is not yet shipped tough last time I checked it appeared to be a "days" question. But only the first 500 pre orders will be shipped before Christmas.

@stfc69 @LeanBurn @nfetterly @Keitho: For the can/soda lights, I don't know his feeling, I'll ask him. But I guess it will be seen as differing from the tower form factor. For sure, by those times those looks way more popular than the "Maglite tower form".

@LeanBurn: Back in time, I had looked to mod his current Philips light, but no simple option appeared. Even sourcing replacement bulbs was difficult. It's rather unconventional and a very "raw" model.