Compact light recommendations

FatTony

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Hi, I'm new here and looking for recommendations for a compact yet robust flashlight suitable for underground exploration (caves, underground tunnels and facilities, etc). Until now I have been using a PT Surge as my primary light which is in my opinion fantastic offering great brightness and burn time, however the bulb life isn't great and I'm finding it harder to source replacements. Can anyone recommend another good compact light offering at least the same performance and burn time as the PT Surge?



Cheers



Tony
 

Casual Flashlight User

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Don't know what your price range is Tony, but here's a few ideas to get you started...more experienced folk will probably be along later with some more.


$90 - HDS EDC B42, four levels of output, takes one CR123 battery, under 3 1/2 inches long.

No reviews, but one of the best lights that money can buy IMHO.


$43.50 - Fenix L1T - 2 levels of output, takes one standard AA battery, just over 3 1/2 inches long.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l1t-l2t.htm


$28 - Civictor V1 - single level, takes one standard AA battery, under 3 1/3 inches long

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/civictor_v1.htm


Personally I'd never go exploring anywhere unless I had two light sources at least, and spare batteries for both - I would also use lithium batteries in all my lights for maximum performance and runtime.

Back up light suggestion - Fenix E1 on a lanyard around your neck, small, reasonably bright for it's size and will run for around 3 hours at peak brightness, runs off one standard AAA battery.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_e1.htm


All lights I've listed available at fenix-store.com or lighthound.com - both are excellent dealers.


CFU
 

Rando

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FYI, the Surge isn't what most of the people on CPF will consider compact. (Nice light, though. Love mine.) Are you looking for something in the same size range, or are you looking for something smaller?
 

nima

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Hello, Tony,
Would you mind a light that uses somewhat difficult to find batteries? A lot of higher-end lights use Lithium CR123s, which are affordably priced on the net, but cost up to 10 dollars each at retail stores. If you wouldn't mind buying your cells from Internet sources, then there are quite a few lights available to you that I believe would fulfill your needs. For example, the Streamlight TL-3 uses 3 of the aforementioned cells, outputs just above your Surge, and gives around 1 hour of battery life. The Surefire G2 runs on 2 cells, has around half the brightness, and runtime similar to the TL-3. The G2 costs around 35 dollars, and the bulb costs around 17. Streamlight's TL-3 will set you back around 60 dollars, but the bulb is only 5. Their TL-2 might also be worth a look.

If alkaline cells are important to you, I would recommend either the Streamlight ProPoly Luxeon 4AA, or the Fenix L2T. Both of these are LED lights, and never need bulb replacements. The 4AA runs on 4 AA cells (surprise?) and the L2T runs on two. The L2T is a 2AA version of the L1T mentioned by CFU, and also has 2 brightness levels. Set to low brightness, it provides ample light for navigation, and runs just around forever. It runs for around 1.5 or 2.5 hours, depending on whether you use it with alkalines or NiMH cells. The ProPoly 4AA will give you an astounding 4 to 5 hours of output. Neither of these lights are as bright as your Surge, but the output from them is regulated and essentially non-dimming, unlike your current light, which spends most of its time somewhere between 25 and 50 percent of its maximum brightness. The Streamlight ProPoly is also very durable. It will costs you around 30 dollars. The Fenix runs around 45.

The Nuwai 301X-5 would seem to be a good choice for an LED light that runs on CR123 cells. It is very bright, and runs for around 2 hours on 2 cells. It is priced at around 65 dollars.

I agree with CFU that the Fenix E1 would make an exceptional backup light.

I would recommend that you take a look around some review sites, such as flashlightreviews.com. This site tends to be quite informative, and an excellent buying guide.

I wish you the best of luck in your search, and with your new light.

Regards,
Nima
 
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FatTony

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At the moment I have the Surge as my primary light and carry a 2D Mag (as well as snap sticks) in reserve. I'm happy with the size of the Surge but wouldn't want to go any larger, smaller is fine but I really need something that can match both the output and burn time. The Mag light definitely needs replacing with something smaller and brighter.

As far as budget is concerned I'd like to keep it under $100.
 

carrot

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I will recommend the Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon, maybe even two if you like, for a backup. It's under $40 at Fox-intl.com last time I checked, and is highly regarded here as a durable and reliable light. It's bright and will run on alkalines for 3h40m, but will continue to put out some light for a few hours after that.

You can see a review here: http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propolyluxeon.htm

If you're looking for something very slim yet bright, I would recommend the Fenix L2T from Fenix-Store.com as a few others already have, but my top choice would be the Streamlight.
 
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joema

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FatTony said:
...looking for recommendations for a compact yet robust flashlight suitable for underground exploration (caves, underground tunnels and facilities, etc)...Can anyone recommend another good compact light offering at least the same performance and burn time as the PT Surge?
Tony, the Surge has tremendous output and throw at a good price. However running time is short -- 43 minutes to 50% output. I also didn't like changing 8 AAs in the battery carrier.

You'll have a hard time matching that output & throw in a smaller light, especially under $100. However there are some excellent choices.

If you want a rechargeable incandescent with plenty of output, some good options are the Streamlight Stinger: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_stinger.htm or Ultrastinger: http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.php?Sku=STR78014 or (for a very compact light) the Streamlight Strion: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_strion.htm. If you want a plastic body to mitigate scuffs and scratches, there's the Polystinger: http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.php?Sku=STR76014

You won't find a single-emitter LED light with the same output as the Surge. However several are pretty powerful. One example is the LED Logic Striker-VG: http://www.batteryjunction.com/ledlostvgtaf1.html

Elektrolumens makes several very powerful multiple-emitter LED lights in varying sizes. This one is pretty powerful, just $112: http://elektrolumens.com/Tri-Blaster-4C/Tri-Blaster-4C.html

Personally I always like a variable output light. Most of the time you don't need full output, which greatly conserves battery life. One good example:
HDS U60 (now just $135): http://www.lighthound.com/sales/hds_edc_ultimate_flashlights.htm

Lastly, a headlamp is often very useful when working underground. Some good examples:

Streamlight Argo HP: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_argohp.htm
Stenlight S7 (way over your price limit at $310, but it's a professional-quality unit): http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/stenlight_s7.htm

For solo underground work, I'd suggest:

(1) For emergency backup, a Photon microlight (or Photon clone) around your neck: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/lri_freedommax.htm
(2) Ditch the 2D Mag. It's Prehistoric, heavy and doesn't have much output. Even the new 2AA or 3AA MiniMag LED is probably better. You can get them at Wal-Mart for about $25. Another good option is the Streamlight Propoly Luxeon 4AA, as already stated. The Surfire G2 is inexpensive, tough and has lots of output: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_g2.htm
(3) Ditch the Surge and get a Streamlight Stinger, Ultrastinger, Strion, Striker VG, Elektrolumens Tri-Blaster, etc. Key items are do you want rechargeable or not, and LED vs incandescent.
(4) Get a headlamp. Personally I like the Argo HP, as it's lightweight, has two output levels and is powerful. Many other good choices available. If nothing else get the River Rock 0.5w headlamp. It's very inexpensive, has decent output, available at Target stores: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/riverrock_headlamp.htm
 
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europium

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I don't know how appropriate these two lights might be for what you have in mind, but I have been looking at getting them for myself.

The Pila GL3 is an incandescent that is similar in size and output to the PT Surge. It can run on 3 CR123 batteries or, even better, on two rechargeable 300P batteries. Review here: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/pila_gl3.htm


The Stenlight S7 is a powerful multi-stage light that can be attached to a helmet (and, eventually, a bicycle). Review here: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/stenlight_s7.htm
 

Barbarin

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I can not believe nobody is recomending the only ones that were designed for caving and cavediving... No one of the flashlight mentioned above will stand what a Barbolight will. And if you are into caving, you know what means having a reliable lighting equipment.

It is somewhat above of your price range, but being rechargeable will save you a lot of money if you use it often.


forosbasaurabh2.jpg


Take a look at the group buy.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/129037

Javier
 
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Illum

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carrot said:
I will recommend the Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon, maybe even two if you like, for a backup. It's under $40 at Fox-intl.com last time I checked, and is highly regarded here as a durable and reliable light. It's bright and will run on alkalines for 3h40m, but will continue to put out some light for a few hours after that.

You can see a review here: http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_propolyluxeon.htm

Totally waterproof [I swim with it, I oughta know], shockproof [no filement to break], long runtime with steady regulation [I have yet to burn out my first set of duracells].

Carrot...its even less
http://www.fox-intl.com/searchresult.asp?id=3490
runs at about $30
 

Rando

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Barbarin said:
It is somewhat above of your price range, but being rechargeable will save you a lot of money if you use it often.

I think that the fact that the cheapest Barbolight will run close to 3X FatTony's maximum budget is probably why nobody has mentioned them. Being able to run cheaply on rechargables doesn't mean a thing if you can't afford the light in the first place.
 

CLHC

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Another CPF member jtice uses his Streamlight 4AA ProPolymer Luxeon for caving along with other headlights, and is a sound recommendation as others here stated regarding said light. Or you can go with the 3 C cell version.

Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy!
 

Barbarin

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Rando said:
I think that the fact that the cheapest Barbolight will run close to 3X FatTony's maximum budget is probably why nobody has mentioned them. Being able to run cheaply on rechargables doesn't mean a thing if you can't afford the light in the first place.

If you look at the GB you will see that it is double, not triple. Still a lot of money, I understand it.

Javier
 

Sharpdogs

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It took me awhile to get around to picking up one the SL Propolymers. My wife had the LED version which has worked well for the past few years, but the Luxeon is really amazing. I originally purchased a small lot to put on the website. I kept one for myself, for research :grin2: . This thing is bright! I have been using it instead of Inova T3 to see what poor creature my dog has corned late at night. I dread the day it's a skunk, usually it's just a cat. One big plus with SL Propolymer Luxeon is that it uses common AA batteries. It will even stand on its tailcap. It's a true classic.
 

CLHC

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Another option may be/could be the one called "My Little Friend" by Elektrolumens, or even the Blaster Jr.
 

Rando

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Barbarin said:
If you look at the GB you will see that it is double, not triple. Still a lot of money, I understand it.

Javier

You are correct, I didn't see the U-04 model. Nice looking lights.
 
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