Higher Technology Flashlight Recommendation

[Charlene]

Can anyone recommend a higher technology HB LED flashlight? Maybe something in the 200 - 500 lumen range? A focusing flashlight would be nice, with a uniform beam (no rings, not a lot of overspill needed). A high efficiency controller is preferred - probably a microcontroller-based synchronous boost-buck constant current DC-DC converter. For high efficiency, I'd like an anti-reflective coated lens using a TIR lens (no reflector). The HB LED and switch mode power supply should possibly use a copper heat sink. I'd prefer "common" (easy to find/easy to charge) Ni-MH AA batteries over hard-to-use Li ion cells. The batteries can be charged externally to the flashlight. I'd like two controls: an on-off switch in series with a mode selector - I want the needed mode immediately. I don't want to cycle through a lot of operating modes to find the one I want. I'm not very particular about modes, but low and high would be nice. Other features are not important to me (cost, size, weight, anti-roll, tactical, etc.). I just want a long lasting, easy-to-use flashlight that can throw light when and where I need it. Thanks.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Can anyone recommend a higher technology HB LED flashlight? Maybe something in the 200 - 500 lumen range? A focusing flashlight would be nice, with a uniform beam (no rings, not a lot of overspill needed). A high efficiency controller is preferred - probably a microcontroller-based synchronous boost-buck constant current DC-DC converter. For high efficiency, I'd like an anti-reflective coated lens using a TIR lens (no reflector). The HB LED and switch mode power supply should possibly use a copper heat sink. I'd prefer "common" (easy to find/easy to charge) Ni-MH AA batteries over hard-to-use Li ion cells. The batteries can be charged externally to the flashlight. I'd like two controls: an on-off switch in series with a mode selector - I want the needed mode immediately. I don't want to cycle through a lot of operating modes to find the one I want. I'm not very particular about modes, but low and high would be nice. Other features are not important to me (cost, size, weight, anti-roll, tactical, etc.). I just want a long lasting, easy-to-use flashlight that can throw light when and where I need it. Thanks.

WOW you lost me with all the electronic talk. Why do you think lithium batteries are hard to use? They work like every other battery. Is it the price or the exploding thing or what? Rechargeable 18650's are great.

What is a HB LED?

AA light with a TIR hmmmmm idk if there are any that do 500lm? Surefire is known for using TIR's but almost all there lights are CR123 only and I don't think you would like there user interfaces. I think something with a Cree XP-G2 would be good for you.

You could also look at the Eagletac G25C2 but it runs on lithiums or there P20A2 for AA offerings. They supposedly have the high quality electronics your after Or the Quark Tactical AA^2 but the XP-G isn't that bright and the XM-L is very floody.

What lights do you already have? You seem to be fairly knowledgeable.

[Gunner12]

The Flashlight recommendation checklist might clarify what you want.

Most multimode lights use a µC to control output but not many have a buck-boost converter. Most of the better quality lights have AR coated glass but most have Al heatsinks and no adjustable beams. Aluminum does pretty well to heatsink these LEDs.

There are some lights with a main button and either a selector ring or a second mode button.

What lights do you own or have you used before? Maybe a custom light would work for you if price is no object.