Just an FYI, if you have a Gander Mountain store in your area. Not shilling for them, but they're selling two new single led luxeon star lights under their Guide Series brand. One is a three watt (2 - 123's) and the other is a five watt (think it took 3 - 123's).
I got the three watt for about 60 USD. It's made in China, with an aluminum body (just over 5"), has a two stage clicky (low/hi), and includes a lanyard. Sorry, not able to post pictures.
Be advised that this light has a pronounced square pattern (as I understand it, might be typical of the type of led), and the beam is very, very tight -- much more so than any other light I've ever seen. However, that's what I was looking for as an edc for work (I work for a large grocery firm and not only have to unload trucks and dig through pallets of merchandise, but also the local power goes out a lot during bad weather).
The low setting made me think it was a weenie, but when I clicked the switch one more time, things got bright and white. Of course it's brighter than my Terralux mini-mag and other LS lights, but I had expected some coloration from a Chinese made, house brand light. Nope, not much. It's pretty darned white. Battery life is claimed at 200 hours, but of course that's gonna be optimistic.
For what I need, it fits the bill nicely for the price, but the tight beam and square pattern are things that anyone looking at this light should know about.
Has anyone seen the 5 watt in action? I can't remember but I think that one was about 80 USD, and if the beam is wider and not as square, that could be interesting for the money.
- Craig
I got the three watt for about 60 USD. It's made in China, with an aluminum body (just over 5"), has a two stage clicky (low/hi), and includes a lanyard. Sorry, not able to post pictures.
Be advised that this light has a pronounced square pattern (as I understand it, might be typical of the type of led), and the beam is very, very tight -- much more so than any other light I've ever seen. However, that's what I was looking for as an edc for work (I work for a large grocery firm and not only have to unload trucks and dig through pallets of merchandise, but also the local power goes out a lot during bad weather).
The low setting made me think it was a weenie, but when I clicked the switch one more time, things got bright and white. Of course it's brighter than my Terralux mini-mag and other LS lights, but I had expected some coloration from a Chinese made, house brand light. Nope, not much. It's pretty darned white. Battery life is claimed at 200 hours, but of course that's gonna be optimistic.
For what I need, it fits the bill nicely for the price, but the tight beam and square pattern are things that anyone looking at this light should know about.
Has anyone seen the 5 watt in action? I can't remember but I think that one was about 80 USD, and if the beam is wider and not as square, that could be interesting for the money.
- Craig