18650 powered thrower

[txgearnut]

Hi all,
New poster here, so just ask if I need to include more details. I'm looking for a thrower to use in hunting season. It will be used to walk home after an evening hunt. I mostly want it a thrower just as a powerful light, not because its super practical.

Could you recommend me a good thrower and appropriate batteries that I can get both for around $150?

Thank you.


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[LEDninja]

Newbies should not be using lithium batteries for their first torch. They should be getting used to things like finding which user interface, tint, and beam pattern they like first. In the excitement of a first high powered flashlight they can easily forget some of the precautions they need to follow to avoid a lithium battery explosion.

There are dangers with lithium batteries if not used properly. Here are some threads with pictures that show what can happen:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?262234-TK-Monster-Explosion
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?280909-Ultrafire-18650-3000mA-exploded
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...CR123-Explosion-during-use-firsthand-account)

Here is the instructions for Using Li-ion cells in LED flashlights safely:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-Using-Li-ion-cells-in-LED-flashlights-safely

A few years ago 18650 was the only way to power up high powered torches in a small package. The other option was 3D or 8AA which makes for a hefty light.

But flashlight manufacturers are coming out with 4AA lights that are as powerful as any other.
Nitecore- EA4 Neutral Tint and Nitecore- EA4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEt5X0RXb6o
SUNWAYMAN M40A
eagletac GX25A3
Use LSD NiMH batteries with these. Alkaline will work but only when fresh.

As you are looking for throw also look at the big turbo head lights. Stay away from the aspheric lens lights which give the most throw. Those do not have side spill so you would not be able to see a gopher hole in front of you. I also recommend neutral tint. In the countryside they provide much better colour rendition. The loss of a few lumens is worth it.

 

[jaycyu]

A Dereelight that has an aspherical lens. $100
A reputable 18650 from AW or Panasonic. $20
An i4 charger. $25

$145 plus taxes and shipping.

If you want to impress someone, go with the cool-white tint which has maximum output. If you mainly navigate with it for yourself, go with a neutral or warmer tint.
I have fun darting a hotspot around, but if you don't want to take any chances with holes like LEDninja said, you need a smooth reflector instead of a lens.

For pocketability:
Solarforce L2P. $18
Solarforce belt clip. $4.50
Vinhnguyen54 de-domed XP-E2 driven at 3A. $48
McClicky tailcap upgrade. $7
AW or Panasonic batt. $20
i4 charger. $22

$119

 

[txgearnut]

Great! Thank you both for the thought out answers. I really appreciate it!


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[LEDninja]

A Dereelight that has an aspherical lens. $100

A Dereelight that has an aspherical lens has no spill.
But Dereelight lets you mix and match and lego. So it may be wise to get the Dereelight DBS-T with OP reflector for throw and spill and an additional Nightmaster aspherical lens head for extreme throw.
China is in the middle of a week long holiday so any emails for information may not be answered right away.

China Post and Hong Kong Post seem to be cracking down hard on the prohibition against shipping lithium batteries by air mail. Buy the batteries in your country if possible.

 

[buzzman003]

Great! Thank you both for the thought out answers. I really appreciate it!


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Take their advice and run! They are experts. Now buy the light and let us know what you think.

 

[buzzman003]

A Dereelight that has an aspherical lens has no spill.
But Dereelight lets you mix and match and lego. So it may be wise to get the Dereelight DBS-T with OP reflector for throw and spill and an additional Nightmaster aspherical lens head for extreme throw.
China is in the middle of a week long holiday so any emails for information may not be answered right away.

China Post and Hong Kong Post seem to be cracking down hard on the prohibition against shipping lithium batteries by air mail. Buy the batteries in your country if possible.

any suggestions for this one?


Custom light makers,


What are you all offering by way of a 1x18650 or 2x18650 with great throw and spill? Not just a spot or flood but a good mix. I got my large thrower on the way from V54. Now I need something more compact that can still go in a pocket with good throw and spill.


V54 has the T45C platform. What else are you guys working on?


Thanks,


Buzz

 

[Roger Ranger]

Another issue with the 18650 is protected vs non-protected and nipple vs flat top. AW 18650's appear to have flat tops and won't work in lights such as the Nitecore tm26.

 

[peter nap]

I'm new here too and tried a number of lights for hunting and general use. If all you want is a getting out of the woods and blood trailing light, my first choice is the Fenix PD 35. The only issue I've had was it gets hot on turbo but the next tick down is almost as bright without the heat. I like that model so much I ended up with three of them. It works fine with Panasonic NCR18650B Super Max 3.7V 3400mAh Flat top batteries.


I have three chargers but the one I use most now is the Xtar WP2 because it works on the car cigarette lighter as well as AC.

If you want more power with good spill and don't mind the higher price and a little more weight and bulk, I can't say enough good things about the EagleTac G25C2 MK II XM-L2. It's been the one I've been using this week and will go on stand with me tomorrow for the start of Bow season.

I haven't tested it with the Flat tops so I can't say about them yet.

I've blood trailed with both of these lights now and both pick up the drops much better than headlamps I was using.

I just tried the flat top Panasonic's in the Eagle Tac and they work fine.

 

[buzzman003]

Really good info. And you've got the NCR18650B. Real torch nerd you are. Welcome to the club! :). Do you know of any one doing custom mods on the pd35?

I'm new here too and tried a number of lights for hunting and general use. If all you want is a getting out of the woods and blood trailing light, my first choice is the Fenix PD 35. The only issue I've had was it gets hot on turbo but the next tick down is almost as bright without the heat. I like that model so much I ended up with three of them. It works fine with Panasonic NCR18650B Super Max 3.7V 3400mAh Flat top batteries.


I have three chargers but the one I use most now is the Xtar WP2 because it works on the car cigarette lighter as well as AC.

If you want more power with good spill and don't mind the higher price and a little more weight and bulk, I can't say enough good things about the EagleTac G25C2 MK II XM-L2. It's been the one I've been using this week and will go on stand with me tomorrow for the start of Bow season.

I haven't tested it with the Flat tops so I can't say about them yet.

I've blood trailed with both of these lights now and both pick up the drops much better than headlamps I was using.

I just tried the flat top Panasonic's in the Eagle Tac and they work fine.

 

[buzzman003]

Peter, just looked up the charger and the light. Great post. Thanks for the extra info brother!

 

[buzzman003]

Now if only the lights had a UI like this JETBeam-RRT01-Raptor-Series-Flashlight.

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