A flashlight for the jungle

[Ozone]

I am going to be spending the next four months in a tropical rain forest, and need some advice on a flashlight... I will probably be using a low power headlight in conjunction with another light for throw, spotting animals etc.

Requirements- The light needs to throw at least 50-100m, and should be rechargeable (probably using 18650 cells for run time), have multiple light levels (to conserve battery life if I cant charge it frequently). I would also like it to be very durable as well as water/humidity proof (as it is sure to take abuse). Price: $150 at the very maximum, preferably closer to $125 or below.

A few lights I have had in mind... The Dereelight DBS, or the CL1H, or even something smaller? Any thoughts as to which light would be the most useful in this situation?
Thanks!

 

[Armed_Forces]

Having spent plenty of time in the bush, I would axe the rechargeable option and stick to primaries with the emphasis on lithium for their weight savings and dependability/energy density. The idea is to KISS and the introduction of additional kit to handle recharging violates this principle. No help on an actual light source to meet your criteria, sorry.

 

[Kiessling]

Although I never saw a rain forest, I still have to comment ... and have to say I agree with the Armed Forces in this thread

Keep it simple.
Buy something ultra dependable and rugged
Buy something that lasts long on your batteries
Take multiple back-ups if flashlights are a requirement where you go


Given your cost criteria you will have to compromise, though.

bernie

 

[Kiessling]

A nice backup idea are amber or red PhotonII MIcrolights. They direct drive the LED with a 2032 battery, nothing fancy, but small, rugged and dependable ... and they run several hours straight on one battery.

They are cheap and have a clip and are thus easy to deploy. They do offer momentary and constant on function. No driver.

bernie

 

[Toaster]

My vote's for Fenix TK20. Bring along a bunch of Eneloops + 15 min charger + folding solar battery charger. Also choose a headlamp that uses AAs as well to standardize on batteries.

 

[evenchaos]

Why not take both options - get a multi-power led option (DBS has this), and keep some lithium for standby and rechargeables for daily use. Also, I would recommend getting a solar power recharger (such as those foldable panels you can extend over a backpack while hiking) - sure won't be as efficient due to cover, but still an option to get some power when no other source exists.

 

[Chrontius]

What about a Ra Twisty? They're nearly bombproof, but slightly over budget at $165.

 

[Illumination]

CL1H is a great option. I think the DBS will be too much throw for you...beam is too focused. It is also much bigger.

You should also consider some of the high end 2 AA lights. Advantage there is that if you run into issues with your battery setup, it will be easier to get replacement batteries.

Spend time on the head light section for recs on a good HL.

 

[Illumination]

What about a Ra Twisty? They're nearly bombproof, but slightly over budget at $165.

The RA Twisty is awesome...but not sure it throws enough to meet the OP request. My favorite light of the last year.

They are also now available for less ($130 at Battery Station and Unique Titanium).

http://batterystation.com/hdstwisty.htm
​

http://www.uniquetitanium.com/ra_twisty_flashlight.htm
​

 

[nars42]

Zebralight recommendation for the headlight. If you main light will be using CR123's then I would go for the H30 and if your main light will be using AA's then I would go for the H50. Nice to stick to one battery type for all your lights. Here's a cool review:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=178839

Where are you going to be recharging 18650 in the jungle? I would stick to lithium primaries like others mentioned. The Fenix TK20 seems like a good option for AA's and there are plenty of cool lights using CR123's, like the Dereelights and such. Seems like warmer tints are more recommended for outdoor use.

 

[gilly]

CL1H V4 with [3SM R2] or [3SM 5AQ3] and Zebralight H30. CL1H throws very nicely and gives you three output modes(also comes with both OP and SMO reflectors). I would also bring along a Fenix E01 as a backup.

Flashcrazy has CL1H V4 in stock:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=186833

Have a good time!

 

[sappyg]

ouch...... you gotta take Armed_Forces advise to heart here. a rain forest would be damp or flat out wet. you should look a lights made for underwater work. the SF 6pN comes to mind.
i would pack along some litium grease and double up on O rings. 86 the solar rechargable notion completely. a true rain forest will block out the sun most of the time. it also implies a limitied power source to reliably recharge batteries that will at best give you 3/4 to 1/2 what a primary will do.
check out the specs on a NovaTac. should handle the damp well and help consearve your primaries of which you might consider 12-16.
you have my curiousity meter way past 10. i would love to hear your final choices and end result of those choices.

 

[nars42]

Here are links to the lights I mentioned:

Dereelight:
http://www.dereelight.com/cl1hv4.htm
(with the warm tint LED)

Zebralight:
http://www.zebralight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=184

 

[Ozone]

Thanks for all the replies...

To clarify a little... For most of the trip I should be spending time in research stations etc, so recharging every day or so should not be a problem. There may be one or two times when I will be unable to charge for a few days, but I figured that I could rely on other less powerful lights (and use lower settings).

Because I will be spending so long in the forest (probably almost every night, I figured rechargeable would be the only way to go (as primaries would get expensive very quickly, especially lithium batteries).

Something like the RA twisty or NovaTec EDC is appealing due to size (however it seems like the throw would be limited). Perhaps something like the CL1H that would run regulated on a 18650 and unregulated on two cr123's?
Surefire would be good for durability, but the inability to eaisly use rechargable batteries seems like a deal killer.
For a headlight I was also considering the Zebralight H60 (but it has yet to be reviewed and it seems unclear if it will work with cr123's )

Is there a general consensus that the DBS would be too much throw for something like this?

 

[curlyfry562]

Surefire E2L has a TIR lens for throw plus dual mode.

Pack a lot of batteries and bring a backup.

 

[evenchaos]

Is there a general consensus that the DBS would be too much throw for something like this?

I wouldn't say that - for the past year, my DBS has been my primary light but I got the OP reflector with gives it a larger & smoother hot spot and more spill but at the cost of throw.

 

[greenLED]

Having spent plenty of time in the bush, I would axe the rechargeable option and stick to primaries with the emphasis on lithium for their weight savings and dependability/energy density. The idea is to KISS and the introduction of additional kit to handle recharging violates this principle. No help on an actual light source to meet your criteria, sorry.

Sorry, Bernie, but you'll need to come visit and learn about tropical forests!

Excuse the dissenting voice, but I work in the tropics, and I've been using rechargeable lights the mid-90's. That is, of course, because I have access to electricity and use lights frequently (ie. every night) for extended periods of time (a month or more).

If the OP were to have ready access to electricity, and plans on using their lights on a daily basis, I'd suggest rechargeables. Otherwise imagine the load of 123's that they'd have to bring down with them! A few rechargeables (so there's a supply of freshly charged always ready) and a matching charger are as close to KISS as it gets.

That said, I've been in places where using rechargeable were completely out of the question (a month *deep* in the Amazon, for example). I carried a load of alkies for that trip.


Soo... I guess it depends where exactly in the tropics the OP will be coming and what their particular lighting needs may be.


As far as light suggestions... again, it'll depend on what the OP will be doing. No need for dive-rated lights! :sick2: In general, any "regular" light (meaning, the ones we're used to here on CPF) will do plenty good. A headlamp and a handheld light are good to have. I usually carry an extra light in my pack as well.

A note on battery type... again, depending on where you're heading, you might get away with a few 18650's. Or, you may decide to stick to AA or AAA-based lights, which you can buy readily if for some reason all your rechargeables go

Y'all can disagree with me all night long, but I also gotta say that depending on where you are and what you're doing, even a Lux-based light might be too much light. :nana:

 

[greenLED]

BTW, ozone, where you headed?

Something I forgot to mention is that "fancy" lights tend to "walk", if you get my drift. Either bring lights you can afford to lose or keep a close eye on them while out in the field.

 

[Kiessling]

Hey Greenie ... you know it is a sin to disagree with me, right?

If there's reliable access to electricity and the need for a lot of light each night that changes a lot of things, of course.

That said, a rechargeable set-up is still more "fragile" than primaries IMHO. BUT ... and I really hate to say this, the AA format might be better due to availability.

And all that cool advise from me I give for free ... comes without any experiecne in the field or forest
I work as an Armchair Flashaholic only. :green:

bernie

 

[Ozone]

BTW, ozone, where you headed?

I am going to be in Costa Rica (all over the country) for a semester biology program. I am going to try to limit my packing to a backpacking pack, and will have camera gear with me the whole time as well so the lights should be safe.

Costa Rica is fairly affluent for a developing nation, however bringing enough 123's to last the entire trip seems risky. If it was possible to find them they would probably cost ~$10 or more.

Right now I am leaning for the CL1H (with a few 18650 batteries) and a AA backup light that can also be used if I cant recharge batteries for a few days. Perhaps even a Fenix L1D. (as well as the aforementioned headlight)http://www.lighthound.com/Fenix-L1D...ish-Textured-Reflector--6-levels_p_0-352.html