AUSBUMP'S MINI REVIEW
One thing that has always frustrated me is the lack of beam shots taken under the same conditions. I've tried to take all these under the same conditions, with the same camera settings for each shot. Sadly, this means some are washed out - some are dark - but this is a more accurate representation of the outputs.
Each torch will have a model name, a URL if relevant, a rating and/or explanation. Hopefully these will help you chose your next lights.
Comments welcome!
HAND HELD TORCHES
THE LOT
6 LED aluminium DSE
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4719da36040b20e2273fc0a87f9c06ae/Product/View/Y1209
Stars:*** Reason: My first torch, sentimentality makes up for the lack of output.
Generic Eveready torch
Stars:* Reason: Terrible output and addictive battery habit.
3W Ultrafire WF601A http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Ultrafire-3-...ht-WF601A_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ300155981459
Stars:** Reason: Fairly bright, no modes, quality very iffy.
3W Fenix L2D-CE
Stars:***** Reason: Bright, reliable, many modes, great runtime, perfect EDC - what more could you want?
MiniMag AA
Stars:*** Reason: Fairly dim, but looks great.
3W YJ-18WE http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3339
Stars:***** Reason: Built like a truck (seriously!), very bright, great runtime, takes 18650's.
3W U2-style 3w http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1285
Stars:***** Reason: Very similar to YJ-18WE, feels solid and a very tight output. The best 'thrower' of the lot.
DX simply cree http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4949
Stars:* Reason: "Simply Cr%p" is probably more appropriate. It's cheap, and would probably make a good spare battery holder. Quality lax.
MTE 1W
Stars:** Reason: Similar problems to the DX simply cree, but a bit more solid with a slightly better output.
1W gold http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5425
Stars: * Reason: Good output, terrible threads, bad switch, great price though.
Generic 6LED AA
Stars:** Reason: OK output. Has annoying habit of turning itself on or undoing itself in a pocket.
'CFP' safe light
Stars:**** Reason: These are not bright (no photo, as it'd just be black), but they feel great to use, they're versatile and run on 9V batteries. Almost their own genre.
Mag Solitaire
Stars:** Reason: This torch gets its stars for style, not output. Sadly even on a fresh battery the solitaire leaves you stumbling over furniture. But it's a nice mag lite...
Arc AAA-P
Stars:***** Reason: Indestructible, feels great, works really well, waterproof. Only problem is stiffness of thread making one handing operation nearly impossible. Cost could be an issue as well.
HEADLAMPS
ALL OF THEM
Black diamond helion
Stars:**** Reason: Comfortable, good output, nice features, IPX7.
Primary Incandescent
Led Mode
Black diamond polar star
Stars:**** Reason: Same as helion but with different straps.
No photo of LED mode
Generic headlamp
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8400
Stars: -* Reason: Terrible output, construction that'd look cheap in third world countries, many shortcuts taken in this design (who needs a heatsink? plastic will do?).
AA Petzl Incan (old style)
Stars:**** Reason: Getting dated now, but a great torch. Took a real beating when I used to cave, never, ever, ever let me down.
One thing that has always frustrated me is the lack of beam shots taken under the same conditions. I've tried to take all these under the same conditions, with the same camera settings for each shot. Sadly, this means some are washed out - some are dark - but this is a more accurate representation of the outputs.
Each torch will have a model name, a URL if relevant, a rating and/or explanation. Hopefully these will help you chose your next lights.
Comments welcome!
HAND HELD TORCHES
THE LOT
6 LED aluminium DSE
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4719da36040b20e2273fc0a87f9c06ae/Product/View/Y1209
Stars:*** Reason: My first torch, sentimentality makes up for the lack of output.
Generic Eveready torch
Stars:* Reason: Terrible output and addictive battery habit.
3W Ultrafire WF601A http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Ultrafire-3-...ht-WF601A_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ300155981459
Stars:** Reason: Fairly bright, no modes, quality very iffy.
3W Fenix L2D-CE
Stars:***** Reason: Bright, reliable, many modes, great runtime, perfect EDC - what more could you want?
MiniMag AA
Stars:*** Reason: Fairly dim, but looks great.
3W YJ-18WE http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3339
Stars:***** Reason: Built like a truck (seriously!), very bright, great runtime, takes 18650's.
3W U2-style 3w http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1285
Stars:***** Reason: Very similar to YJ-18WE, feels solid and a very tight output. The best 'thrower' of the lot.
DX simply cree http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4949
Stars:* Reason: "Simply Cr%p" is probably more appropriate. It's cheap, and would probably make a good spare battery holder. Quality lax.
MTE 1W
Stars:** Reason: Similar problems to the DX simply cree, but a bit more solid with a slightly better output.
1W gold http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5425
Stars: * Reason: Good output, terrible threads, bad switch, great price though.
Generic 6LED AA
Stars:** Reason: OK output. Has annoying habit of turning itself on or undoing itself in a pocket.
'CFP' safe light
Stars:**** Reason: These are not bright (no photo, as it'd just be black), but they feel great to use, they're versatile and run on 9V batteries. Almost their own genre.
Mag Solitaire
Stars:** Reason: This torch gets its stars for style, not output. Sadly even on a fresh battery the solitaire leaves you stumbling over furniture. But it's a nice mag lite...
Arc AAA-P
Stars:***** Reason: Indestructible, feels great, works really well, waterproof. Only problem is stiffness of thread making one handing operation nearly impossible. Cost could be an issue as well.
HEADLAMPS
ALL OF THEM
Black diamond helion
Stars:**** Reason: Comfortable, good output, nice features, IPX7.
Primary Incandescent
Led Mode
Black diamond polar star
Stars:**** Reason: Same as helion but with different straps.
No photo of LED mode
Generic headlamp
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8400
Stars: -* Reason: Terrible output, construction that'd look cheap in third world countries, many shortcuts taken in this design (who needs a heatsink? plastic will do?).
AA Petzl Incan (old style)
Stars:**** Reason: Getting dated now, but a great torch. Took a real beating when I used to cave, never, ever, ever let me down.
