Advice for a running flashlight, please

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hello all! I am new to this site and new to the world of flashlights, but eager to learn. I am in the market for a bright hand-held flashlight for trail running at night (I specified "hand-held" since some trail runners opt for the lights worn on the forehead.) Can you guys recommend a flashlight that is very bright, waterproof, and (preferably) lasts a good long while and is fairly lightweight? I found the ccrane.com website, which has some (seemingly) good flashlights, but the one that seems most appealing, the Expedition 1900 aluminum, with 19 LEDs, is $175. That seems a bit pricey to me, although admittedly they do have cheaper ones with 7 LEDs ($60) and 14 LEDs ($120). Are there any cheaper ones out there made by other companies that might be even better and brighter? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Brock]

I would look in to the Bison 2 C light. It has a longer runtime then most other lights, and is relatively small and light weight.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

How about a Princeton TEC Attitude?
LED light, powered by 4 AAA cells, high impact plastic, small - to fit well in the palm of the hand, 150 hour run time, waterprood - about $20.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steven:
Hello all! I am new to this site and new to the world of flashlights, but eager to learn. I am in the market for a bright hand-held flashlight for trail running at night (I specified "hand-held" since some trail runners opt for the lights worn on the forehead.) Can you guys recommend a flashlight that is very bright, waterproof, and (preferably) lasts a good long while and is fairly lightweight? I found the ccrane.com website, which has some (seemingly) good flashlights, but the one that seems most appealing, the Expedition 1900 aluminum, with 19 LEDs, is $175. That seems a bit pricey to me, although admittedly they do have cheaper ones with 7 LEDs ($60) and 14 LEDs ($120). Are there any cheaper ones out there made by other companies that might be even better and brighter? Thanks in advance for any advice!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hey thanks for the suggestions! I will check out the Bison 2 C and the Princeton Tec Attitude. That's great that both are so cheap, too. Which one do you think is brighter?

Thanks again!

 

[The_LED_Museum]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steven:
Hey thanks for the suggestions! I will check out the Bison 2 C and the Princeton Tec Attitude. That's great that both are so cheap, too. Which one do you think is brighter?

Thanks again!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Bison is brighter, because it's incandescent and uses a xenon bulb. LEDs still have a bit of catching up to do.

The Bison is also focusable from spot to flood.

 

[SurefireM6]

How about the Princeton Tec Surge? Bright, 3-5 hours, waterproof, lightweight and AA batteries.

 

[snake]

Hello Steven,
I have an attitude, the size is quite small and burn time is long too. I don't have much knowledge on trail run, so what is the distance you need to bright up?

for the LED beam of attitude will be bright enough within 20 ft . without any lens to focus the beam most LED can't reach more then that... so I usually use it when I station at camp and it has no problem to last over & over night..

also how long the burn time will you need?
if your race is only 2-3 hr, then UK 2L will be a much brighter and similar size option.
bye

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flexmodem:
How about the Princeton Tec Surge? Bright, 3-5 hours, waterproof, lightweight and AA batteries.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've done extensive run time testing of the Surge (and other lights) and I suggest you think in terms of 3 hours, rather than 3-5. Unless you have extremely keen night vision, the Surge's VERY diminished brightness from 3-3 1/2 will be inadequate If it even runs that long.

If you really want that 3-5 hours, then I agree with Brock and others about the Bison. My tests confirm the 3-5 hour run time

For longest run time your best bet will be RAY-O-VAC AA MAXIMUMS.In my tests they were the equivalent of the Duracell Ultra AAs with "M3 Technology" and MUCH cheaper. I consider them the best buy in AA batteries today (I havent't tested other sizes).

No put-down of Duracell Ultra/M3, but they are very expensive. Get the latest possible date. Testing should show at least 1.58-1.59 volts.

Brightnorm

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Wow, you guys sure do know your stuff!!

I ordered the Princeton Tec Attitude from brightguy.com, but now I am thinking that I will also get the Bison, just for fun and for comparison! I suppose it's a bit wild and crazy to get not one, but TWO flashlights, but such is life.

The Surge looks great too, but I expect to use a flashlight for about one hour every night, so I would end up replacing the Surge's batteries quite often. (By the way, is it true that the Attitude's batts are good for 150 hours?!?! That's great if it's the case.)

 

[stringj]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I suppose it's a bit wild and crazy to get not one, but TWO flashlights, but such is life. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Oh, Steven! I only have two comments on what you wrote.
1. Come here Grasshopper and let me tell you a tale of the man with only two flashlights.
2. You will be assimilated.

Jerry

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well, I've used the Princeton Tec Attitude for a few evening runs, and I like it. I didn't realize it was going to be so darn small and lightweight!! I do, however, need a brighter light for the purpose of faster running on unfamiliar trails (the Attitude is certainly bright enough for jogging on familiar trails, though). I didn't order the Bison yet, because I got to thinking about some other possibilities that I wanted to ask about...

First, what about the new Arc LS? It seems like a winner. Any idea when it will be available? Also, the Lightwave 4000 seems pretty good -- long battery life, bright, waterproof. I guess it's a big and heavy sucker, but maybe I could use it as a weapon if I run into any thugs out there. ;-) Any thoughts on the Arc LS vs. Lightwave 4000? And for good measure, what about throwing the Trek 14 and 19 into the mix? How do these stack up?

 

[Brock]

The LS should be very close to the LW4000 or the Tektite 1400. The LW would be to heavy for me running (I use a covert Photon 3), if I had to choose it would be the LS though.

 

[springnr]

I just got the LW 3000 is much lighter and handier than the LW 4000. My Dad lives out of town and their power goes out pretty regular so the LW 4000 ended up at his house.

Led lights will only reach out so far. You may need something like the Bison 2 C if you want to see farther ahead.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
(I use a covert Photon 3), if I had to choose it would be the LS though.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Brock, you use a Photon 3 for RUNNING?!! You must have the eyes of a cat! I find that truly incredible. I have virtual night blindness, and people with vision like yours just amaze me.

Regards.
Brightnorm

 

[V8TOYTRUCK]

I have the Eternalight, and its great for running at night, because it has 4 LEDs placed in a line, so the beam is wide and short, sort of a toy looking light, but it does outlast many LED flashlights, if not all, and is waterproof to 100ft. Another added bonus is it has a SOS signal mode, so if you get attacked by a chupacabra you can signal for help I suppose.

 

[Badbeams3]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by brightnorm:
Brock, you use a Photon 3 for RUNNING?!! You must have the eyes of a cat! I find that truly incredible.

Regards.
Brightnorm<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL, Well I must agree with Brightnorm Brock...Are you wearing night vision goggles when using the Photon while jogging. Or is this happening during the day with the sun helping out.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ken B:
[QB]
LOL, Well I must agree with Brightnorm Brock...Are you wearing night vision goggles when using the Photon while jogging. Or is this happening during the day with the sun helping out.QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Perhaps he meant the Photon Fusion?

BN

 

[Brock]

Nope it is the covert Photon 3. I really only use it if I can't quite see something and want to see it. I live in the country, with very few street lights, so my eyes get pretty used to the dark. I kind of like running late at night when I get home and it is pitch black.

 

[Badbeams3]

Lucky dog, The only time I get true darkness is on a cloudy night with no moon and a power outage...this combination has not happened yet...there`s always the next hurricane season to hope for.

Well got to go to the bathroom , see you later...now where did I leave my Arc...it`s black in there...terrrible things could come out from the toilet...Just look at the trouble Craig has...his eats the poor lights...good thing I have a hundred...I`m not scared...damm toilet monsters.