Advice for newbie on a flashlight

[dhracer]

:wave: Hi everyone, nice forum you have here - I've not thought it possible to collect flashlights (or spend that much on one! )till now.

Anyhow on topic:

I'm looking for a flashlight to use for car detailing, (you shine the light at the car to help you see the swirls in the paintwork). A lot of people use the Brinkmann (piccy below), which is pretty cheap (about £30 by the time you get it to the UK). http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YuFwKVJUL._SS500_.jpg


Having seen one in action I wasn't very impressed at all and have been looking at alternatives. The 3M sun gun (image below) is also used but the price tag is astronomical and I don't think detailers actually need the properties that this light has that make it so expensive ($300 or probably £300 in the uk ) - it is sold as a duplicate of sunlight, this allows car bodyshops to match paint when they spray damaged areas

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/levineauto_1965_2472610


The bulb for the Sun Gun is £45 here in the UK and I have considered diy, but that seems a lot to me for a bulb when I don't need a lot of the properties.

Anyhow I've been looking at the Wolf Eyes M100X (£50)but wasn't sure if that would be suitable or not? I can't find any info on the colour temperature and wasn't sure how suitable it would be for close up use (< 1m, ideally < 0.5m) I have a cheappy LED torch that gives the right sort of colour but it's not nearly bright enough :thumbsdow Also thought about a DIY HID torch since HIDs are pretty cheap, but tbh I'd rather not have to resort to modifying stuff

Any advice would be really appreciated, I'm a bit clueless with all this choice :thinking:

 

[jbosman1013]

check out fenix lights, multi modes and very bright http://www.fenix-store.com/

 

[ACMarina]

No offense, bosman, but what this guy wants to do a run-o-the-mill keychain/pocket light isn't gonna cut it..

Get a good spotlight and run with it. I'd suggest the Thor, though it might be a touch large for you

Welcome to CPF!

 

[dhracer]

Thanks for the link, so do you think an LED light would be best? (those fenix lights seem to be LEDs) fee worldwide shipping :twothumbs

 

[dhracer]

No offense, bosman, but what this guy wants to do a run-o-the-mill keychain/pocket light isn't gonna cut it..

Get a good spotlight and run with it. I'd suggest the Thor, though it might be a touch large for you

Welcome to CPF!

Size isn't really an issue (nor is massive amounts of run time) generally I'll walk around the car initially with the light and then put it down/in my pocket. Tackle a test panel and inspect with the light before carrying on with the car, checking my work periodically as I go. It would be nice if I could just stick it in my pocket though

Would the Fenix P3D not be bright enough then? (it quotes 215 lumens)

 

[Dantor]

I think it would be plenty bright enough. One way to find out! It is a very popular light (P3D Q5), and it has 6 modes like; low-med-high, sos (the last most find a waste). but remember it uses 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium), so you'll have to get them.

 

[IcantC]

Actually you would need something like this.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03473825000P?vName=Tools&keyword=craftsman+halogen+light



Works well, VERY bright. Will show all swirls/marring/buffer burn. It also easily collapses down to take up less space.

 

[dhracer]

I'll be getting a mains powered light at some point too, but I need something a bit portable (it's also a bit easier to hide from the wife, who seems to be saying "more car cleaning kit!?!?" a lot lately :shrug: )

I think a small light is good for inspecting small details, but the floodlights are good for general light while you work

OP or smooth reflector?

 

[MikeSalt]

OP or smooth reflector?

Definately the Orange Peel (OP)! The infamous 'Cree rings' of the smooth reflector would make you think you've got swirls where you actually haven't.

 

[Gunner12]

I would suggest the L2D-CE Q5 because it uses 2 AA batteries. Or if you buy the P3D-CE Q5, buy it with rechargeable batteries. I've heard Cr123 batteries are even more expensive over in england. There is also a 8% off coupon of CPF useres at Fenix Store, "CPF8".

Fenix does not advertise real out the front. The P3D-CE Q5 is probably around 180 out the front, which is actually much more then most light much bigger then it(most 2D lights are around 15 lumens).

A OP reflector might be better for you, it gives a smoother beam.

If you just want output at a cheap price, check Dealextreme and Kaidomain (Cree/Seoul/Rebel section).

Maybe a 3 LED light like this one(thread) would suffice for a bigger light(buy with rechargeable batteries)?

:welcome:

 

[jbosman1013]

No offense, bosman, but what this guy wants to do a run-o-the-mill keychain/pocket light isn't gonna cut it..

Get a good spotlight and run with it. I'd suggest the Thor, though it might be a touch large for you

Welcome to CPF!

I have detailed cars for over 10 years now and have not once ever found the need for for anything over 100lm, so I really don't see the need for a million or more. IMO using a light for detailing does not work all the time.

 

[ACMarina]

Maybe he's talking about something different than you are..

It looks like incandescent is the way to be in this case. The "Thor" reference was a little overboard, I'll admit, but an LED light (regardless of brand or price) doesn't let you see things the way incandescent light does..

 

[JohnB]

FYI
The color temp for the Wolf-eyes M100 is listed as above 3600k in the manual that comes with the light.

Good luck

 

[dhracer]

Can someone explain the difference between the rechargable wolf eyes and the non-rechargable, I'm struggling to see how rechargable makes them twice the price when I could just buy rechargable batteries and a charger for a fraction of the price

Not sure if 3600K is "white enough" I think 4500K is ideal... might just go for it and see (depending on the rechargable question...)