Are incans out of time ?

[maxilux]

In the last weeks i am thinking over the lights in the moment and in the future.
When i see all the new LED Flashlights, like Pelican 7060, Tiablo, Fenix, .....
I am verry surprised what output these lights have.
So the Question comes to me:
For what did i need an incan Flashlight ??
Led`s have the same or better output, some lights have very good throw, no replacement bulbs (normally), same or longer runtime, light colour .... and so on.
So i come to the result (for me) incan lights are outdatet.
What do you think, where are the advantages from incan Flashlights today ?

 

[sparky1]

I guess it all comes down to what you are using it for. If you need color rendition, incan wins hands down. Battery life, LED.

 

[maxilux]

My questions was not exactly enough, i mean for "normal" use.
For use where you can have now an SL Stinger, Ultrastinger, SF 6, SF 9, Pelican M9, M11, M6, PM6 and many more.

 

[Daniel_sk]

Incans still win in most high-output flashlights, the new LED's are good for low-medium output flashlights. Even the runtime is comparable in the higher lumen category... I am not an expert in this, someone will know better .

 

[LED61]

Few people would consider trading their A2's for an 80 lumen LED.

 

[Ken_McE]

Incans still have the edge in color rendition, throw, and sheer power.

 

[Tempest UK]

For use outdoors, especially with ambient light pollution, or when colour rendition is important (or even just desired), LEDs are not up to the task. In my opinion. Not to say that I don't own a plethora of LED lights...

 

[KeyGrip]

My nomal use varies. On a clear night, an LED is fine, but when it gets foggy/smoky/hazy/etc, I need an incandescent. There are tradeoffs, but nothing you can't prepare for.

 

[MikeSalt]

I do believe the original poster needs to get their hands on a Surefire M6, or build a custom light such as a ROP or Mag85. LEDs are amazing, and I own plenty of them. They have completely revolutionised the compact flashlight market. However, when ultra-high, fog-cutting, colour rendering output is required, there is not alot to beat the glowing tungsten.

 

[maxilux]

Thanks for answers, but please read my posting, i speak from normal use, not special, thanks

 

[ZMZ67]

Not sure what you mean by "normal" as I think that would vary from person to person. I see no real use for incan in an indoor environment since LEDs are more efficient and very bright these days.Outdoors I sometimes prefer incans especially when there is some distance involved.Incans generally have greater throw than LEDs and for me at least they offer improved contrast over LEDs.Truthfully I use LED lights far more often than incan but I almost always have an incan with decent throw nearby for those times when my LEDs can't do what I need outdoors.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

The OP obviously never handled a high-powered and high-quality incan flashlight.

 

[MikeSalt]

Agreed, for 99.9% of the population, LEDs should suffice for all their needs. However, we are the 0.1% that make up the freaks that are flashaholics. We are very critical of the lighting instruments, and the spectrum of light they produce. Having handled the high-powered, high-quality incandescents to which Outdoors Fanatic indicates, I instantly understand their usefulness.

 

[270winchester]

yes, incans are out of time.

send all your dangerously out-dated incan lights to me for proper disposal, I'll even pay for shipping because I'm that nice.

 

[Germ]

For most "normal" use I would say a LED can get the job done.

I'll agree with others and say that color rendition is still better with incans. On a recent walk I had my Fenix P1D CE Q5 and a 6xAA Roar of the Pelican (ROP) with a medium orange peel reflector and the low power bulb. There is new construction outside my neighborhood with no streetlights. The P1D on the medium setting was more than sufficient for getting around. I could see where I was going, but everything looked a little off and 2 dimensional. Shine the ROP on the same Caterpiller backhoe that was lit up with the LED and the colors jump to life. The yellow is now yellow instead of blueish green. Same when looking into a forest, the incan gives depth and a true green color to the leaves. There are probably a few threads with pictures illustrating this. I remember someone had night pics of construction equipment like I saw on my walk.

For now I like the idea of using both a good LED light to navigate and a powerful incan light for when I want to see further or want more detail.

I can see the day when incans are truly obsolete, but not yet.

 

[djblank87]

For use outdoors, especially with ambient light pollution, or when colour rendition is important (or even just desired), LEDs are not up to the task. In my opinion. Not to say that I don't own a plethora of LED lights...

I agree with that hands down, ambient light will always kill LED and incans, but the incans will come out looking brighter in an ambient light situation.

This is just my first hand knowledge with lights I have dealt with.

 

[Retinator]

Normal? Depends on the person and their lifestyle, environment etc...

My only 2 real lights are both LED, but I would love to get an A2 for outdoors.
When you can get warm LEDs that rival incans, it'll be a bright sunny night for flashaholics everywhere. Those days may be closer than we think.

And I've yet to see the beam (not the body) of an LED burn a newspaper.

And sidetracking here, a basic calculator's processor is way behind the times, and yet still has it's place in everyday life.

A century's plus 'ancient' tech, will be around for awhile yet.

Come to think about it, the sun is more like an incan than LED (does that count?)

 

[sparky1]

Thanks for answers, but please read my posting, i speak from normal use, not special, thanks

Well, I've never been accused of being "normal". My normal day to day life can have me working in an office, out in the field, searching or processing human remains, or kicking in doors. So, for MY normal use incan wins out most of the time, but LED has it's place.

Now, what is your idea of normal?

 

[GreySave]

"Normal" is a relative thing. I use lights indoors at work, but the majority of my at home use is outdoors. This I often carry both an LED and an incan. That being said, since the incan gets the most use, I do not feel that the LED has replaced them....Yet.

 

[ZMZ67]

It seems to reason that someone will come up with a high output LED tinted towards yellow that will closely mimic incans but time will tell. :shrug: