CMG Reactor, PT Impact or PT 20-40 w/led?

  • Thread starter **DONOTDELETE**
  • Start date
D

**DONOTDELETE**

Guest
I'm looking for a light with a long runtime, that's fairly small and lightweight and made for the outdoors.

I think I've narrowed it down again to these lights but I'm just looking for some more input. I'm thinking of going with an LED because they have a little longer run-time than an incadescent.

It still needs to be fairly bright for walking in the dark while hunting. I'm used to a 2 (AA) mini-mag or a PT Rage. So if any of these are close to those lights in brightness that will be plenty. In fact I used a PT B;ast while hunting this year and that light output wasn't bad.

The PT 20 and 40 would have the LED head to try and gain some runtime. Either light is plenty bright as an incadescent. In fact the 40 maybe too bright. I'd give up some of the brightness to gain run time.

I don't know much about the Reactor but it looks like a nice light. The PT Impact may be a little dim but I'm not sure cause I've never seen one in action. Thanks for any input.

Herd Bull
 
Last I heard the LED module was for the PT20 only.
Maybe they've changed....

If you do go with the PT20/LED combo then mind the battery polarity.
The LED module that I bought shows that the polarity should be the same for either the incandescent or the LED but with mine I actually have to swap the battery position to get the LED to work.
 
There is an LED module for the PT 40. Brightguy.com carries it, as well as the LED module for the PT20/Solo. If you want decently bright with decent throw, the Reactor is good. I would call the Reactor Frog Choker Proof, though it is not design for prolonged immersion in water.

I got my Reactors from pocketlights.com and they have the new switch, as well as knurling on the aluminum. They are a more than reasonable alternative to the Arc LS. Mine have a slight greenish tinted corona, which would not be noticed outside, and only on close up beam inspection inside. The center spots on my reactors are tighter than my Arc LS's center spot.
 
I'd get an Opalec new beam kit way before I got the Matrix module for the PTs. I have both and the Opalec is at least twice as bright. It compares favoribly to an attitude or the original mag bulb.
And it sounds like you already have a mag to put it in. AA's are easier and cheaper to come by then AAA's. Also look for the runtime graphs posted by Roy and you will see how most LED lights lose brightness quickly over time. The Opalec stays rock steady for 9 hours. Then

Do a search on CPF here and you will see it that it is a CPF favorite.

anyway here is a link:
http://www.opalec.com/products.html
 
** edit ***
Somehow what I posted got posted twice. You used to be able to delete, but I don't see that as an option anymore.

PS the Opalec is one of my fovorite lights. and I own a couple LS lights, but I use the Opalec more. It works fantastic on Nimh. Which a lot of lights don't.
 
I would recomend the PT 40 with one of JB's PR base LED conversions. You can get a 3 or a 4 LED in either 4.5V or 6V, depending on whether you plan to use rechargables. The output is quite good & you can switch back to the standard bulb if you need extra light. I bet JB's 4 LED, 6V bulb on lithiums would be great. TX
 
I agree with txwest. I use jBechto's 4LED clusters tuned for 4.5 to 4.8 Volts. I usually use partially worn down alkalines from other lights in this PT40. I sometimes use a dummy with either 3 fresh alkalines, 3 Lithiums, or 4 NiMHs.

This PT40 is almost as bright as an X5 and is brighter than either of my Mr. Bulk LGI's if I load them with only 2 lithium AA's and a dummy to simulate what a Rreactor would do.

Come to think of it, I have an Impact that is sitting unused in the glove compartment of a car. I'd be willing to consider reasonable offers for it. I basically view it as a good long-life Just-In-Case light to have in case I'm lost in the woods for a week or two.

Somebody suggested buying a PT20 and swapping heads with it and an Impact. The PT20 would need to be loaded with 2@ 3.6 V Lithium AA's. I've toyed with that idea but am not yet convinced that the shorter PT20 package would be any more convenient than the PT40/Impact package. Besides, the additional battery capacity in the JIC light seems desireable.
 
another option for you is the PT Impact. it is based on the PT-40. it is a single led that uses a deep reflector and a special lens to project a spot type beam. there is also a secondary corona. the beam is comparable to the tec-20 in usefulness. the spot is not narrow, except at close range. this is a good candidate.
 
I have a Tec40 set up with a jbechto 4 led green cluster bulb that I really like. Throws a nice short/medium range beam, is quite bright and just sips away at the batteries. Nice thing about this combo is that you can always carry a hot xenon bulb with you in case you get into a situation where you need more light/longer throw, and just swap them out as needed.
 
I got a Reactor a few weeks ago and you almost have to use lithiums with it, with akalines it was only a little brighter then my PT Attitude. I was hesitant to spend 5 bucks or lithiums for it but once I did I had no regrets
smile.gif
. The Reactor also isn't completly waterproof, only water resistant. The last problem with the Reactor is you may have a lot or a little green tint to the beam, my Reactor has a moderate amount of green in the beam but so far it hasn't been a problem for me. If you're willing to put lithiums in it I think the Reactor would be a good choice, just make sure you get one with the newer switch. Check this thread to see some nice graphs of alkaline vs Lithium in the Reactor Roys Reactor graphs

I don't have an Impact or the led assembly for tec 20-40 so can't help there.

One thing you might want to consider is the Long burn Krypton bulb for the Tec 40, It's kinda yellow but PT claims 8 hours on a set of batteries and it's brighter then a minimag. Just don't compare it to a nice white led or halogen it'll look hideously yellow then
frown.gif
.

One last thing the Reactor fits very well in the holster for AA mini-mag.
 
Bradshaw, there's currently no LED module for the Tec 40. The LED module that Princeton Tec makes is for the Matrix/Solo/Tec 20 line only.

I had a Matrix for a while, and it was far too dim for what I wanted. It's about 1/2 as bright as an Opalec.

The Opalec module makes for a great retro fit in either a PT Solo, or a Rayovac Kid's Adventure Headlamp. I've done both, and the PT Solo is a pain...the Rayovac isn't as robust, but is FAR easier to mod, and still makes a nice unit.

For the Tec 40, I have the same johnBetchold green 4 LED (6v) as RevolverGeek mentioned. It's bright, but the beam is irregular and the PT reflector only exacerbates the issue.

In another of my Tec 40's I have a 3 LED white (4.5v) (from jBechto's as well) and the beam color and smoothness is superb! It doesn't have a long beam throw, but for me, the output pattern is much more useful for anything up to 25 yards. I'm _seriously_ overdriving it with 4 lithiums. Even with 4 alkalines (6v), it's BRIGHT, but with lithiums, it's even brighter, and has got an incredible runtime (even in extreme cold), and weighs about the same as a AA Maglight with alkalines, if you're counting ounces like me
smile.gif
The beauty of this setup is that since it uses a lower voltage bulb, you get much more usable light as the batteries die down, or you can use lower voltage rechargables and still get respectable light output (like TxWest and several others). You can even put a dummy battery in and run it at the intended 4.5 volts, and lighten your load by another 0.85 ounces
smile.gif


My Tec 40, with the 3-LED setup is one of my favorites. With the original bulb, the Tec 40 will bring shame to a 3 D Maglight, and makes for a MUCH smaller/lighter package. If I ever need a light that's not a headlamp, these are the lights I reach for.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'm still up in the air on which light to get. I'd like to be able to just order a light and not have to worry about upgrading or buying a mod for the light just for ease of fixing if it's ever broken somehow.

I don't have a problem with buying Lithiums they seem to be well worth the extra money, let alone the piece of mine when it comes to runtime on a long trek.

One question I would have is how do these compare in brightness to the 2(AA) mini mag? That seems to be around what I'm shooting for. If it's as bright as one of those with the oem bulb and alkalines it's plenty bright for what I need. Also anything with a run time of around 10 hours would be plenty as well. Thanks again,

Herd Bull
 
Herd_bull,

All those mods above will totally outshine a AA Minimag many times over.

Also mentioned above, "With the original bulb, the Tec 40 will bring shame to a 3-D battery Maglight, and makes for a MUCH smaller/lighter package." But, you'll only get about 5 hours of runtime from a set of batteries.
 
Plinko

"...only 5 hours..."? 5 hours is forever with an incandescent and $1.33 worth of alkaline batteries.
 
Plinko,

My green LED bulb has the uneven and the rings in it also, but I put a single layer of writeright on the inside of the lens and it made them all completely disappear. Very smooth light now.
 
Sorry, my error on the LED module for TEC 40. It is an LED bulb (drop in replacement).

The matrix module is nice for walking to see where your going, plus you get the extended regulated runtime (40 hrs alkaline, 100+ lithium).

Funny, but my Infinity Ultra is brighter than the matrix module and only a single AA.

I ordered 2 Versalux PR2 LED bulbs and they should arrive today. I will report on how good (or otherwise) they are. Versalux has a drop in replacement for the minimag now and you can even focus the light. Might be worth checking out if you already have the minimag. There are one or two topics on this already.

BTW, the Reactor is way brighter than a minimag and with a pair of Lithium AAs, you get a runtime of 25 hours. Better throw than traditional LED lights.
 
Ok so I think I've removed the Impact from my choices. It seems to be the "weakest runner" of the bunch. I really like the PT lights though. They seem to be indestrucable. Now it looks like I'll need to try a Reactor and a PT 20 & 40 with LED's.

What kind of run time can a guy expect from a PT 20 and 40 both with Lithiums and LED's? I would probably have to order a 3 or 4 LED cluster for the 40 the way it sounds.

I hate to rule out the Impact because it's a nice over the counter unit but if it doesn't compare I probably don't want it. I'm looking at not wanting to buy another hunting for 10 years. Or until something that is x amount of times better. Thanks guys, I knew I came to the right spot.
 
Charles,

Be aware that the Versalux PR2 LED bulb should not be used with Lithium batteries. I didn't realize this until after I ordered a couple and read the instructions. It can also pull down rechargeables to damaging levels.

The Opalec is great with all battery types, since the indicator light will let you know when Nimh's need to be recharged. I just wish Opalec would come up with a drop in module for some truly waterproof light though. I intended to use my Opalec with rechargeables, but it goes so long on previously crippled alkalines that I still have a big pile to use up!

To my knowledge, the PT-20/Matrix module is still the only combo that is both regulated and dive light waterproof without modification. It is somewhat dim and a bit overpriced - had I not gotten mine used at a good price, I might have been disappointed. I do wind up using it quite a bit between the Solo headlamp and Tech 20 forms, as it is totally waterproof, long burning and Lithium battery capable.
 

Latest posts

Top