Does anyone use their Tec 40 any more?

[DoubleDutch]

When I became interested in flashlights, some 5 years ago, the Tec 40 was one of my first quality lights. After reading multiple threads about the light, I upgraded it with the KPR103 and NiMh's (and the sheet of aluminium foil in the tube). It was very impressive. And very water tight.

But now I hardly ever use it. And so do many of you, seeing that a search yields mostly archived threads.

Is there anyone who still uses it?

If so, did you mod it with another bulb or a LED? If yes, which PR based LED fits it best (brightness and beam pattern)? Maybe I will fit it with a LED myself. It will make it a pretty indestructible combo.

Kees

 

[Sigman]

"Recycled" my PT40s, but sure would like to fine a supply of some inexpensive PT20s!!!!

 

[PhantomPhoton]

My PT40 died a few years ago and while I've thought about picking another one up I haven't ever done it. Was my "EDC" back in the mid '90s. The conductive pad at the bottom fell out and I have since lost or used the remaining parts.

 

[nikon]

I've got a couple of them sitting on a shelf, waiting for an emergency situation which will probably never come. It would be nice if there were a place to donate waterproof lights like these to areas likely to encounter floods.

 

[DoubleDutch]

"Recycled" my PT40s, but sure would like to fine a supply of some inexpensive PT20s!!!!

Sigman,

Would you use them stock, or mod them with LED or Li-ion + high output bulb ?

Kees

 

[Sigman]

I'd just drop PR base SMJLEDs in the PT20s.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

I put mine in my travel kits with Lithium AAs, it's a bit "hot" but I've not blown a bulb yet.

-LT

 

[Phaserburn]

I have led drop ins in my two, and use them as pool lights for the kids.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Kees,

I also started out with an upgrade to the Tec 40 from my 2 AA Mini Mag. I have one that I use the heck out of. It lives in my truck. It has had batteries leak in it and I have gone through a few lamps, but it still works great. I freely hand it out to others when needed. I also have a couple of backups for it. One is new in the package, the other is for use around the house.

Tom

 

[horizonseeker]

it's in my earthquake kit with a LED replacement bulb.

 

[spoonrobot]

I have one for give-out use and general use when I need a decent amount of light for a long time. The light is excellent for working on the car since it has a clean body that can be scrubbed clean of dirt and grease easily. No small grooves or cracks to trap the stuff.

I also have one in my disaster kit with 2 spare reflectors, a dozen or so bulbs and batteries. Spare parts are so cheap and available for this light.

 

[paulr]

The PT20 is still available under another model name (I keep forgetting it, maybe PT Flare) that comes with a pop-on diffuser that looks like a small traffic cone.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

The PT20 is still available under another model name (I keep forgetting it, maybe PT Flare) that comes with a pop-on diffuser that looks like a small traffic cone.

I think it's the princeton tec sport flare but the bulb is about half the power of the original for better runtime as a marker/lantern. link

-LT

 

[Misterbean]

i actually just bought one the other day and am waiting for it to get here. i got it for 9 bucks or something when i got some other stuff. i am still not sure why i got it other than it will make a great do anything small light. i would also like to know the best drop-in for it so i can bring it back up to date a little.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I don't use it a lot but I won't part with it. It gets the job done when needed.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Thanks for all your reactions!

It seems I can only find references to 2-cell SMJLED's.

Does anybody know of such LED's for 4 cells (4.8-6 V)?

And if so, where to buy?

Kees

 

[horizonseeker]

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=LIGHTS

http://www.led-replacement.com/

they both sell PR-2 base replacements for the Tec series flashlight. the problem is the reflector in the Tec series is not really that well suited for it. I use the 4-cell version from led-replacement in my Tec 40 but not really liking the beam even with a OP reflector. that's why it's in my disaster kit.

the bright side is you get a long running time with the LED bulbs.

 

[DoubleDutch]

horizonseeker,

Thanks. It's the Terralux that I'd seen long ago, but I couldn't remember the name. I'll look into it.

Kees

 

[nightstalker101]

I usually bring mine camping and it ends up being a spares carrier for when the batteries in my L2D die.

 

[ZMZ67]

I am overdriving a 3-cell Mag Xenon in mine with decent results.Actually I was going to pick up a few more but INOVA came out with "warm" LEDs in thier T-series and I lost interest in the TEC-40.
I have tried the Terra-LUX led replacement but was not very impressed with the results.The Terra-LUX didn't make good contact and when I got the light working it wasn't very bright.
The TEC-40 has some great features but unless I find a better LED replacement or need a small incandescent for a specific purpose mine will probably not see much service.