Expedition 1900

[Gman]

Anyone have experience with these?

Specifically, anyone own the "limited edition" model in aluminum?

 

[lightuser]

I had the black one which is the same thing and gave it away to a family member after a few weeks. It wasn't powerful enough to replace a 2-5 watt incandescent light. IMHO, there are better lights for $140. It gives a bluish-white, even and rather pretty, but diffused beam. It has excellent runtimes and it is very durable, and respectable emergency light, but be sure you really want such soft diffuse light before you commit to it. Lumenwise it's nothing great. Not many app's are best served with such a soft output. For illumination there are plenty of better alternatives, some for less than $50, and for professional or emergency uses there are better choices too like a Surefire M2, 6P, E2, Streamlight Stinger, the Lightwave 4000, the PT Surge to name a few. Most of these cost a lot less and all of them put out more light. With a little hobby skill you can also build a better LED flashlight. Several members have also built 36 LED flashlights from the Energizer Double Barrel. I had one and found it superior to the Trek although it wasn't cheaper. I would say if you really like LED lights try the Lightwave 4000 or 3000 first and see if you like them. The Trek is pricey because it uses an expensive bulb but that bulb is not superior for very many applications.

 

[Gman]

Thanx Lightuser....

I have a LW 3000 and like it a lot. There are times when that soft, diffused beam is nice for close work. I think many filament torches are simply too bright when one doesn't need that kind of reach. (I know, thats heresy!

I guess'll skip the 1900. The aluminum LE model is $175....yikes!

 

[recercare]

The Trek 1900 is great. It's solid and very bright, but too expensive compared to LW 4000. If you need really bright light i would go for an incandescent, but stay away from surefire if you need long run-time.

 

[lightuser]

Funny thing, I discovered a regular halogen flashlight can be made wonderfully diffuse just like an LED by inserting a cheap "beam shaper" or diffuser on it. I discovered this when I got some cheap diffuser inserts with another light. I started trying all my regular lights with the diffuser to see what they did. Presto, out came a nice smooth beam. I call it a diffuser, Surefire calls it a beam shaper. I guess they're available from a camera shop or a stagelight shop. It's a thin soft plastic sheet material that spreads the light out before it leaves the lens. The throw is reduced but you get the smoothness you need to see close objects without distortion. The beam bathes the field. It is exactly like what LEDs do but for a fraction of the cost. My next task light (other than a new HA ArcLS

)will be a cheap Energizer DB AA with a diffuser on it. Of course DBs all have a disconcerting, disgruntling, dismembered standard beam, but this is an easy way to improve them as long as you aren't aiming more than a few feet. No offense to the Treks, and I have owned several, but I just wouldn't go for them again knowing what can be done to the halogen lights for a few dollars. Maybe this will help.