Father son duo for outdoors...?

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redleg155

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
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Greetings - first post (but I've done a whole-lotta searching).

First, great forum and lots of good and current information!

My son and I (he's 11) are camping quite often and we have some run-of-the-mill bargain store LED lights. They seem to serve our purposes well, but, we are searching for a little upgrade.

I'm looking for a pair of lights - one for me (for my son to grow in to) and one for my son. I've leaning heavily towards a SF LX2, the dual output being really attractive. Tactical is not my first priority (been there, done that - but usually without lights). I wish the LX2 had one more lower setting though...like, 2 to 5 LUM.

For my son, I would like to get 2 lights - something that will have great performance, easy to use or program, a very low setting so he can have run time in his tent, not too complicated (though my son is engneer scary smart) and has a "fun" level high as well. Reason for 2 lights for him - obviously accidental loss and he needs one with his field medical kit (diabetic). I see some 4-sevens, Fenix, and others that are under 1-Ben Franklin that seem great.

Please help this high-tech light novice with some recommendations before I purchase.

Thanks and hope this post contains enough details so as not to be a waste of time.

redleg
 
I'd have a look for a Solarforce L2/Surefire 6P or C2 (which needs to be bored for 18,5mm Cells) and a drop-in from nailbender. You can have it 2 or 3 modes and choose the emitter you like (i would take the XP-G or SST-50).
And then you only need some 18650's.
Or you grab a Fenix TK11...but there are too many options..Personally i also like the Jetbeam RRT-1 (which is a little over your budget).
However, the Solarforce Lights, especially the L2P are good hosts.
 
:welcome:

redleg155 said:
Thanks and hope this post contains enough details so as not to be a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Hm, Ben Franklin... I heard recently he regarded himself as British for at least 70 years of his life. What he represents in currency... :confused:

Anyway, are you thinking of one headlamp, one handheld?
 
Handheld, not headlamp.

Also, I appreciate the customization tips as I'm sure they are valid and impressive, but I want to pay & play. I'm not to the point of wanting to fiddle with customizing lights - I save that for cars and other stuff.

Thanks - redleg
 
If you are looking at the LX2, I assumed that budget shouldn't be a problem for you and I believe that you have an acquired taste for quality and reliability. So I will recommend you to look at the Ra clicky or Ra twisty from HDS Systems by Henry, the maker and designer of HDS lights. If you need more info regarding Ra lights, you could search for the multitudes of info here in CPF. I would highly recommend you get the high CRI (Color Rendering Index) ones for use in the outdoors. It brings out color and depth perception much better than cool white LEDs. You would have to go to the custom page in HDS Systems' website to order the high CRI version.

If you still like the LX2 from Surefire, go ahead, get it. I do own the LX2 and I would say it is a fantastic light. The low power of the LX2 is sufficient for almost 90% of usage outdoors. The throw is quite good also.
 
TorchBoy said:
:welcome:


Hm, Ben Franklin... I heard recently he regarded himself as British for at least 70 years of his life. What he represents in currency... :confused:

Anyway, are you thinking of one headlamp, one handheld?
Click to expand...

He's on the $100 bill (I had a feeling as soon as I read this there would be a significant portion of the reading audience that had no idea). Also, anytime you hear someone talking about "Benjamins" in a rap/hip hop song, it's the same thing - they're talking about money, big money.
 
Thanks pjandyho!

I had not considered the HDS Systems - very cool lights. I will look into them more.

redleg
 
redleg155 said:
Greetings - first post (but I've done a whole-lotta searching).

First, great forum and lots of good and current information!

My son and I (he's 11) are camping quite often and we have some run-of-the-mill bargain store LED lights. They seem to serve our purposes well, but, we are searching for a little upgrade.

I'm looking for a pair of lights - one for me (for my son to grow in to) and one for my son. I've leaning heavily towards a SF LX2, the dual output being really attractive. Tactical is not my first priority (been there, done that - but usually without lights). I wish the LX2 had one more lower setting though...like, 2 to 5 LUM.

For my son, I would like to get 2 lights - something that will have great performance, easy to use or program, a very low setting so he can have run time in his tent, not too complicated (though my son is engneer scary smart) and has a "fun" level high as well. Reason for 2 lights for him - obviously accidental loss and he needs one with his field medical kit (diabetic). I see some 4-sevens, Fenix, and others that are under 1-Ben Franklin that seem great.

Please help this high-tech light novice with some recommendations before I purchase.

Thanks and hope this post contains enough details so as not to be a waste of time.

redleg
Click to expand...

A 4sevens quark seems like a great match for your son with the low low for extreme run time and the "fun" level high (we all love that level). I'd recommend an AA^2 version unless you specifically were wanting the power/form of a 123 light (you did mention a SF after all). I'm just thinking it would be lower cost to run and your son could handle the charging of some Eneloop AAs, which will work much better than alkaline, something he might enjoy. A Qmini as a 2nd light for his medical kit perhaps.

I won't attempt to pick one for you as you will know what you like much more than I but I could suggest a few to look at and consider. You mentioned the LX2 but wished it had a lower low in addition to the two modes. The Surefire Stratum has three modes but you give up a bit of light on the high end; it is cheaper as well. The levels are 5, 50, and 150 "Surefire lumens." (they underrate their output) The E2DL has a lower low and is a fair bit cheaper than the LX2.
That's without even looking at other manufacturers. :) Enjoy your shopping.
 
For your son, I'd go with either a Quark AA^2, or a Fenix LD20 (Q5 model if throw is wanted, R4 if brighter, but more floody), and something along the lines of a Quark Mini AA/Fenix E01.

For yourself, if you're willing to look at Surefire prices, go take a look at a Ra/HDS high CRI clicky. These are very well built, have a simple User Interface with 4 modes which are individually programmable, and are extremely durable.

Maybe buy two of these, and give one to your son, instead of the first couple of choices I mentioned... If he doesn't like it, you can either return it, or sell it near price on the Marketplace. The nice thing about selling Ra/Surefire lights is that they tend to hold their value, even when used, so no fea about being stuck with a $140 light or two...
 
Oh yes, other than the Ra clicky and twisty that I had recommended, you could look at the Quark series too as others have suggested. I got myself a warm white Quark Turbo 123x2 from 4sevens.com and I would say it is a fantastic light too.

Other than the warm white MiNi series, the other warm white series are only offered in the tactical version, with a default tightened bezel for turbo mode, and loosen bezel for a lower mode. You could program them in any modes you want from moon mode, low, medium, high, turbo, strobe, SOS, and beacon but you would only get two modes at one time.
 
TorchBoy said:
:welcome:


Hm, Ben Franklin... I heard recently he regarded himself as British for at least 70 years of his life. What he represents in currency... :confused:
Click to expand...

Yes, for the first 70 years of his life he was a British subject, the next 15, not so much. We ended up naming a short-lived state after him in addition to putting his likeness on our $100 bill.

As for the OP, I would recommend checking out 4sevens.com. You'll almost certainly find something you like. Maybe a TK20.
 
Last edited:
+1 for something in the 4Sevens Quark line, all the output and straightforward simplicity of a Surefire at under half the price (which is important should the light become lost.)
 
was.lost.but.now.found said:
He's on the $100 bill (I had a feeling as soon as I read this there would be a significant portion of the reading audience that had no idea). Also, anytime you hear someone talking about "Benjamins" in a rap/hip hop song, it's the same thing - they're talking about money, big money.
Click to expand...
Having seen Slumdog Millionaire I should probably have known that. I'll think of you if I ever hear that term in a song. I never knew about the State of Franklin either. I see it was never part of the United States.

The beamshots I've seen of the TK20 are very nice.
 
redleg155 said:
How long does it take to get an Ra Clicky after order?

Thanks - redleg
Click to expand...

Sounds like most will get a custom one within the two weeks, though I am sure there are those that wait the full two weeks. Regular models should be ready to ship. Took about a week to get my custom all the way out here in Hawaii.
 
redleg155 said:
How long does it take to get an Ra Clicky after order?

Thanks - redleg
Click to expand...
The last time I ordered a custom clicky with guaranteed tint emitter, it took about 10 days to reach me here in Singapore. Faster than the quoted 2 weeks and Henry's customer service rocks!
 
Thank you all for your help. I'm convinced now, that I "need" an Ra clicky and I'll probably fill my son's needs with a 4sevens of some type.

Refinement questions on the HDS Systems lights:

Any comments comparing the sapphire lens vs. the glass...?

And, any user comments comparing the "regular" clicky button vs. the flush fit one...? I'm leaning towards the flush mounted exec. clicky, 100 LUM, high CRI and flush mounted button for pocket carry.

Thanks again - redleg
 
Last edited:
Nice choice, you DO need one. ;)

(edit: woops)

Regular clicky is generally regarded as easier to activate but the flush clicky is better suited to pocket carry to avoid accidental activation.
I love you choice, that's the exact one I would get!
 
Last edited:
Sapphire is more transmissive but also more brittle, so it will shatter easier than glass. Glass will scratch and crack faster though. Unless your going to actively try to destroy it, it probably wont matter.

Most of the nicer glass lens will be coated with a layer of artificial sapphire to prevent scratching anyway.
 
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