Flashlights needed, Please suggest

[ericgst]

I usually ride my dirt bike on camping trips at night about 1 or 2 times a year. I usually tape a few cheap flash lights to my front fender and end up playing with them all night as they tend to shut off on their own from shock or misaligning themselves.

Well I am going on another trip in a couple weeks and want to buy a couple higher quality lights and build a mount kit for them. I want to use flash lights for this because motorcycle or bicycle lights will cost a couple hundred dollars while you can achieve pretty good light from a couple LED flash lights that can also be used year round as flash lights for a lot less.

My requirements
<$100 for the lights - number of lights not decided on until I know which ones to go with
Durable against shock and vibration
Solid on/off switch – some twist on lights will twist themselves with vibration
Last at least 1.5 hours – I could always carry extra batteries
Either adjustable beam or one spot and one flood minimum
Brighter the better – I have a rayovac 3 watt LED from walmart and it is way too weak
Fairly small would be best, maybe 2 AA size, but willing to give here a bit
Rechargeable would be nice
Online purchase ok

Any input to help me out would be great, thanks.

 

[Spence]

SureFire G2L, all around highest quality flashlights you can buy, 80 lumen LED (conservatively) weather and bash proof Nitrolon construction, budget priced under $70. Some say they can now be found at Lowes check-outs. I buy my SureFires from Battery Junction.com and get great service and free batteries. Also, I believe handlebar mount kits are available to use with the G2L.
Good luck.

 

[Lobo]

I've used a Fenix L2D CE (2AA light) fairly a lot as a bike light and for mountainbiking, havent had any problems so far with vibrations and shock. The new Q5 is rated 180lumens, but that is emitter lumens, so out the front is around 140-150(or so I heard). 2 hours on turbo (a LOT more on lower levels). Rear clickie switch. Actually works best on rechargables(NiMH). It works on alkalines also, but with reduced runtimes. No adjustable beam though.

Check it out.
https://www.fenix-store.com/product...d=362&osCsid=3c81619f533b649ed46fed900eb0ed8b

 

[ericgst]

SureFire G2L, all around highest quality flashlights you can buy, 80 lumen LED (conservatively) weather and bash proof Nitrolon construction, budget priced under $70. Some say they can now be found at Lowes check-outs. I buy my SureFires from Battery Junction.com and get great service and free batteries. Also, I believe handlebar mount kits are available to use with the G2L.
Good luck.

I really don't think that will be enough power. The rayovac light I have now is claiming 80 lumens and it is very weak. I do understand that claimed lumens is not a sole basis for light output though.

Here is what I have, this is only good for walking around at night to me, even 3 of them wouldn't be enough.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Flashlight-...471565QQihZ019QQcategoryZ106987QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Lobo]

I really don't think that will be enough power. The rayovac light I have now is claiming 80 lumens and it is very weak. I do understand that claimed lumens is not a sole basis for light output though.

Here is what I have, this is only good for walking around at night to me, even 3 of them wouldn't be enough.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Flashlight-...471565QQihZ019QQcategoryZ106987QQcmdZViewItem

Allthough, there is a difference between Surefire lumens and pretty much everybody else(HDS might be the other exception). Surefire actually measure their lumens output with a integrating sphere, everybody else rates the lumens from the emitter. So a Surefire light thats rated 60 lumens, will be as bright as another rated as 80lumens.

EDIT: You should probably check this thread out.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=180781
I think you're Rayovac is among those lights. You can see a 65lumens Surefire, it's about the same. The Fenix L2D Q5 should be roughly the same as the P3D R100 picture.

 

[daveman]

I would get the Fenix P3D Q5 over the G2 or the L2D. The P3D Q5 runs on 2 cell, is compact at 4.5 inches, easy to operate (click on, click off), and shoots more than 180 lumens OUT THE FRONT on its max setting (almost 2 hours regulated). Fenix-store.com has it for less than $65, shipping included (use CPF8 discount code for 8% off).

There are times when a light's output matters more than others, and night time biking is one of them. Get a bright one.

 

[scuzzy]

I think both L2D and P3D are good choices. I just prefer AA batteries better, Nimh eneloop rechargables are good. I got the L2d last week and mounted it on my bike tonight for a test drive. You get noticed from afar, no problem. I walked away from the bike and looked at it from a distance and I was thinking if I throw this beem at a driver they would turn their high beems on me to protest. Only thing is the strobe is not easy on eyes( your own eyes as the bike rider). I used it on sos or lower level steady( I am a big city crawler, so there is never total darkness for long). I wish it had a slow strobe but faster than the sos speed. Other than this I like it, together with the cateye ld1000 in the back I think I am covered.

 

[fishx65]

I would also consider a good headlamp attached to your helmet. I do a lot of quading at night and always have a modded EOS on my helmet.

 

[dinocol]

Probably a Fenix T1? hehe i think any of the fenix T1, P3D, P2D, L2D would be a good choice..

check out this thread on the abuse a Fenix P3d got,, and after all that, it still works!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=181049

 

[ericgst]

Thanks guys

So far I am thinking two Fenix P3D Q5s and my Rayovac as an emergency backup unless I find other lights in that price range and quality with similar light output.

I do have a cheap 1-3? watt LED helmet light I use as well.

 

[laserblue]

The Fenix are too cool hehehe

 

[ericgst]

after looking closer I think the T1 would be a better fit for me. I don't ever think I would use the flashing modes on the P3D and having a tougher light is always nice.

 

[Gunner12]

The Fenix T1 would work fine, also buy rechargeable batteries(And good mounts, like the Twofish) if you don't have them already.

The P3D-CE is pretty tough so the T1 should be as good or better, look here.

:welcome: