flashy bazook
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 1,139
This is the problem: I need strong throw for an outdoors flashlight in a cr123a (1x, 2x, even 3xCR123A are all acceptable) format.
I already have two of the most powerful throw LED lights out there, the Streamlight Surivor (throw 85 on high, as given by Doug -Quickbeam) and a K2 drop-in module into a 3xD MagLite (throw 100 with reflector in focused position). But I am looking for a lighter, non-rechargeable, formfactor. It should also be reasonably tough against the elements. Finally, runtime is important, so it means the new cree-LEDs will have a big advantage.
I did a lot of research, and found the following obvious candidates: Lumapower D-Mini and the newer M1. Huntlight (cree version) looks to be a similar formfactor and a good possibility. But: are there also any others? And what do people who have used one or more of these lights think? What data do we have on the throw for these models? (or even just beamshots - to see that these flashlights can put some light on something 30 feet, 100 feet, or even 100 yards, away - I have seen the Lunamax beamshots, and would really appreciate seeing some other ones as well, especially to compare big throw LED flashlights against each other).
Finally - what about other flashlights I have not included? Here are some thoughts I had for some of the possibilities:
Inova - unfortunately not using cree, so they lose out on the runtime vs throw tradeoff. I was bummed that the new Inovas apparently reduce throw (lose the TIROS optic) and not use the cree; will look at the specs of the T5 if (when?) it comes out in a K2 LED, but will not consider the T4 since it is a rechargeable formfactor only.
I found this Danish brand that claims to be making the most powerful LEDs, claiming visibility for 600 feet in one light (!), but I think they only make them in a rechargeable format.
Surefires you say? OK I will also be carrying in addition to the bigger throw flashlight the L1 for close work (in red light output, of course). But: for L2, L4, and L5's: the design seems to NOT favor throw! I don't know about the new cree-d versions yet, which should be more powerful and have bettern runtime, but look at the overall vs throw output of the existing versions (using Quickbeam's data):
L2 - overall output 72, throw 28 (on high)
L4 - overall output 58, throw 23
L5 - overall output 60, throw 37
The point being that for good reasons of their own, Surefire do not favor throw (tactical uses being relatively close range), which means they are not necessarily the best lights for simple outdoors use. The new cree-d versions will I think preserve this design choice.
So - none of these even comes close to the throw of the Streamlight and the K2-drop-in Mag: so what am I missing?
thanks!
I already have two of the most powerful throw LED lights out there, the Streamlight Surivor (throw 85 on high, as given by Doug -Quickbeam) and a K2 drop-in module into a 3xD MagLite (throw 100 with reflector in focused position). But I am looking for a lighter, non-rechargeable, formfactor. It should also be reasonably tough against the elements. Finally, runtime is important, so it means the new cree-LEDs will have a big advantage.
I did a lot of research, and found the following obvious candidates: Lumapower D-Mini and the newer M1. Huntlight (cree version) looks to be a similar formfactor and a good possibility. But: are there also any others? And what do people who have used one or more of these lights think? What data do we have on the throw for these models? (or even just beamshots - to see that these flashlights can put some light on something 30 feet, 100 feet, or even 100 yards, away - I have seen the Lunamax beamshots, and would really appreciate seeing some other ones as well, especially to compare big throw LED flashlights against each other).
Finally - what about other flashlights I have not included? Here are some thoughts I had for some of the possibilities:
Inova - unfortunately not using cree, so they lose out on the runtime vs throw tradeoff. I was bummed that the new Inovas apparently reduce throw (lose the TIROS optic) and not use the cree; will look at the specs of the T5 if (when?) it comes out in a K2 LED, but will not consider the T4 since it is a rechargeable formfactor only.
I found this Danish brand that claims to be making the most powerful LEDs, claiming visibility for 600 feet in one light (!), but I think they only make them in a rechargeable format.
Surefires you say? OK I will also be carrying in addition to the bigger throw flashlight the L1 for close work (in red light output, of course). But: for L2, L4, and L5's: the design seems to NOT favor throw! I don't know about the new cree-d versions yet, which should be more powerful and have bettern runtime, but look at the overall vs throw output of the existing versions (using Quickbeam's data):
L2 - overall output 72, throw 28 (on high)
L4 - overall output 58, throw 23
L5 - overall output 60, throw 37
The point being that for good reasons of their own, Surefire do not favor throw (tactical uses being relatively close range), which means they are not necessarily the best lights for simple outdoors use. The new cree-d versions will I think preserve this design choice.
So - none of these even comes close to the throw of the Streamlight and the K2-drop-in Mag: so what am I missing?
thanks!
.
