good LED flashlight on 2D batteries

[0xcpf]

Hi,

Newbie here. Please be nice.

I am looking for a good LED flashlight running on 1D or 2D batteries. Battery life is not too big a concern, I am looking for brightness, ruggedness and ease of handle. Also, not too expensive. After spending some time, I came up with some choices.

1. Maglite 3W/ 2D
2. Brinkmann 3 LED 2D
3. Brinkmann 4 LED 2D
4. Brinkmann Pro-Max 2D 3W

I am thinking of either (3) or (4), but not sure which is brighter. Has anyone any opinion on either of those? Or even (1) or (2) for that matter

Also, are there any other better 1D/2D flashlights ?

Brinkmann products URL:
http://tinyurl.com/6dogqc

Thank you.

 

[sol-leks]

I've heard the brinkmanns are fairly cheap and break easily. Your best bet is to get a mag with an led dropin, either their own make, a nite ize or a terralux. There is also this guy which looks pretty nice:
http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=1777

 

[Marduke]

Your option #1 is probably going to give you your best bang for your buck. It's by far the most durable and reliable, and gives you literally dozens of upgrade options later on down the road if you choose to do so.

 

[metlarules]

Get the maglite and put this in it.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6exb.html

 

[Ayeaux]

I agree with everyone else, the mag is probably best. I have an old 3D that was sitting in the garage for the last 12 years that I finally put a MagLed in last year. Works great. Could be brighter, but that is what all the other dropins are for. Lots of options for it.

 

[ThatGuyBri]

I noticed a new "4 watt" Husky 2D flashlight at Home Depot (not to be confused with the "3 watt" version. It had a shiny metal head and uses a Cree LED. I can't find any information about it on the home depot web site or elsewhere on the internet. I don't have one so I can't comment on the quality, etc. Hopefully someone else has seen it and could comment on it.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Welcome to CPF. I would go with the Mag. You can get some upgrades for it here, if you decide later you want a light with more power. A member here called FiveMega make lots of mods for Mags. I don't have a link to any of his threads, but look around and you find him and other people who made mods for Maglights.

 

[Gunner12]

If you don't mind 2C, the Lowel's Taskforce 2C with the Cree LED seems to be a good performing lower priced light that can be found at a B&M store.

Any reason why D batteries? A good single AA powered light can easily outlumen and out throw a normal 2D light.

If you already have a Maglite, check this thread.

:welcome:

 

[0xcpf]

Thanks all for your valuable advice. Much appreciated. I will go with Maglite 3W and replace the LED with (probably) TerraLux. I will also do some reading on the other links that everyone provided.

To answer why I want something running on D batteries. I want a "backup system" at a place where power failures are frequent. I like to have the ability to exchange the batteries in various devices. This is the setup that I have in mind.

Maha C808M battery charger
Powerex rechargeable D batteries
Rayovac 300 lumens 4W LED lantern (3D)
O2 Cool 1041 5 inch fan (2D)
Maglite Flashlight (2D)

Thanks.

 

[Marduke]

If you're goint to go with the Terralux anyhow, there is no need to get the MagLED. The incan version is much cheaper.

Also, you will get better output with a 3D version if the size is acceptable.
​

 

[0xcpf]

If you're goint to go with the Terralux anyhow, there is no need to get the MagLED. The incan version is much cheaper.

Good point, thanks.

 

[redlaw55]

The 3 watt 2D Energizer HardCase LED light at Home Depot has been on clearance for $19 (the one that can survive a 15 foot drop, and stand on it's end). But you might wish to consider a 3-cell light. In most 2-cell lights, a voltage boosting circuit is present. If using rechargeables, the voltage will start lower than with ordinary batteries, aggravating the low-voltage, 2-cell condition. It can be much easier to find a high-performance, "off-the-shelf" 3-cell light at a fair price because the supplied voltage then meets the more common LED specification.

For about $21, a Gordon 3D/3W LED light from Harbor Freight will challenge any other comparable light out there.

 

[etc]

StreamLite TwinTask is an interesting lite if you need to look at close things, don't need the throw.

Fit and finish is A1 although the incan bulb is useless.

probably not as good as a Mag mod

 

[sol-leks]

How is that lantern? Looks pretty nice. I have a coleman, but it is only 120 lumens.

 

[0xcpf]

Thanks for the replies. I don't want to go for 3D.

I haven't received the lantern yet, I will post some comments on them once I get it. For now, here are some details.

http://www.batterysavers.com/best-camping-led-lantern-review.htm

 

[0xcpf]

I got the lantern today, it contains no instructions. I don't see a door where I can put the batteries. How do I find that out ?

The reviews of the light are available here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=197442

Thanks.

 

[Marduke]

The bottom unscrews.

 

[0xcpf]

Sorry for being stupid. That worked. Thank you.

 

[redlaw55]

I live in a hurricane zone and read all about the lantern, it's a very good choice.

Found this review while tracking down a missing bookmark....

Brinkman 2D 3 Watt Luxeon compared w/Mag 2D (good photos):
http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=14233.0

.

 

[0xcpf]

Hi,

I got the Maglite 2D and the TerraLux 2D replacement LED. Everything works fine, except I get a hissing sound after a few minutes. (I got two and both have the same problem). Could it there be something I am doing wrong or is it something to be expected ?

I did a search and I am concerned, as a lot of posts talks about exploding batteries. I am using D size rechargeable Powerex.

Thank you.