Help deciding between flashlights

[aEx155]

I have been spending a lot of time looking over various flashlight reviews and such, and I've finally decided that it might be a good idea to consult the members here at CPF on my first post.

After making a few LED lights (Radioshack and Home Depot, yeah!) and playing around with a M@G-lite that I modified with a lens from a telescope set and a LED drop in (apparently it was just an LED of some sort (Luxeon? I can't know for sure) on top of a machined aluminum heatsink driven by what seems to be a resistor/heat-limited resistor; I have pictures from when I took it apart and added some cheap thermal grease from RadioShack) I'm sort of hooked on the nice beams of LED lights and was hoping to get something a little smaller to play with.

As I'm only a teenager, my budget is limited to about $20 - $30, and this would mean that I'm only able to get one flashlight, so it's important that I get it right the first time. ("even though it's probably not going to be the last"; I just know someone is going to say that here)

So, requirements: a 2XAA (NiMh) flashlight with a runtime of at least 3 hrs. For the beam, something that has spot to flood capabilities. In the case that that isn't possible, then a light who's spillbeam is fairly bright (proabably an OP reflector) so that it floods more than throws. It also doesn't have to be horribly bright , but it should be equal or surpassing my modified M@g. (I'm not sure how I would tes this though, I can provide pictures if it would help in assisting me)

I haven't found any 2xAA focusable lights (besides the COAST Led Lenser, but I'm not to sure about the runtime on 3xAAA and the price is too much) so I've been looking at the Romisen RC-N3 from DealExtreme, since it does use 2x AA, but I'm not sure if the spillbeam is bright enough for what I'm looking for.

<bad pun>I'm sure someone can shed some light on my situation.</bad pun>

I don't like sounding like I'm flat out asking for help (and I bet others don't either) so hopefully someone can just confirm my research or recommend a different direction.

Thanks in advance,
aEx155

 

[sol-leks]

Have u looked at the fenix E20? It's a bit above what u were looking for I think but barely. It uses 2AA NIMH for three hours, has spot to flood and is 38 bucks. WIth discount it comes out to like 34.50 i think.
I have one and its a very nice light. I have an rc-n3 too and it is also a great light, but personally I find it a little too focused for me most of the time. It has a fairly tight hotspot.

 

[polkiuj]

Yup. Fenix E20 is a good choice. Cheap and well made.

Eagletac P100A2 is also not bad. Hi/Med. But it's more a thrower than a flooder. The good here is that you get a rather efficient and awesome LED (CREE X-PE).

You gotta stretch that budget a little. And I'd suggest you not get the budget ones.

 

[bobli17]

In my opinion, it's hard to find a good light that does spot to flood in the $20- $30 range. I have a few lights that are spot to flood
LED Lenser /w SSC P4 ($55), Fenis E20($35), River Rock 2AA($11@Target if you can find one), others and I actually like the LED Lenser (btw ~1 hr runtime) the best.

BUT!!! I rather have a light that does a few things well instead of many things "okay". All the lights I mentioned above do many things "okay"

If you REALLY want flood to spot, then I agree with sol-leks and forking over a few more dollars for the Fenix E20 since it's closer to your price range. The Lenser is only good if you mode it with a SSC P4 and the River Rock has a few issues (they may be + or -) square beam, not as bright as the others, but cheap @ only $11.

HOWEVER, I also have the RC-N3 (2 mode) from Shingingbeam and would prefer that over the E20.

WHY? Because it's brighter, has more throw, 2 modes, cheaper, can use one cr123/rcr123 so it's smaller for edc (if you are not doing this now you will in the near future) and brighter too. AND if I wanted more flood, I could just use a water bottle cap as a diffuser.

Look at this link for a review of the E20 & comparisons with the RC-N3.

Have fun with whatever you choose.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

If you don't need a low mode than the Eagletac P100A2 is a great light. Grab a simple diffuser and you've got a flood light. This is my first choice around the $30 price range.

The E20 isn't a bad light either. It is focusable but I have no personal experience with one so that's all I can say. There's a newer MiniM@g LED light available now, and looks like it will actually perform decently. They're ~$25 at Target, they've got a new package telling you about it being multi-mode so they're not hard to spot.

:welcome:

 

[aEx155]

There's a newer MiniM@g LED light available now, and looks like it will actually perform decently. They're ~$25 at Target, they've got a new package telling you about it being multi-mode so they're not hard to spot.

AA Minimag - LuxIII vs. Rebel

Is that referring to the newer Minim@g? If so, it does seems pretty interesting, I'll have to look into it more.

AND if I wanted more flood, I could just use a water bottle cap as a diffuser.

Speaking of diffusers, how well do those work in spreading out the light?

As for the Fenix E20, it doe seem like a better choice, albeit a little higher in price; does anyone have any cautions pertaining to purchasing lights on Ebay?

 

[bobli17]

Speaking of diffusers, how well do those work in spreading out the light?

I think it works well. Take a look at this thread. Post #10 and #24 are good for references.

The diffuser for the RC-N3 isn't made the same way, look here post #129

There are other DIY diffusers too... do a search for other options.

 

[bogeymachine]

+1 RC-N3 II

me likey...

In my opinion, it's hard to find a good light that does spot to flood in the $20- $30 range. I have a few lights that are spot to flood
LED Lenser /w SSC P4 ($55), Fenis E20($35), River Rock 2AA($11@Target if you can find one), others and I actually like the LED Lenser (btw ~1 hr runtime) the best.

BUT!!! I rather have a light that does a few things well instead of many things "okay". All the lights I mentioned above do many things "okay"

If you REALLY want flood to spot, then I agree with sol-leks and forking over a few more dollars for the Fenix E20 since it's closer to your price range. The Lenser is only good if you mode it with a SSC P4 and the River Rock has a few issues (they may be + or -) square beam, not as bright as the others, but cheap @ only $11.

HOWEVER, I also have the RC-N3 (2 mode) from Shingingbeam and would prefer that over the E20.

WHY? Because it's brighter, has more throw, 2 modes, cheaper, can use one cr123/rcr123 so it's smaller for edc (if you are not doing this now you will in the near future) and brighter too. AND if I wanted more flood, I could just use a water bottle cap as a diffuser.

Look at this link for a review of the E20 & comparisons with the RC-N3.

Have fun with whatever you choose.

 

[Gunner12]

With shipping, how much is the light from eBay? I'd suggest buying from a well known store like 4sevens. E20, and there's an 8% off coupon "CPF8". For not too much more there's the older L2D-CE.

How much spill light do you need if you went for a fixed focus light?

The 2 mode Romisen RC-N3 from Shiningbeam might be a good choice. You can use the lower mode for when you are working at a closer range. 6% off coupon "cpfuser".

:welcome:

 

[Derek Dean]

Howdy aEx155 and welcome to CPF,
One advantage of buying your Fenix light (if that's what you decide on) from 4sevens.com is that he backs all of his Fenix lights with a lifetime warranty, and since you are a teenager that translates into a LONG warranty. You also get 30 days to check it out and see if you like it...... if not, you can return it (in new condition and at your expense) for a full refund.

Now for some sage advice. Take your time......look around, think about what features are most important in your new light, and then when you do decide on what to buy ..... look for a dealer with a good reputation.

By the way..... I agree with Gunner12, if you could at all swing it, I'd absolutely recommend saving your money and getting the Fenix L2D-CE that he links to in his post. It's worth every penny! It has 4 light levels, and you can select if you want it to come on at the lowest level OR the highest level. Very neat.

I've had one for 2 years and use it nightly for my bicycle commute home from work........ it's my 'go to' light. It has a very balanced beam profile with a nice bright spill, but enough spot to let you see a bit in the distance too. It's one of the favorite lights here on CPF for good reason.

Ok, have fun!

 

[hoongern]

I too started out with the shiningbeam RC-N3 II Q5, which I think is excellent for its price. Of course, you're not going to get the best quality, but I think for its price, it's amazing.

Do remember to factor in the price of batteries =) I got the RC-N3 with some CR123s, and then AW 16340s & a charger (with 3.7v, no low mode on the RC-N3) - don't be caught off guard by these 'hidden' costs!

I think it does depend a lot on what your needs are. Frankly for me the RC-N3 is almost too bright for a lot of things!

 

[aEx155]

Well, after all this, I've decided that I should reconsider my requests:

- still 2 AAs and but now $20 - $50 (incl. shipping)
- multi-level/dimmable
- the brightest spill (compared to hotspot, not to other flashlights) OR largest hotspot and slightly less bright spill

Out of all the lights from selfbuilt's 2xAA Round-up Review the one I've picked is the Fenix L2D; nothing else seems to provide the same performance for the price. The last thing is for someone to confirm that third request before I order it. (especially, at ~1m, what it the diameter of the hotspot?)

Thanks for all the help everyone has given me; I'm glad I found this forum.

aEx155

EDIT: Recommended place of order other than 4sevens.com? 4sevens seems to be out of stock.

 

[FloggedSynapse]

L2D is an excellent choice. When you factor in the price + options this light is excellent. Low mode lasts for days, the light also has a high and a 'turbo' mode. Takes any kind of AA battery, including Lithium and rechargeables.

The spot on mine is a good 12-14" at a meter. Tho I've got an older L2D.

 

[Derek Dean]

Recommended place of order other than 4sevens.com? 4sevens seems to be out of stock.

Howdy,
I just checked 4sevens.com and it says "Temporarily" out of stock. I believe they are offering this one at a reduced price because it has a slightly older type of LED...... but still amazingly bright on Turbo.

This is the one I'm talking about:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=195

Now, you could get the "Olive" colored version...... which some folks prefer:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_55&products_id=407

Or, you could shoot 4sevens an e-mail and see when they are expecting to get some more of the black ones in.

Either way, you only get the lifetime warranty if you buy it from 4sevens. However..... I did find this one with a Google search.... but again, no lifetime warranty:
http://kandlepower.com/Fenix-L2D-CE...froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

My recommendation would be to either get the Olive version from 4sevens, or e-mail them to find out when the back one is coming in and then get on a list for notification.

That way, you can still look around while you're waiting to see if anything else catches your eye .

 

[aEx155]

L2D is an excellent choice. When you factor in the price + options this light is excellent. Low mode lasts for days, the light also has a high and a 'turbo' mode. Takes any kind of AA battery, including Lithium and rechargeables.

The spot on mine is a good 12-14" at a meter. Tho I've got an older L2D.

Well, that's what I was hoping for; that's 3x the spot on my modded M@g, so I'm happy with that.

or e-mail them to find out when the back one is coming in and then get on a list for notification.

That way, you can still look around while you're waiting to see if anything else catches your eye .

I took your advice and am now waiting for updates.

Once again, thanks to everyone; I'm also still open to suggestions for those who have them.

 

[bogeymachine]

budget and scope creep!

excellent, you are going to "need" more lights bruddah!

I love my L2T and my Romi NC-N3 II (shinigbeam exclusive) and my NC-N3 prem Q5...

do you detect a pattern?

peace

p.s. the $50 pricepoint puts P7 / MC-E (5 times brighter than L2s and N3s) within drooling range

Well, after all this, I've decided that I should reconsider my requests:

- still 2 AAs and but now $20 - $50 (incl. shipping)
- multi-level/dimmable
- the brightest spill (compared to hotspot, not to other flashlights) OR largest hotspot and slightly less bright spill

Out of all the lights from selfbuilt's 2xAA Round-up Review the one I've picked is the Fenix L2D; nothing else seems to provide the same performance for the price. The last thing is for someone to confirm that third request before I order it. (especially, at ~1m, what it the diameter of the hotspot?)

Thanks for all the help everyone has given me; I'm glad I found this forum.

aEx155

EDIT: Recommended place of order other than 4sevens.com? 4sevens seems to be out of stock.

 

[aEx155]

I too started out with the shiningbeam RC-N3 II Q5, which I think is excellent for its price. Of course, you're not going to get the best quality, but I think for its price, it's amazing.

Do remember to factor in the price of batteries =) I got the RC-N3 with some CR123s, and then AW 16340s & a charger (with 3.7v, no low mode on the RC-N3) - don't be caught off guard by these 'hidden' costs!

I think it does depend a lot on what your needs are. Frankly for me the RC-N3 is almost too bright for a lot of things!

I was wondering; is there a way to add a dimming feature to a flashlight that doesn't have it (like the non-Q5 RC-N3)? (or would that venture into the Homemades forum?)

 

[selfbuilt]

Howdy,
I just checked 4sevens.com and it says "Temporarily" out of stock. I believe they are offering this one at a reduced price because it has a slightly older type of LED...... but still amazingly bright on Turbo.

Yes, those "non-premium" L2Ds are a good deal on 4sevens site (don't forget the cpf8 coupon to save another 8%). They are most likely Q2 emitters, but those could potentially be as low P4. If you are wondering how they would compare to the Q5 "premium" L2D or LD20, you can see output/runtime comparisons here:

Fenix L2D Q5 vs R100, R80, Q2, P4 Comparison Review: RUNTIMES+

Your call of course, but I think they are good buy for the price.

Note by the way that any beam can be made a lot more diffuse by a little scotch tape (the "magic" frosted kind) or glad press 'n seal on the lens. I know it sounds kinda cheap, but it is a surprisingly effective way to slightly diffuse a beam (and quickly reversible).

And no, the dimming feature is an integral component of the light circuit that can't be added later. If you are really keen on getting it, the ITP C8 has a very straightforward implementation and is probably the cheapest option (the Fenix would run a lot longer at its defined levels, though).

 

[dcycleman]

dude, get a fenix. excellent qual. I got my gf an E20 and I couldnt beleive how bright/well built it was for under 40 bucks, or the l2d like the other guys said.

 

[Gunner12]

I was wondering; is there a way to add a dimming feature to a flashlight that doesn't have it (like the non-Q5 RC-N3)? (or would that venture into the Homemades forum?)

Probably, but the process could be hard.

I hope you like the Fenix!