Help! Just realised today that I dont have a single incan!

[Lobo]

Went through my meager flashlight collection today and realised that I dont have a single incan! Not even a cheap bikelight! Even all my indoor lightning is non-incan! I guess that the fridgelight and ovenlight still is a common bulb, but that would be all. I live in a small one room flat, and most of my stuff is still at my parents place so it's maybe not as weird as it sounds, but still.

I guess I never owned a quality incan, Maglite would be the closest, and the beamquality could have been more impressive. Never given incans a real chance either, since most start with cheap lights, and cheap leds are most impressive compared to cheap incans, and since starting with LEDs, I really havent looked back.

So forgive me for the long introduction and please advise me about a good but not expencive incan (living on a student budget here, so around 30USD). I wont really use it for any specific purposes either other than owning a nicer incan. Throw is preferable, allready have nice LEDs for flood. Size is not much of an issue, but I would prefer runtime of at least one hour, and that on NiMh or alkalines.

The new PT Tec Torrent Xenon looks nice, do you guys recommend it? How far would you say it throws, 100m usable light? PTs own numbers of 168m (550yards) seems a bit optimistic.

Also considering a ROP, can get most or allready have most of the parts, within my budget, but need a cheap reflector. Any advices on that?

And guys, please dont recommend the A2. It seems to be awesome going by your reviews and I would buy it in a heartbeat if I could justify the expence (even harder since I dont actually need another light).
Thanks.

 

[cbdudley]

This is easy - get a Surefire G2! It lists for $36, but you should be able to find one for less. Used ones show up here frequently in the $25 price range. Nice light, pocket size as well.

The ROP is a good choice as well, but good reflectors will cost $25 or more.

 

[Fluffster]

I second the G2, it's a great starting point.

 

[Lobo]

The g2 looks really nice, and the price is right. But I probably should have mentioned that I wanted something with a bigger reflector, for even more throw.

Damn, now I'm really tempted to buy a G2 also... If it weren't for the fact that CR123 are a pain and costly to obtain for me, I would have gone for one.

 

[nightstalker101]

you can get a reflector for the ROP for $15 on lightedge.com

 

[FlashSpyJ]

I too wanted a cheaper incan so I got the G2, and then a new buld so I could run 2X3.7v batt...then a LF 320 bulb, gets to hot so now Im thinking of getting the 6P...

So that choice wasnt so cheap...But its a very nice light and good beam and throw as it is!

Hör av dig om du e intresserad! kanske säljer min! Den är som ny typ!

 

[NAW]

I dont have a single incan! Not even a cheap bikelight! Even all

What? No Incan? Bann him!




And yes I'm just kidding :grouphug:

 

[FlashSpyJ]

I too wanted a cheaper incan so I got the G2, and then a new buld so I could run 2X3.7v batt...then a LF 320 bulb, gets to hot so now Im thinking of getting the 6P...

So that choice wasnt so cheap...But its a very nice light and good beam and throw as it is!

Hör av dig om du e intresserad! kanske säljer min! Den är som ny typ!

 

[MacTech]

Add in another vote for the G2, a great, durable, inexpensive light, the only downside to it is the cost of 123a's when purchased from a brick-and-mortar retail store, and the price of the lamp assemblies.....

both batteries and lamps are better purchased online, you get much better pricing

SF generally rates their LA's around 25-35 hours or so IIRC, but most SF users have gotten a lot longer lifespan off the LA's, remember, SureFire quotes "worst case" numbers, they consistently *UNDERrate* their products bulb lifespan and lumens, runtimes on fresh batteries are usually dead-on, SureFire is a very honest company when it comes to product specs

the G2 is a great starter SureFire, but be warned, it *IS* a "Gateway Light" and will make you want more SF's whether you can afford them or not...

see my signature below

 

[Lobo]

Aw, damn, knew I shouldnt come here! Now I really might buy a G2 and another incan, damn you guys! Since this light wont see any heavy use, I might justify the cost of the CR123. Gonna think about it further. But keep the suggestions coming!
Thanks.

@FlashspyJ
Jag kanske ev tar den! Men bara ev intresserad av G2an om det är ok för dig. Jag ska fundera lite på det, lite tight med pengar slutet av terminen och ska resa lite också, men PMar ifall jag är intresserad!

@nightstalker101
Thanks, 15USD sounds very nice! But I cant find the site, the URL goes to some IT-company?

 

[bridgman]

Maybe a G3 so you can run the 9V bulbs and use a pair of 17500 rechargeables ? The 3 cell lights seem to have more battery and bulb options if you can live with the extra length.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Went through my meager flashlight collection today and realised that I dont have a single incan! Not even a cheap bikelight! Even all my indoor lightning is non-incan! I guess that the fridgelight and ovenlight still is a common bulb, but that would be all. I live in a small one room flat, and most of my stuff is still at my parents place so it's maybe not as weird as it sounds, but still.

I guess I never owned a quality incan, Maglite would be the closest, and the beamquality could have been more impressive. Never given incans a real chance either, since most start with cheap lights, and cheap leds are most impressive compared to cheap incans, and since starting with LEDs, I really havent looked back.

So forgive me for the long introduction and please advise me about a good but not expencive incan (living on a student budget here, so around 30USD). I wont really use it for any specific purposes either other than owning a nicer incan. Throw is preferable, allready have nice LEDs for flood. Size is not much of an issue, but I would prefer runtime of at least one hour, and that on NiMh or alkalines.

The new PT Tec Torrent Xenon looks nice, do you guys recommend it? How far would you say it throws, 100m usable light? PTs own numbers of 168m (550yards) seems a bit optimistic.

Also considering a ROP, can get most or allready have most of the parts, within my budget, but need a cheap reflector. Any advices on that?

And guys, please dont recommend the A2. It seems to be awesome going by your reviews and I would buy it in a heartbeat if I could justify the expence (even harder since I dont actually need another light).
Thanks.

Go with the Wolf-Eyes 6 or 9 Series. Best bang for the buck and many many battery/lamp configurations possible. Just avoid the Turbohead models (otherwise, you won't be able to use the excellent Lumens Factory lamp assemblies). But if you go the SureFire route (excellent lights, no doubt), you'll be pretty much stuck with primaries or lower capacity li-ions, as 18500/18650's won't fit in the G2/G3/6P/9P etc.

http://www.tactical-flashlights-store.com/
http://www.pts-flashlights.com/category.aspx?uid=1

Cheers!

P.S- By the way, welcome to the true world of flashlights, the incandescent world! Join the bright (pun intended) side of the force.:naughty:

 

[Illum]

well, hey...at least your not causing more trash by burning out incandescents

Another vote for the G2...thats what started me [and didnt go very far before I went into LED]

 

[yellow]

There are quite good, budget lights at the www.dealextreme.com site.

Most batt choices possible, tactical looking, quite reasonably priced. Some better, some worse in machining but regarding price and pictures one mostly is right on how good it is, in the end.

 

[kelmo]

You need a 9P!

 

[Lobo]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'm leaning towards going "all in" and build me a ROP, if there's any money over, maybe a G2 or Princeton Tec Torrent(dont know why, but just like the size, looks and specs).
Thanks.

 

[BMRSEB]

If you do go SureFire, check out TacticalSupply , they're having an Inventory closeout/Going out of business sale, 30% off!! No affiliation just helping a fellow CPF'er out..

I unfortunately waited too long and missed the G2, it was only $36 plus 30% off..

 

[nightstalker101]

Here is the link to light-edges reflectors. only the Medium stipple is $15.

http://www.light-edge.com/products.asp?section=Mag%20Reflectors&cat=42

Also here, http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=56067

You can find a code to get shipping for $4.05 instead of around $9.

Hope this helps

 

[22hornet]

6D Maglite (or 6C if available).
That's right.
Charge it with NiMH cells and a 5-cell bulb (to compensate for the 1.2 volt of the rechargeables).
???
It IS a classic and worth having. It has good output (over 100 lumens) and a throw of well over 100 yards/meters.
It is also splashproof and very durable.

Kind regards,
Joris

 

[mdocod]

If you want SF quality: go with the already mentioned G2- it's in the ballpark and has some options for upgrades in the future..

But since you are on a budget, and want to be really impressed by a light for a reasonable price (like you already said, the cheap LEDs are pretty nice)... I would steer you a different direction...

For starters... if you have a ****s sporting goods store around, they have been clearing out PT Tec40s for about $7. It's a great little 4xAA light that fits in pockets pretty well... (not as small as a G2, but not far off). It takes standard PR based bulbs, so you can experiment with many configurations in the future... I run mine with 4xNIMH and an HPR50 halogen from RadioShack. It's not far off in brightness from a G2 with the P60, and on 4xNIMH it'll run for over 2 hours reasonably bright. Great utility light, very tough too.. I'm thinking about 4x14500 size Li-Ion and sourcing a 12+V bulb for it, lol..

Another suggestion, is the G2s closest competitor, the Brinkman maxfire... basically it's the same concept- a composite material flashlight body with nice grip. I like the brinkman because it comes stock with a glass lens (the G2 is not glass), and comes with a nice tail cap clicky with push-for-momentary (like mag switches)... It's a great platform (just like the G2) for future upgrades using Li-Ion rechargables and 26mm tactical lamp assemblies. about $50 will buy you a rechargable solution (charger, cells, and lamp) for either the G2 or maxfire.

The Wolf-Eyes 6AX is actually the best platform in the size category for future upgrades, and costs the same as the G2, and it supports larger diameter cells for rechargable solutions down the road.. it can also be modified with an extender to run 2x18650s and a high power lamp like the Surefire P91 with 40+ minutes runtime.