Help me choose a light please

[Cave_Dweller]

Hi All, Noob here so please be gentle!

I've been trying to work out what kind of light I need, and there's just too much choice. Any chance of some help please?
Here's what I need...

Something to live in the car - doesn't have to be tiny.

200+ OTF 'honest' lumens. More would be better...

If possible, some kind of focus - I have a LED Lenser and like the 'flood to throw' optical arrangement.

Prefer it to run on AAs or 18650s, since I already have 'em. 2x18650s would be ok.

Hi/Med/Lo plus a strobe mode would be nice

I don't care about tint - provided I can see stuff!

Preferably something in the $100 - $150 range. Less would be better!

It has to be available in the UK.

I want the focus since sometimes I want to see what the heck is making a racket in my garden, and other times I want to light up a house number from a distance. What do you experts think are the best options?

Thanks, Glenn.

 

[hyperloop]

focus is really going to limit your choices, if that is really something that you need, then you might want to think about getting a Malkoff drop in for a Mag (4D upwards), alternatively, i personally own an LED Lenser P14 which is 4xAA cells and there is a P17 which uses 3Ds and there is an even brighter one called the X21 i think.

With the latest lights now, the balance between throw and spill is pretty awesome, so u need to think, what do u NEED? a light that throws really far? a light that lights up the whole area? or a light that balances both?

the new multi die LEDs may serve you well, i have a Jetbeam M1X and that is one awesme light. The Fenix TK40 is pretty good too, do a search for "Fenix UK" and you will find a site in the UK, free shipping within UK if i am not wrong.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Cave_Dweller]

Hi,

thanks for the advice - that's got me off to a good start. Sadly both the M1X and the TK40 run around £125 in the UK, which is the equivalent of about $190 - a bit rich for me at the moment. I reckon that although the UK pound is meant to be worth around 1.5 dollars, it's nearer 1:1 when it comes to buying flashlights! You guys in the US have all the fun when it comes to great toys.

The P17 looks like a good option, but in an ideal world I'd like a bit more output. It is well within the budget though.

Maybe I should ignore the need for a focus option and look for something with a good balance between throw and flood and rely on having enough lumens on tap to get decent throw. Would that give me better options?

Thanks for the help,

Glenn.

 

[hyperloop]

well, i'm in singapore so i know the pain of shipping costs but thankfully no punitive customs duties (at the moment).

have you taken a look at the Fenix TK30? It seems to suit your needs and you can also get batteries from the same site but make sure you check which cells you get as certain of AW's cells may need spacers to work properly. Unfortunately the price seems to be out of your budget.

Other considerations, perhaps the LED Lenser T7 for under 50 quid?

or the LED Lenser P14 which i own and like, if this light is sitting in a car, then it should be fine. Both appear to have different light levels too. I cannot comment on the T7 but for the P14, the light levels are:

1/2 press: turbo
full click: high
click again: low
3rd click: off

however, please note that when you click, you necessarily need to 1/2 press which will activate the turbo momentarily which can either annoy you or not affect you at all (it doesnt bother me). Really, if this is sitting in the car, consider the P14, i really like the flood to throw feature. I use eneloop AAs in mine (alkalines can leak).

 

[Cave_Dweller]

Hi,

thanks for the help - now I'm getting stupidly obsessed about finding the right light (which might not exist...yet), and I'm gonna get addicted, I can feel it.

I rethought what I need, and decided that a lack of focus can be compensated for by...more lumens!

So I like your suggestions about the TK30, but I reckon that the Thrunite Catapult looks like a better deal here in Blighty. I can find it for £87 delivered, which looks like a great deal. Is there a better "car based all rounder" for the money?

Thanks - this shopping trip is turning into fun. I need to start looking for the ultimate pocket rocket to accompany it... my Trustfire XPE just got gifted to a friend (I wanted an upgrade ).

Regards,

Glenn.

 

[pobox1475]

My main suggestion will have to be; http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet3m.aspx

As others will undoubtedly attest once you get your first high quality light more are sure to follow. The III M is at the top of a lot of users list and is an outstanding do-it-all light. Plenty of adjustable output, good run time with 18650 and bomb proof construction. Go with the warm tint and OP reflector IMHO.

I need to start looking for the ultimate pocket rocket to accompany it...

http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet1proibs3.aspx

 

[hyperloop]

My main suggestion will have to be; http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet3m.aspx

As others will undoubtedly attest once you get your first high quality light more are sure to follow. The III M is at the top of a lot of users list and is an outstanding do-it-all light. Plenty of adjustable output, good run time with 18650 and bomb proof construction. Go with the warm tint and OP reflector IMHO.

http://www.jetbeam.com.cn/links/pro/jet1proibs3.aspx

+1 for Jet I

 

[Cave_Dweller]

+1 for Jet I

Sold! Just need to find the best place to buy it now. BTW, which batteries do people rate for use in these things?

Still thinking about the bigger light...

Thanks for all the help guys - it's appreciated.

Regards,

Glenn.

 

[pobox1475]

Just need to find the best place to buy it now.

Flavio runs Bug Out Gear USA and is very accessible in theMarket Place forum. I have gotten consistently good service and pricing from him. Google will land you in his site within seconds. Good luck...

BTW, which batteries do people rate for use in these things?

IMO, never alkalines. They can and will leak at some point if left in for long periods of time. I prefer to use rechargable Li-Ions because of the high voltages they can deliver. Ni-Mh are also a viable choice. Eneloops are very popular for good reason. Use the search function to get all the information you need. Li-Ion batteries have to be used with a little caution and you must know everything about them before you start.

 

[Cave_Dweller]

D'oh... this is addictive. Thought the Jet I would be perfect for my pocket, but for some reason I Just placed an order for a Quark Mini 123 as well . And I STILL haven't decided what to buy in response to my original question. .

If this carries on I'll be broke before I decide. Help!

Regards,
Glenn.

 

[Gunner12]

At least now you have two lights so you can see which one is your best.

How about throwing in a third one?

 

[pobox1475]

I STILL haven't decided what to buy in response to my original question.

My vote still goes to the Jet III M warm tint. It can utilize the 18650's you have. The RRT-2 would also work well. I have a warm tint one that lacks a clip and is a little heavier than M, but adds the selector ring for easy level changes. As a carry light you will need something like a Maxpedition 5" tube sheath. I am currently waiting for the FG ones to finish production.

 

[Cave_Dweller]

My vote still goes to the Jet III M warm tint.

I just found out that if I wait a while I can get "hands on" with a few contenders - it turns out that Heinnie Haynes is less than 10 mins drive from me (Ooh! Toy shop for big boys!!!). I'm gonna hang on (if I can) until their showroom reopens in February, then go and have a play. I just ordered a Maxpedition pack from them, which is waiting for me at home.

The Jet III is looking like the chief contender though...

Thanks again guys,

Glenn.

 

[Cave_Dweller]

so you can see which one s*its your best.

I'm guessing you didn't really mean that, right??

 

[Cave_Dweller]

OK, so sorry to appear dim ('scuse the pun) but where in the UK or Europe can I find a Jetbeam dealer who has the Jet IIIM with options for the OP reflector and a choice of tint? I can't find anyone who even offers a choice. Flashaholics describe it as having the R2 emitter and "aluminium reflector".

Having checked out a bunch of beam shots I'd like the OP and warm tint options - can't find 'em. I've been looking a Flashaholics and Heinnie's - don't want to import really, as the duty/vat would kill me! Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Glenn.

 

[Gunner12]

I'm guessing you didn't really mean that, right??

Definitely not, type, major type.

I've head some people have avoided the import tax. Could be the luck of the draw though.