Hiker looking for flashlight

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Of the lights you have listed I only have experience with the X5 and ProPolymer 4AA LED. I just got my ProPolymer a couple days ago and I like it. It's not that great for throw, but I think the beam is a very useful one. G2 is also a recent acquisition that I am pleased with, but I'm with stangster on the 50 minute thing. Plus, I would carry an LED light with me no matter what light ended up being my primary. I would probably end up using my ProPolymer with my Space Needle in my backpack. Then again, I don't go hiking so I really don't know what I'm talking about. Hmmm...probably should've started out with that remark so you could ignore the rest of my post... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif
 
Note that the new Garmin Geko GPS runs on two AAA's, and lots of FRS radios use AAA's as well. There's also AAA packs for many cell phones. I used to choose stuff that ran on AA's whenever possible, but it becomes possible now to switch everything to AAA's (Arc AAA low-powered light with PT Rage higher powered backup, etc.) and save some weight.

Walking in the woods without much light is sort of like walking in featureless terrain. Get your bearings with a long range sighting with your big light, choose what direction you want to walk in, and use your compass to keep pointing in that direction til you take another sighting. Note that an external antenna helps a lot, but even with one, GPS doesn't work very well in the woods.
 
ZENGHOST : That's great you can share your experience with us, even you're not a hiker. Thanks!
 
stangster: >The X5 is nice but it doesn't go very far. (throw)
Can you tell how much feet?

chamenos : Initially, I'm making decision between Scorpion, Streamlight 4AA and Arc LSH-P. But Arc LSH-P is over my budget (its price plus the batteries consumption in the future)
 
Hi Zeppert,

>1) How much $ do you want to spend?

My budget is around $45

>2) How many hours will you be hiking in the dark?

I usually hike for 6-7 hours at night. 3-4 hours for easy route (Some main and open trail). 2-3 hours for difficult route (e.g. forest and underbrush area)

>3)Do you really want only 1 flashlight??? Or two?
I want to get one first

>4) What have you been using?

I got 1 moonlight LED headlamp; 1 princeton tec solo headlamp; and a small Maglight torch.

Some completement that my concern is:

Throw: 60 %
Runtime: 25 %
Weight: 15 %
 
[ QUOTE ]
KMWong said:
ZENGHOST : That's great you can share your experience with us, even you're not a hiker. Thanks!


[/ QUOTE ]
Anytime, dude--feel free to ask me about nuclear science or flying an airplane or anything else that I have no experience with... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
KMW,
The EL Blaster II would fit your needs, it has a pin spot of 4,000 lux, runs for at least 12 hours on 3 D cells and can handle water. The cost is $60 but should last you a lifetime.
 
I have to second the PT Aurora headlamp. 90% of the time I need a light (and nearly 99% of the time outdoors) I need a broad, even, white beam, and I need my hands free.

I mount the Aurora to a big floppy boonie hat I have, which is funny-looking enough to distract attention from the Aurora, and keeps the spill out of my eyes. Plus, I don't have to take the light on and off, just the hat.

I carry three lights outdoors. A CMG Infinity for emergency always-with-me light, the PT Aurora for work lighting, and a SF or other bigger light for throw.
 
KMWong, ok here is my summary:

your opening statements says you want:

1) bright throw

2) lite flashlight

I understand you:

3) want to spend $45.00

4) you will need the light several hours

5) you already use a headlamp (so you just need flashlight)

SO,...GENERALLY SPEAKING....

LED's don't have "great throw"

Lithium's will not "last for hours"

Incandescents can get "heavy"

For $45.00 buck I would buy both:

Streamlight 4AA 7 LED

AND

Streamlight 4AA Xenon

You can get them both together for $45.00

P.S. I own them Both and know first hand they perform to compliment each other. One is great close up and the other is great for distance- It is VERY hard to beat that combo for $45.00. Good Luck
 
The PT Surge will give you more light than the G2 and will do so for 4+ hours. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I also don't do much hiking in woods but was thinking about a light for hunting trips where darkening conditions in unfamiliar woods can be a problem. I have a Madmax cyan that I was considering. It blows away everything else I have for flood and reach. Has anyone tried one of these in the woods? Also how would it compare to a 5W white luxeon with optics?
 
How about a Streamlight 3C or 3AA TT and some extra batteries, and a CMG ultra as backup.
 
Cannon50, I have a 5W Cyan that I use on occasions while camping, and although it's great to light up a large path or spot things far off (it's in a reflectorized Ozark body), the color rendition is not very good. As much as it is a great night vision light, I find myself using whites more as time wears on to accurately pick out colors and make a better depth/view determination...
 
One more question....
Can the light throw of Streamlight 4AA LED reach 25M? If not how far it can be reached?
Thanks...
 
Can the light throw of Streamlight 4AA LED reach 25M?

Not even close... 4 Nichia LEDs cannot reach 80+ feet of throw (25 meters)... The Opalec Newbeam can barely reach 6 meters (20 feet) of throw, and I doubt the SL4AA can do anything beyond that as well... Even a Trek EX60, with 60 LEDs, can barely illuminate anything to beyond 75 feet...
 
So Mr. Falcon -- since you seem to be the resident expert on flashlight throw:

How far will one 5w White Luxeon with 30mm optics throw its beam?

-- Luke
 
There's a small driveway right next to where I live (where I park), and the road is poorly lighted. From the end of the Cul-de-Sac to the intersection is about 125-130 feet. The Blaster VI can clearly throw its beam from the intersection to the house at the end of the driveway...

If you want, I can wait 'till dark and post a pic...
 
I assume you didn't mention camping because you don't camp on your hikes. Working from that here are my .02. A LED headlamp such as a Petzl. Long burn time, light weight, reliable, hands free. If you don't care for that then the Arc AAA, same reasons except hands full.
For throw you still need burn time or a lot of spares. Any light using 123s will cost at least $2.00/hour to burn, plus the added weight. A night hike may cost you 10 123 batteries or more. As much as I like SF products (all my SFs run 2 123s) they are way too bright for hiking and all but destroy night vision. I think you should consider a much less bright light to carry. I have been using a minigag for years for hiking as do my wife and kids. Cheap and effective. My gag has been converted to an Opalec LED for even longer burn. For winter hikes I do carry a SF G2 but I don't like to use it if I can help it.
 
I would love a picture if you wouldn't mind Falcon. Thanks,

Luke K
 
Argh... Will do, but I'll do it tomorrow... Then, I'll have my Space Needle back so I could compare it as well...
 
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