I want a light which is at least as bright as a 6 volt incandescent lantern. I use it when canoeing at night, as protection against motor boats so I'm thinking the strobe would be helpful. I just have no idea how the various lumens ratings compare with an incan. I also want a wide beam for walking on our farm, and would like good distance vision so I can see what the dogs are barking at. I understand that designing anything involves compromises but have no idea how the LED lights compare with power from the 6 volt lantern or a 2AA 2 cell Mag or a 2D cell traditional style flashlight. I also don't know whether this means I need more than one light, or how a modified 2AA Mag would work for any of these uses. Guidance would be appreciated.
How to pick?
- Thread starter bwanapete
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Gunner12
Flashaholic
We'll need a bit more info of what you want.
What price range?
How much throw?
How much spill?
What runtime?
Preferred batteries?
Size and shape?
Check here for Maglite drop-ins and mods. The Welcome Mat can also help with the terms used here.
As a base, a normal 2D light with fresh batteries is around 15 lumen and 800 lux at 1 meter.
Also a brighter floodier light can seem dimmer more throwy light.
:welcome:
What price range?
How much throw?
How much spill?
What runtime?
Preferred batteries?
Size and shape?
Check here for Maglite drop-ins and mods. The Welcome Mat can also help with the terms used here.
As a base, a normal 2D light with fresh batteries is around 15 lumen and 800 lux at 1 meter.
Also a brighter floodier light can seem dimmer more throwy light.
:welcome:
carrot
Flashaholic
I wrote a guide, you might find it useful:
http://cpf.carrot.googlepages.com/flashlight_guide
http://cpf.carrot.googlepages.com/flashlight_guide
OK, here's more information about my needs:
Price: $50 to $100 I hope.
Throw: for around home (in the country) 200-300 feet would be nice; for keeping from getting hit by a power boat while canoeing at night, I'd want to be seen from at least 1000 feet, and figuring 30 mph is 44 feet per second, maybe that is inadequate. We've used Brinkman 6 volt lanterns for this purpose, and haven't had any close calls. I suppose that a strobe would be particularly helpful if a power boat operator looking our way was also looking at lights behind us on shore.
Spill: for around home, I'd rather not have a hot spot at all, but from the reading I've done on this site, there may not be anything like that available. Maybe a defuser has to be used. It would be nice to have a beam say 70 to 80 degrees wide.
Run time: though more is better, this won't be the deciding factor.
Preferred battery: I only have used alkaline types. From the reading on this site, I understand that there are good reasons why higher performance lights thrive on better batteries, and if need be, I will switch. In such case rechargeable LiI sounds good to me, but I don't know what I'm talking about.
Size of batteries: I really like carrying a 2AA MagLight in my pants pocket with the lanyard hanging down outside. A quick grab for the lanyard and the light is in my hand. However a larger light would be fine. I think that going smaller than 2AA batteries must mean compromises on battery life and/or light output so if I'm right, I would stay away from single battery and AAA units.
Preferred shape: I'm used to flashlight shapes and lantern shapes. The only thing I am not used to is L-shaped flashlights.
One thing I really like about the Mag lights (mine are actually Brinkman clones of MagLights) is that if the batteries are not dead, the light will work. No need to slap the light around to make the electrical contacts work, and most ordinary 2D flashlights do suffer this problem, even if I stretch the spring out a bit.
I won't be surprised if others on the forum tell me I need more than one light. Thanks in advance for your replies.
Price: $50 to $100 I hope.
Throw: for around home (in the country) 200-300 feet would be nice; for keeping from getting hit by a power boat while canoeing at night, I'd want to be seen from at least 1000 feet, and figuring 30 mph is 44 feet per second, maybe that is inadequate. We've used Brinkman 6 volt lanterns for this purpose, and haven't had any close calls. I suppose that a strobe would be particularly helpful if a power boat operator looking our way was also looking at lights behind us on shore.
Spill: for around home, I'd rather not have a hot spot at all, but from the reading I've done on this site, there may not be anything like that available. Maybe a defuser has to be used. It would be nice to have a beam say 70 to 80 degrees wide.
Run time: though more is better, this won't be the deciding factor.
Preferred battery: I only have used alkaline types. From the reading on this site, I understand that there are good reasons why higher performance lights thrive on better batteries, and if need be, I will switch. In such case rechargeable LiI sounds good to me, but I don't know what I'm talking about.
Size of batteries: I really like carrying a 2AA MagLight in my pants pocket with the lanyard hanging down outside. A quick grab for the lanyard and the light is in my hand. However a larger light would be fine. I think that going smaller than 2AA batteries must mean compromises on battery life and/or light output so if I'm right, I would stay away from single battery and AAA units.
Preferred shape: I'm used to flashlight shapes and lantern shapes. The only thing I am not used to is L-shaped flashlights.
One thing I really like about the Mag lights (mine are actually Brinkman clones of MagLights) is that if the batteries are not dead, the light will work. No need to slap the light around to make the electrical contacts work, and most ordinary 2D flashlights do suffer this problem, even if I stretch the spring out a bit.
I won't be surprised if others on the forum tell me I need more than one light. Thanks in advance for your replies.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
You might need 2 lights. I think a Zebralight headklamp could be good for the around house light. Pure flood.
As for the other light, look at 2 AA lights from companies like Fenix, Olight, Nitecore, Lumapower, and the such. They have lower modes for more runtime. Rechargeable batteries are recommended for runtime and performance but alkalines work fine too. A 100 yards might be a bit for a stretch for most of those lights though.
A minimag gets around 10 lumen, a 1 AAA Fenix LD01 can get up to 60 :naughty: At less throw though due to the smaller reflector(the light probably fits in the Minimag).
As for the other light, look at 2 AA lights from companies like Fenix, Olight, Nitecore, Lumapower, and the such. They have lower modes for more runtime. Rechargeable batteries are recommended for runtime and performance but alkalines work fine too. A 100 yards might be a bit for a stretch for most of those lights though.
A minimag gets around 10 lumen, a 1 AAA Fenix LD01 can get up to 60 :naughty: At less throw though due to the smaller reflector(the light probably fits in the Minimag).
carrot
Flashaholic
Hmmm, you cannot have both flood and throw except in very special lights (A2, Lunasol)
I would think a NiteCore D20 would be a nice compromise (since it seems you want to pocket-carry this light?) but keep in mind the 6V lanterns are actually very good at throw even by today's standards. It is because they use a very large reflector.
If you are willing to give up the ability to pocket the light, a Malkoff-Devices LED bulb for a Maglite and a Maglite 4D would be a nice choice. You will get very good throw and some ability to focus (I think?).
I would think a NiteCore D20 would be a nice compromise (since it seems you want to pocket-carry this light?) but keep in mind the 6V lanterns are actually very good at throw even by today's standards. It is because they use a very large reflector.
If you are willing to give up the ability to pocket the light, a Malkoff-Devices LED bulb for a Maglite and a Maglite 4D would be a nice choice. You will get very good throw and some ability to focus (I think?).
In a few months the AZ2 comes out.
25 lumens of flood with a slight press..
and 120 lumens of throw with a full press.
It uses cr123 but it sort of hits the nail on the head with everything else.
If you have to settle for something less for now, you can keep your eyes out for it in the future.
It will also give you some time to save up 150 to afford it.
Until then, good luck, and if you stay around here kiss everything else goodbye.
25 lumens of flood with a slight press..
and 120 lumens of throw with a full press.
It uses cr123 but it sort of hits the nail on the head with everything else.
If you have to settle for something less for now, you can keep your eyes out for it in the future.
It will also give you some time to save up 150 to afford it.
Until then, good luck, and if you stay around here kiss everything else goodbye.
EPVQ30
Newly Enlightened
nice guide carrot, i learned good things tonight.
thanks for sharing the knowledge.:thumbsup:
thanks for sharing the knowledge.:thumbsup:
auxcoastie
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2009
- Messages
- 57
Be careful about using a strobe function if you plan to use the light on the water. 60-70 flashes a minute is considered a SOS signal. And I am not sure what waters you will be using the canoe on but if they are navigable waters you need to make sure you are using the cottect navigation lights for your canoe.
Spence
Enlightened
Welcome Bwanapete-
You've got a very good start to a question (situation and requirements) with a lot of choices. I collect high performance flashlights and have about a hundred of them. You have half the battle won by knowing your requirements and budget. Fenix is a very good company that stands behind their products and they are cutting edge technically speaking. Their TK11, R2 has two settings and its' high really has a good throw to reach out there on your land or on the water. It has no strobe but I don't think you would realistically use it that much. It is a nice size and built very solidly to take abuse and last. It uses 2 X CR123 or rechargeable 1 X 18650's, and it's between $75-80 at Lighthound.com or Fenix Store.com.
Fenix makes several smaller lights that perform terrifically and are very easy to carry and use. Check out the LD01(1 X AAA, 80 lumen) and PD20 (1 X CR123,180 lumen) for single cell EDC lights. I don't like dropping my lights and I fashion and use neck lanyards all the time. I suggest you do the same especially when you are on the water. These lights are waterproof but they don't float very well.:sick2: You can shop for lanyard supplies and buy ready made hand-pull lanyards for when you carry your light in your pocket, from Lighthound. If you decide on a 1 X 18650 rechargeable you will probably be interested in the UltraFire WF-139 battery charger $18, it works with a number of other batteries, as well. AW sells his line of batteries here thru CPF Marketplace and thru Lighthound and most folks have very high regards for his products and service/warranty. Of course there are a number of other brands of lights and we haven't even touched on SureFire products and though they are quite pricey, they make top quality lights and have some near your price range. I happen to like Fenix because I own almost all of their product line and know them pretty well, as the same with SureFire. Feel free to PM me if I can be of help to you. Again, welcome to CPF and good luck. Where do you live, if I might ask?
:welcome:
You've got a very good start to a question (situation and requirements) with a lot of choices. I collect high performance flashlights and have about a hundred of them. You have half the battle won by knowing your requirements and budget. Fenix is a very good company that stands behind their products and they are cutting edge technically speaking. Their TK11, R2 has two settings and its' high really has a good throw to reach out there on your land or on the water. It has no strobe but I don't think you would realistically use it that much. It is a nice size and built very solidly to take abuse and last. It uses 2 X CR123 or rechargeable 1 X 18650's, and it's between $75-80 at Lighthound.com or Fenix Store.com.
Fenix makes several smaller lights that perform terrifically and are very easy to carry and use. Check out the LD01(1 X AAA, 80 lumen) and PD20 (1 X CR123,180 lumen) for single cell EDC lights. I don't like dropping my lights and I fashion and use neck lanyards all the time. I suggest you do the same especially when you are on the water. These lights are waterproof but they don't float very well.:sick2: You can shop for lanyard supplies and buy ready made hand-pull lanyards for when you carry your light in your pocket, from Lighthound. If you decide on a 1 X 18650 rechargeable you will probably be interested in the UltraFire WF-139 battery charger $18, it works with a number of other batteries, as well. AW sells his line of batteries here thru CPF Marketplace and thru Lighthound and most folks have very high regards for his products and service/warranty. Of course there are a number of other brands of lights and we haven't even touched on SureFire products and though they are quite pricey, they make top quality lights and have some near your price range. I happen to like Fenix because I own almost all of their product line and know them pretty well, as the same with SureFire. Feel free to PM me if I can be of help to you. Again, welcome to CPF and good luck. Where do you live, if I might ask?
:welcome:
carrot
Flashaholic
Along the same line as Search says besides the AZ2 you could also consider the upcoming A2L which is similar in concept but in a different body housing with slightly different output levels. Should be more pocketable.
Gunner12
Flashaholic
I've suggested that you get a Zebralight and a good 2 AA light. Out of the 2AA lights that have more then 2 modes, the Olight T25 seems to have the most throw. Both are under $100. The Zebralight H50 is $69 and the Olgiht T25 is $75 at 4sevens before the 8% off coupon "CPF8".
