I am Looking For a Super Bright Flashlight.

[FourteenMiles]

Hi,I'm looking for an extremley bright flashlight. I would like it to be "hand-sized", say no bigger than a Mag-lite 2 D-cell flash-light. I would like it to run off disposable batteries that one could find at the drug store, like AAA, AA, D, C, CR123's et cetera. It must be relativley durable. Extra features I do not care about, just brightness.

Right now I am looking at a Fenix TK40 with a reported 630 lumen out-put on its highest setting. Anyone know of anything brighter within my parameters?

I prefer a long throw (like a spotlight) over a wide one for this application.

Thanks for the help.

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I will be mail-ordering or buying online

Under $150 but I will break this for the right product.

I want a flashlight.

Holster carry.

LED, Incandescent, HID: Brightest?

I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.

I walk ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).

150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)

Runtime: I don't really care but reasonable

Durability: Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

Switch Type and location (choose all that apply): I don't care.

A simple on-off is fine for me / I don't care.

Material: I don't care.

No Special Needs/extras

 

[fishhead]

I love my TK40 but the upcoming TK45 advertises 760 lumens over 630. Some are put off by its appearance but I rather like it.

http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-tk45.html

 

[higbvuyb]

If brightness and throw are the most important, and you're willing to compromise on batteries, you'll have a few more options, e.g. hotwire magmods (NiMH or Li-ion), or the Stanley HID (plug-in rechargeable SLA battery).

 

[Chevy-SS]

Hmmm, I have a ItP Polestar A6 and it comes fairly close to meeting all your criteria. You can check it out in the reviews section here

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[John_Galt]

Store found alkaline batteries are a horrible solution for this problem. unless you are willing to shell out for Energizer Lithium AA's, I would suggest taking a look at the variety of rechargeable options available, either a Ni-MH or Li-ion system. There are a greater number of high output lights that use these batteries than more common AA,AAA, C or D cells, and these systems will also allow for longer runtimes as well.

 

[Ronin28]

The Olight M30 or the Thrunite Catapult is really the only thing that comes to mind. Both use CR123's or Rechargeable Li-Ion 18650's. I know you are looking for something that uses everyday batteries, but did mention the CR123's so these two options may work for you.

 

[Locoboy5150]

Unless you're going to buy quality AA batteries, don't even think of buying a TK40. Mine does not put out anywhere near its full potential in turbo mode with alkaline batteries. Get Eneloop or Duraloop batteries if you're thinking about a TK40.

 

[Jash]

Don't be deluded by high output numbers. A light must be designed well if you want to use what the emitter puts out.

800 lumens of flood won't seem nearly as bright at 100 metres as 200 lumens of throw.

Stick around here, ask some questions, do some reading and for goodness sake use the search function and save a lot of people repeating themselves repeating themselves.

As for a good light, the TK40 will fit the bill, but don't run it on alks. Get some eneloops and a good charger and only use alks when it's an emergency (ie. you're in the middle of nowhere and the only batts you can get are low grade corner store rubbish).

Curious though. You specify the light will be for camping, backpacking, car glove box. I do quite a bit of camping and backpacking and a really throwy light is of no real use in those situations. I always take my TK40 with me when hiking, but it rarely gets past med (93 lumens) and only ever gets put on turbo for either showing off, or to see the other side of a gully.

800 lumens of bright spot are going to hurt your eyes if you use it closer than a few metres. You will appreciate lower modes for two reasons: saves your eyes, longer runtime (less money out of your pocket).

 

[bedazzLED]

Another torch you might want to consider that fits the bill would be one in the Eagletac M2 series line.

At around 900 lumens, they've got tons of spill, tons of throw, run on CR123's, although they are a little larger than you specified.

Then there's the www.shiningbeam.com little gem, the MG PLI at 700 lumens on CR123A's. Only trouble with this one is finding it in stock!

Other than that, the Eagletac T20C2 Mk II which can run on CR123A's, although not in the 800 lumen range, they are indeed very bright, great spill, great throw.

But if you really want to stick to AA's then you cannot go wrong with the TK40.

 

[FourteenMiles]

I wanted to make this quick and dirty but now it looks like I have a new hobby.

Where should a newb start reading?

 

[Chevy-SS]

I wanted to make this quick and dirty but now it looks like I have a new hobby.

Where should a newb start reading?

Right here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=277224

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