I need a flashlight that has...

[supes]

I thought I knew a lot about flashlights but I apparently don't. I was on the search for a light with these requirements in mind and can't think of anything, hope you guys can help me out here:

-Runtime: 5+ hours(on HIGHEST Level)
-At least 200 lumens
-Use rechargeables batteries but needs to also accept primaries in certain cases
-Clickie switch(prefer forward)
-Ability to tailstand
-Regulated at ALL levels
-Smaller then 2D
-Waterproof at least 10m
-(if possible) 2 stage with HIGH and LOW
-Gonna need 2 of these or more

Anything with these specs out there yet? Will it have to be custom?

 

[Strauss]

If I was you, I would be looking down the custom route. I would suggest contacting Milkyspit, or Icarus about having a nice multi-emitter set-up made to your specs. I would normally suggest Mac also, but I know he is extremely busy with his new house. I don't think either of them would have a problem building a light to meet your specs...but it's gonna cost ya

 

[supes]

Thanks for the tip, Strauss! Yeah, I was afraid it would have to come to that. I would really like to stray away from the Maglite host or designs. I guess I was just hoping for some dormant "off the shelf" light to be mentioned.

I really dig your Icarus Red Dragon. Freakin flood attack. If that had a 5 hour runtime, my life would be complete. Oh yeah, and not in a Mag host too.

I guess 7 X SSC in a SF M6-CB host?

 

[Cydonia]

Have to go the custom route. I don't think there is a suitable candidate for what you require even if you only asked for 50 lumens!!

bright / small / waterproof / non custom / decent run times over 5 hours / under $100 <--- choose any 2

 

[Alteran]

Have to go the custom route. I don't think there is a suitable candidate for what you require even if you only asked for 50 lumens!!

bright / small / waterproof / non custom / decent run times over 5 hours / under $100 <--- choose any 2

I don't think so. There are plenty of bright, small, stock lights that are waterproof and under $100. Maybe only a couple under $100, if you mean very waterproof.

 

[bridgman]

5 hours at 200+ lumens is going to be hard to support in anything much below 2D.

If we assume a Cree at maybe 1.2A (might *just* squeak 200 lumens out the front) we're looking at maybe 4.5W. A regulator is probably going to take 10-15% off the top, so lets say 5.25W going into the regulator. Five hours is going to need 25-26 watt hours (WH); let's see where we can get that from.

Not sure if 80% of rated power is a good point to stop, might be a bit high, but...

A 10000 mAH NiMH D - 80% is 8 AH, average 1.2V = 9.6WH per cell. 2D gives you 19.2WH, so just under four hours.

AW's 3300 mAH Li-ion cell - 80% is 2.64 AH, average 3.6V (?) = 9.5WH per cell, so roughly the same as 2 D NiMH. Not sure if you can or should take a protected Li-ion cell down to 20% capacity, my guess is not.

The closest thing I have seen so far is ElektroLumens QuadStar Phaser -- 3 C NiMH in a VERY short light, shorter than a 2D. It's probably not waterproof and definitely not regulated, but the form factor is interesting and it might be a good starting point.

6000 mAH C cells - 80% is 4.8 AH, average 1.2V = 5.76WH per cell. Three cells is about 17.4WH, still not enough.

You're going to need higher efficiency to make 5 hours runtime with that light output. I'm guessing the best route for higher efficiency is multiple Cree/SSC with lower current per LED ?

Looks like I'm converging on what everyone else already said

I'm assuming those mil-spec nuclear-powered CR123s are out of budget ?

 

[cratz2]

Just looking at your desired specs, it looks like it will either be impossible to meet them all, or it is REALLY gonna cost ya. If you are willing to give up a couple of them, it would be do-able for a reasonable cost... 2C mag, 4 Crees or SSCs at about 250mA each, 2x18650 cells and your choice of regulator(s).

Not the prettiest (those multi Cree/SSC Surefires are the cat's... uh... rump!) but very functional. I have a 2C nFlex that is one of the last lights I'd sell.

 

[2xTrinity]

What sort of application do have where you need to 200 lumens for 5 straight hours on a charge? IMHO you might just be better off carrying some spare batteries. 140 lumesn or so for 3 hours on 18650 is doable, and IMHO it would be pretty easy to carry one of those (lumapower M1, Huntlight FTX, etc), and a spare 18650. fits the size you're probably looking for (will fit in a jacket pocket comfortably)

The problem with the 200 lumen point is that with LEDs, extra brightness is a diminishing return -- the emitters get less and less efficient the harder they are driven. That's why a Cree or Seoul emitter (before optical losses) may produce 80 lumens at 1 watt, but require 3 watts to produce 160 lumens, and over 4 watts to get to 200.

Anyway, I don't think you'll be able to make this any smaller than a 2D to get what you want. Your best bet is probalby to go with Malkoff's drop-in module, here. He's not selling them at the moment, but when he does, this is probably the closest thing you can get, as it will satisfy the following conditions:

• 200 lumens (from the emitter, less out the front)
• runs both rechargeables and primaries (D-cells or C-Cells)
• Long, regulated runtime -- especially on NiMH should give you the runtimes you need
• Being reasonable enough in price for you to be able to buy two (should only cost $150 for two modules, and lights, compared to more like $500+ for two custom lights)
• Forward Clicky
• Tailstand

but not the following:
• Smaller than the maglite (it is a maglite)
• multiple regulated levels
• 10m dive capability

 

[mdocod]

5 hour, 2 D, 200 lumen..

as other have already stated, your requirements are on the edge of the best custom setups you could come up with.

We have a saying around here:

1. bright
2. small
3. runtime
"choose any 2"

I think bridgeman hit this on the head, it's going to have to be a cree/seoulP4, A tri-cree 2D run each emitter at about 350ma to maximize efficiency.

stepping up to a 3D package would really make it more realistic

 

[bp044]

Newbe needs a led light for macro digital photography. Requirements are :
powered by single NiMi AA cell ,color of light 4500m Kelvin or as close to daylight as possible , lots of lumens.

 

[2xTrinity]

Newbe needs a led light for macro digital photography. Requirements are :
powered by single NiMi AA cell ,color of light 4500m Kelvin or as close to daylight as possible , lots of lumens.

\
Unfortunately I don't know of any high-efficiency neutral white LEDs (3500-5000k range) -- I wish there were some available as that would be ideal color range IMO. Most of the stuff out now is cool white (5000-6500k), and fairly deficient in red. The best LED I've seen in terms of color is the Cree WH bin -- 5000k, yellow/green tint. Esnurign that you get that bin into a light though will require modding most likely.

 

[bp044]

\
Unfortunately I don't know of any high-efficiency neutral white LEDs (3500-5000k range) -- I wish there were some available as that would be ideal color range IMO. Most of the stuff out now is cool white (5000-6500k), and fairly deficient in red. The best LED I've seen in terms of color is the Cree WH bin -- 5000k, yellow/green tint. Esnurign that you get that bin into a light though will require modding most likely.

Which cool white lights are rated well ?

 

[2jzpower]

i got a Dive Rite HID that's 500 lumens but for 3 hours..... waterproof as hell tho...(meant for diving).. 8 inches long smaller than a 2D

 

[Long John]

I modded my Barbolight U-04 with a SSC and a Flupic board.
It's dive rated up to 200m and due to the Flupic it gets amazing runtimes.

On high the Led will see nearly 1,2 amps and on medium (user programable) the light runs easy 6 hours with still a lot of output.
On low it will run more than 200 hours.

Best regards

____
Tom

 

[supes]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I knew these requirements were going to be tough to meet. Some of my applications are going to be for SAR and EMT work. I picked the 5 hour runtime because I thought 1 hour was too little and goes by fast, 2 hours is min., but to be on the safe side, I added a couple of hours for good measurement and for no worries. Of course, I'm going to always carry more then 1 light on me but it would have been nice to have a very dependable long lasting primary for use and not have to reach for a secondary light for those crucial times. I also wanted to try it for night time snorkeling and caving, and I think 2 hours would be the min. for me. I guess I'm just paranoid when it comes to runtime. For some reasons, when I use 1-2 hour runtime lights, they ALWAYS go out on me at the HIGH level when I need it more then ever.

Long John, I was thinking about those Barbolight lights before, I'm very much looking forward to their new lights with the new LEDs.