i need a new torch

[drmax]

Hello. I lost a dorcey 1 watt 45 lumen torch. It held 3 aaa's and was an ok lamp for the last 3 yrs. So good time to upgrade. Maybe one of ya's could direct me, for my needs. I'd like to try a cree type torch that ran off maybe 2-3 AA's, and needs to be able to adjust focus...not just a direct beam. I'm an aviation tech, and sometime need to flood a dark area with light, but to the extreme opposite, may also need to put a beam around 80' high. I have free batteries at my disposal, but do not want to lug around anything bigger than 2 C cell sized torch.
Any suggestions for me, would be appreciated.

 

[yalskey]

Hi, welcome to CPF.

I think this is probably your best bet... it's pretty cheap too (although you just getting into real flashlights might not think so... anything under $100 around here is on the cheap side LOL)

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_71&products_id=498

4sevens is an EXCELLENT seller... just ask anyone around here.

Don't forget to use coupon code "CPF8" to get and extra 8% off. Plus, he always has worldwide free shipping... fast too.

You can get brighter lights than this, but the focusing head part is getting more and more rare. Most lights don't focus. I guess they figure if they pump like 250+ lumens at somewhere, it will bounce around enough to "self-flood" upon impact.

Still, the 109 lumens on the E20 is really bright for general use. It will blow your old Dorsey out of the water.

Like I said, you can get 200+ lumens, but you'll lose the focusing head (most likely) and the price will jump up quite a bit.

Good luck!

p.s. I would HIGHLY recommend you use NiMH (preferably Eneloops) rechargeable, or at the least some Energizer Lithium AA (not rechargeable). Don't buy the Energizer's at a standard store, they are WAY over priced... try http://www.batteryjunction.com/8aaenliaahie.html and use coupon code "CPF2006" for 5% off. Regular alkaline really really suck for high end flashlights... without getting to deep, trust my above advice.

 

[BlueBeam22]

3AA MagLED. Very bright, good regulation and runtime, focuses well from spot to flood with no dark spots (has the best beam of any focusing light I have ever used), and high quality.

 

[kramer5150]

Lowes had the 2AA rebel minimags for $11 yesterday, and maybe even today. That'd be my recommendation.

 

[Alberta-Blue]

You could also try one of the LED Lensers... They have a whole selection of lights that have an adjustable beam width and battery options to fit whatever need that you are trying to fit.

Jusr google LED Lenser and you should come up with the product line.

 

[Gunner12]

I've never seen a focusable light that I liked. They either have an ugly beam at "flood" mode (reflector lights) or no spill (optic/lens).

But if you don't mind the lack of spill, there are a few lights that might work for you. Check out some of the LED lenser lights. The Romisen RC-C6 might work too(CR123).

The Fenix E20 might work for you too. Imagine a better Minimag and you have a pretty good image of the E20. It still has a hole in the beam in flood mode though, as do all other reflectored focusable lights.

:welcome:

 

[Jackscrj]

Lowes had the 2AA rebel minimags for $11 yesterday, and maybe even today. That'd be my recommendation.

I agree with kramer5150 the $11 price is good through sunday
also you could look at fenix e20 and ld20

 

[Jackscrj]

I bought the new maglite mini 2aa rebel with multi mode switch at lowes $11 friday price good through sunday
it has a luxeon rebel led

I took some pics with it and fenix ld20
ld20 has a cree premium q5 led

all pictures taken with these settings:
shutter 1/4 f 3.2 iso800

distance from wall 15' distance between window frames 6'
magflood

maglite spot

fenix ld20 med 47lm manu rating

ld20 high 94lm rating

distance from white fence approx 80ft
same camera settings

mag spot

magflood

ld20 med 47lm

ld20 high 94lm

ld20 turbo 180lm

hope this helps

 

[DimeRazorback]

That new mini mag is quite impressive!

 

[drmax]

Hi, welcome to CPF.

I think this is probably your best bet... it's pretty cheap too (although you just getting into real flashlights might not think so... anything under $100 around here is on the cheap side LOL)

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_71&products_id=498

4sevens is an EXCELLENT seller... just ask anyone around here.

Don't forget to use coupon code "CPF8" to get and extra 8% off. Plus, he always has worldwide free shipping... fast too.

You can get brighter lights than this, but the focusing head part is getting more and more rare. Most lights don't focus. I guess they figure if they pump like 250+ lumens at somewhere, it will bounce around enough to "self-flood" upon impact.

Still, the 109 lumens on the E20 is really bright for general use. It will blow your old Dorsey out of the water.

Like I said, you can get 200+ lumens, but you'll lose the focusing head (most likely) and the price will jump up quite a bit.

Good luck!

p.s. I would HIGHLY recommend you use NiMH (preferably Eneloops) rechargeable, or at the least some Energizer Lithium AA (not rechargeable). Don't buy the Energizer's at a standard store, they are WAY over priced... try http://www.batteryjunction.com/8aaenliaahie.html and use coupon code "CPF2006" for 5% off. Regular alkaline really really suck for high end flashlights... without getting to deep, trust my above advice.

we have free batteries where I work, no concerns. thank you so very much for pointing out this torch. $38 is nothing. hopefully the lamps are not xpensive, if replacement ever needed. that dorcey 1 watt led was 7 yrs old. i used it 5 days a week, 3 hrs a day.
guess i need to ask this while i have you....what would be a good head lamp, in the same calibur light? it does not have to focus. just a beam is good. my use for this is "normally" aviation wiring, directly in arms reach.
again, my current dorcey headlamp has worked flawlessly for about 6 yrs, but the adjustable up/down hinge has broken. what i'd like with a headlamp, is aaa/aa, the batteries are right with the lamp, (not in a seperate box on back on elastic strap) and that it can be adjust up and down.
I appreciate the spoon feeding, but you guys can direct me to a certain product, withing seconds. i'd be anally looking for days. thx, dm

 

[drmax]

thank you all for taking the time to help me. the pics of lamp throw are very helpful.

 

[yellow]

hopefully the lamps are not xpensive, if replacement ever needed.

that is a good quality LED light, not a 5-hour runtime-than-:poof: Minimag, the Led will never need replacement
:)

Headlamp:
small + floody light: Zebralight, (AA and 18650 models)
normal size + AA cells: Petzl
normal size + brightness + AA cells: Princeton Tech Apex
small + 17650 cell powered: Streamlight Argo HP

 

[drmax]

that is a good quality LED light, not a 5-hour runtime-than-:poof: Minimag, the Led will never need replacement
:)

Headlamp:
small + floody light: Zebralight, (AA and 18650 models)
normal size + AA cells: Petzl
normal size + brightness + AA cells: Princeton Tech Apex
small + 17650 cell powered: Streamlight Argo HP

uh, trying to figure out your meaning, between the minimag and E20. are you suggesting the E20 over the minimag as far as runtime, or lamp type? thx

 

[drmax]

3AA MagLED. Very bright, good regulation and runtime, focuses well from spot to flood with no dark spots (has the best beam of any focusing light I have ever used), and high quality.

is this the one you all speak of from lowes? one person here is comparing with a 2 AA minimag, so i'm thinking it is not the lamp at lowes.

 

[drmax]

Well, I think I'm having a change of mind, on the focusing ability. I don't need this feature, as it limits my torch options. So now, I have leaning towards either the LD20 or the EagleTac P100A2. Basically, something with a low, med high setting would be great, but low not necessary. Now if there were a unit with say 3 AA's, that would give long lamp output life.
As of now, leaning toward the EagleTac P100A2, based on cost and cree 5 led. Any advice?

 

[jefflrrp]

After hearing about the sale on a thread on zombiesquad, I also ran out and got the new multi-mode mag. I love the 3AA mag's tint and beam, and this new Rebel led is as bright and is much more EDC-able. I think I might stick it into the rotation. Anyhow, it was worth $11 at Lowes.

 

[waddup]

any of these lights will be 10x better then your old dorcy.

i like low-med-high.

and AA battery.

maybe 25 very popular lights here can do all that.

pick the one you like best.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186665

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222462

 

[Gunner12]

You don't need 3 AAs to get good runtime. The Fenix LD20 on high has more output then the MinimagLED 3 AA, but the Fenix has almost 3.5 hours runtime to 50% while the Minimag takes 3 hours to hit 50%. The LD20 on high has more output and more runtime then the Minimag 3 AA with one less battery.

The new multimode MinimagLED 2 AA is pretty good for the price, but as you can tell from the beamshots, the other lights are brighter.

There is no Cree 5 LED, do you mean the Cree XR-E LED?

What's your price range for the new light?

 

[drmax]

You don't need 3 AAs to get good runtime. The Fenix LD20 on high has more output then the MinimagLED 3 AA, but the Fenix has almost 3.5 hours runtime to 50% while the Minimag takes 3 hours to hit 50%. The LD20 on high has more output and more runtime then the Minimag 3 AA with one less battery.

The new multimode MinimagLED 2 AA is pretty good for the price, but as you can tell from the beamshots, the other lights are brighter.

There is no Cree 5 LED, do you mean the Cree XR-E LED?

What's your price range for the new light?

I'd go $40 for the EagleTac P100A2. I'd say $60 is top and it'd have to be significantly better than the eagle.
(the T7 Lenser would be nice, but over my 6o limit...i like the longer run-time)
EagleTac-P100A2-Lumen-Battery-Flashlight
I meant "Q5", as in advertisement. Thx, DM

 

[Gunner12]

The LEDlenser runtimes are deceiving. They are probabaly till the LEDs aren't even glowing. The runtimes most other good companies state are to 50% output.

Q5 is a flux(output/efficiency) bin of the Cree XR-E LED. It's not an advertisement trick or something.