In the market, need some help

[drtbag]

hey, i just signed up on the forums after starting to do some research on hid flashlights. i have some knowledge of HID but mostly on the automotive side. im currently in the market for an hid flashlight and so far have seen a couple that interest me.

wanted to know what your thoughts were on buying one from ebay, so far ive been looking at the Tactical 35w 3500 lumens, the oracle 24w also caught my eye along with the 35w 14" any suggestions? main use will be for camping and stuff like that, but i still want something decent

thanks in advance

 

[dudemar]

Hello drtbag,

The lights you mentioned are great choices. While the following links aren't exactly the models you mentioned, it's worthwhile to take a look at 'em:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=222837

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=221042

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=223596

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=224303

I believe the Oracle is having a special sale, take a look at the website and I'm sure you'll find it.


Have fun!



...oh, and welcome to CPF!:wave:

 

[drtbag]

thanks a lot, as of right now i think im leaning towards the oracle 24w, definately appealing with how compact it is compared to the others and aswell the sale price of $150. i also think for what i will be using it for its probly not necessary to spend another $200 on the 35w, but correct me if im wrong on that one.

 

[Patriot]

:welcome:


True there is a sale for the Oracle but most people who have purchased them are having some battery issues.

The best camping HID that I've ever owned is the N30. For more money the L35 is another option. The N30 should be available again soon through Battery Junction.

If you're thinking of purchasing the 35W Tactical you might want to do it through the CPF Marketplace where they're also sold. It might allow you to dodge any of the ebay uncertainties.

 

[dudemar]

:welcome:


True there is a sale for the Oracle but most people who have purchased them are having some battery issues.

Looks like I missed the last bit of the Oracle 24W thread, I haven't caught up with reading that thread. I was really attracted to the model's size/color temp. combo. I hope they address the battery issue quickly.


I second the N30/L35 suggestion.

 

[Richie086]

Looks like I missed the last bit of the Oracle 24W thread, I haven't caught up with reading that thread. I was really attracted to the model's size/color temp. combo. I hope they address the battery issue quickly.


I second the N30/L35 suggestion.

Hi Dudemar,

Tactical HID originally had the flicker issue with their 24w version, and was the first dealer to acquire the upgraded AC ballast version. Unfortunately they are out of stock on the 24w and 35w versions but should be getting restocked any time now. Any other dealer on the internet, including Advanced Automotive Concepts, unfortunately received the 1st generation 24w HID flashlights with the bad ballasts from the Chinese manufacturer. AAC will have the updated 24w in stock in less than two weeks. Anyone having issues, myself included, will get them replaced.

On a side note, none of the 35w flashlights being sold by any of the dealers on the internet had any problems with the 35w units because they always used an AC ballast. So anyone reading this, if you feel you want the 24w version, make sure you purchase from either Tactical HID or Advanced Automotive Concepts, since both these retailers are aware they should only sell second generation 24w's.

 

[Patriot]

I think the main thing that distinguished the Oracle from the "tactical HID" was the warmer bulb temperature. If that's something that's important to you you might want to look into it further since I could be mistaken.

 

[drtbag]

thanks for everyones input.

ill be using a light for camping and recreational purposes mostly, so do you think its necessary for me to step up to a 35w? or should i be happy with a 24w?

ive also noticed some lights are almost pure white and some are more bluish. which flashlights produce more of the bluish color?

 

[Richie086]

thanks for everyones input.

ill be using a light for camping and recreational purposes mostly, so do you think its necessary for me to step up to a 35w? or should i be happy with a 24w?

ive also noticed some lights are almost pure white and some are more bluish. which flashlights produce more of the bluish color?

It's really personal preference. If I'm out camping in the woods and didn't mind carrying a 14" long 35w HID, that's the one I'd go with just for the extra lumens. The two 24w brands mentioned here are 9" long, so they'd be easier to carry around.

The one 24w I've been wanting is the 7-1/2" long Wolf-Eyes Boxer 24w. But the color temp is to cool (bluish) for my taste. Until such a time as it comes available in a much warmer color temp, I'll hold off buying it.

 

[Patriot]

thanks for everyones input.

ill be using a light for camping and recreational purposes mostly, so do you think its necessary for me to step up to a 35w? or should i be happy with a 24w?

ive also noticed some lights are almost pure white and some are more bluish. which flashlights produce more of the bluish color?

Honestly I can't think of anyone who's new to HID and wasn't amazed by the output of a 24W light. When it comes to the conventionally shaped flashlights I much prefer something that's at least somewhat compact and easy to handle the 35W tactical is one huge light imo. I wouldn't so much focus on the wattage but consider other factors such as run-time, bulb color temperature and ergonomics. For me, a utilitarian HID light that's not ergonomic or has terrible run-time is a deal breaker for me. After that would be color temperature and toughness.


Almost every generic HID light made these days uses the bluer 6000K bulb. Battery Juction's N30, L35, and Ti Mega, are all 4300K lights. The Acro RL-11 and Streamlight's Litebox are 4300K range lights, and the Polarion and Xeray lights are both 4300K range. The Oracle 24W HID and Microfire K500R use warmer 4300-5000K bulbs too. Aside from those most everything else is higher in color tempurature and more toward the blue side of the spectrum.
If Wolf Eyes, Microfire and AE Light ever start using 4300K bulbs in all their lights we'd have some tremendous choices but right now we're limited.


After thinking about all of these I still think the N30 is among my most useful lights, especially for camping/hunting or as a multi-purpose task light where a lot of lumens are required. The output compared to the ebay lights is even more jaw dropping too. The more expensive L35 takes things to the next level and is probably the way to go if you can afford the it.

 

[drtbag]

although the size of the oracle is very appealing i think ive made my decision to go with the 35w Tactical. i was emailing back and forth with Jason from Tactical and they will be getting more of the 35w in near the end of the month, and they will be 4300k 2 stage lights. if they happen to get anymore 6000k i may go with that, but if not then i will be buying the 4300k 2 stage

 

[Patriot]

although the size of the oracle is very appealing i think ive made my decision to go with the 35w Tactical.

There is also a 35W Oracle which is essentially the same as the "35W Tactical" so with regards to the appealing size I think you were speaking of the "24W Tactical."

It seems like everyone like the 35W Tactical / Oracle. You should enjoy it.

 

[Richie086]

although the size of the oracle is very appealing i think ive made my decision to go with the 35w Tactical. i was emailing back and forth with Jason from Tactical and they will be getting more of the 35w in near the end of the month, and they will be 4300k 2 stage lights. if they happen to get anymore 6000k i may go with that, but if not then i will be buying the 4300k 2 stage

Hey Drtbag,

If you have to wait a few weeks to acquire the 35W 4300k version, do yourself a favor and wait for it. A 6000k bulb not only gives up enough lumens to be noticeable to the human eye, color rendition with 4300k blows away the 6000k, and IMHO, is far more desirable. I'm glad to see this forum has pressed the right buttons and has gotten at least one manufacturer to start selling warm color HID flashlights :twothumbs

We need to get AE Light and Wolf-Eyes on the band wagon too.

 

[drtbag]

right on, ya im going to wait til the end of the month or until tactical gets there shipment in and get the 35w.

thanks again everyone for your help and input, ill let you know how i goes once i get my first flashlight

 

[Richie086]

right on, ya im going to wait til the end of the month or until tactical gets there shipment in and get the 35w.

thanks again everyone for your help and input, ill let you know how i goes once i get my first flashlight

Hi there Drtbag,

An all-around smart choice you've made :thumbsup:

The Oracle 35w HID flashlight thread is the same flashlight you'll be getting from Tactical HID except yours will have the warmer color temp, which will be even better than the one I borrowed for testing and likely will be rated at 3,200+ lumens output. I'm sure my example is 5000k which is fine too.

So until you get yours, you can enjoy studing up on my modest little review of it.

BTW...Jason from Tactical HID has been great to deal with.

 

[drtbag]

well i got my 35w Tactical couple days ago and i must say im very impressed, thanks for all the input and helping me make my decision