Z
z_megatom
Guest
Hello everyone. I work for a city water plant and have the pleasure of working the night shift. During my shift I get to walk the plant taking readings from meters in dark areas, checking chemical storage tank levels, and checking treatment processes in the treatment basins.
We have a Maglite Magcharger rechargeable at the plant, its a 200 lumen, 2 x 13, heavy giant, that eats batteries in just about 15 minutes of use. Did I mention that its freakin huge?
I want to get something smaller to carry around instead of this 2lb behemoth. I have a few requirements though.
1. It must be small and light enough to carry in my pocket or in a belt holster.
2. It must be waterproof (at least weather resistant).
3. It must be able to light up into the basins at least 10ft deep.
4. It must be $50.00 or less.
5. It should have a tail switch button or at very least a button on the body.
6. Good battery life.
This morning I bought an Maglite XL50 at Home Depot. It seemed to have some pretty good features and met most of my requirements. It has a tail switch, its rain resistant, it has a 104 lumen led, and a claimed range of 145m (475ft), it has high/low/strobe settings, and a battery life of 8hrs on the high setting. Its also only 1x4.8 so it fits nicely in my pocket.
HOWEVER....It failed miserably in the light up the basin at least 10ft deep department. In fact, it seemed that the XL50 made it harder to see into the basins, the light seemed to reflect and scatter. I tried the jumbo Magcharger and it lit up the basin just fine.
The XL50 seems to have more of a white light where the Magcharger has a halogen bulb that puts out a warmer yellowish light. I don't know if that's what's making the difference though.
Can anyone here recommend something that will fit the bill and make my job a bit easier and safer?
Many thanks in advance!
Tom
We have a Maglite Magcharger rechargeable at the plant, its a 200 lumen, 2 x 13, heavy giant, that eats batteries in just about 15 minutes of use. Did I mention that its freakin huge?
I want to get something smaller to carry around instead of this 2lb behemoth. I have a few requirements though.
1. It must be small and light enough to carry in my pocket or in a belt holster.
2. It must be waterproof (at least weather resistant).
3. It must be able to light up into the basins at least 10ft deep.
4. It must be $50.00 or less.
5. It should have a tail switch button or at very least a button on the body.
6. Good battery life.
This morning I bought an Maglite XL50 at Home Depot. It seemed to have some pretty good features and met most of my requirements. It has a tail switch, its rain resistant, it has a 104 lumen led, and a claimed range of 145m (475ft), it has high/low/strobe settings, and a battery life of 8hrs on the high setting. Its also only 1x4.8 so it fits nicely in my pocket.
HOWEVER....It failed miserably in the light up the basin at least 10ft deep department. In fact, it seemed that the XL50 made it harder to see into the basins, the light seemed to reflect and scatter. I tried the jumbo Magcharger and it lit up the basin just fine.
The XL50 seems to have more of a white light where the Magcharger has a halogen bulb that puts out a warmer yellowish light. I don't know if that's what's making the difference though.
Can anyone here recommend something that will fit the bill and make my job a bit easier and safer?
Many thanks in advance!
Tom
