Long running high end incandescents?

[357]

I know about the Surefire E2E with LOLA, but are there any other incandescent lights out there that have Surefire like beam quality and also long runtime?

The Surefires themselves are great (I EDC at least one daily), but the 1 hour runtime of most models seems a little low. Any alternatives that have long runtime, yet also excellent or better beam quality? Any that are also regulated (or is that asking too much from an incandescent)? (yes, I know the A2 is regulated, but again you only have 1 hour runtime on high)

 

[Roy]

Three things govern the design of a flashlight....size, runtime, brightness!

If you want runtime, you can have small size and low light output or you can have large size and high light output.

If you want brightness, you can have short runtime and small size or you can have large size and long runtime.

If you want small size, you can have long runtime and low brightness or you can have short runtime and high brightness.

A SF E1E vs a Thor is a good examplple of what size will get you!

 

[rastaman]

you could try the UKE (Underwater Kinetics) 2L with the standard 2,1 Watt Bulb or the new 4 WattBulb (from the Rechargable UKE 4AA)

the 2,1 Watt Bulb should give you good light for 2,5 hours, but the beamquality can't equal surefire.

lenghtwise, the UKE 2L is shorter than the SF E2e, but the head is a bit larger in diameter.

and for 25 USD its not that expensive.

 

[357]

I don't mind size at all. Most important is beam quality and runtime.


A big D-cell size flashlight that have both I consider.

 

[madecov]

The PILA GL4R will run for 80 minutes. Light output is rated at 130 lumens. The beam quality is very nice.

 

[Ratso]

Rayovac used to make 6V lanterns with textured reflectors. They were sold at Wal-Mart. I can't find any now, but these lights put out some of smoothest, tightest beams. Really long run times, and fairly bright with a 4.8V Xenon bulb. You can also overdrive it with a 3.6V bulb and use Ni-Mh D-cells in a Lantern Battery 4D holder.

 

[turbodog]

[ QUOTE ]
357 said:
I don't mind size at all. Most important is beam quality and runtime.


A big D-cell size flashlight that have both I consider.

[/ QUOTE ]

The mag charger runs 2 hours with a stock pack. It is the size of a 3d regular mag. Put a high-capacity pack in it and double this runtime to 4 hours. Approx light output is 175 lumens or so. This is a cheap, easily obtainable solution.

I have an extension tube in b/s/t for the magcharger. It adds about 2" to the length, but allows 5 full size "C" nimh cells in it. This will take runtime to 8 hours.

Fivemega has a regulated drop-in for s 2d mag or other 2d light. It comes with 2 different bulbs and run off of 8 aa cells. Runtime is 10 and 5 hours with the low and high bulb. Add a sputtered reflector and/or a LDF/UC lens and you have a good light. The drop-in is also voltage regulated and has a soft-start.

 

[leukos]

357, maybe consider a modded 2D maglight. Get one of these textured reflectors here
Then order two 3 to D adapters here
Then use 6 NiMH AA and a 4 or 5 cell bulb. It should give you enough light and several hours worth too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

From SF, I really have come to appreciate the E2O. The 25 lumens are enough for most outdoor tasks (camping, emergencies) and the 2.5 hour run time isn't bad, IMHO.