Longest lasting moonlight mode

[asval]

Looking for a light with a decent and efficient moonlight mode, around .1 to 1 lumens or just anything that can be usable for reading and lighting up my feet in total darkness.

Currently considering the Spark SX5

3 x AAA (800ma * 3 = 2400ma) 0.5lm / 35 days

3 x AA (2000ma * 3 = 6000ma) 0.5lm / 70 days

Any others I should consider?​

 

[The_Driver]

The two lights you mention have extremely long runtimes in moonlight mode. Do you even need it to last for 70 days before recharging the batteries? If you only use it for 3 hours a day you have 8 x 70 days which is just crazy long...

 

[reppans]

I'd say a Zebralight on an 18650 (SC600), and then after that, if want to use common lithium primaries like CR123s or AAs (L91s) in a multi-cell format, the FourSevens Quarks. Actually alkalines might out perform lithium primaries.

 

[tam17]

Since OP didn't specify battery format, I'd recommend a lithium version of Pak-Lite. Its runtimes are legendary.

Cheers

 

[AnAppleSnail]

If you want a light that is DEDICATED to moonlight modes, I can suggest one that runs for a few months on 2xAA. It's a simple mod to a cheap host: Minimag: Forever.

Otherwise, I'm with the guys asking 'What do you need more than 300 hours of moonlight mode for, anyway?' Efficiency isn't a performance consideration, it's only a preference. Why is this so? Because it might hurt your feelings if your light doesn't get every photon per erg in can, but what really matters in use is output pattern, output level, and runtime at that level. A secondary characteristic is that more-efficient lights may have smaller batteries, but that's a minor effect of efficiency.

 

[asval]

The two lights you mention have extremely long runtimes in moonlight mode. Do you even need it to last for 70 days before recharging the batteries? If you only use it for 3 hours a day you have 8 x 70 days which is just crazy long...

It's only one light, but it can take a lot of different battery configurations.
http://goinggear.com/spark-sx5-multi-cell-cree-xm-l-t6-350-lumen-headlamp-cool-white.html


I'll be taking a 3 month (maybe more) trip into the wilderness and so far have planed to use a 2 folding solar panels rated at 1000ma each to charge rechargeable batteries (AA, AAA and 18650). The moonlight mode is just a backup in case I should need a long lasting light, should I present myself with the situation of not being able to collect enough solar power or my equipment failing on me. I might end using it for lighting up the place where I'm sleeping in should the need arise to move quickly and grab my primary light (I like to call it the bug magnet :D)to any noise in the night, but I expect I'll mostly be using my other lights with a green filter.

I'd say a Zebralight on an 18650 (SC600), and then after that, if want to use common lithium primaries like CR123s or AAs (L91s) in a multi-cell format, the FourSevens Quarks. Actually alkalines might out perform lithium primaries.

Zebralight only does .06 .01 which I'm not really sure if it'll be enough. Don't like non rechargeable cells or lithium/lion multi-lights . Been reading lots of good info on the Quarks in this thread, but I don't think any of the could beat the Spark. Granted the spark numbers are manufacturer rated and since it's a new light, there aren't any reviews around to corroborate the runtimes.

Since OP didn't specify battery format, I'd recommend a lithium version of Pak-Lite. Its runtimes are legendary.

Cheers

Thanks, looks very interesting but I'm guessing it's not very robust or water resistant.

If you want a light that is DEDICATED to moonlight modes, I can suggest one that runs for a few months on 2xAA. It's a simple mod to a cheap host: Minimag: Forever.

Otherwise, I'm with the guys asking 'What do you need more than 300 hours of moonlight mode for, anyway?' Efficiency isn't a performance consideration, it's only a preference. Why is this so? Because it might hurt your feelings if your light doesn't get every photon per erg in can, but what really matters in use is output pattern, output level, and runtime at that level. A secondary characteristic is that more-efficient lights may have smaller batteries, but that's a minor effect of efficiency.

Nice mod, I imagine it ends up looking like my Gerber infinity in the end, although I doubt it's anywhere near as robust. Have you done a runtime on it or is it theoretical based on readings you took while running the light?

See above and there could be other reasons for why someone might want this, like a light for a BOG or something like that. I don't really look at efficiency at higher lumens since there are so many variables that might make the light inadequate .For example the zebralights have some of the best runtime around, but they're too floody and barely throw any light at a distance. I prefer throwers since they pack the most light for the least amount of energy, I can just move the light around if I need to see another area close by or just use a diffuser on it if I want flood. My crelant 7g5 v2 suits this purpose just fine and if I were to need even more light which is doubtful, I can use the collimator head to pack a bigger punch for the same amount of energy with a narrower beam.

Different strokes for different folks :cool:

 

[Kestrel]

I would highly recommend reading this thread:

Epic AAA Run-time test (low level only!)

9 pages of posts and a very good listing of flashlights in this category.

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Nice mod, I imagine it ends up looking like my Gerber infinity in the end, although I doubt it's anywhere near as robust. Have you done a runtime on it or is it theoretical based on readings you took while running the light?

The runtime figure is based on theoretical current draw, and the fact that it's been on all night most nights in the 2-year-old's crib since June or so. If you aren't careful reaming the reflector and centering the LED, the only 'failure mode' that is unusual is extracting the LED from its socket. A correctly-reamed reflector avoids this, so that the failure modes are the usual suspects:

Battery leakage
Switch failure
LED was hit with hammer
User inoperable (Dead)

We get decent throw with this, for a moonlight mode. She can make her GITD ceiling stars glow with it.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

The runtime figure is based on theoretical current draw, and the fact that it's been on all night most nights in the 2-year-old's crib since June or so. If you aren't careful reaming the reflector and centering the LED, the only 'failure mode' that is unusual is extracting the LED from its socket. A correctly-reamed reflector avoids this, so that the failure modes are the usual suspects:

Battery leakage
Switch failure
LED was hit with hammer
User inoperable (Dead)

We get decent throw with this, for a moonlight mode. She can make her GITD ceiling stars glow with it.

It's an awesome, easy mod. Like AnAppleSnail said, it has decent throw for moodlight mode. Also, you can remove the head and it became sort of a candle.