Looking for a decent first-time incan light

[zipplet]

Hi,

I've been here a while now and I've had the pleasure of absorbing a lot of the knowledge around here but mostly regarding LED flashlights. I have many LED flashlights too - from cheap showerheads to Q5 monsters. However I'd like to try out a decent incandescent light as I've never had the pleasure in doing so and I've read a lot about the throw and colour rendition vs LED lights.

Now I'd like to ask for a little advice on choosing a first incandescent light. I'm after something of atleast 60 lumens possibly higher - I don't want any sickly orange beams here! I'll accept something with less output on it's own merits (price, size...). Spare bulbs (or bulb assemblies) being easily available is another factor.

Power source should probably be 1-2x CR123A - I can't imagine any decent incandescents running on standard batteries. No mag hotwires please. I'm not too bothered about the switch - twisty, clicky, tactical tailcap? Anything is fine aslong as the light fits my other requirements. I don't need it to be able to take rechargeable cells because I don't want to go near li-ions right now.

Hardest: this is on a budget, I'm not made of money so I can't afford a $200 surefire (and I doubt I could get one to the UK easily). Assuming this isn't too expensive I'm looking at pulling the trigger on this the moment I'm paid at the end of the month, something nice to look forward to

Last but not least, please remember I'm living in the UK so I need to be able to get this from a UK online dealer or another dealer from overseas that would be willing to ship this to me without charging me a $50 shipping fee.

Thank you very much for your time and answers in advance!

 

[Fusion_m8]

The best deal you can probably get anywhere is from CPF member brightspot.

Check out this sales thread and just see just how reasonable he sells his products with international shipping.

He has tons of Surefire stuff to sell, not just what he advertises for sale. So just email or PM him.

His after sales service is also outstanding!

Hope this helps.

 

[sawlight]

I say every person that claims to be a flashaholic needs a SF E2E.
Maybe watch the market place and find one for sale that they will ship?

 

[Taboot]

I say every person that claims to be a flashaholic needs a SF E2E.
Maybe watch the market place and find one for sale that they will ship?

+1 for E2E. Just got one. It's really nice and plenty bright. EDC-able too. There seems to be good prices around on the internet. $79 versus the standard $95ish.

For example:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...e_E2ESG_E2E_Executive_Elite_Incandescent.html

Good luck. I think you'll appreciate incans along with your LEDs. Both serve a purpose for me.

 

[jugg2]

+1 on the E2E as well. Another bonus is, there are some great rechargeable options out there for it if you ever decide to go that route.

 

[kramer5150]

What is your budget?... an actual $$$ amount would be ideal and help members guide you.

I'm in the same boat... champagne & caviar dreams but beer & burger budget.

My budget is $55 (US$)
I'm going the 6P route for starters. I can upgrade it too with plenty of available parts and drop ins. I dont know if this seller charges to export to the UK, but perhaps you can find a similar deal. Just under $55 shipped for the light and drop in...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260212229434
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6090

I think you should consider rechargeables and an ROP mod too, since you mentioned being on an incandecent budget. MAG hotwires can be relatively simple if you use AA-D converters.

 

[lite brite]

You can't classify yourself a flashaholic without either a 6P or an E2e...actually you should have both! :twothumbs

 

[WildChild]

You can't classify yourself a flashaholic without either a 6P or an E2e...actually you should have both! :twothumbs

Does an E2D stands for an E2E? I just got one... actually, my 5th SF light!

 

[zipplet]

Thank you for all of your replies, I'm looking into the 6P and E2E right now, both fit the bill. Just looking at possible ways to import these at the moment. I was mostly overwhelmed with all the incandescent lights I've heard people mention so I had no idea where to start! That and the flood of cheap chinese stuff on ebay had me confused.

Not sure which I'll get first that depends on price and availability, but who knows, in the CPF spirit I'll probably get both eventually

With the 6P, 65 lumens for an hour sounds quite reasonable for an incan... and I think with the lithium batteries the discharge curve will be quite flat for most of it?

Edit: my budget is up to $70-80 but I'll stretch further if there is good reason to do so.

 

[KeeperSD]

If you are looking for an Incan that will impress I believe that you are better going with a 9V light, after using Q5 LED's it is likely that a 6V incan will disappoint.

Look into a SF 9P or a Wolf Eyes Raider, throw in a P91, LF EO9 or HO9 for some good output and then later add some rechargeables for guilt free lumens. These are incans that will impress and show you what a incan is really capable of

 

[saeckereier]

Hey, I don't want to offend the SF guys, but if your're in for a decent first-time light; This is what I just bought myself:

Torch:
*Torch (2 CR123A Version) $ 17.50
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3371

Alternative torch (I haven't tried it) $ 20.50
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2672

Cells:
18650 LiFePo4 cells (pair) $ 6.90
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1879
-or-
*18650 LiIon cells (pair) $ 9.92
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3287

Bulbs:
*3.7V 10W $ 2.83 http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.3246
3V 10W $ 2.95 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3232
7.4V 15W $2.83 http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3218

I'm very satisfied with my current configuration (marked with an asterisk) It's not as bright as some of my CREEs, but has nice throw and gives some nice light. Whether it's too orange for you, I don't know as I haven't yet posessed something stronger, but it's close to my ROP-LE I'd say.. You might want to look at Kaidomain, they offer a longer body you could perhaps use with two 18650 and a 7.4V bulb giving nice runtime and bright light. Plus shipping is cheap, although you kinda pay for it with delivery times being looong. Any further questions for the combination? Feel free to ask
Btw the CREE drop-in that comes pre-installed in the torch is not bad either (Kai also offers the body complete with a Xenon Lamp and a bit cheaper)
Last thing: There's been a post here some days ago about P60 assemblys at a price of about $ 0.60 at QCG I think.

EDIT: In case it wasn't clear, the recommended torch uses only one 18650 cell, but I always buy them in pairs, as it never hurts to have a spare and I have quite a good impression of the current batches

EDIT: As is probably obvious, I didn't read your requirements very thoroughly.. If you want to stick to primarys (LiFePo4s are quite safe but you won't find a cheap charger that you wouldn't have to hack up to charge the 18650s so this bulb is then recommended: http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=906
(currently on backorder as it seems :shakehead)

 

[Kraid]

If you are looking for an Incan that will impress I believe that you are better going with a 9V light, after using Q5 LED's it is likely that a 6V incan will disappoint.

Look into a SF 9P or a Wolf Eyes Raider, throw in a P91, LF EO9 or HO9 for some good output and then later add some rechargeables for guilt free lumens. These are incans that will impress and show you what a incan is really capable of

Was gonna recommend the same thing.

 

[EV_007]

Also recommend the SureFire 9P which has many options and is under 100 bucks. With the right power source and bulb, you get a lot of guilt free lumens.

 

[mdocod]

yea, if you have a lot of Q5s around picking up a 2xCR123 powered incan is going to send you running back to your Q5s wondering why you wasted your money.... There are some of us however, that appreciate lower output incans for certain applications. I just really don't want your first experience with a quality incan to be negative....

Look at 9V options, a Wolf-Eyes 9AX or Surefire G3 would be good starting points. The 9AX has the advantage of being upgradable to larger format Li-Ion cells when you are ready.

 

[Wattnot]

Look into a SF 9P or a Wolf Eyes Raider, throw in a P91, LF EO9 or HO9 for some good output and then later add some rechargeables for guilt free lumens. These are incans that will impress and show you what a incan is really capable of

Coupla questions on this config . . . What rechargables mimic the 3 primaries? Two 18500?

Will the EO9 work in the 9DX? That's the one with the extended throw larger head.

 

[adamlau]

2x17500, or 2x18500 (if the body is bored, or can already accomodate 18mm cells). The 9DX will only accomodate D36 (36mm) lamp assemblies (without further modification). The EO-9 is a D26 (26mm) assembly.

 

[zipplet]

May I ask, where would I get a Wolf Eyes Raider in the UK? I want to check that out too before I make my final decision but I'm not going to consider lights that are difficult to get hold of, for a first time purchase

Lots of nice suggestions here though, thanks.

 

[LED61]

2x17500, or 2x18500 (if the body is bored, or can already accomodate 18mm cells). The 9DX will only accomodate D36 (36mm) lamp assemblies (without further modification). The EO-9 is a D26 (26mm) assembly.

+1 on the WE Raider setup. For $100 you can have the whole works, rechargeable to boot.

BTW, all WE Raiders accomodate 2 18500's on stock configuration, no boring needed. There you will have yourself an astonishing incan!! and it's fairly decent size.

 

[KeeperSD]

May I ask, where would I get a Wolf Eyes Raider in the UK? I want to check that out too before I make my final decision but I'm not going to consider lights that are difficult to get hold of, for a first time purchase

Lots of nice suggestions here though, thanks.

There are at least 3 Wolf Eyes dealers on CPF, none in the UK, but there are a few members on here that have had experience ordering WE from dealers. I think j3nbl orders his WE's from GlenC from www.quarterflash.com.au , while i have heard of other guys ordering from http://www.pts-flashlights.com/ or http://www.liotec.com/ drop an email to them and see how you go, compared to the price of a SF in the UK it will still be quite price affective

Coupla questions on this config . . . What rechargables mimic the 3 primaries? Two 18500?

Will the EO9 work in the 9DX? That's the one with the extended throw larger head.

You wont be able to use the EO9 as already stated, but you will be able to use the EO9L (450lumens) or HO9L (380lumens), which are D36 LA's and will operate very well with 2 x 18500's.

 

[zipplet]

Thank you all again. I'm very tempted by the WE Raider setup, and pts-flashlights ship internationally too which pushes me even closer.

Well, whatever choice I end up making I'll end up buying a couple eventually anyway I guess...

At the moment it's looking like a surefire 9P and WE Raider (with red tailcap ). I can't try out the WE in person first but I'm willing to take the plunge as a few have recommended it.