Lost a light... what do I buy to replace it?! (TK11 perhaps? JETBeam?)

[metawaffle]

Alas, I think I left my Solarforce T7 about three hundred kilometres from home! In the line of duty, of course - night photography trip.

I was already shopping around for a throwy light, but now I've lost the light I use when I want something adjustable. Why not just get another T7? Well, I really did like it, and there's a new R2 version out, but it suffers from the same problem that the Fenix P3D does - I'd need to use AW protected batteries, instead of the piles of TrustFire and UltraFire RCRs I have. In losing my T7, I've lost two of my four AW RCRs!

So, what am I after?
* Multiple modes - two or three levels, ideally no strobe/SOS but it doesn't really matter.
* 18650 battery. If I need AW versions for a particular light, I'm okay with that, as long as I know to order some
* Reasonably bright, obviously .
* Something on the throwy side.
* Size and shape I have in mind is something like the Fenix TK-11. I have some Solarforce L2s that I like the feel of.
* Side clip would be nice, but not a big deal.
* Forward clicky would be nice too.
* Price-wise, the TK-11 is about right.

I was thinking Fenix TK-11, but then started looking at the JETBeam models and got myself all confused. There are probably many other options I haven't considered, too!

Can anyone help with my deliberations?

 

[skyva]

I have the tk-11 and I really like it. It is a good combo of throw witha bit of flood. I also have the tiablo A9, which has a much narrower beam, which I find usful for spotting critters in the paddock, whereas the tk-11 will illuminate a wider area.

I like the size and interface on the tk-11, as I find a twisty better than a clicky change, as I can select the light output before I turn on the torch, and the tk-11 has a forward clicky as well.
I would like something in the 18650 size range a bit more throwy than the tk11, but more floody/brighter than the A9.
Unless you are trying to spot critters and want something narrow, the tk-11 might fit the bill, although hopefully someone else will come up with a newer solution.

 

[StarHalo]

JetBeam would not only be a good choice, but you have a few different options within the brand - all the III series lights are 18650 powered, and there's four of them. All are Mil-Spec III anodized with a sapphire crystal lens, and 2-225 infinitely variable lumens with three user-set modes. Some specifics:

ST - General use beam (but no clip)
Pro - Thrower beam (but reverse clicky)
Military - Thrower beam (can accept other batteries, only two modes)
Ultra - Super thrower beam

Once you get used to the IBS interface, using a Fenix seems stilted and awkward. Highly recommended :thumbsup:

 

[MoreLumens4Me]

Check out the Olight M20 Warrior Premium! I don't have it yet, but I want to!

 

[StandardBattery]

I have the TK-11 and I quite like it as my big light. Of course it is not quite as big as my M6 and similar in size to the C2... but...

I wish that the TK-11 would have been offered on Natural or Olive, but I'm living with Black as much as I would rather not. Black lights are easy to lose in situations just as you did. My other issue with the TK11, is the beam on mine is not as smooth as I like, even outdoors it bothers me a bit.

18650 Rules...

The JetBeam III's look nice. I'd like to try one... but with the high output and my love for low-low, I find the three levels too limiting. I need 1L, 20L, 60L, 120L, and MAX... so that's 5 levels to make the Jet an EDC for me. Still if your happy with 3 levels then Jetbeam III (Ultra if you want best thrower) could be very nice. They even have nice new forward Clickies. Why or Why did they limit an EDC light with such a wide output range to 3 levels? I've never tried their UI, it sounds good, but until I try it I'm cautious.

The M20 is not my cup of tea, but it is 18650, and has output... it's not for me, but might fit your needs.

There is Dereelight CL1H V4, you might like that.

There is a pretty good selection of 18650 based lights right now, so you should have some fun.

 

[metawaffle]

Wow, thanks everyone!

I'm busily looking through these options now - the JETBeams are really starting to appeal, though I suspect I'll need to compromise to choose between them :thinking:

Any further thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

[metawaffle]

I think I'm sold on the JETBeams, III-series for 18650 support. However, I'm still completely up in the air about which model specifically I want. Here's a quick brain dump:

* I just lost a Solarforce T7, similar to a Fenix P3D. Wide floody beam. The main issue with losing the light, though, is that it was my long runtime light, by virtue of its lower power settings.

* I use a Zebra H50 for close-up stuff, so this light wouldn't be for that.

* It would be nice if this light was a bit of a do-everything light, I must admit, so the the Ultra is probably not the way to go, with its overly tight beam.


I think I'm leaning towards the JETBeam IBS III Pro, but perhaps I should be considering the ST?

Any input is appreciated! :candle:

 

[StarHalo]

Keep in mind that any of the JetBeams can go down to 2 lumens, so even though they're biased for throw, you can easily turn them down far enough to do close up work. Not quite as useful as the Zebralight, but still do-able. And since you can very precisely dial in just enough light for your task, the Jet can give you as much runtime as possible for your application.

The PRO is the middle-of-the-road choice between the four, but if a general-purprose beam would suit you better than something throw-y, the ST is a better fit.

 

[DArklite]

Not to mention that on the Jet-III's (and all IBS models for that matter) one of the modes can be set as a "locator" - one flash about every 8 seconds, so you won't be leaving it behind next time.

 

[rockz4532]

i say get a fenix t1, it has 2 modes, 60 lumens and 225 lumens, and i think it can work with 18650's, oh and its only 70$

 

[shomie911]

Might want to check out the Olight M20 Warrior as well, I love mine.

Fits just about everything you asked for and the R2 version has a beautiful tint!

 

[Burgess]

Hello Metawaffle --


Welcome to CandlePowerForums !

:welcome:



By the way, while you are searching (and researching)
your replacement flashlight,
we would really love to see a few of your night photos.


Good Luck, and stay safe.

_

 

[metawaffle]

Hey, that locator mode sounds like an excellent idea! The Olight does look nice, but I think it's the programmable aspect of the Jets that's really got me. Oh, and that nifty two-way clip. It turns out that the Australian distributor of JetBeam is run by a user here named Citivolus, and ships from within driving distance of my house. If I can just get him to respond to my enquiry... :wave: So, thanks for your help everyone, I think I'll go with the Jet III Pro (and pick up some AW 18650s while I'm at it)

Anyway, moving on! I picked out a couple of photos that use lights in particular, including the one I took just before I lost my T7 The exposures range in time from about thirty seconds to perhaps five minutes. I hope they're of interest!


The interior of this shelter is lit with a diffused Solarforce T7 (natural LED colour, no colour filtering, hence the blue look). I suspect there's a Solarforce T7 lying somewhere in the long grass around this structure...

Struts that once held a WW2 radar tower - lit from the front-right with Solarforce L2 with orange filter, lit from the left more subtly with a Solarforce L2 with no filter. There was little ambient light here, so all the photons here were donated by my L2s.

Concrete radar base building, foreground lighting from Solarforce T7 with Fenix diffuser, background lighting from orange-filtered Solarforce L2. Again, only the sky is naturally lit (if you consider distant city lights natural), the rest is artificial.

Old petrol pump. Ambient lighting from street lamps, highlights added from the back-left with a bare Solarforce T7.

Historic tidal stormwater tunnel at low tide. Solarforce T7 diffused with a ping-pong ball! Camera flash from the side. As you'd expect, this place is utterly dark without artificial lighting.

 

[StarHalo]

Fantastic pics! Some great shooting locations you've got there, and the lighting certainly adds to the ambience. I dig the crazy long exposures, my camera won't do more than 30 secs, so shots like these are the stuff of dreams. Hope the new light helps!

 

[Burgess]

Beautiful Photos !

:kewlpics::goodjob:



Your trusty ol' T7 certainly did a fine job. :mecry:



Let's all hope you quickly find a suitable replacement.



Can i assume you are shooting a Digital camera ?


Thank you for sharing these lovely photos.


:thumbsup:
_

 

[DArklite]

Great photos! and quite ingenious using the ping-pong ball as a diffuser :thumbsup:
You're making the same decision I made - a Jet-III Pro with AW 18650's. You're gonna love the flexibility of the UI and the strobe modes are insane when you want to have fun
http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/iusinin.html explains the IBS UI; it's actually quite simple and quickly becomes second nature. A forward clicky tail switch (which also is metal inside) cost me $5 USD as an add-on. The Jet-III Pro is a utilitarian as well as a fun light to own, and goes from 2 lumens into a throw monster even though I ordered mine with the OP reflector - very smooth white beam with zero artifacts. Congrats!

 

[metawaffle]

Excellent point about the forward-clicky switch - I'm ordering it that way too, along with that nice two-way clip. I read through the user interface details, and it sounds quite reasonable; I was wondering how the programmability worked, and the approach seems clever.

As for the photos, they're all shot with digital SLR cameras, lots of fun :twothumbs

 

[metawaffle]

Okay, so I've had my Jet III Pro for a few days now, and it's great. I see now why people love the interface, too. I picked mine up from Eric at southern-lights.com.au, and took the opportunity to fondle some of the other lights he had around, too At Eric's suggestion, I stuck with the reverse clicky for now, to better suit the IBS interface, and I think that was a good move. I have the switch assembly for forward clicky if I change my mind though.

However, I'm still in the market for another light!

The Jet III Pro is exactly what I wanted, particularly in that it's a little throwier than the L2. So, outdoors and in open spaces, it's great. However, in confined spaces, such as tunnels, it's not really floody enough.

Soo... any suggestions for a floodier light to complement the Jet III Pro? 18650 would be ideal. I'd be more than happy with something from the JetBeam IBS range, but I didn't think the Jet III ST was really that much wider than the Pro in my brief test.

My old Solarforce T7 had a fairly pleasantly wide beam - much the same as the Fenix P3D/L2D beam.

Any comments greatly appreaciated.

 

[StarHalo]

The ST is as close to the Fenix beam profile as a current JetBeam gets. There's also the now-discontinued Jet I MK IBS, though it has a rather difficult switch and is more difficult to find for sale. But if you want really floody, the Jet II IBS has a removable head/reflector assembly for bare emitter use - Used this way, the 180 degrees in front of you literally looks lit by a work light or household light bulb, the little Jet has no problem filling an entire corridor with light.

 

[Monocrom]

Sorry you lost your light, and the cells that were in them.

But those are some sweet pics.