lumens

webley445

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 16, 2001
Messages
1,353
Location
St. Pete, Fl.
Hey all, my first post here. I work in security and am about to start a new position in the field with my company as a supervisor in the evenings after the office is closed. I'll be driving between two counties in a patrol car doing inspections checking up on sites/guards, and going to lend aide when neccessary. In the past I've always stuck with the 3D MagLite, I love the beam and the reach it gives me, plus the added security of having it hanging on my belt. However I've been thinking of getting something less obtrusive to carry. How do the new breeds compare in power and throw to the 3D cell? I know of them and about them, but no hands on with one.
Also does anyone have an exact breakdown of each model's lumen rating? The shorter duration of the smaller batteries is not a concern to me as I will not be using the flashlight very often, but working at night and often outdoors, I want to be able to carry something with me should the need arise, and I want performance like I get out of the MagLite. TIA
BTW, my wife always made fun of my fetish for portable lighting , glad to know I'm not the only one!!
 
Welcome Webley445 to our merry band of flashlight obsessives!

I'm not a LEO, but for a tiny everyday carry light with a remarkably bright spot I choose the Asp Taclite. It has a unique internal focusing mechanism, and when focused down it is more intense than any other 2X123A (two 3 volt Lithium batteries)light that I know. You may not want it as a primary light, but it is one hell of a back-up light.

There is at least one LEO/security person in this Forum who carrys it, and I'm sure he'll weigh in. I also like the Streamlight Ultra Stinger, which I just got. It is exceedingly bright- one of the brightest and it has a handy charger that lets you grab and go.

Good luck, you're in good company here.

PS: Do you have any opinions on pepper spray for the ordinary citizen to carry?

Best regards,
Brightnorm
 
Welcome.
For larger lights check out this topic:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000860

For a smaller belt light look at the Surefire 8AX (aluminum body), 8NX (polymer body, lighter and cheaper), the Surefire 9AN, and the Streamlight Stinger series (Stinger, Polystinger (polymer), and Stinger XT-button on back). Any of these are brighter than a 3 D cell maglight, and are rechargeable as well. The initial cost will be higher, but if you use your light a lot, say a change of batteries a week, you'll make up the cost difference in a year or so.

There are other good lights out there. Any of the Surefire lights, the ASP Taclight, but they use lithium batteries which get expensive for constant use. I'd highly recommend a rechargeable. I used to use a Streamlight Stinger, and switched to a Surefire 9N (older version of current 9AN). Both rechargeable. I'd reccomend either for your job. Also, if the cars you'll be using don't have a spotlight mounted, get one of those cheap spotlights that plug into a cigarette lighter socket. 1 million candlepower or more are good. VERY usefull. There are also rechargeable version if you need a lot of light away from the car. LSI makes a 2 million candlepower one for about $100.00, Vector has one for about $50.00, but lower quality. Check out your local auto parts store, or sporting goods store, or www.galls.com
 
Is there a formula or equation for converting lumens to candle power? I'm trying to compare the relative powers of different models. I'm thinking that I'll carry the 3D in the car and will get a small back-up to keep on my belt.
 
I would look in to the Surefire M3 or M2, or if it isn't used too much maybe the E2. If you are looking for rechargeables I can't say since I only have one. I don't have a conversion from Lumens to CP, but you can look at my site for relative brightness levels.
 
Welcome!

Your 3D is said by some to be one of the best looking flashlights. In terms of beam quality and output there are a wide range of brands and models that significantly out-perform the 3D Maglight.

SureFire and StreamLight are two brands you should look at for a rechargeable light. I'd suggest the SureFire 8AX.

For 2 cell Lithium flashlights. SureFire give you the widest range of options, but the StreamLight Scorpion, TACMIII & ASP TacLite are other brands that people use.

The SureFire M2 and M3 are the Mighty amoung the small lights.

You say you'll be carrying your light a lot, and not use it much. I would advise against a rechargeable as your primary carry light unless you plan to use it loads.

Why do I suggest an M2?

It has a PocketClip for clipping onto your belt (or pocket etc) so it's easy to carry on you.
It has a simple switch that can be easily physically disabled for storage, transport and carry.
It comes with two lamps for a choice of runtime/output options.
It's Hard Anodised to Military Specification Level III so it's resistant to use and abuse.
It's got a Shock Isolated Bezel to protect the lamp against drops, knocks, etc.
It's waterproof for everyday normal requirements.
It has a wide range of accessories.
When you invest in a SureFire, you invest in SureFire and SureFire's Customer Service, support and interaction is second to none.

Carrying your M2 is no reason not to have a rechargeable light mounted in your car. I do not have one myself, but the StreamLight UltraStinger is far superior to the MagCharger from what I read.

Al
 
So are you saying that you may get stung by the UltraStinger?

There are certainly more factors to a useful flashlight then it's output characteristics...

Al
 
Webley445, I agree with the others here.
Go with a lithium if you're not going to use it often. The Asp, Scorpion, SF 6P, C2 or D2 are good choices. (They're not shock isolated however) They're cheaper than the M2, it's pricey, but that shock isolated bezel is nice. Maybe even a Princeton Tec Surge (8 AAs, longer runtime) would satisfy your needs. It's a tad heavy, however.

As much as I think the Asp is OK, I feel the beam and construction is somewhat inferior to the SF products. (Thats just my opinion, the ASP is a nice torch.) I kinda like the Scorpion over the ASP, it's got a spare bulb onboard. (Good thing, because they only seem to last 4 battery sets or so.) FWIW, my normal carry is alternated between the ASP and the Scorpion until I figure it out. :)

No one mentioned LEDs, but the Expedition 1900 may work out. This is an 19 LED torch and is said to be very good out to 200 feet or so, claiming to take the place of filament
lights for all but the longest reach. This thing is nearly industructable. It'll set you back approx $150.

Rechargables? I think one can get a SF kit to convert the 6P into nicads so it can do double duty. There's the 9AN and the SL Stinger/Ultra Stinger. (There are larger head "turbo" kits for the SF products you may wish to consider.) (All this isn't cheap, but the SFs won't let you down.)

As KT said, the MagCharger is an proven choice, with years of field experience.
I have one thats 18 years old, but I've rebuilt the battery pack more times than I can rememeber. (To be fair, I don't use it often and nicads prefer to be cycled for longest life.)

(Btw KT/other LEO types, could you guys email me your recommendations for a small frame 9mm auto? How do you feel about the "baby" Glock?)

In summary, I would use one of the X 2 lithiums as a back up, with the rechargable in the car for everyday use. Depends on what your typical mission needs are.
 
"Certainly the U'Stinger... is... not as robust as the "Big Mag.""

I was asking if you think the UltraS will not be as tough as a MagCharger. Stung by the UltraStinger - I was having a little pun...

I made the point that output characteristics are no the only features of a flashlight that should be considered.

Is there cause for concern about the robustness of the UltraStinger?
How fragile are the bulbs?
Is it easy to scratch and dent?
Will the lens melt?

That sort of thing...

Al
 
Originally posted by kogatana:
I will try to borrow something that will measure it. I don't know what it is called, but I have seen it used by my good friend when he works on his Camaro Z28 to measure the thickness of piston rings.

I believe you are refering to calipers.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Size15s:
Welcome!

Your 3D is said by some to be one of the best looking flashlights. In terms of beam quality and output there are a wide range of brands and models that significantly out-perform the 3D Maglight.

SureFire ..........
Al
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, the 3D and Mag-Charger are beautiful designs. The Mag 3D is about 35 Lumens. Separately from KT's source, I've heard that the M-Charger is 159 Lumens. So over 4x brighter.

Unfortunately, the 3D Mag beam is not the best example of purity. I personally believe that the 60 Lumen SureFire E2 is 4x more useful, kind of thing.
SureFire beam quality is something else - 5 seconds of witnessing it converted me.

Re: Lumens v. Candlepower - look up the topic headings in "General Flashlight .... " forum. Plenty of detailed stuff there.

Basically, while both can be exaggerated, Lumens is the total of the light output, and Candlepower is the brightest point found in the beam.

So, although the CandlePower rating of a Laser is very high (Anyone know how much ? )
it's Lumen value is very low. Long reach, but you can't actually light anything up with it.
One of the bike lights is an awesome 1,500 Lumens, but has a CP rating that is less than 10,000. This is because it's a very bright pure beam, but set at a wide angle, spreading the light out more.
If that mighty beam was more tightly focused, then the CP measured would zoom up. The Lumen output would stay roughly the same.
Full credit to the manufacturer for honesty there, refreshing in the world of torch specifications.

Overall, though it doesn't tell the whole story, Lumens are more indicative of the actual "in use" qualities. And beam diagrams would be a good way to inform us too.

Welcome aboard,

lightlover
smile.gif
 
This is a great thread "BUT" one detail is way off and deserves contention. The Trek 19/aka Expedition 1900 is a neat little light, however 200 feet throw is way off as an estimate of its distance ability. Not by a long shot; I would give this model 30 feet max under any circumstances. White LEDs are known for short throw. I nightwalked with this light for several weeks in dark areas and I gave up on it because if there was anything "out there" like a dog or a pliny backed double footed pea-brain woodpecker I just couldn't see it. I would keep this light at home where you can't beat it for it's useful spreadbeam and excellent reliability in that application.
 
10-4. I am very slow to buy new products because ad copy is so slow with the truth and sometimes is totally, shamelessly wrong assuming they meant to be honest at all. That and opening packages in the store will get you arrested nowadays. Yesterday I was in wallymart and there was a small Dorcy LED light that had a graph on the package and the graph showed a drawing of a beam comparison with a "regular flashlight" and the beam was at least 10 times as big as the regular ones. The fine print read "comparative runtimes with a regular flashlight". That's borderline dishonesty because most anyone would take the graph as a comparison of beam power, not runtimes. I knew that LEDs are not as powerful as halogens so that's why I looked at the fine print-it was such an outrageous claim. It should have said "our crummy flashlight has 1/10th the power of a regular flashlight". Anyway the Trek 19 is one of the best household/emergency/task lights. It is fairly bright and has other excellent characteristics although it is expensive for a guy like me.
smile.gif
 

Latest posts

Top