Middle range throw flashlight. Checklist ok.

[ryback64]

Hi,

I am looking for middle range throw flashlight.
I have big hands.
About 200 and 300 meters throw if possible.
Lumintop PK30 or Olight S65 are my first choice with Sanyo Eneloop or Duracell Active Charge in AA and Maha Powerex MH-C9000.
I do not own a NIMH and Li-Ion charger.
I do not own AA NIMH an Li-ion batteries.

Checklist:

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)

____Less than $150.

3) Format:

____I want a flashlight.

4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.

5) Emitter/Light source:

____LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)

6) Manufacturer:

____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)

____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) 18650 chemistry.


8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

____I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.


____Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
____5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
____30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)



10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
____Critical (Survival).


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).



13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want a selector ring.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____I have big hands so the flashlight must be easy holding.

Thanks

 

[rambo180]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Hi,

I am looking for middle range throw flashlight.
About 200 and 300 meters throw if possible
For the moment i selected the Lumintop PK30.
Is there any competitors to this model ?


Thanks

sticky thread at top of page. fill out the quiz to give us more details please.

if you really want to use 6xaa there is also Olight Baton and jetbeam PA40. personally i would look into paying about $50 for 2x 18650s and a charger and you can get MUCH better lights. 18650s flashlights are brighter, smaller, lighter and cost around $90-$110.

 

[ryback64]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Sorry i forgot checklist.
I answered it in my first post.

 

[ryback64]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Ok Rambo180, but what is the brand and model of the 18650 torch you recommend ?

 

[rambo180]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Ok Rambo180, but what is the brand and model of the 18650 torch you recommend ?

WELL, many many options. Seems like a bigger light is what you want. Single 18650 flashlights are surprisingly narrow, maybe not best for big hands - check manufacturer specs and you decide.

Here are some 1x18650 options:
Klarus XT11, bright, good build, great switches,good runtime. Cons: It is slightly more floody, however since it puts out 600 lumens, 100-200m should be OK. At less than 100 lumens, it is an absolute beast. very popular.

THROWERS:
Eagletac g25c2 (more expensive), sunwayman T20CS (1x18650)/ T40CS (2x18650), olight m21x (bulletproof, good value).
Thrunight TN11 (dedicated thrower), the catapult is the longer version but it costs more.


Runtime is particularly good with the XT11, and of course if yuo're not running a 2x18650 light on high, you'll get good runtime.

Some fatter options for big hands: Flashlights like the sunwayman v20c (rechargeable) or the fenix tk35 (2x18650, great value). You might be able to get rechargeables into a sunwayman m30r (RCR123 x3).

Best for you: I'd say the XT11 (flood-mid), Olight M21x(mid-throw), TN11(throw) or TK35 (fatter, really bright).

You could also go to the goingGear website and checkout the flashlight search option. let me know what you decide.

 

[jh333233]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Go for T40CS
Triple brightness with SOS and Strobe hidden
User friendly side switch
ipx8 waterproofness
IMO T20CS would not reach 300m as the beam is quite diverged

 

[Kevinkw1]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

For your budget of less than $150, you will have a great range of choice.

I reckon the Eagletac G25C2 would suit. 4 levels with max output around 640 ansi lumens, its around $100. Its a single 18650, so is narrow, but I think you will probably hold that with a cigar grip and not a traditional grip.

The Klarus xt11 is similar to the Eagletac, but with a different UI designed more for tactical use. It comes on at max always and you have easy access to strobe. But if you have big hands, i'm guessing you a big fella and probably wont need the strobe? Personall, I like the look of the Eagletac better.

The Sunwayman t40cs, is the same width, but has 2 X 18650 end to end, so its long and skinny! Having said that, it throws around 500m! They recently updated the LED to the XML u2 as well. Around $120.

If you can, its better to stick with 18650 format rather than AA. Yes the batteries are more expensive and harder to find, but you get much more power with a 18650 and if you are recharging, then running costs are fine.

 

[BLUE LED]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Big hands medium throwing flashlight. Olight SR51 using 2 x 18650.

 

[ryback64]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Thanks every one.
But i prefer a traditional circular grip like Lumintop PK30, Fenix TK41, Jetbeam BC40.
I do not want to handle the flashlight like a cigar.
T40CS is too thin for me.
Do you have other suggestions with a traditional circular grip with XM-L, powered with 18650 ( 4 x max) or AA batteries (6 x max) ?

 

[TEEJ]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Thanks every one.
But i prefer a traditional circular grip like Lumintop PK30, Fenix TK41, Jetbeam BC40.
I do not want to handle the flahslight like a cigar.
T40CS is too thin for me.
Do you have other suggestions with a traditional circular XM-L, powered with 18650 ( 4 x max) or AA batteries (6 x max) ?

Another direction is to upgrade the cell choice to 26650, which allows a fatter body/easier grip for large hands, while also adding massive power due to the larger format.


Examples:

The Foursevens Maelstrom S12 or X10 for example have large long reaching beams, with the S12 being more floody than the X10, but having a higher lumen output.

These use a tail on/off, but a twist head to change mode UI.

The Foursevens S18 uses 6 RCR123A cells in a carrier, and has a nice fat body with a dial selector instead of a twisty head to elect modes, but also with a tail cap on/off switch...but you'd be looking at a used one price-wise if their sale is over.

A Fenix TK35 for example uses an over-under cell format, which gives a doubled height body, but with the same WIDTH (Flat sided form factor, like a chalkboard eraser with a lens at its front)


One limitation your form factor imposes is that many of the better lights WITH that form factor are more expensive than your specified range...as they don't typically go to that format unless they are exceptionally powerful...and need the room for more cells, etc....and the better/more reliable components add cost as well, as you specified that you want a reliable light.

For example, the Nitecore Tiny Monster TM11 has a side switch, has about the form factor as a black coke can, and can throw about 2,000 lumens several hundred yards....but would cost you over $150. A DRY 3 XML Turbo would produce equal or even better output, for ~ $68, but not for as long, and, not as reliably, even though on the outside, they look pretty similar. (Also like a black coke can, but with tail cap UI only)

You don't say how LONG a light would be too long, etc...which would then narrow down some potential options as well.

Take a gander at some of the lights mentioned, and see what you like. It will at least fine tune what might work for you.

:D

 

[jh333233]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Btw lux reading is important too
you might want to find a light with 40k+ lux in order to reach 200-300m to see clearly
range written on package with ANSI is the distance reaching 0.25 lux and probably you wont be able to see it

 

[rambo180]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

someone mentioned the SR51. sounds perfect, just within price.

 

[ryback64]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Ok here is my selection:

Please help me for the final choice:

Jetbeam PA40
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ber-body)-Review-RUNTIMES-BEAMSHOTS-amp-more!
or
Lumintop PK30
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?329565

Price is the same in the webshop where i will order.

 

[Kevinkw1]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

The lumintop pk30 is quite a bit better than the jetbeam pa40. If they are the same price, definitely get the lumintop!

 

[rambo180]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

The lumintop pk30 is quite a bit better than the jetbeam pa40. If they are the same price, definitely get the lumintop!

all that effort to get you on lithium rechargeables and you do this to us... *sigh*

 

[ryback64]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Sorry but i can't get my max budget objective including flashlight + 18650 x 2 + charger.
This one is a gift for my father.
The next one will be for me, pretty sure for the Eagletac SX25 with 2 x 18650.

 

[rambo180]

Re: Middle range throw flashlight, help me choose and select please

Sorry but i can't get my max budget objective including flashlight + 18650 x 2 + charger.
This one is a gift for my father.
The next one will be for me, pretty sure for the Eagletac SX25 with 2 x 18650.

no worries! i have a very small lumintop flashlight and its very high quality. i'm sure you/your father will enjoy very much!