artar
Enlightened
i would also recommend the rage.
Mini Mag vs. Rage? Need help picking a new light.
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PT Surge
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Sounds like I should really think about getting the Rage.
My only problem with the Rage is that it uses AAA. Everything else in my gear is AA. My rechargeables, my solar charger, my GPS, my headlamp, and my weather radio. It is convenient to only carry one battery size and just switch the batteries to whatever device currently needs them.
Should I break out of my "AA" prison and get the Rage, or is there something else I should look at - like the Tec40 ?
My only problem with the Rage is that it uses AAA. Everything else in my gear is AA. My rechargeables, my solar charger, my GPS, my headlamp, and my weather radio. It is convenient to only carry one battery size and just switch the batteries to whatever device currently needs them.
Should I break out of my "AA" prison and get the Rage, or is there something else I should look at - like the Tec40 ?
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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Is the PT surge small enough for backpacking? I've heard a lot of cool things about it, but I got the impression it was a fairly sizeable light.
I'm very impressed with the Rage. The beam is passable (it's no Surefire), and it's very bright for it's size. And cheap, I think I paid $8.99 for it, including batteries. For that price you should get one and try it anyway, can always make it a backup light.
It's basically a PT Attitude with a xenon bulb instead of the LED unit.
It's basically a PT Attitude with a xenon bulb instead of the LED unit.
artar
Enlightened
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Narnian:
Sounds like I should really think about getting the Rage.
My only problem with the Rage is that it uses AAA. Everything else in my gear is AA. My rechargeables, my solar charger, my GPS, my headlamp, and my weather radio. It is convenient to only carry one battery size and just switch the batteries to whatever device currently needs them.
Should I break out of my "AA" prison and get the Rage, or is there something else I should look at - like the Tec40 ?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
then you should consider the tec40.
Sounds like I should really think about getting the Rage.
My only problem with the Rage is that it uses AAA. Everything else in my gear is AA. My rechargeables, my solar charger, my GPS, my headlamp, and my weather radio. It is convenient to only carry one battery size and just switch the batteries to whatever device currently needs them.
Should I break out of my "AA" prison and get the Rage, or is there something else I should look at - like the Tec40 ?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
then you should consider the tec40.
ake
Newly Enlightened
I don't think I wanna carry a Surge for my backpacking trip. Way too huge and heavy.
Tec40 is a better choice, especially, with a custom bulb.
Ake
Tec40 is a better choice, especially, with a custom bulb.
Ake
The minimag has a focusable beam whereas the Rage is fixed. If you elect to use the minimag, you may wish to upgrade the lamp to the Brinkman Nextstar, available directly from Brinkman's site, as this modification dramatically improves the light although battery life diminishes. When backpacking, I tend to pack as "light" as possible and rely heavily on the PT Attitude but also carry a Rage lamp for extra light when needed. The Rage and Attitude share the same body. I also carry an ARC AAA as backup. This duplication permits me to use and interchange a common battery type. As mentioned, the Tec40 is also a good backpacking light, albeit somehat heavier, and is considerably longer throw than the Rage--at least in my instance.
WarrenI
Newly Enlightened
If I hear you correctly, you need this light to spot bears! It is my guess that it should be at a distance! I would go with the Surge and don't fool around with the Rage. You would be able to spot the bears clearly at over 100 yards away. The PT lights have everything going for it over the Mags (waterproof, bright, limited beam distortions). But, they lack one feature of which they have no provisions to carry a spare bulb. Someone might find a way to carry a spare Surge bulb within the case as it is very small. But, the Rage needs some sort of external carrier as the bulb is the entire reflector assembly. I just got my Surge and loaded it with NiMHs, which work very well together.
Tesla
Enlightened
I'd echo pec50 on this one...the minimag with an upgrade nexstar bulb AND AA lithium batteries...the tie-breaker to me is the onboard spare bulb & ability to use as an area light by removing the head. Not knocking the PT lights...heck, I own almost all of them...would have to say nix on the Surge though--way overkill weight-wise for backpacking.
You might also consider a UKE 2L. It uses 2 lithium 123A's, but it's bright, throws decently, and runs a couple hours on them. It's also a very small, rugged, waterproof light. Fairly cheap at $23 or so online (including batteries).
Of course, if money wasn't an object, you could look at a Surefire.
Of course, if money wasn't an object, you could look at a Surefire.
bigcozy
Enlightened
Here is a thought. Buy a PT Attitude, which is a LED light with over 100 hours run time. Then buy a Rage lamp assembly, and you have a small light that can go either way and you will probably have less than $15 in the whole thing.
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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
I'd be nervous about dropping a surefire in the creek - they aren't waterproof as far as I know.
On that same topic, I've noticed rings in the miniMag. Anyone know if it would survive a minute underwater? If it will, I might just try that bulb upgrade.
I WOULD like to be able to spot a black bear at 75 yards in the dark. I could do that with my Tekna4.
Otherwise, It sounds like I should look at the Tec40. My Tekna4 was probably bulkier than the Tec40. I really like the Surge, but that HAS to be too big for backpacking.
On that same topic, I've noticed rings in the miniMag. Anyone know if it would survive a minute underwater? If it will, I might just try that bulb upgrade.
I WOULD like to be able to spot a black bear at 75 yards in the dark. I could do that with my Tekna4.
Otherwise, It sounds like I should look at the Tec40. My Tekna4 was probably bulkier than the Tec40. I really like the Surge, but that HAS to be too big for backpacking.
bigcozy
Enlightened
I just read the part about the bears. In my experience with about 6 black bears, you seldom "freeze" them with a light. They just don't care. Sometimes they run, sometimes they come over and investigate. We talked about this before on here somewhere at the forums. but here is what I carry:
Surefire E2 for long distance, very small, very light, has clip.
Pelican L1 for around the camp, LED about the size of a .44 mag bullet, 150 hours of burn time, weighs nothing, has clip.
PT photon on my backpack zipper.
For bears: Ruger .44 SuperBlackhawk.
Think this is the old thread, very informative:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002103&p=2
Surefire E2 for long distance, very small, very light, has clip.
Pelican L1 for around the camp, LED about the size of a .44 mag bullet, 150 hours of burn time, weighs nothing, has clip.
PT photon on my backpack zipper.
For bears: Ruger .44 SuperBlackhawk.
Think this is the old thread, very informative:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002103&p=2
WarrenI
Newly Enlightened
With the scouts, we do a lot of night walks with many of the lights mentioned here, that all work well. But, for dangers like spotting bears, isn't it better to be far than being within a few seconds running distance? For AA batteries, waterproofness, and for more than 100 yards, I'm still sold on the Surge. Take the bears out of the picture, then the Rage (or anything similar) is OK. I own a few Mini-Mags and I just don't like the beam quality. Even when upgrading the bulbs, the beam is very distorted. For my comfort, they whole front end of the Mini-Mag would need to be upgraded. The quality of the Mini-Mags waterproofness is not even close to consistent. They are water resistant at most. When underwater, do not adjust the focus or you will have a chance of water leakage.
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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Hhhmm. You folks are giving me lots of food for thought.
Where I go backpacking (Adirondack high peaks)you can get in a ton of trouble for packing a pistol. I carry bear spray and signal flares to fire at the bear if it gets too close.
I don't intend to freeze a bear with the flashlight. I just like to be able to identify the source of any noise I hear at 75 to 100 yards so that I can decide if I need to do anything about it. Maybe I should reconsider the Surge. It really isn't very expensive and I can always get the Tec40 if I decide it's too big and heavy and keep the Surge in the Jeep.
Where I go backpacking (Adirondack high peaks)you can get in a ton of trouble for packing a pistol. I carry bear spray and signal flares to fire at the bear if it gets too close.
I don't intend to freeze a bear with the flashlight. I just like to be able to identify the source of any noise I hear at 75 to 100 yards so that I can decide if I need to do anything about it. Maybe I should reconsider the Surge. It really isn't very expensive and I can always get the Tec40 if I decide it's too big and heavy and keep the Surge in the Jeep.
bigcozy
Enlightened
You might also consider a Streamlight Scorpion. Very, very small, as strong as just about any 2 cell 123, and tanners has them for about $30. Or a Surefire G2, small, plastic and about $40-45.
As for bears just yelling has worked so far, and there is no way I am going to carry a 6 pound pistol when I could carry 6 pounds of food with me. They hate sharp loud noises, like a firecracker, the flare is a good idea. I never go out unarmed though, I have had too many experiences with two legged problems. A lot of "farmers" where I backpack.
As for bears just yelling has worked so far, and there is no way I am going to carry a 6 pound pistol when I could carry 6 pounds of food with me. They hate sharp loud noises, like a firecracker, the flare is a good idea. I never go out unarmed though, I have had too many experiences with two legged problems. A lot of "farmers" where I backpack.
Narnian:
Please describe the bulb in your dead Tecna. We CPFers are pretty good at sniffing out competitive bulbs that have the same form factor as private-labeled bulbs offered by flashlight companies. For example, we have frequent discussions about what Underwater Kinetics bulb work in which Energizer Double Barreled lights, etc.
Does the Tecna have a bulb or a custom lamp assembly?
Please describe the bulb in your dead Tecna. We CPFers are pretty good at sniffing out competitive bulbs that have the same form factor as private-labeled bulbs offered by flashlight companies. For example, we have frequent discussions about what Underwater Kinetics bulb work in which Energizer Double Barreled lights, etc.
Does the Tecna have a bulb or a custom lamp assembly?
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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
The Tekna had a regular bulb in it. The label on the bulb sez:
"TEKNA-XENON 12703 JAPAN"
On of my buddies has the E2. This light with Lithium AA's was pretty close to the same brightness, but spread the light out a bit more and is not focusable. It is waterproof and floats. I called Rayovac when it died last fall to see if anyone made a replacement bulb. The guy at Rayovac had some information on the superbright bulb that originally went into the light. He told me that the Lithium batteries are probably what killed the bulb, but even without that they shouldn't last for very long. He didn't have information on any bulbs equal to the originals, though he did recommend using a Krypton bulb which wouldn't be as bright but would at least work. The light will accept any standard bulb, and has a plastic reflector.
"TEKNA-XENON 12703 JAPAN"
On of my buddies has the E2. This light with Lithium AA's was pretty close to the same brightness, but spread the light out a bit more and is not focusable. It is waterproof and floats. I called Rayovac when it died last fall to see if anyone made a replacement bulb. The guy at Rayovac had some information on the superbright bulb that originally went into the light. He told me that the Lithium batteries are probably what killed the bulb, but even without that they shouldn't last for very long. He didn't have information on any bulbs equal to the originals, though he did recommend using a Krypton bulb which wouldn't be as bright but would at least work. The light will accept any standard bulb, and has a plastic reflector.
Narnian:
By "standard bulb" I presmume you mean a flanged PR base bulb. Normally, Xenon PR based bulbs have an XPR designation on them
If you confirm that you had a PR base then your options are indeed many. If you tell us how many batteries of what size are used we can give you suggestions. I'm guessing that it takes some number of AA's because lithiums are most common for that size.
You can go with a bulb that draws .40 to .55 A with alkaline AA's for reasonable run times and you can go with considerably higher amperage on rechargeable NiMH batteries. You may find that rechargeables would permit you to use a bulb that could melt your plastic reflector, if that is what you have.
Xenon bulbs will be brighter and whiter than Krypton, but a krypton bulb rated at the same design voltage as a Xenon bulb is less likely to burn out at over voltage. Since lithium AA cells may deliver .2 V more than Alkaline cells in many circumstances, the Ray-o-Vac person you talked to probably was right.
Tell us how many batteries your light needs. I guess that Tecnha 4 uses 4? Acceptable run time between battery changes / recharges sounds like it might be as low as an hour from your first post. That would allow you to use a Carley 1.7 A 4 cell Krypton Star NiMH if it wouldn't melt your reflector. See the various discussions about what bulbs people can use with PT40's to get a flavor for what you can do with a 4AA PR bulb flashlight.
Tell us how long you require the batteries to sit unused in the light. It makes no sense to consider rechargeables for a trip unless you're willing the charge them right before the trip or use alkaline rechargeables (which most CPF'ers [not including me] avoid like the plague.)
By "standard bulb" I presmume you mean a flanged PR base bulb. Normally, Xenon PR based bulbs have an XPR designation on them
If you confirm that you had a PR base then your options are indeed many. If you tell us how many batteries of what size are used we can give you suggestions. I'm guessing that it takes some number of AA's because lithiums are most common for that size.
You can go with a bulb that draws .40 to .55 A with alkaline AA's for reasonable run times and you can go with considerably higher amperage on rechargeable NiMH batteries. You may find that rechargeables would permit you to use a bulb that could melt your plastic reflector, if that is what you have.
Xenon bulbs will be brighter and whiter than Krypton, but a krypton bulb rated at the same design voltage as a Xenon bulb is less likely to burn out at over voltage. Since lithium AA cells may deliver .2 V more than Alkaline cells in many circumstances, the Ray-o-Vac person you talked to probably was right.
Tell us how many batteries your light needs. I guess that Tecnha 4 uses 4? Acceptable run time between battery changes / recharges sounds like it might be as low as an hour from your first post. That would allow you to use a Carley 1.7 A 4 cell Krypton Star NiMH if it wouldn't melt your reflector. See the various discussions about what bulbs people can use with PT40's to get a flavor for what you can do with a 4AA PR bulb flashlight.
Tell us how long you require the batteries to sit unused in the light. It makes no sense to consider rechargeables for a trip unless you're willing the charge them right before the trip or use alkaline rechargeables (which most CPF'ers [not including me] avoid like the plague.)
