<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeffrey586:
THANKS!. The ARC AAA is cool (way better than my single AAA Mag), but that was already replaced with the Photon2.
How about the 19 LED "Expedition 9000" Is this thing worth the 125 bucks they are asking???
How would you compare a Lightwave 3000/4000 to the Expedition 19
Ill wait for the new X5
JC<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Jeffrey586,
I own all the lights mentioned here except for the 19 LED Expedition, and I have tried one of those belonging to a friend.
As you probably know, all the 3C Trek lights are identical except for the LED modules which are readily interchangeable. My favorite is the 1400. It is brighter than both the LW 4000 and 3000, is considerably smaller and lighter than the 3000, is waterproof to crushing depths, and comes with the most comfortable carry strap in the business. In addition, its light is "whiter" than either of the Lightwaves and its battery life is excellent, significantly longer than the 1900.
The one area in which the 4000 and 3000 are superior to the 1400 is in burntime, especially bright burntime.
The 4000 is unique, probably the longest
"bright-burning" LED light currently in production. Unfortunately it is also very big and heavy.
The 1400 is brighter than the 4000 and 3000
for the first few hours, but then gradually falls behind both of them.
If I needed an exceptionally bright LED flashlight for 5-8 hours the 1400 would be the hands down winner. If I needed a light for much longer than that it would be either the 4000 or the 3000.
Getting back to your original question, whether or not a flashlight is worth X dollars can only be answered by you. What will you use it for, and how important is that purpose when weighed against the cost relative to your own financial situation?
The 1900 isn't much brighter than the 1400 which burns longer and is exceptionally bright. I have used the 1400 in rural Canada where it definitely proved its merit. It is much brighter than the original Trek
"Expedition" and is my favorite large LED light for trips under 7-8 hours.
Brightnorm