New to HID

[griffenspade]

Hi, Im intrested in getting an HID flashlight, Iv never owned one before.

I want to get one for showing off, it should be rugged, beefy looking, and INSANELY bright, Under or around 200 dollars.

any suggestions come to mind? Right now Im looking at an oracle 24W HID, at 2000 lumens, should I look at any other ones?

 

[dudemar]

I have a 20W Xenide for sale over at CPFMP for $170...

It is VERY rugged, VERY beefy looking (built like a tank), very bright and reliable...

PM sent to griffenspade.

 

[Patriot]

That's a great price!

 

[BlueBeam22]

Consider the AmondoTech Titanium N30 rechargeable HID spotlight bought at Battery Junction for just under $200, which I believe should be back in stock any time. It puts out around 3200 lumens and has a throw of over 1/2 a mile, yet is featherweight and only the size of a large floating lantern flashlight.

 

[griffenspade]

yeah I saw the amandotech, I didnt really want a "lantern" style light, I wanted a flashlight, that AE looks pretty good, but it only has half the power of an oracle.

 

[KarlH]

Hi griffen, I'm new to HID myself and just recieved my oracle 24W. With the deal they are offering cpf members I could not resist at just over 180 shipped. Besides just wanting a powerfull flashlight, I also have a specific use in mind for it. I'm going to play with a diffuser, blue, and UV filters on it to use for blood trailing in the dark. Tired of using a coleman lantern that beats the pants off any flashlight I have ever used, and I wanted a really powerfull flashlight to use for both ergonomic reasons and just for the heck of it. I figured I could not go wrong at that price and the one year unlimitted warranty aac offered.

 

[griffenspade]

Yeah Im trying to decide btw that oracle 24 watt and the AE Xenide 20 watt.
Does that 4 watts really make that much of a difference?

Because the oracle is rated at 2000 lumens

while the AE Xenide is only 1200,

Is that where that 4 watts goes?

But the AE Xenide "seems" like a better quality that the oracle
I also like the eronomics of the AE better. Ughh its such a tough choice.

If the AE was under $140 total Id probably go with the AE

 

[bullettproof]

Yeah Im trying to decide btw that oracle 24 watt and the AE Xenide 20 watt.
Does that 4 watts really make that much of a difference?

Because the oracle is rated at 2000 lumens

while the AE Xenide is only 1200,

Is that where that 4 watts goes?

But the AE Xenide "seems" like a better quality that the oracle
I also like the eronomics of the AE better. Ughh its such a tough choice.

If the AE was under $140 total Id probably go with the AE

The Oracle Lumens are over inflated. Probably 1400 Lumens the oracle and a true 1200 for the AE.Build quality run time etc goes to the AE. From what Ive seen the AE is probably the nicest one youll find as far as quality.It is designed well and not out of some China Factory.

 

[Richie086]

Yeah Im trying to decide btw that oracle 24 watt and the AE Xenide 20 watt.
Does that 4 watts really make that much of a difference?

Because the oracle is rated at 2000 lumens

while the AE Xenide is only 1200,

Hi Griffenspade,

The new Oracle 24w has a 4300k bulb compared to the AE 20 which has 6500+. Although the AElight is in a class all its own, the Oracle will have a superior brightness and color rendition. I'd have to say with 4300k, it should be in the range of 1400-1600 lumens.

 

[davidt]

Are you located in the US? If so pick up the stanley hid at a local walmart. Its my first HID light and only cost $69.99. Its a 35 watt hid light and I believe it outputs 3000 lumens. Check out this thread http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=225844

 

[BlueBeam22]

Are you located in the US? If so pick up the stanley hid at a local walmart. Its my first HID light and only cost $69.99. Its a 35 watt hid light and I believe it outputs 3000 lumens. Check out this thread http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=225844

I must give a huge +1 on the Stanley HID spotlight, which I own and am amazed by.:thumbsup: It is probably much larger and heavier than the all of the flashlight style HID lights, but it is one of the longest throwing HID spotlights currently on the market and can light up objects up to 1000 yards away. I just wanted to give my humble opinion that I too think this light would be a great choice.

You can see my post with pictures, beamshots, and long range beamshot of the Stanley HID here: LINK

 

[Cigarman]

Aw cmon, go for the Gusto!

http://www.magnalight.com/pc-320-55-hid-rechargeable-handheld-light--rl-10--3200-lumen.aspx

this thing is a CLUB. Cast aluminum head and 2 battery packs. Yes its more moolaa but one cant help but be impressed when they see it. Speaking from personal experience, people go when they behold its awesomeness.

 

[Mjolnir]

The Stanley really isn't all that heavy IMO. The pistol grip makes it fairly comfortable to hold, so you don't notice the weight as much. The beam quality is pretty bad (but it can be focused with some work apparently), but it is very bright for $70.
It also has a DC car charger, which can be used to charge or operate the light.

 

[dudemar]

The Oracle Lumens are over inflated. Probably 1400 Lumens the oracle and a true 1200 for the AE.Build quality run time etc goes to the AE. From what Ive seen the AE is probably the nicest one youll find as far as quality.It is designed well and not out of some China Factory.

I agree.

While the 20W Xenide is 1200 lumens, there's much more to consider with an HID than just its brightness. Build quality and runtime are very significant factors. I can speak from my own experience that the Xenide is built like a tank. I've dropped my own Xenide (not the one I'm selling) many many times, and it still works without a problem. I've even purposely thrown my light on bare concrete, and it still works like new.

Try that with the Oracle.

 

[Patriot]

Hi Griffenspade,

The new Oracle 24w has a 4300k bulb compared to the AE 20 which has 6500+. Although the AElight is in a class all its own, the Oracle will have a superior brightness and color rendition. I'd have to say with 4300k, it should be in the range of 1400-1600 lumens.

I agree with that. 1400-1600 is realistic. 2000 is not realistic. That's 83.3 lumens per watt and that just not going to happen at 24W and with an import ballast. 65-70 lumens per watt is reasonable which puts it at 1500 or so.


I also agree that the Oracle will be the brighter flashlight. Is the word out yet on the reliability of the AC Oracle? The DC light still had issues of course.

 

[Richie086]

Is the word out yet on the reliability of the AC Oracle? The DC light still had issues of course.

I've only got less than 1 hour on my AC 24w Oracle, but at least there is absolutely no sign of flickering and appears to run like a champ. I'm performing a runtime test on both the 24w and 35w at this time. I'll post the results on there respective threads.