New to this scene. Few questions.

[jrego7]

Recently I've been looking into buying a flashlight to light up the darkside! . So far I have looked into Coast led lenser p14 and T7. Then I stumbled on the option of modifying a cheaper light making it more powerful. The Coast lights average at about 120 CAD. Do the Cree led's emit anything close to the t7/p14? Or do the Coast lights use Cree led's? Any recommendations or advice would be gratefully taken.

 

[jhc37013]

Recently I've been looking into buying a flashlight to light up the darkside! . So far I have looked into Coast led lenser p14 and T7. Then I stumbled on the option of modifying a cheaper light making it more powerful. The Coast lights average at about 120 CAD. Do the Cree led's emit anything close to the t7/p14? Or do the Coast lights use Cree led's? Any recommendations or advice would be gratefully taken.

Hello jrego and :welcome:
Im not trying to sound sarcastic but the best advice I have ever got is buy one and try them and you make the decision. Their is a wealth of information using the search box, but you can only learn so much until you pull the trigger and buy a couple. Good luck

 

[jrego7]

I've made up my mind. I am going with the Led Lenser P14 and possibly T7. So far I have found them on ebay for roughly $110 CAD. Anyone know of any better deals out there?

 

[Gunner12]

The LEDlenser P14 and T7 both use the Cree XR-E LED.

What output, price, runtime, modes..... are you looking for?

Does it have to be LEDlenser?

:welcome:

 

[Mjolnir]

The LED lenser lights you were looking at seem to be advertised at around 170 lumens. Single die CREE LEDs can give off 200+ lumens.

 

[kramer5150]

Skip Lensers... they are over-priced IMHO for they are.

What are some of the performance criteria you are looking for?
$110 CAD ~ $95 US

For $95 I'd rather have an Ultrafire WF-503B or Solarforce L2 18650.. and use either to host an M30. If you shop wisely you'll have just enough for 18650 cells and a serviceable charger too.

Brighter than the M30 would be to host a DX:MC-E dropin in either. That will get you 150/350 MrGman tested Lumens. Personally I find the 503B paired with the DX:MCE to be an outstanding value for under $40. What I like most about it is its floody beam. Its not a wall of light type of flood, but just enough of a hot spot to be serviceable.

One of my fave setups is a DX:11836, modded with a 4x7135 multi mode board. I set it up for 3 modes L/M/H and host it in the 503B, so I have ~10/100/190 lumens (estimated via ceiling bounce comparison with fenix L1T-V2 and MrGman tested DX:MC-E drop in module)

 

[greenLED]

Skip Lensers.. .they are over-priced IMHO for they are.

What are some of the performance criteria you are looking for?

What kramer said. Lensers look nice, sound nice, but there are better options out there.

 

[Marduke]

Skip Lensers.. .they are over-priced IMHO for they are.

What are some of the performance criteria you are looking for?

+1

Overpriced, underpowered.

There are a lot of other better, brighter, and cheaper lights.

 

[yellow]

better start with:

AA rechargeable cells: Fenix LD20
18650 rechargeable Li-Ion cell: Jetbeam Jet III Pro Ultra
(or other makers You read in here, the ones regarded good)

cell choice T7 --> aaa --> crap
4 AAs in one light --> heavy
... the number of cells - 4 for each light - as well as the very good machining, make the Lensers different to all the crap on the market.
Too bad that they dont feature actual technology (good regulation, at least 2 levels, power at high level)
Way overpriced considering the whole package!

 

[Oddjob]

Go to 4sevens.ca for shipping to Canadian locations or 4sevens.com for a little more selection. Plenty there to choose from. Better lights for the money you want to spend. Shipping to Canada is free but usually takes two weeks to get through customs (I've never had to pay any duties though). I agree, skip the Coast lights.

 

[jrego7]

Skip Lensers... they are over-priced IMHO for they are.

What are some of the performance criteria you are looking for?
$110 CAD ~ $95 US

For $95 I'd rather have an Ultrafire WF-503B or Solarforce L2 18650.. and use either to host an M30. If you shop wisely you'll have just enough for 18650 cells and a serviceable charger too.

Brighter than the M30 would be to host a DX:MC-E dropin in either. That will get you 150/350 MrGman tested Lumens. Personally I find the 503B paired with the DX:MCE to be an outstanding value for under $40. What I like most about it is its floody beam. Its not a wall of light type of flood, but just enough of a hot spot to be serviceable.

One of my fave setups is a DX:11836, modded with a 4x7135 multi mode board. I set it up for 3 modes L/M/H and host it in the 503B, so I have ~10/100/190 lumens (estimated via ceiling bounce comparison with fenix L1T-V2 and MrGman tested DX:MC-E drop in module)

I took a look at the Ultrafire WF-503B and Solarforce L2. The runtime is 2 hours. Is this correct? The Led Lenser states 180 hours for the P14 and 130 hours for the P7. I also like the wrist straps that come with the Lensers and the belt holster. What I want is a high power light, pretty much equal to or better if possible, than the Led Lensers. I was considering of buying a shell and dropping in a new LED. But I don't know where to start with this process. I'm not familiar with the 18650 cells or dropping in LED's.
What I have at home right now are:
Duracell AA 2650mAH NiMH Rechargeables (HR6/dc1500 NiMH/1.2V)
Duracell AA 2100mAH ACCU NiMH Rechargeables (HR6/dc1500 NiMH/1.2V)
Duracell AAA 1000mAH NiMH Rechargeables (HR03/dc2400 NiMH/1.2V)
Duracell AAA 750mAH NiMH Rechargeables (HR03/dc2400 NiMH/1.2V)

 

[Marduke]

The Led Lenser states 180 hours for the P14 and 130 hours for the P7.

LED Lenser runtimes are ridiculous. When they say "hours", you can usually replace it with the word "minutes" for an actual accurate runtime. Real runtime for both lights is single digit.

I also like the wrist straps that come with the Lensers and the belt holster.

Most lights come with a lanyard, and many also come with a holster. Plus a custom lanyard only takes 20 cents worth of para cord and 2 minutes to make.

What I want is a high power light, pretty much equal to or better if possible, than the Led Lensers.

That would be almost ANY other brand.

 

[Mjolnir]

Check out the Eagletac P100 and T100 (although the T100C2 isn't quite out yet) series lights. They are pretty cheap, and have good build quality, regulation, and are pretty bright for their size.

 

[jake25]

The Solarforce L2 with a R2 single mode dropin can do 180-200 lumens for 4 hours on 1, 18650. 200-220 lumens for 1 hour on 2xRCR123s.

 

[jrego7]

I've decided to get the ultrafire wf503b for starters.
BTY CR123A 3.7V 850mAh Rechargable Lithium Battery
Will the Cree XLamp MC-E K0-WG 370~700-Lumen LED Emitter on 20mm Star Board (MCE-WG-K0) fit the ultrafire?
The led states 3.5V driving current will the 3.7 cells kill it?
I'm trying to find a really good dropin led. Pretty much whatever will fit with lots of power!

 

[jake25]

Personally I would have gone with the Solarforce L2. Solarforce is known to have a better build quality.

 

[rmteo]

If you have not already ordered the WF503B, get the Solarforce L2 instead and use a 18650. jake25 can tell you where to get the L2.

 

[Gunner12]

Do you have a link to the light? Do you mean the WF-502(something like this?)?

As for the Cree XR-E to Cree MC-E swap. Persuming the light is a 2 CR123 light, the drop-in will already have to have a buck circuit since the battery voltage will be 6v with 2 CR123, or up to 8.4v with 2 RCR123s. The buck circuit lowers the voltage to what the LED needs, so the LED will be fine. But the MC-E needs a lot more power then the XR-E to get to 700 lumen, so with the same driver, you won't get a lot more output. Because the larger emitting area, you'll also get a wider hotspot, which can make the light seem dimmer then it is. To get the most output, you'll need a new driver and enough heatsinking (yes, LEDs do produce heat, over 50% of the power becomes heat). Also some batteries aren't able to handle the high current draw of the MC-E, and that could be dangerous.

 

[rmteo]

DX sku 19617 or 19618.