New torch advise

[countryhideaway]

Hi,

Great looking forum.

Edited 2nd Sept with updated requirements:

Hi,Thanks for your replys.After some research based upon your comments, I realise “you get what you pay for”, and am willing to up my budget to $120 for a LED flashlight with battery & charger included ( I've herd the 18650 can explode if damaged or misused, so would like to steer clear). As before it must be around 6" long with a tail mounted switch, and a simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. Must be ready to go out of the box, with preferably 300 - 500 lumens for ranges of 20-70 meters. (Overkill I know, but I want something awesome!)

I am tempted by a Klarus XT2C = 470 Lumen(shame about the batterys), but wonder if there may be something better for the same cost, or maybe an equivalent product for less money?I only want to buy once, and the cost makes me want to find the right one first time, so your advise would be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Paul
​

Original post for reference:

I have searched around but couldn't find the answer I was looking for, so hoped someone would be so kind as to provide me with some advise.

Basically I'm looking for a new torch that will provide the best light output for around £35 (approx. $55), that takes normal AA batteries and is around 6" long.

I have seen the output on a CREE XM-L T6 from ebay ($20) that is claimed to be 1600 lumen looked good, but I get the impression that many of the China output claims aren't all that accurate, andwhilst this is a very good price, I wonder if I can get something significantly better for a bit more money that fits my list of wants.

It's intended purpose is for an airsoft gun that get used indoors and needs to light some very big rooms & long corridors. Bright, focusable and strobe would be great functions to have, whilst a tail push button required.

Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

:)

 

[Gunner12]

I'm not sure how much or how long shipping is from US to UK, but the Shiningbeam Caveman or Spark might work for you. In the UK, Fenix also has the E21, Sunwayman has the R20A, and Jetbeam has their BA20. Some of the UK members probably know where's best to buy the above lights.

:welcome:

 

[countryhideaway]

Hi,

Thanks again for your reply.

I'm wondering if by switching to a different type of battery whether I would notice a big difference?

Whilst I'd like to stick with normal batteries, if a different type of battery would perform much better then I'd be tempted to go for that. Brightness & size are the 2 most important things for me, with a push button on the end rather than side.

Thanks again for your advise

Kind regards

Paul

 

[yellow]

Hey Paul,
You are right, that is it quite uncommon to post correct output data - that is not only with chinese makes.
An XM-L on full power can give about 800 Lumen, and thats the most powerful led (from the "normal" led)

If You have read some of my recent posts, You will have seen that but it is like this, because it is the same for most anyone:
- do You already have a good charger for Ni-Mh?
- is there any need for AA cell format at Yours? (GPS-device)
if no - and thats usually - skip Ni-Mh as it offers too many disadvantages.

and as Your main use is shorter termed, a high power XM-L led isert is quite ok (roughly 1 hour runtime)

seach for a shop, I use lighthound.com, and order
* solarforce 18650 host light
* high power XM-L (single-mode) ON/OFF insert
* 2* "protected" 18650 Li-Ion cells
* charger

thats a good entry with very good price <-> value ratio

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Hi Paul. I'm guessing you are in the UK by the use of £'s.

You are correct, some of the lumen claims are commical, so don't just buy on numbers. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Some of the cheap budget lights can represent good value, but it's a bit of a mind field as I'm discovering meself. But there are bargains to be had.

Personally I'd have thought a 2AA light would be on the large side, to be mounted on a plastic AirSoft weapon.

On this basis alone I'd be looking at alternative battery types. Your main options are:

-CR123A - these offer the same punch as 2AA but are much smaller
-RCR123/16340 - These are rechargeable CR123A's pretty much. More volts but less capacity. Not all CR123A lights can run these due to the voltage
-14500 - this is a li-ion AA alternative, so much higher voltage, although lower capacity than a regular AA. Again not all AA lights (and almost no 2AA lights) can run on these.
-18650 - this is a bigger li-ion battery, so great run times and lots of power. Personally I think this is probably the best option.


As for lights.

Well have a look on ebay.co.uk for a Xeno E03. This is a compact AA/14500 light with a rear clicky. The biggest downside to running a 14500 is heat build up can be high, so many of the small lights won't like to run on max for more than a few mins at a time, else you run the risk of frying them. Also overall run times are fairly low. Running on AA's is lower output, but for longer and with less heat.

The new EagleTac D25 series should be in budget just about. Again either ebay.co.uk or try LedFireTorches (CPF members get a discount).

As for the UI if you want bright and strobe then I think you might want to consider how the light operates more so than battery or lumen out put. Some flashlights have tricky UI's, or always turn on in low, no momentary or you have to do loads of things to access strobe.

Klarus lights have a great UI, although they might blow your £35 budget a little. The new XT Series (XT1A, 2A, 1C, 2C) would offer an ideal UI in my opinion.

If you want to go 18650's I think you might need to look at more budget lights. I've just ordered for $28 a Solarforce L2M with an XM-L. I'm not sure how big it'll be or how it'll perform, but it does seem a lot of bang for your buck. Google for Solarforce Sales website or PM me and I can send you a link.

 

[Obsessed]

This is a tough scenario, with the limited budget. The above posters are suggesting an 18650 light. The light alone is flirting with (or going over) your budget, but by the time you add in two protected 18650s (at $20 each) and a charger (between $20-40), you're budget is is blown by close to 300%. I don't deny those are the best overall option, however, I think for your purposes, you don't need an XM-L light even. Even older, less powerful LEDs such as the R5 are PLENTY powerful enough to light up a room. I have an older Sunwayman M20A, and it's 210 lumens are more than enough to light up a room or a corridor. A 1600 lumen light could light up a half acre or more if the beam were right. :thumbsup: If I were you, I'd go with a 1 or 2xAA light and use a 14500 (you CAN use 14500's in nearly all 2xAA lights, but you have to use a dummy cell, NOT 2 14500s...you'll fry it if so).

 

[countryhideaway]

Hi,Thanks for your replys.After some research based upon your comments, I realise “you get what you pay for”, and am willing to up my budget to $120 for a LED flashlight with battery & charger included (I've herd the 18650 can explode if damaged or misused, so would like to steer clear).As before it must be around 6" long with a tail mounted switch, and a simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me. Must be ready to go out of the box, with preferably 300 - 500 lumens for ranges of 20-70 meters. (Overkill I know, but I want something awesome!)

I am tempted by a Klarus XT2C = 470 Lumen (shame about the batterys), but wonder if there may be something better for the same cost, or maybe an equivalent product for less money? I only want to buy once, and the cost makes me want to find the right one first time, so your advise would be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[Ezeriel]

An Eagletac P1002A would be the brightest 2aa thrower I can think of...

 

[roadkill1109]

dont be scared with 18650's we've been using them for years, so far so good! no missing fingers or burned down houses. haha... For more WOW, and since youre looking at Klarus anyways, check out the XT11. Or pull out the stops and get the XT20. (Hammer of Thor!) haha...

good luck!