New Twist! :) Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

[Stress_Test]

All the lights I have are LED, unless I put the stock bulb back in one of the Mags. I've focused on LED lights for their efficiency, but I've read several of the incan vs. led threads here, and hey, I want to keep an open mind.

I scoffed at the whole "neutral white" emitter advantages back when the TK20 was first introduced, but curiosity got the better of me and I eventually ordered one, and now I'm very glad that I did!

So, I want to try out an incan now just for the sake of a learning experience. The catch is, I'm looking for something that's satisfying but still entry-level, meaning no 123a batteries and reasonable cost (sorry, SureFire).

I don't think a Mini-Mag is going to quite fit the bill. But at work I have a Pelican Stealthlite (which is hardly used) that takes 4AAs. I would just bring that one home, but technically it has to stay there since I don't actually own it. But anyway, that's kind of along the lines of what I'm thinking of. Something simple that still hits the sweet spot. (and I'd rather not get into Mag mods at this point).

So are there any good options out there that you guys would recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Wattnot]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

I can only speak from my limited experience but a Mag 85 is always fun. Then there's the ROP. If you're talking about smaller I like the Wolf Eyes Raider with the Lumens Factory HO9 or EO9 module. That runs on 2 18500s which you may already have. If you don't like it you can drop an LED module in and forget we ever talked!

What's great about the Mag85 and the ROP is the wall of light. Massive flood and throw too. Any LED that know as a wall of light is usually bested by either of those.

Here is a thread that should get you even more interested:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=173535

There are LEDs in there as well but the incans in the bottom half of the shots should really get your filament going!

 

[Black Rose]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

If you had a light that takes P60 drop-ins, you could simply buy an incan lamp assembly that matches the battery power you have on hand.

Since you said no CR123A batteries, I think it's safe to say you don't have a P60 light.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

Definitely for your entry "amusement" level, the ROP which is a Pelican potted "drop-in" bulb that replaces the stock bulb is the best choice. There's a whole thread about it.

This thread gives a list of parts. 6 x AA Eneloops will work fine.

You can click on my sig thread to see where I put it as a ranking.

 

[jar3ds]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

ROP HI ---> Mag85 ---> Sky

thats the path i took.... i'd love to get some crazy hotwire rolling again... but I have too many projects going to start another!

 

[mdocod]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

Welcome to the incandescent side of life!

You have become accustomed to the higher efficiency advantage and lower voltage requirements of LED lights. So I'll just lay it out for your honest like: You aren't going to find an incan in a 2xAA platform that can compete with any reasonable LED in this class. We pretty much either have to use many NIMH cells (6+) or a few li-ion cells to make incandescent worth running. (it almost has to be rechargeable, the cost of operation on a powerful incandescent with primary cells would make these impractical for most of us, though there are many people who use primary CR123s to run these in cost-no-object applications where simplicity is key). Incandescent fun starts around 6V and goes up from there. (this isn't to say that higher voltage always means brighter as it depends on power consumption of the bulbs, but more importantly, that bulb designs below 6V often take significant hits in efficiency and color temperature to have reasonable bulb life).

For portable/EDC size incans, you'll need lithium chemistry of some sort to make it happen, for larger configurations, NIMH cells are possible.

Alkaline is considered a big no-no for a good performer as the discharge behavior is spread across such a wide range of operating voltage, considering then that most incans are directly driven from the power source, and that output changes to a power of ~3 with changes in voltage, we need our power source to have as stable an operating voltage as possible for good performance.

-Eric

 

[lctorana]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

You said "no Mag mods", so it seems to be vaguely implicit that you want something pocket-size. You didn't mention a budget either, so the dartboard will be hard to hit wearing a blindfold.

I recommend 2 x IMR16340 cells and a Lumens-factory drop in (the HO-9, EO-9 or IMR-9 in brightness order), and depending on your budget, put them in either:

• a Surefire 6P if you're well coined-up
• a Hemse if you're not.

These are twisty hosts whose switches can take the current draw of the IMR-9. Not a bad start.

 

[Chrontius]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

The Princeton Tec Torrent?

8 AAs, $30-40, and the output of a 9P or so. Also waterproof to SCUBA depths. Fits all your stated requirements.

Ignoring your specific requests, I love my ROP and I love my 9z. A P91 in a 6P (or clone) with IMR batteries is one heck of a surprise when you turn it on for the first time.

 

[bxstylez]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

get a SF E2e for about $60-70
a LF IMR-E2 bulb for about 20
2x AW's IMR-16340 cells, for about 20

and u get 350 lumens of incandescent joy!


enjoy the following beamshots...



.

 

[Stress_Test]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

The size of the light doesn't really matter in this case, 'cause it's not like I'll be edc'ing this anyway.

The Torrent looks promising, and the price is right (Is this an updated version of the Surge? Or just something similar?).

I'm thinking either something like that, or possibly something that uses 18650s, because I use them in my TK11 also.

 

[flashfan]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

I second Chrontius' suggestion, the Princeton Tec Torrent (formerly the Surge) as a "stock, entry level" incandescent that still has a certain "wow" factor.

I have only the "old" Surge models, but assuming the Torrent performs as well or better, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Very, very bright for its cost and size, with an amazingly "white" beam for an incandescent.

If you're looking for something smaller, check into the Princeton Tec Rage. Takes four AAA batteries and is only $10.95 at BrightGuy. Incredibly bright for a such a small, economical light that uses common AAA batteries.

 

[lctorana]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

The size of the light doesn't really matter in this case, 'cause it's not like I'll be edc'ing this anyway.

In that case, I don't understand the objerction to Mag mods.

The Mag85, in particular, is a joy to own and use. It is a superb yard torch to keep by the backdoor for everyday use.

 

[325addict]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

as mdocod already pointed out, two penlites just won't start the fun. You need two Li-ion batteries (7.2V) to have real fun....

The light it all started for me was a cheap Ultrafire WF-501B with a 9V lamp assembly drawing 1.3 Amps(!) in it.

WHOW! That little baby is BRIGHT! but.... has only 20 minutes of runtime from the crappy Ultrafire RCR123s I got with it....

Best way is: find a decent 3X CR123A host and get two 17500s. I like the Surefire C3 Centurion HA most for this purpose, but... that one is expensive indeed. It's possible to go the cheap way, by ordering this one:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...em=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&salenotsupported

Get rid of that stock lamp and buy a P90. Yes, that's Surefire indeed, but this Lamp Assembly is worth every penny that's spent on it!

These hosts even accept 2X 18500! They have 1500mAh capacity, and will power a P90 for well over an hour. A smart buy is to go straight for the good quality of AW cells. You won't regret that decision.

Just put in that P90 and the two 18500s, click that reverse-clickie that's standard on these hosts, point it at the wall and... instant satisfaction for not too much money

Timmo (an all-time incan-fan, that JUST bought a SF U2 Ultra....).

 

[RyanA]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

You can actually use a WA1185 bulb in a Surefire G3 or 9p, you'd need to use a specific reflector and very specific set of batteries. This should blow away just about any small led light you know of, it won't run very long though.

 

[mdocod]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

Since you already have the 18650 on your platter for your TK11 just stick with that size cell and move up to a longer host for more cells. 2 minimum but there are also 3 cell configurations possible.

A pair of 18650s driving just about any "9V" tactical lamp is fun, I'd say shoot for something in the 400-1000 bulb lumen range.

For reasonable price, something like a SolarForce or Seraph would probably be the best route. I have some solarforce pieces and parts and they seem reasonable, I'm a bit partial to the Seraph for incan builds as it supports a wider range of lamp options without compatibility conflicts (speaking primarily here of the D36 line of mini-turbo lamps).

A pair of quality protected 18650s, a D36 lamp, like say, an EO-9L or IMR-9L, an SP-9 (xenon version), 1 cell extender, and D36 head adapter, would all run right around $100 plus some shipping costs. What makes this a nice "intro" platform is that you have lots of room to play- in fact, nearly every common tactical lamp and li-ion battery configuration is possible on the Seraph line. You can even use the included D26 xenon lamp with the 2x18650s and swap back and forth with the D36 lamp (have a high and low output option of lamps to start with).. Then later on down the road, add to the collection with say, some more lamps, or maybe a KT4 turbo-head kit from SureFire...

-Eric

 

[Stress_Test]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

In that case, I don't understand the objerction to Mag mods.

The Mag85, in particular, is a joy to own and use. It is a superb yard torch to keep by the backdoor for everyday use.

Heh, guess I should clarify. I mean that I don't want to get into something (yet) that I'd have to custom modify. I'm looking for something that's relatively plug and play for now.

Also, I'm not expecting 2000 lumens or anything, just something that has useful output. I kinda hit the wall on the "brighter and brighter" buying phase when I got the TK11, because to get an led that's significantly brighter than that, it'd take a quad-die (which I don't really want to spring for; waiting for more efficient single-die).

I'm thinking I may start with the 8AA Torrent. But quick question on that: If it's two banks of 4AA in series (6 volts), will it run at similar brightness on 4 Nimh, due to the Nimh ability to supply more current than alkaline? ie, if the bulb is drawing an amp, then two banks of 4AA means only 500ma per bank, which is within limits of alkalines. But if I'm using just one bank of 4 Nimh, won't they be able to handle the full amp by themselves?


Anyway, if I get this light and it's enough to stoke the fire, then we'll see about the more high powered and $$$ stuff :devil:

 

[325addict]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

A-Ha! You already have some 18650s.... then, you need this el-cheapo host for the D26 platform:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Ultrafire-G120-1...QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported

for just $ 15,- you have the right host. Then buy the P90 I mentioned before, swap the lamp assemblies (I don't regard this as "modding", as it's done withing 30 seconds, and you don't have to change anything to the flashlight).

Then put in two 18650s and the fun is ready to start

Timmo.

 

[Black Rose]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

I received a couple Spiderfire X-03 (Solarforce L2) incan lights today with the 7.4V 10W incan drop-ins - $14.99 (shipping incl) off of eBay.

I only bought the incan version to get the hosts cheaper, but I have to say as a predominantly LED guy, I like them.

I'm running them on a pair of 16340 cells and it's quite impressive.

 

[yellow]

to stay at the size of light You are used to,
You could try to get the 18650 Streamlight Scorpion w. stinger bulb-mod.
Very nice. Out of my 2*CR123 / 1*18650 incans the brightest





aaaaaaaaahhem:

enjoy the following beamshots...


.

I know this shot.
Its from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky
(at least it looks like)

 

[ElectronGuru]

Re: Okay incan fans, what's a good (fun) intro light for an led-only guy?

Man, thats some kind of beamshot location!

You have become accustomed to the higher efficiency advantage and lower voltage requirements of LED lights. So I'll just lay it out for your honest like: You aren't going to find an incan in a 2xAA platform that can compete with any reasonable LED in this class. We pretty much either have to use many NIMH cells (6+) or a few li-ion cells to make incandescent worth running.

Very well said. You need voltage to get compelling output and color from a filament, which can't compete with simple and cheap (unless maybe you've got a 6D?). If I were putting something together for neighbor that was familiar, easy to use, plug-and-play, light weight, less work than a mess of AAs, and slightly exotic, I would go:

Mag 2C
3 x IMR16340 batteries
adaptor tube and spring (I can mail you both)
WA1331 bulb (the best color bulb from the best color line up of bulbs)
FM bulb adaptor
Glass lens
and if you want to run it for any length of time, aluminum reflector
​

Total price with 3 bulbs, about $55. Or just get a 2 or 3 x CR123, but you've already excluded such things.