Newbie, help me where to start

[was.lost.but.now.found]

I have been a flashlight junkie for years. Somehow I never found this site until just a day or two ago. My flashlight life was limited to checking Target on a weekly basis hoping for a new (and better) Dorcy, searching the web with keywords like "6 watt 200 lumen LED", or someday hoping Surefire would come out with a more powerful and significantly cheaper LED.

I've found supposed high power LEDs on some of the battery selling websites, but always doubted they're quality or the legitimacy of the claims. Most recent purchase was the River Rock 136 lumen someone else mentioned recently. I'm not too dissatisfied with it, but I'm really looking for something much better - and I feel it is out there somewhere.

The problem is I'm in information overload with this site. I think I might like a Felix LD20, L2D CE Q5, or a Nightcore I saw with similar performance, but I'm not anywhere familiar with all the features and don't know where to start. All I can tell you right now is I really don't like 123a batteries, but I do want lots of spot and spill. I looked for a beginners section for learning but didn't find anything. Would love some help on where to go. I need a Morpheous to give me the red pill.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Lighthouse one]

Probably the most powerful - medium priced light you can get now is the Eagletac T10C2.
https://www.eagletac-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=103&products_id=611
Use discount code CPF8. Free shipping and a couple bucks off.
I just recently got this light. It is excellent quality, has a tested 270 lumens- and will keep you happy for a least a few weeks! It uses 123 betteries or RCR123 batteries. They have a version that uses an 18650 battery is you are ready for them yet. Longer runtime, but special batt and charger .

You should also take your time and read a lot more from the forum...follow the dealer links- also look for the tests the MrGman just posted in the Led section. He tested lots of lights with an integrating sphere- so you can get an exact reading of lumens from one source that evenly compares different lights.

The welcome mat is what you want to read. It's the second one down from the top-under questions/ect.

 

[Gunner12]

Well, a good place to get info is from the Welcome Mat. Carrot's guide can also be helpful. Also check here if you have Maglites and want to upgrade them.

As for what light suits best, a few questions might help narrow down the selection.

What price?
What output?
What batteries? Rechargeable or not?
What beam-pattern?
What about Multimode lights? User adjustable?
What size?
Preferred material?
Preferred method of purchase?
What type of feel would you like?(feels durable, feels small etc.)

:welcome:

 

[mdocod]

You'll find that in order to move up to a more powerful flashlight, you have to move up to a more powerful battery. There is no such thing as free lunch. If small alkaline cells could power up a really bright tactical flashlight, then we'd certainly talk about them a lot more on here, but they can't. Most of the flashlights you will find at target or walmart are designed around the restriction of alkaline cells, so the only way to go beyond that performance level, while maintaining a compact size, is to move up to a better chemistry cell.

This does not mean that you have to go with CR123s. I personally don't run any lights on CR123s as their primary power source, but have a few as backups, they are mostly powered by various sizes and chemistries of Li-Ion rechargeable cells. I also have some AA lights, 2xC lights, and a 2xD light that I run on NIMH cells.

You can actually completely avoid lithium chemistry batteries and still get some very good lights. By using NIMH rechargeable AA, C, and D cells, you can achieve great runtime and brightness in a variety of flashlights. The general consensus is to use low-self-discharge NIMH cells. Eneloops are the favorite amongst most of us for a variety of reasons. Do some research and invest in a decent quality charger to go along with them, something that has independent charging channels.

Most of the powerful LED flashlights that run on 1 or 2 AA cells will work on an alkaline cell, but they will have really poor runtime on their higher output settings. So you could use alkaline cells as backup for use on lower modes in emergencies and stuff...

Here's some ideas.

2xAA powered suggestions:

EagleTac P10A2
Fenix L2D CE Q5 or LD20 or TK20
NiteCore D20
Olight T25
JetBeam Jet 1 Pro EX

I should point out that there are a few lights popping up that run on C and D cells in major brick and mortar stores that are surprisingly strong performers, and will work on alkaline cells reasonable well. The 2 worth mentioning IMO:
1. The Task Force 2C 3W with "60X" and "Xlamp" on the packaging, found at Lowes.
2. The Husky 2D 4W LED from Home Depot.

Both of those lights are using relatively modern emitters and are not too far behind the performance of some of the far more expensive lithium powered tactical stuff that generally sells for twice as much or more. The Task force uses a TIR optic, so not much flood light around the center spot. The Husky uses a reflector, and suffers from more artifacts and stuff in the beam, but has a strong spill beam typically associated with reflector LED setups. Not a bad light to impress the neighbors with as it is the size of a typical 2D flashlight but will blow away any Mag or plastic cheapie that most people keep in their junk drawers.

 

[csshih]

+1 on the D20.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info.