Krazy Koika
Newly Enlightened
I logged onto the net last night to purchase a 'high end' torch that is rechargeable and a small waterproof torch (AA), maybe a diving torch?
Then one search leads to another and I find myself with 12 web pages open, I'm overwhelmed with information, but luckily I was brought here :D:D
The initial torch I looked at to buy was the Led Lenser X7R and also a waterproof torch:
http://www.ledlenser.com.au/products/high-performance-line/x-series/x7r/
http://www.ledlenser.com.au/products/high-performance-line/d-series/d14/
Now I'm here and I read a wealth of information from people, who like me, have a bit of a torch fetish (well I do anyway.....) Awesome :twothumbs
But to be honest, I don't know all that much about them.
My first decent torch was in the early 90's. The old 4D size Maglight. I had a black one and a red one.
Then I bought a Jet Beam RRT2 Raptor. It sort off fell apart, things kept loosening, the springs moved, I then put it away for 2 or so years then batteries corroded in it. I liked the look and feel of it but I ended up throwing it out.
http://www.jetbeamlight.com/ShowProducts.asp?ID=12
I now have a standard Led Lenser P7 and a mini that came with it.
I am after a powerful hand sized torch, with similar attributes to the Led Lenser X7R. I can keep it in the in the cars glovebox and use a usb charger. IPX-8 would be preferred but not critical. e
I appreciate any advice or assistance.
---------------------------
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
I'm happy to use a site sponsor too.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Around $250 - $350 should get me what I need.
____I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____I don’t know.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED?
____I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
I also need to light up large construction sites early in the morning.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't care.
Maybe I prefer on the tail, but not critical
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I don’t care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don’t care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
Then one search leads to another and I find myself with 12 web pages open, I'm overwhelmed with information, but luckily I was brought here :D:D
The initial torch I looked at to buy was the Led Lenser X7R and also a waterproof torch:
http://www.ledlenser.com.au/products/high-performance-line/x-series/x7r/
http://www.ledlenser.com.au/products/high-performance-line/d-series/d14/
Now I'm here and I read a wealth of information from people, who like me, have a bit of a torch fetish (well I do anyway.....) Awesome :twothumbs
But to be honest, I don't know all that much about them.
My first decent torch was in the early 90's. The old 4D size Maglight. I had a black one and a red one.
Then I bought a Jet Beam RRT2 Raptor. It sort off fell apart, things kept loosening, the springs moved, I then put it away for 2 or so years then batteries corroded in it. I liked the look and feel of it but I ended up throwing it out.
http://www.jetbeamlight.com/ShowProducts.asp?ID=12
I now have a standard Led Lenser P7 and a mini that came with it.
I am after a powerful hand sized torch, with similar attributes to the Led Lenser X7R. I can keep it in the in the cars glovebox and use a usb charger. IPX-8 would be preferred but not critical. e
I appreciate any advice or assistance.
---------------------------
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
____I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.
I'm happy to use a site sponsor too.
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Around $250 - $350 should get me what I need.
____I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
3) Format:
____I want a flashlight.
4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
____Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____I don’t know.
5) Emitter/Light source:
____LED?
____I don't know.
6) Manufacturer:
____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
7) What battery type do you want to use?
____I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).
I also need to light up large construction sites early in the morning.
9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
____50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
____30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
____90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
____I don't care.
Maybe I prefer on the tail, but not critical
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
____I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I don’t care.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
____Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don’t care.
15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
