Newbie needs help

[indadark]

I was wondering, which site is good to order LED flashlights from? Also, what kind of LED light (which brand) do you guys recommend for use around the house, camping, and emergencies?

I appriciate any help.

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

Welcome to CPF!

Check out CPF sponsors' banners here for good places to buy flashlight related items.

Can you be a little bit more specific for what you are looking for? How bright, what sort of size, and what is the approximate runtime you are looking for?

 

[indadark]

I am looking for small, similar to a flashlight with 2AA batteries; I have no idea on what level of brightness there are but I want it bright; and when it comes to runtime, is that for the battery or the LED itself? Either one I want it to last as long as possible.

 

[js]

indadark,

Welcome to CPF!

You have indeed asked a very hard question to answer without more info on what your requirements are. However, I can respond with an equally general answer. Check out The CPF list of External Review Sites.

In particular, Brock's site has a good list of places he likes to buy from. Also, of course, all of the CPF sponsers are a good place to start and the banner ads link was provided above.

Now, I won't leave you with only a general answer. To start with, I suggest you check out an Arc LS with the 2AA pack. There are two--well, make that three--versions of the LS: the LSL, which has a "low-dome" LED, the LSH, which has a "high dome" LED, and the LSHF, which has a high dome LED with special Fraen optics which focus the beam down more tightly than the NX-05 optics. You shouldn't bother with a low dome unless you can get it for cheap. You really want the high dome models. They have much better beams in terms of both brightness, whiteness, and artifacts.

Unfortunately, Arc Flashlight is out of the LS lights on their website. BUT, the B/S/T Lights forum is a great place to get an LS for a good price. All of my experiences involving buying from CPFers have been great. And, IIRC there are at least a couple Arc LSH's for sale right now.

You can read all about the Arc LS on the Arc web site and on the review web sites listed on the link above.

Now, as much as I love my Arc LSH--I doubt I will ever sell it--I'm a die hard incan guy, and for myself, I EDC (every day carry) a SureFire E2e. This is an AWESOME light! It is somewhat shorter than a 2AA form factor light, and somewhat thicker. It runs off 2 123A lithium manganese dioxide batteries (www.SureFire.com sells these for $15 for a box of 12, with $5 shipping/handling) and will run for 75 minutes on a set of batteries.

Which reminds me: the runtime of any light is for the batteries. The "life" or "lifetime" of a light refers to the LED or bulb. LED's last practically for your lifetime and incan lamps last anywhere from 10-400 hours for most available incan lights.

OK, back to the E2e. One drawback is cost. It ain't cheap. I just got mine from CPFer oldgrandpajack on B/S/T for close to $100, which is more or less what an E2e runs these days.

If that's too rich for your blood, check out a StreamLight Scorpion for a similar light. Or even cheaper is a Brinkman Legend LX which you can pickup at Wallmart for $20 or so.

But in my opinion--take it or leave it--you shouldn't waste any money ramping up to the best. You know you're going to get there sooner or later (this is a highly addictive hobby) so why not make it sooner and just skip the cheaper lights?

I suggest that you start with the following three lights at the very TOP of your list:

Arc LSH
Arc AAA
SureFire E2e

Anyway, this is a start for your path to addiction with its vicious cycles and ever widdening circles of interest. You will find that there are many opinions and many votes for different lights and approaches. Just keep in mind that it's all good and have lots of fun. The people here are almost without exception really great to hang around with and interact with.

Good luck!

 

[jook]

From one noobie to another - I had the same or similar question when I joined. The people here are wonderful and incredibly helpful. Check out this thread from last month.. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=614468&fpart=&PHPSESSID=

 

[jayflash]

Howdy, indadark, glad to see another victim has gotten stuck in our web. js has already given you a lot of good info that should help to get you unstuck from your current quandry.

Obtaining the smallest, brightest, lights is a quest for many, here - that's what got me interested in the CPF. Once I became aware of the large variety of high quality lights available now, I found that different lights excel at different jobs.

Small, bright, incandescent, lights like the SureFire E2e, and others, are favorites for good reason. However, less intense, longer running, LED lights are favored by many for most tasks. I've found that my dimmer LED lights are the perfect tools for night walks in very dark conditions where street and car lights won't ruin your night vision. Camping and hiking in the dark woods are good places for LEDs.

You will find that, like tools, you NEED more than one or two, or three, or... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif different lights. Keep us posted with your progress or questions. See you later. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif