Noob question thats a little bit urgent.

LEDBE
G

griffo

Newly Enlightened
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
22
Hello all,

the last day or two I have been reading through your wonderful forum but quite frankly the staggering number of different makes and models of torch has confuzeled me.

I need a new torch for camping, previously I had been using a RING torch with 3 LED's and a xenon or krypton light of some description. I wasn't very happy with it, the LED,s had very little throw and the incandescent bulb dimmed VERY quickly and again wasn't so good.

I have a budget of around £25 GBP

I want
>regulated power usage to avoid the dimming.
>inexpensive battery option (eg able to run on AA or AAA)
>LED light for durability longer burn time etc.
>at least the size of my hand so I'm not messing about with anything fiddly
>I like the look of the tactical style lights with the end clicker.
>decent throw, at least 30m 100ft

Preferably

>Adjustable focus for throw or spread.

I have been looking at the following torches that are within my bidget

>LED Lenser Police Tech Focus
>Solarfocus L2 R2 memory

Are either of these torches good torches for the money???


Also...and this is very important...does anyone know the UK police's take on crenulated bezel torches? if they are classed as offensive weapons then not really a very good idea. I would prefer a crenulated bezel model if getting the L2 as I prefer the look and the fact you can stand it on the bezel and still have light.

Also, I don't live in the safest of areas so a self defence item wouldn't be a bad idea. could be handy to keep in the car.


Thanks very much guys,

hope you can help me out, i need to make a purchase ASAP to allow for delivery



Griffo
 
I can vouch for the Solarforce L2. Great budget light in a great form factor. Very customizable with many configurations and drop-ins. Only thing against it for you is that it uses 18650 batteries which are not nearly as common as AA batts. But you can get yourself a complete kit for pretty cheap, which includes the charger and a battery.

Edit: The L2 can be had with a non-crenelated bezel as well.

If you're looking for Budget AA lights, the Akoray AA light gets some rave reviews around here. If you're willing to spend more money you can't go wrong with a Nitecore d10.
 
I don't know of many focusable lights. but the Romisen RC-N3 Q5 II (2AA) from shiningbeam will work very well for your purposes. (shiningbeam.com) CPFuser for 6% off..

if you really needed flood, I guess you could take off the head.
 
:welcome:

I will be the first to say that the focus option will severely limit the choices of good quality lights. A well designed reflector will generate a beam that is useful for a variety of tasks, and having multiple brightness levels will be the feature to most greatly expand the general utility of your light.

You will get a lot of recommendations for the Fenix LD20 (or it's still available predicessor, the L2D), and for good reason. It is a large enough light to grab, uses two AA batteries, and has four levels of light output. It can access a strobe and SOS, but they are placed such that you never have to see them when accessing all of the other modes. All of the Fenix lights are well made, available from great dealers like 4Sevens (don't worry about shipping from the US, it is free). You can also get a single AA battery tube for it if you decide you would like to make it a bit more compact for pocket carry at times. The highest mode won't be quite as bright, and of course it won't run as long as with two AA's, but it is still very impressive.

The LD20 is pretty much just a re-style of the outer package of a L2D with a Cree Q5 emitter. The Q5 is the highest brightness efficiency "bin", as it is called, commonly available (the R2 bin has been out for a while, but is not so easy to find yet). Don't be too worried about which bin you get, the "older" Q2 and even P4 Cree LED bins will still impress you, and can usually be had for a more attractive price as well. The L2D has been made with all three of these Cree LED's.

There are a lot of other great alternatives, like the Nightcore D20, which can also be seen at 4sevens.com. The difference comes down to largely the type of user interface that you will use to control the brightness and on/off of the light. Good luck! Oh, yeah, and "hold on to your wallet!"
 
Hi again guys, didn't expect such a quick response. I'm very impressed.

I'm not that bothered about the battery's if i'm going to get a better torch running CR123A or rechargables.

the main reason I said about the flood is for reading, I have had trouble reading with spotlights in the past, way to bright on a tiny dot on the page means you strain your eyes everywhere else.

So thinking about it, I can use the torch function on my phone to read if i need too, i dont do it very often anyway.

I appreciate all the recommendations for the Fenix range but with UK/US exchange rates as they are my budget doesnt stretch very far when buying in from the US.

If everyone thinks the Solarforce L2 R2 is a capable torch then I'll give it a whirl.

I'm looking at this site for the torch.

http://www.kmnw.co.uk/solarforce.htm

The fully customisable option appears to give the option of flat or crenelated bezel whereas the normal version appears to supply both?

I'm a little dissapointed they dont supply the grey one as I prefer the look of grey to black and I hate the beige one.

does the extra £16 for 2x16340 dseem like a good deal or are better delas to be had on the bay of e?


lots of questions I know guys but I really am out of my depth here
 
If your primary use is camping, as you said, I would without a doubt recommend a headlamp. One like the Princeton Tec EOS is perfect for camping. Lots of camp chores involve needing free hands (cooking, washing dishes, playing cards, etc) and a headlamp works so much better than a handheld flashlight. I prefer ones like the EOS that have an all-in-one design (no separate battery pack) less to break and you can read in bed with it without laying on a batter pack.

check out the EOS.

--Matt
 
A headlamp might be a good choice. If you want a handheld, the Romisen RC-N3 2 mode could be a good choice(coupon is "cpfuser", there's a grey version). I'm not sure if shiningbeam ships overseas though.

:welcome:
 
griffo said:
the main reason I said about the flood is for reading, I have had trouble reading with spotlights in the past, way to bright on a tiny dot on the page means you strain your eyes everywhere else.
Click to expand...

Well, I'd usually suggest the PrincetonTec Eos as a headlamp, but seeing how you really want a flood beam as well... check out the Princeton Tec Apex (or the 123 version, the Apex Pro). That one has a main, somewhat focused beam, and 4x5mm LED for flood.

I really like my Apex Pro.
 
As already mentioned, I'd suggest you check out the shiningbeam Romisen RC-N3 II Q5 as well, which was the first (proper) flashlight I got - the ability to switch battery types (2xAA or CR123A/16340) is very useful, and it is very bright for its size. Forward clicky is nice =) Built solidly as well. Not the most waterproof though (at least mine isn't)
 
well that romisen was going cost too much by the time i shipped it over and payed the paypal exchange rate.

TBH i really don't fancy a headlight. I have a gass lantern for playing cards, cooking etc. ITs more forgetting about at night whilst camping, the toilets are usually bit of a way away and a walk in the sand dunes at night is always nice.

I'd really prefer to buy from a UK stockist as that way I can send it back if there is a problem and its not going to cost me the earth.

I know I am being very particular about things.

lets say my new list of wants is:
>regulated
>LED
>UK supplier
> under £25
>tactical style light
>decent enough throw
 
I wouldn't recommend a Romisen - the switch on mine broke after 6 months. Also, you are going to go over your budget if you buy 18650 batteries (at least 2) and a charger.

I would agree with the rec above for the Fenix L2D. They have the older models on 'clearance' and you get an 8% discount using the code:

CPF8

on checkout! Also, they have a lifetime warranty on their Fenix lights!! If the switch goes (weakest part of light), ship it back and they'll repair it or replace it! Great deal...

Here's the link:

https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=407

https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=195

black or a light-colored 'olive' to choose from. This should be right on your budget.

I don't think the hotspot on low will be too offensive to read by. I do it all the time with no problem.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
I also recommend

Solarforce L2 R2 - bang for buck, drop-in flexibility and lego-able.

LD20/L2D - Uses 2 AAs, compact, good mode selections and bright.

Another head/flood lamp you might want to consider is Zebralight H501.
 
Last edited:
csshih said:
I don't know of many focusable lights. but the Romisen RC-N3 Q5 II (2AA) from shiningbeam will work very well for your purposes. (shiningbeam.com) CPFuser for 6% off..
Click to expand...

I still think this best matches your wants.

Tesco do do a 2xAA torch, but I'd prefer the romisen.
 
Try fenixtorches.co.uk . I've never used them before. The prices seem high compared to US dollar prices but might not end up being too bad when charges are factored in.

Its not worth buying from the US when shopping with a small budget, as shipping and particularly UK Customs charges can end up outweighing the cost of the torch. I recently paid £26 customs charges to import a Ra Twisty. I nearly laid an egg when the delivery was attempted.
 
You should consider the Fenix L2D or LD20. Very good light, tough and reliable. It is very efficient and well regulated. If you order from 4sevens he has a warehouse in Poland so it will get to you quickly, not to mention his world class service.
 
Hi Griffo :welcome:
there are a few dealers in the UK that do fenix as well as other well regarded manufactures torches
but to save on p&p it might be better to buy from a shop the tesco led torches as already mentioned got a good review on here fore the money they do a 2aa-£8 / 2c-£11 / and 2d size £18
what part of the UK are you in
Barrie
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
10440/AAA little flashlight
Replies
4
Views
1K
jon_slider
J
J
A cute little Anduril light, SC21 Pro w DeDomed 519a 2700K and pebbled Tir
Replies
0
Views
388
jon_slider
J
O
A little help with Surefire head disassembly?
Replies
11
Views
3K
Kestrel
Kestrel
sonofjesse
Question on MH25 Pro battery on choosing a 21700?
Replies
4
Views
707
sonofjesse
sonofjesse
C
A new 18500 light from my bits and pieces
Replies
3
Views
339
sween1911
sween1911

Latest posts

Top