Recommend some 18650 torches - avoiding the crud

[b.lawson]

Hello everyone!

Looking for some advice on a purchase of a good new 18650 torch - I am finding it hard to differentiate between the ebay cr*p and seemingly overpriced units (I don't really know what I'm doing :sigh !


I currently own two Panasonic 18650 protected (good cells?) and two ropey ebay torches:

http://www.fleabay.co.uk/itm/310652213287?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648
http://www.fleabay.co.uk/itm/371006902076?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648


I use the torches for commuting and some road cycling on unlit roads. The XM-L T6 seems to have the right output, but the beam is bloody useless for a bike. No throw & blinds pedestrians.

Can anyone recommend a better unit? I am happy to spend what I need (<£50?), here are my rough requirements..

-Small / light! (Same size / smaller than the XM-L T6)
-Bright as the XM-L T6
-Sensible beam pattern for cycling
-Brightness adjustable?
-Waterproof
-Well made!
-Can buy in UK

Can anyone help me out with some pointers? Thanks in advance

 

[Kestrel]

Hello b.lawson, :welcome:
I have moved your thread to the most applicable subforum, best of luck.
Kestrel

 

[yellow]

* those links dont lead me anythere :thinking:

* All lights with the Cree XM-L offer more-or-less the same beam

* the current pushed to the led makes for the brightness, not the led used, nor the light you compare with.
what is the runtime of your light, that is the data to "compare"

* what is "overpriced"?
any light in the range of 40-60 is such an extreme good build!
Someone who dont know / has not been into the field, can not even imagine.
Before Fenix stomped the market, there simply were no offers in that extremely good built, reasonable priced "medium range"

* for me - mtb trail riding - the full output of the XM-L is a way too high tradeoff for the reduced runtime.
I have nailbender build me some of his XP-G inserts (~1.400 mA instead of the 2.700 allowed for the XM-L) but with XM-L led. Underpowered, correct, but wider beam. More than bright enough and good runtime.
I doubt, that those 600-700 (?) Lumen from the actual light is not enough for street biking.
I would even think, that a good powered XP-G is even better, as its main beam is tighter focused and thus "brighter" than the one from an XM-L


* POINT IT CORRECTLY, then there is enough reach as well as few blinding
the UPPER end of the main beam ON THE GROUND some 20-40 meters in front of Your bike
in the city maybe even shorter distance to reduce possibility of blinding

* reduce output in city - no need for full power


* the only real "help" for that blinding / senible beam pattern MIGHT be a "focusable" light, because the optics usually give no spill light at all, there is only the main beam, which You can widen or tighten for Your needs.
Unfortunately there are mostly crap lights built like my example, maybe someone has a better make to recommend?
example: go to site dealextreme.com and type "289156" into search bar.

 

[ven]

:welcome: look into brands like Fenix/nitecore/easletac/sunwayman/olight to name just a few as there are quite a lot of good brands.

Check review section
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?19-Flashlight-Reviews

Maybe a light that can attach to helmet and also used as a flashlight,spark,zebralight offer these options and nitecore have some new head lamp lights out well priced.

Then decide if you want a cool white tint or a warmer tint,neutral is a good option as you will get better colour rendition at night.

Just thoughts,do a little research,then maybe come back with a few short lists and peeps would be able to help further as there are lots of good lights.

Dont rule out importing from reputable sellers on here,yes may take 2 weeks,but savings can be significant as in a £100 light for closer to £50 yes savings that much can be had.

I would have far less lights if i had bought them all from UK sources,not saying anything against that,just a thought.........

Even now i have lights i paid less than £50 for almost a year back,still in some UK shops they are £80+

Reputable shops wise,i will just name 1 flashoholics

Stay away from lights ending in fire,like ultra fire etc etc (surefire=good) but not sure would fit criteria and ones that do are over budget.....

Dont rule out solarforce host(thats the body with no led/driver),have a search on the bay of e of flashoholics web site in UK),can buy for around £20 for body and under ,choose drop ins,so could have a couple(or more) drop ins for specific uses.These vary from single mode to numerous,tints,lumens,smooth reflectors for throw,orange peel for more smooth floody light...........

Will come under budget and great value lights

 

[mcnair55]

Personally first stop would be a good cycle shop the type that supply the hobbyist rather then your cheap and cheerful rubbish that certain shops sell to the masses.Here you will find proper dedicated lights.

 

[Poppy]

Personally first stop would be a good cycle shop the type that supply the hobbyist rather then your cheap and cheerful rubbish that certain shops sell to the masses.Here you will find proper dedicated lights.

I agree.

Regarding

The XM-L T6 seems to have the right output, but the beam is bloody useless for a bike. No throw & blinds pedestrians.

The XML T6 is the emitter, and may be considered the bulb.
The driver determines how many brightness levels and how much current is delivered in milli- amperes to the "bulb" emitter.

The size and depth of the reflector, matched to the emitter, will determine the shape of the cone of light that comes out of the light.

Oh... although there are many cheaply made lights on fleabay at low cost, just because you pay more, there is no guarantee that it is a quality product.
Recently we had a new member pay over $200 for lights that could otherwise be had for $20. He thought that he was paying more for quality.

The brands mentioned by ven are well known brands.

 

[ven]

Fenix do some nice dedicated bike lights,not if happy regarding cells and amount of

The Fenix bt20 takes 2x18650
The bt10 takes 4 AA cells,but eneloops would be good there.

Above budget in UK but imported would bring in budget.

 

[yellow]

I agree.

I agree NOT - and therefore type another post

this is the worst advice possible!

Because the typical "bike light wanter" has a certain looking product in mind - some piece of plastic junk, about fist sized, with an integrated bar holder - and this, and nothing else, is what he will get in a bike shop (from a "bike light" maker), for the price of one of the really good, medium priced lights (~ 40-50).
And when one takes a step back and have a look at "normal" bike lights from there ... they simply are flashlights.

Now who will make a good flashlight?
Some enterprise who's main knowledge is forming plastic parts, or a good flashlight maker?

And MOST bike light makers have not yet understood how a LED flashlight has to be built,
they only take the bulb out and put a led in
(the same that the typical headlamp makers are doing, btw ...)


sum up, in short:
a good flashlight also is a good bike light.

--> use what You are used to, thats the best,
--> and get a bar holder for that light

 

[Nightflash]

Hi, recently got the Thrunite TN12/2014, cost £36 on Amazon.uk and this could be a fantastic light for Your purposes. Operates with 1 18650 or 2 123A: it´s 14 cm long 2,5 cm thick, weigh 82 grams empty. on/off at the tailcap but the modes are changed on a side-clicky (very handy if switching medium to max on a bike). The xml-u2 puts out 1050/800 max lumen on high (90 min)280 lm (300 min) 20 lm (74 hours!) and moonlight mode 0,3 lm runs endless (1585 hrs). Just check it out. Borrowed pic below

 

[UnderPar]

I second to TN12 - 2014