Recommendation for new flashlight?

[foo.spam]

Hi,
I have a Maglite 4D LED today. What I like about it is it's tough, reliable and somewhat water resistant. It is however not very modern or efficient. I wonder if anybody here has recommendations for a "replacement":

- preferably 3 or 4 D cell (standard/alkaline), not "hard-to-get" Li-* batteries (I must be able to swap batteries in the field)
- tough
- reliable
- water resistant (or splash-)
- regulated
- has a "low power" mode for long runtime.
- a "hi power" mode as powerful as the batteries can deliver....

So.... anyone? :-)

Thank you!

 

[StarHalo]

There aren't too many D-cell LED lights out there, and once you get beyond 2 D cells, the modded Maglite host is really the only option. There's quite a few simple LED-drop in options you could use on a standard 4D Mag, but none of them are multi-mode.

If you're wanting a modern light that takes standard/common cells, there's a wide range of AA-powered options that would easily meet and exceed your needs..

 

[rmteo]

Or get one of the new 2D Mags with the Rebel LED for about $30. Much better than the older MagLEDs and compares well with higher priced stuff - see a comparison here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=224102

 

[notsobrite]

Hi,
I have a Maglite 4D LED today. What I like about it is it's tough, reliable and somewhat water resistant. It is however not very modern or efficient. I wonder if anybody here has recommendations for a "replacement":

- preferably 3 or 4 D cell (standard/alkaline), not "hard-to-get" Li-* batteries (I must be able to swap batteries in the field)
- tough
- reliable
- water resistant (or splash-)
- regulated
- has a "low power" mode for long runtime.
- a "hi power" mode as powerful as the batteries can deliver....

So.... anyone? :-)

Thank you!

:welcome:

why do you want such a big light? aa's or 123's are easily found, and so much smaller and more versatile.

 

[foo.spam]

I've been looking around and it is also my impression that there aren't that many 4D-ish alternatives...

What I like about having a large flashlight is that it is intimidating, and useful for self defense (if it was not intimidating enough :-)

I also have i Mag 2AA LED (not the new model). I've been using the Mags because they have been solid and have taken a lot of abuse without breaking. Once upon a time Mag was state of the art, but I see that time is long gone now (at least when it comes to power / lux / lumen, burn time and technology).

If I have to settle for a AA-solution, what are the recommendation if I wish to keep the rest of the wishlist?
- solid/reliable (very important)
- able to run on COTS AA alkalines
- waterproof (not a divers light but something that can be dropped into water)
- regulated
- lo / hi mode
- "strike bezel" or something like that, preferably at both ends (given that it won't be as heavy/long a 4D flash)
....in the range USD 200-300 ?

Thank you for the replies!

 

[Benson]

:welcome:

why do you want such a big light? aa's or 123's are easily found, and so much smaller and more versatile.

Brightness and runtime. AA lights get you brightness or runtime, but not both. (And educating those who think their CR123 lights are where it's at. :twak: :p)

The only good option I know would be a 4D Mag with a P7 LED, or even a multi-emitter head -- you can get single-P7 dropins, but they're all single-mode, AFAIK, so this would be a custom or DIY to get the two modes requested.

 

[PsychoBunny]

Most high performance lights do not use D cells, and you did not mention
how much $$ you are willing to spend.
The better lights run on AA, CR123, 18650 and more exotic types that
are not easy to find at the store.
The manufacturers use small batteries so they can make their lights small
and easy to carry.
If you dont mind spending the money, and want a light that is tough and
will last a lifetime, you could get a SureFire U2A. It has adjustible output,
and is built like a tank. But, it will set you back almost $300.00.
There are several much smaller lights that are adjustible and use AA or
CR123 batteries made by Fenix and NiteCore (and others) that would satisfy your needs.

 

[StarHalo]

If I have to settle for a AA-solution, what are the recommendation if I wish to keep the rest of the wishlist?

A perennial flashaholic favorite is the Fenix LD10, a 1xAA with good brightness and excellent regulation/efficiency. And it's only $59 with free shipping, see it here: https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_50&products_id=466

 

[rmteo]

The only D cell LED light that I am aware of that has multiple output power modes (4-modes) is the Brinkmann 3W Cree - see review here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=193331
If you hurry, you can get them closed-out at Target for the princely sum of $7.98 :grin2:

 

[Marduke]

Here are your Mag upgrade options
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=193434


For a AA powered, two mode, tough as nails light, the Fenix TK20 wins hands down.

 

[KingGlamis]

I would look into Streamlight lights. The Stinger LED might be good for you. And although not an LED and having only one level of output, the UltraStinger is a very impressive light that has incredible throw.

 

[notsobrite]

Brightness and runtime. AA lights get you brightness or runtime, but not both. (And educating those who think their CR123 lights are where it's at. :twak: :p)

what do you have against 123's?

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Hi,
I have a Maglite 4D LED today. What I like about it is it's tough, reliable and somewhat water resistant. It is however not very modern or efficient. I wonder if anybody here has recommendations for a "replacement":

- preferably 3 or 4 D cell (standard/alkaline), not "hard-to-get" Li-* batteries (I must be able to swap batteries in the field)
- tough
- reliable
- water resistant (or splash-)
- regulated
- has a "low power" mode for long runtime.
- a "hi power" mode as powerful as the batteries can deliver....

So.... anyone? :-)

Thank you!

Inova T4 - 2008 model.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/t4.html

 

[Gunner12]

Here are your Mag upgrade options
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=193434

If it was more obviously stickied, many of the threads posted would not be needed.

Flashlights, reguardless of size, aren't a very good deterrent for a determined attacker. I'd personally get some training and a smaller strike bezel light but that's just me.

Humm, a good AA light with those qualities... I can't think of one at the moment but there are some CR123 lights that might work. Within your price range you can get a good 2 CR123/18650 light with the strike bezel and a set of Li-ion rechargeable batteries.

:welcome:

 

[Benson]

what do you have against 123's?

I suppose a 16-cell dual-stack 123 light would make a decent beating-stick, but I haven't seen one yet. :p

Seriously, I don't have any 123-only lights because I haven't seen any that make me want them -- a 1x123 light is shorter than a AA, so it doesn't fit my hand, and bigger around (which isn't much of a problem, but doesn't help, either). A 2x123 light should run on (and, if so, will be run on) 1x18650, because they're the most energy-dense size in existence. And 3x123 is big enough the size jump to a 2x18650 is not a problem for me...

Also, I'm generally pro-rechargeable; while lights that can run on alkalines in a pinch are great, the ability to source 123s is typically far more limited in such a pinch, so even the ability to take 123s (in a Li-ion 18650 or RCR123 light) is not as desirable to me.

All that said, the moment I find a 123-only light that I like, I can afford, and isn't offered in a similar variant for batteries I like better, I'll buy it and some batteries; the animosity in my previous post was mainly tongue-in-cheek. I see it as a solution without a problem.

 

[carrot]

Wow, why hasn't anyone suggested a Malkoff drop in? Unfortunately it is only one level but will work in your existing Maglite and provide the much needed power boost. Heck you might even find that you only need one level since you will get plenty of output and runtime.