Originally posted by x-ray:
Well it looks like the E2's the favorite so far, thanks for all the advice
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">x-ray,
The E2 is an excellent all-round utility light. Its beam is highly dispersed and thus will not project far.
Do you know what characteristics you prefer in your light? When you speak of a "good throw", that could mean almost anything depending on what you're comparing it to. Compared to even powerful LED's all 2x123's mentioned here have "good
throw". A good rule of thumb: Assuming identical power sources, the throw of a light will be INVERSELY proportional to the diameter of its beam. Of course there are different kinds of beams, and measuring diameters can be tricky, but you get the general idea.
When we recently compared many lights (incandescents and LED's) on country roads in rural Canada (reviews eventually forthcoming) the importance of beam size became quickly apparent and was strongly affected by one's personal reaction to traveling in unfamiliar relatively open territory on a very dark night. Generally, our group preferred a widely dispersed beam because in addition to increasing peripheral perception it created a more secure feeling of traveling within a comfortable lighted environment rather than blackness pierced by a thin beam of light which still left you feeling surrounded by darkness. We had some focusing lights with us (Surge, Scorpion, Legend LX) and found them useful but still preferred fixed focus lights. We all liked the smooth wide beam of the Expedition 1400, and felt that an LED light that was twice or three times as powerful would be the ultimate area light. We also liked the E2 using the LOLA MN02 lamp ("low output lamp") for increased runtime (still significantly less than the 2L, and with a less powerful beam), but wished that it was brighter.
It's important to remember that all the 2x123 incandescent lights with the exception of the UKE 2L and E2 with LOLA have short runtimes. (Approx. 1 hour, but the timing is highly subjective and depends on your definition of "bright" or "usuable" light)
Tree's comparison of the LX and Taclite gives you a good idea of the relative merits of two different approaches. If you want very long throw the two best 2x123's are the Asp Taclite Model 1 and the TACM III. The ASP Model 1 has internal
"set it and forget it" focusing. I have never tried the external focusing Model 2, though if that light was able to focus as tightly as the Model 1 it would be a superior alternative to the Scorpion or LX.
The TACM III has a fixed focus and is just about equal to the Asp in throw and intensity. It is the shortest and lightest of all the standard sized 2x123 lights. I used to belt-EDC the Taclite but have recently switched to the TACM III. I find its power along with its light weight and relatively small size irresistible.
Arguably the finest standard sized fixed focus 2x123 lights are made by Surefire. Their beam diameters fall somewhere between the E2 and the TACLITE or TACMIII, and are designed to be the best compromise between a long throw and dispersed beam flashlight
To partly answer your question about Maglites: with the possible exception of the UKE 2L and the E2 with LOLA, all the 2x123 lights put out a significantly greater "amount" of light than my 3D MAG. That is, if all beams were of identical or nearly identical diameters, the Maglite (with standard lamp) would be the weakest light in the group. OTOH, the Mag was able to focus down very tightly to the extent that its beam could be visably superimposed on all the other beams except the ASP Taclite and the TACM III. The Mag is a great light if you want a flawed but focusable long lasting beam in a large, heavy, rugged light that can double as a weapon or tool.
x-ray, the E2 is certainly a good place to start your incandescent collection, and rest assured, it WILL be a collection! You could also start with the 2L, or really any of these lights, though the more specifically you define your needs the clearer you choice will become.
Good luck.
Brightnorm
