Small/powerfull reliable light for work

[bourza]

This would have been asked a million times but I need fresh input.

I would like to get a decent torch for work, which is in the "seecurity" field. It needs to be able to be secured onto a equipment bely, probably be about 15-20cm long. It doesnt need to have strobe settings, what I need is something that can use rechargable batteries (AAA or AA) if possible to keep the cost down. Needs to not get extremley hot with extended use either. Needs long run time, needs a bright beam but not an extended long throw as well, the main use of the torch I am seeking is to search cars and buildings.

I've checked dealextreme but their forums and reviews arent that good. So many torches without any reviews makes it harder.

I dont know jack about lumens but like everything bigger is better within reason I suppose lol.

I'm favouring dealextreme, although they are copies some of them appear to have good reputations.

Your thoughts?

 

[Burgess]

My thoughts ?


First, forGET dealextreme ! ! ! :shakehead


Go to 47's website.

Look at his Quark series.


Good Luck.

:candle:
_

 

[kramer5150]

Bright beams, small size and AA/AAA do not go well together.

The current ceiling on 2AA-XRE lights is around 180-200L OTF... although I think the XPG-2AA designs are gaining momentum. So the added efficiency and lower Vf of the XPG should make a difference for you in this arena. The added flood-nature of the XPG will also help you out. I would start with that... a newer XPG generation 2AA light. 4-7, Fenix, Eagletac...etc.

 

[csshih]

since you are looking for reliability, it's best you stay with the "name brand" lights.

the quarks are an excellent suggestion.

 

[bourza]

Possible to link me to the site??

 

[hyperloop]

the site is www.4sevens.com

you can also look at the Fenix range if you like and don't forget to use "CPF8" when checking out for a further discount.

 

[gcbryan]

If you are absolutely new to torches and what you want then I think DX is a good site to check out. You can try out a few varieties of torches without breaking the bank.

Once you figure out what size/battery/led combination is for you then if the cheaper torches from DX aren't working out for you go for one of the name brand one's suggested.

This isn't the only way of course but it has it's merits.

 

[don.gwapo]

Yap! DX is a good start. Even though they are cheapo your light will last as long as you take good care of it.

 

[bourza]

I will check the site provided (thanks for that ) - and with the dealextreme - any recommendations? has to fit into an ASP baton scabbard.:twothumbs

 

[skyfire]

for best runtimes going with a light that uses a single 18650 rechargeable li-ion is best, considering size of course.

i have a friend in security and he uses a pelican 7060.
pros: 2 switches, good quality, throws very good, lifetime warranty.
cons: battery is built in. alittle big

afterwards he realize using batteries is better, because when his light dies, it needs to be placed on the charger for a few hours. when using batteries, you can just pop them in, and you are good to go.

with all that said, i would recommend getting a dual-bay charger, such as a ultrafire wf-139(about $17), or pila ibc charger(about $45), and 2 x AW18650, along with a flashlight using 1 x 18650. because if you plan to use rechargeables, 18650 cells are the best in terms of output and especially runtimes.

for good lights, check out the...
jetbeam lll M
jetbeam lll pro st
jetbeam RRT-2
olight M20
MG mini ll from shiningbeam.com
lumapower D-mini VX

actually, if you still want to order from DX, the ultrafire wf-139 charger is about $12, you can get 2x 18650 trustfires for under $10, and a DX light using 18650.

also, get protected li-ion batteries, which have a protection circuit to prevent overchargeing, and over discharging.

if you still rather go with AA, the quark AA-2, or fenix TK20 are very nice. then get some eneloops.

 

[hyperloop]

I will check the site provided (thanks for that ) - and with the dealextreme - any recommendations? has to fit into an ASP baton scabbard.:twothumbs

i'd highly recommend that, if the light is meant for work use (law enforcement, security) that a DX light be your backup light (if at all). For a budget light site with better quality control, go check out www.shiningbeam.com. Discount code here is "CPFuser".

For a good simple to use and yet flexible light, i'd say take a look at the Jetbeam Jet III Military, 2 mode light, changed by loosening or tightening the head. With head tightened the light is on MAX of 225 lumens and with the head loosened, it can be programmed for any output you like, strobes and SOS are hidden but easily accessible. This light is, IIRC, on offer at www.bugoutgearusa.com and use the discount code "CPFJET".

I have made many orders from DX in the past but only have ONE light left from those orders. The rest have either been given away or died on me after a drop, rain, etc etc and worse, for no discernible reason whatsoever.

 

[C4ReeN]

TK40
i know it is not "small" flashlight, but if ur definition small is 15-20cm i think extra 1cm won't effect much.
TK40 take AA batteries and there are 4 level of output.

 

[Skyeye]

Just get either the AA or AAA "Armormax" LED by Brinkmann. It's cheap, very bright, light weight and very rugged. Get a Niteize belt clip and you're good to go with any web or police belt. Academy usually has them for around $29.

 

[McAllan]

I would like to get a decent torch for work, which is in the "seecurity" field. It needs to be able to be secured onto a equipment bely, probably be about 15-20cm long. It doesnt need to have strobe settings, what I need is something that can use rechargable batteries (AAA or AA) if possible to keep the cost down. Needs to not get extremley hot with extended use either. Needs long run time, needs a bright beam but not an extended long throw as well, the main use of the torch I am seeking is to search cars and buildings.

I've checked dealextreme but their forums and reviews arent that good. So many torches without any reviews makes it harder.

I dont know jack about lumens but like everything bigger is better within reason I suppose lol.

I'm favouring dealextreme, although they are copies some of them appear to have good reputations.

Your thoughts?

First of all we need to know more about what size light you prefer and whether it should be optimized for throw or "just" a really great all round light.
What size is closest to what you prefer. A MagLite 2D or Mini MagLite 2 AA?

As others said. Forget DX. DX is nice for geeks like us but it seems you would really benefit from better build gear. Not to mention while many of DX's lights are great (the art of separating dirt from cinnamon) they often don't have very efficient drivers. Yeah they do have some lights that do but they're cheaper elsewhere.

If you want a good all-round light not too big I'd suggest the Fenix LD20 or TK20. Efficient driver and nice balance of throw/flood. TK20 is more throwy than LD20.

LiIon batteries others are suggesting I'm not so sure about is for you. What if you drop the light etc. and it shorts? Then you risk getting a pipe bomb. LiIon is for geeks. There's just too much junk out there because loose cells without a proprietary package isn't used for anything else (what I know of) than flashlights. Big players see no reason to manufacture good quality cells and chargers (or actually they do but they as proprietary packages for computers etc. - not as loose cells). While you can get reasonably good quality it's a bit like picking the cinnamon from the dirt in DX flashlights. LiIon takes great care not to be charged to a too high voltage and be considered trash if discharged too low (those without protection) or else you risk the cell will go :poof: when charging - just to mention some of the risks of a bad/cheap/junk charger.

Go for low self discharge NiMH like eneloop, uniross hybrio, gp recyko, panasonic infinium, varta ready2use and other "precharged" ones. Then a good charger. GP often has reasonable chargers/battery bundles. Not very advanced but most not junk either. Go for a charger that charges batteries as singles and reasonably fast (<= 4-5 hours but not the ultra fast ones as 30 min either).

The suggested (without knowing anything more about your wishes) LD20 and TK20 uses NiMH and can also be used with off the self 1,5v onetime batteries like alkaline if you're in need to buy some to get light in a hurry.

 

[bourza]

http://wolfeyes.com.au/wolf-eyes-angel-ho-p-100.html?osCsid=uieedb11jp4bvi9hhne53igb90

This is very similar to what I have seen but want thoughts about it and similar ones. People at work have them but I just dont want to mindlessly follow the crowd, if there is something better around I would prefer that.

Dealextreme is only mentioned due to so many people having different experiences with their products, some love them, other hate em.

TK40 - got a linky?

Skyeye - which Academy mate?

My big thing is the wealth of experience with you gents, which I would love to utilise. As I may have said, I have a cheapie at the moment but would love to improve on it.

 

[jugornot]

If the TK40 is to large then consider the Dereelight Javelin. With the 3xaa extender it pushes above 250 lumen and can run up to 1.7 hours on high. The ITP A6 is a much less well built tk40. But it is about half the price.

 

[COAST]

A fenix PD30 R4 would be great, and like others had mentioned before, the Quark series ROCK!! :rock:

 

[Toaster]

http://wolfeyes.com.au/wolf-eyes-angel-ho-p-100.html?osCsid=uieedb11jp4bvi9hhne53igb90

This is very similar to what I have seen but want thoughts about it and similar ones. People at work have them but I just dont want to mindlessly follow the crowd, if there is something better around I would prefer that.

Seriously? The people you work with rely on a 1xAA light to maintain security? :thinking:

 

[gilly]

I agree - you should go with a 2 x AA cell light as a minimum - a 1 x AA could be kept in a shirt pocket as a backup! The Javelin mentioned above is a great idea - it uses P60 drop ins and can be upgraded as technology improves. When a new, more efficient and brighter LED comes out in a year or two, you can just buy the P60 module, unscrew the head of the Javelin and pop the new one in. You could sell your old P60 on the marketplace or keep it as a 'backup'...
You'll also get plenty of runtime with extender and the 3 cells if desired and it would be long enough to tuck under your arm while you used both hands for a task. It will should fit in the ASP scabbard (head up) if you remove the clip.

http://flashlightconnection.com/Dereelight-Flashlights/Dereelight-Javelin-c31/

Discount code is "cpf" for 5% off.

This light would give you a very solid capability with good Nimh rechargeables like Sanyo Eneloops.

http://www.eneloop.info/home/general-description.html

Good luck!

 

[bourza]

I should have mentioned that I am in Australia - silly me - so postage for items from the USA will make things possibly prohibitive.

There's lots of good recommendations there guys - possible to provide links for nubby me?

And the wolfeyes torch I linked - we strap these to the thigh holster arrangement we have, we have high quality 4D cell main torches, I am after a torch which is going to hopefully have the 2 modes, if it cost me $20 lucky me, if it costs $50 I can cope with that. I dont want to spend huge money as there is a fair chance the torch I end up getting will hit the bitumen a few times.