Suggest a flashlight

[darklord]

I'm thinking of strapping a flashlight to side of my helmet for caving. Using a floody headlamp at the front for normal routefinding, but need a stronger beam for occasional 'spotting' and big passage work.

My criteria:

* under $30
* 30m throw
* not too narrow a spot (prefer a bit of spread and 'evenness')
* different output levels (at least high/low)
* AA or 2xAA ONLY (AAA at a pinch, no 123s)
* 7-8hr run time on economy setting
* waterproof (or reasonably so)
* tough
* no more than 6" long

Tall order I expect, but suggestions welcome, thx.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

It'll be a pretty tight squeeze to get a 2xAA light under 6". 2 AAs alone are 4" so tat leaves only 2 inches for a switch, circuitry, emitter, reflector/optics, window and bezel. (if you want god throw you're going to need a decent sized reflector).
Under $30 is also quite difficult for a good quality light. You can likely find a good one for around $40+. There are more than a few "bargain" lights to be had and sometimes they're great. But sometimes you're shipped a lemon and have to hassle with trying to get a new one... which may or may not be a lemon as well. Unreliable lights aren't something I usually take caving, you get what you pay for.

 

[richardcpf]

Add $8 and get the

Fenix E20

Just a bit over 6"

 

[darklord]

That's a worthy suggestion, richardcpf, will certainly consider that one - I see it has a focusable beam which is good. Thanks for the pointer.

I had been looking at the Inova Radiant 2AA - good pedigree even if the cheaper end of the range, but ticks most boxes except different power levels. It's also $20 less than the Fenix here in the UK.

Another one caught my eye was the Nitecore D10.

 

[deranged_coder]

Well, if you are willing to expand the budget to include something like the NiteCore D10, then I would suggest you try the Fenix L2T v2.0: runs on 2xAA, less than 6 inches long, 2 light levels, 30+ hours on low, fairly water resistant (I believe it can go for 30 mins @ 1 m) and built quite nicely.

 

[Gunner12]

I'd suggest bumping up the price range a bit.

Do you mean 30 USD or 30 GBP?

How much output would you like?

30 M throw can be done with almost any output from 1 lumen(laser pounter) to 1000s of lumen(pure flood light).

 

[AOBRICK]

For the money I agree the E20 is probably the best choice.

 

[sol-leks]

I too would recommend spending a bit more if this is something you think you really need but here are two decent options:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/lumapower-lm301.html

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16607

The Fenix E20 is a great light and I love mine, but it does not have 7-8 hours of runtime.

 

[darklord]

Thanks for the suggestions. i do like the Fenix lights but they're $45 (equivalent) over here. I think the runtime on the E20 would be too short, L2T interesting though.

I say the Nitecore D10 caught my eye, but again it's probably too pricey.

The LumaPower and Akoray are both interesting to me, more like the price I'm thinking and probably runtime too on medium or low settings.

I can get the Inova Radiant 2AA for $22 (equivalent) over here and while I may have to sacrifice some features against high end models, it seems basically sound. I don't think it's regarded as a serious flashlight here, though?

 

[Yoda4561]

The inova Radiant 2AA is very dim by modern standards, you can get single AAA lights that are brighter. It does have pretty good runtime though. The inova Bolt series would serve you better if they're available locally.

 

[RyanA]

It's not multi mode and a bit over 6 in but this may work well.
http://www.rei.com/product/750949

The firecracker is basically the 1 aa version, or the omnivore will take cr123a aaa and aa cells, basically all the same layout, rigel with tir optic. My guess is that the converter boards are the most substantial difference between the three. all are available at rei

 

[darklord]

RyanA, that's the kind of money I'm looking at, and the Gerbers are built well I've heard. I'm prepared to sacrifice some high end features and absolute light output - more important to me is to have a 'good' beam (rather than mindblowing), a broader beam (or focus adjustable), a good runtime, and decent build....all without breaking the bank.

Not sure how adjustable that Cornea beam is? Some of the reviews at REI said it is adjustable, others panned it for having no adjustment! ??

Gerbers available at good price here in UK, though.

 

[darklord]

Think I might have found it...

http://www.rei.com/product/770463

found it for $26 (equiv) at a UK store.

 

[Gunner12]

10 hour runtime is a bit far for 1 single AA, probably more like an hour or two at good output unless the light outputs around 20-30 lumen(probably not), which even with the optic might not be very usable at 30 meters.

If you can return the light, then try it and see if you like it or not.

LedLenser doesn't have a history but they seem to have gotten better with the newer models(quality went up and so did output, but runtime is still deceptive and price is still a bit high).

 

[RyanA]

The cornea uses a TIR style optic and is not focusable. It is more of a throw than spill beam. I haven't had the chance to pick up any of the new led lenser lights but one of the guys I work with swears by them. From what I hear the new line up is supposed to be quite nice. If you can find the P5 for 26 dollars equivalent I'd say go for it, it seems to most your requirements. I think I remember reading something about multimode tailcaps for the led lenser line such as strobe/high and high/lo etc. It may be something to keep an eye out for.

 

[darklord]

10 hour runtime is a bit far for 1 single AA, probably more like an hour or two at good output unless the light outputs around 20-30 lumen(probably not), which even with the optic might not be very usable at 30 meters.

Does seem too good to be true, doesn't it. I'd guess it's not regulated so you're on a glimmer after 3 hrs maybe.

Any Lenser users out there?

 

[darklord]

The cornea uses a TIR style optic and is not focusable.

http://www.shop4gerber.co.uk/gerber_cornea_led_torch.html

says it's an 'adjustable' beam.

I'm confused :thinking:

 

[deranged_coder]

http://www.shop4gerber.co.uk/gerber_cornea_led_torch.html

says it's an 'adjustable' beam.

I'm confused :thinking:

I had a Gerber Cornea (sold it on the MarketPlace a little while ago) and it was "adjustable" but not a whole lot. It certainly did not go from a spot light to a flood light. More like a "tight spot light" to a "not so tight spot light". :shrug:

 

[darklord]

At the REI store site it says the Lenser P5 has a runtime of "10 hours at 70 degrees"....what the heck does that mean!!

http://www.rei.com/product/770463

it's in the specs tab.

 

[RyanA]

I could be wrong about the focusing I just assumed that it was by simple enumeration. Weak inductive reasoning I suppose. Although typically certain kinds of optics seem only work well at a sort of optimum distance from the emitter. So the zoom to flood thing may not always work as well as a reflector.:shrug: Unfortunately this seems rare on all but one brand of light...But that's a topic for another day.