Suggestions for my perfect light....

[flea77]

Currently I have a multi-LED Smith and Wesson, with 8 white LEDs, 2 red LEDs and 2 greed LEDs. Not a bad light, but I have a feeling there are better and the choices are just overwhelming. Add to that, I can't find lumen values for most lights and I am just confused.

So, based on the criteria below, what are your suggestions?

1) Must be a small handheld, no C or D size guys
2) Must use standard batteries such as AA or AAA
3) Made out of metal
4) Bright as all get out, viewable from the moon (heh), spotlight
5) Long storage life without being on
6) Long runtime

As an aside, anyone know how many lumens the flashlight I have is?

Thanks for any info or suggestions.

Allan

 

[Gator762]

An important difference is do you want a thrower, or more flood?

A thrower will still have a distinct spot at distances, but for close up work (say walking at night) has a follow the bouncing ball effect. I don't know what your light is, but with multiple LEDs it's probably on the floody side.

Of course, you could get both. The Fenix L0D Q4 is very bright for a AAA light with an hour of regulated runtime, for under $50 shipped. 75 lumens, about a standard 3D mag (but less throw). 8 hours on low.

ETA by both, I mean get an AA and an AAA light. The L0D Q4 is no thrower.

 

[tx101]

Favor of the moment is the Nitecore D10

 

[PhantomPhoton]

1) Must be a small handheld, no C or D size guys
2) Must use standard batteries such as AA or AAA
3) Made out of metal
4) Bright as all get out, viewable from the moon (heh), spotlight
5) Long storage life without being on
6) Long runtime

There are probably 20 lights which fit this description right now, and most of them are great. :devil:

AA lights are coming into their prime right around now. Most of the higher quality ones are above the $50 mark topping out at around $90 So if you're willing to drop $80 and run on rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) AA batteries you're going to be in heaven around here.

Longer runtime will come from 2x AA models, though on low power levels a single AA light can run for days.

Is there a specific use you have in mind? Most of us after we've spent some money on lights find that while throw is nice flood is also a very big part of a light being useful for most tasks.

Feed us some more info and you're sure to get 40 different opinions here. :laughing: But I'm sure we can get you hooked up with the right light.

:welcome:

 

[Gunner12]

There are a lot of lights that fit into your specifications. You'll have to be more specific.

As for the Smith and Wesson light, I'm guessing around 30 lumen from that light.

Off the top of my head, I can say that the Fenix L0D-CE Q4, L1D-CE, L1D-CE Q5, L2D-CE, L2D-CE Q5, L1T V2.0, L2T V2.0, T20, Olight T15, T25, T25 "Tactical", Nitecore D10, Nitecore Defender Infinity, Lumapower LM31, Lumapower ConneXion, Kingpower K1, Jetbeam Jet 1 and a bunch of lower priced lights(check dealextreme for the lower priced lights) like the MTE 1 AA Seoul, MTE 5 mode Rebel, MTE 20 mode Rebel, Ultrafire C3, Ultrafire WF-606, Romisen RC-N3, RC-G2, RC-P3, KD's 1 AAA Seoul all fit into your specifications. And those are the ones I can think of right now(most if not all can hit 30 lumen without problem, some go over 60 lumen and some can hit over 100 lumen).

:welcome:

 

[flea77]

There are a lot of lights that fit into your specifications. You'll have to be more specific.

:welcome:

No more than 2AA, alkaline non-recaharageable, duracell or energizer. 2 to 4 AAA cells also acceptable, same specs on batteries. Aluminum casing. Tightest pinpoint light possible without using a laser. Brightest light reasonable (meaning if I can get 45+ minutes from 100 or more lumens that is great, drop below that runtime and I will accept fewer lumens.) Of course LED, one or more bulbs is fine. Prefer black in color, rubber coating on hand grip section not really a plus. Water resistance a must, but not to any depth as the most it will see is being dropped in a puddle. Adjustable beam width/intensity are nice, but not at the sacrifice of other abilities such as runtime, brightness, battery type. Cost is not really a factor as long as it is not insane ($100 is not a problem, $1000 is). Prefer click on, click off, not some fancy multi level drains the batteries might turn itself on when it feels like it stuff. Good warranty a plus, as is availability of parts to repair or replace bulbs. No longer than about 7 inches, no larger diameter (at hand holding position) than about 1.5 inches. Should weigh no more than about 14 ounces loaded with batteries.

Use: I have a small flashlight that is perfect for working on things in the dark, and another that is perfect for flooding something with a light (such as walking at night). What I do not have is a small light that will illuminate something at a healthy distance, and although my larger Mag DDD will, it is a heck of a monster to carry around sometimes.

Please let me know if I left anything out, and thanks for your help.

Allan

 

[HoopleHead]

NiteCore Defender Infinity

 

[sol-leks]

As far as I know the Fenix L2D premium or the Olight T25(i think?) are the brightest lights you can get that run on AA's. If u want something that uses a single AA yeah, get a nitecore d10 or a fenix L1D.
Most importantly though, how much do you want to spend?
Maybe you want to spend less, and then maybe a e20 or a romisen would be more up your alley. However, if you want something to be bright and have great runtime you're gonna need something with multiple modes.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

The light will only perform as well as the cells you put into it. You're going to get poor brightness AND runtime (on higher brightness settings) with Alkaline cells. Avoid AAAs like the plague, except for small single cell lights.

Throw is all about how big of a reflector you have.
Probably the best stock AA thrower is a Jetbeam Jet I Pro IBS (1AA) or a Jet I Pro EX v2 (2AA).

Olights throw decently well too.

For a pure pencil throw beam you have to use an aspheric lens setup which isn't available as a stock option from any manufacturer. You have to mod a light yourself.