Two ideal lights??

[**DONOTDELETE**]

First time on here, so here goes.....I would like the opinion from other serious light users out there. I need a compact bright (65 lumens plus) pocket size, often carried flashlight. This light would be used for emergencies only but would still like to get 60 minutes out of a set of batteries.....The other light I need is a small, light weight, hand carried (uses regular AA, C, or D, up to 3x D size cells) torch that gives good light outdoors in a forrest environment and gives up to 15 hours run time per set of batteries. I have read a bit about a "Lightwave 4000" using 10 LED's. I dont know how bright this would be outdoors in the open. Anyway, any ideas?

 

[Badbeams3]

Welcome Milan, you might want to give everyone an idea of how much you want to spend.

I`ve heard the Surefire E-2 is not to bad for a pocket light. The lightwave 4000 does`nt seem to bad either. If you want to spend more you could move up to 14 or 19 LED`s with the Trek line.

 

[Darell]

The E2 is an excellent choice for the pocket light you're looking for - provided you're OK with paying a premium for the exceptional quality of the light.

 

[Spork]

I have the lightwave 4000 and I think it works great outdoors. you will get more like 50 hours before you need to replace the batteries.

 

[geepondy]

E2 is absolute perfect match for first light requirement. You will need an LED light for light number two in order to get 15 hours runtime. Lots of options there but in order to get 15 hours at relatively speaking, higher brightness (for LEDs), you need one of the two or three C or D lights.

 

[Carpe Diem]

Milan... darell and geepondy are right on target in recommending the Sure Fire E2 for your first requested flashlight. Nothing else will give you as much satisfaction. Don`t pass up buying one.

With respect to an LED to use in the woods, light to carry, and having a long run time, I would definitely recommend carrying a Lightwave 2000 with a green LED, and accompanied by an Infinity with a turquoise LED.

I carry both for deer hunting, and so do my hunting partners after seeing my lights. With those two LED lights on you, you`ll never be in the dark in the woods, no matter what time of the day (or night)!

 

[lightlover]

For the first, bright option, I agree that the E2 is ideal. (Or the E2e, to be released in mid February.)
The other similar choice at the same price, is the SureFire 6P, a little larger, but with the options of the rechargeable kit and "to 9P" body extender, very versatile.
The M2 is less EDC friendly, but I use it like that. Of course, it's a lot more expensive.
On the other side of the price range, there's the Legend LX, not so well made but bright and a fairly good beam.

For the LED, is a PT Attitude 4x AAA any good, I wonder ? (Even though it's not one of your battery sizes as specified.)
Or how about a totally different approach - the 3D Mag with a Ledcorp PR base LED will give you a 70-150 hour runtime - ummm, someone please confirm that, my memory's gone ......

lightlover

 

[Lonewolf]

Milan for your second light choice I know you are looking for a light that uses 1.5 volt alkalines but in about a week Surefire is debuting there first LED. It will work with all the 2x 123 battery style except the E2, the body is to narrow. Why don't you wait to see the specs on the LED before making a choice. This way you only need one light and a second head to meet your demands.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

gentlemen, thank you for your quick replies. I kinda thought that most of the suggestions for my first light would be one of the Sure-Fire two cell models. I have had the 6P on loan from a friend of mine a while back and loved it. Since then I have collected information from internet sites re; prices and models from Sure-Fire. In reply to prices, well, I estimate that in dollar for dollar terms the income and expenditures in Australia are very similar to that of the US. However, it takes two AUS$ to buy one US$, so what you pay $40 for, I pay $80. I know that the E2 is a bit smaller than say the G2, I guess that I would, at the end of the day choose the cheaper one........Now in regards to the second light requirement; I have also come across information on the Surge by Princeton Tec, I have no idea how long this light would run for.....I'll work it out, thanks again and best regards, Milan.

 

[geepondy]

The runtime on the Surge packaging is listed as three to five hours. I have read posts on this forum that the runtime is closer to the three hour mark. Also because you will most likely be using AA alkalines for that battery, it will dim thruout the life of the batteries. Again, I don't know of a single non LED light where you can get 15 hours runtime on a set of batteries.

 

[Spork]

if you want even light output from the surge you could try nimh cells. another idea would be to get a princeton tec rage and attitude. you could just carry both lights or switch the rage bulb out and use the led's. you could probably get these 2 lights for about 30 dollars shipped from tts. I want a e2 also but I'm waiting for the elite version. maybe I will get the g2 instead if I can upgrade it with surefires luxeon star bulb. but for the upfront and operating costs (batteries and bulbs) those 2 lights from princeton tec would be hard to beat.

 

[Alan]

I doubt that the new LS bezel (not LS LA) from Sure Fire will work on G2.

I would be very happy if it does

Alan

 

[Brock]

If I had to bet I would say the LS head will work on the G2, unless it replaces the entire bezel. I am hoping it is just a P60 lamp replacement, if that is the case it should work in all 2 cell except the Turbo, and E series.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Milan:
...I have also come across information on the Surge by Princeton Tec, I have no idea how long this light would run for....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Welcome Milan,

For your very bright small light the E2 is excellent. Please understand 2 points however. It uses a very widely dispersed flood-style beam pattern which, although it will illuminate a large area, will not be exceptionally bright in any given point within that area except perhaps the very center.

Also, it will dim quite quickly because it is a child of tactical parents whose design is specifically geared to short, intense use. Not for prolonged burns.

The 6P and its recent incarnations (D2, etc) gives perhaps the ideal compromise between spot and a flood in a 2x123A light IMO.

If you want the most concentrated spotlight-type beam get the ASP Triad (formerly Taclite). Its unique internal focussing adjuster enables a superbright spot beam, second only to a turbo version of the surefire 6P, D2 etc.

My tests have shown that the Surge will maintain "functional" brightness for approximately three hours, using superior nonrechargeable alkalines. Do not use lithiums; they'll pop the bulb. BrightGuy advises against this and my experience has borne it out. I've tested Duracell, Duracell ultra and Ray-O-Vac Maximum AA alkalines. The Ray-O-Vacs beat the others by a significant margin; they're also much cheaper. I hope you can get them Down Under. They are now the only AA alkalines that I use.

If you want a light that is quite decently, if not overwhelmingly bright with the longest burntime from a small incandescent I suggest the UK (Underwater Kinetics) 4AA or Mini Q40. They are identical except for a slight asymmetric elongation of the 4AA for certification purposes. I prefer the Mini Q40. In my comparison burntime/brightness tests with other 4AA lights, it outperformed all its competitors, including the Tek 40. If you use the light frequently for fairly long periods then please use rechargeables and ignore the following advice unless cost is not an issue: I use lithiums in the Mini Q40. Yes they're expensive but they wil give conservatively 4 1/2 hours of good functional light, and you can stretch that to 5 hours. I EDC it but also consider it an emergency light. You could use it a few minutes every day for a week or more and still have enough reserve for a steady burn with several hours of good light. It's 5.75 inches long and fully loaded with lithiums weighs 3.7 ounces. The integrated lamp assemblies can be a bit inconsistant, so I get a few and choose the best. In terms of brightness it will compare favorably with a three D cell light. There is one other light, the "Bison" that will give you as long or longer run times using 2 alkaline C batteries, but frankly I don't care for the relatively dim and quickly yellowish beam even though some runners swear by it.

For LONG burns, as you've read, you will need LEDS. You can wait for Surefire, or if you want one right now I'd suggest either the Light Wave 3000, or the Trek 1400. I'm assuming you want a relatively bright, wide field of illumination whic mandates a 3C or 3D battery light. For runs of 6 or 7 hours or less I prefer the Trek 1400. It's brighter, smaller and lighter than the 3000 and its light is more "natural"-hued; less of that slightly ghoulish blue which I find especially objectionable in the big Lightwaves. However, after 6 or 7 hours or so, the Lightwaves are the longest and brightest burning of the LED lights. If you want the ultimate in bright and LONG burntime try the Light Wave 4000. It uses 3 D batteries, and while it's shorter and lighter than a Mag 3-D, it's still a big, heavy, clunky light to carry around.

I'm not sure if anyone has completed a burn test on it yet, but probably not. After all, the human lifespan IS finite.

Best regards,
Brightnorm


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[Empath]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by brightnorm:
I prefer the Mini Q40. In my comparison burntime/brightness tests with other 4AA lights, it outperformed all its competitors, including the Tek 40. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, if you run a narrow beam reflector in the Tec 40, it's beam is as contorted, ugly and bright as the Mini Q40. The wide angle reflector, which doesn't seem to be a choice with UK, will understandably even out the bright spots and globs.

UK puzzles me about something. I've got the Q40, and some of the smaller ones, but it seems to me that the lower set of batteries that go into the chamber was designed by a mad man. There is little you can do to get a set of batteries installed without the assistance of extra tools or, in the case of those large enough to fit your fingers in, destruction of your fingernails.

The UK 2L is a nice light though, and doesn't suffer the absurd battery arrangement that is characteristic of the other UK lights.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Empath:
Actually, if you run a narrow beam reflector in the Tec 40, it's beam is as contorted, ugly and bright as the Mini Q40... UK puzzles me about something. I've got the Q40, and some of the smaller ones, but it seems to me that the lower set of batteries that go into the chamber was designed by a mad man.
The UK 2L is a nice light though, and doesn't suffer the absurd battery arrangement that is characteristic of the other UK lights.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Empath,

I EMPATHize with your frustration over the Mini Q40/4AA battery placement. At first, in moments of frustration I have aimed a certain finger in UK's direction, but after practicing a bit I find that it's actually easy and convenient, something I never thought I'd say. I use my little finger and the procedure takes, literally 10 seconds. I agree that it's absurd however, that customers have to go through all this fuss!

It puzzles me also that UK hasn't gone to faceted reflectors. The way I've gotten around that is to buy several UK lamp/reflector assemblies and pick the best ones for my most critical lights. I realize that necessity doesn't speak very well for the company's management or its designers. Most likely the majority of buyers don't complain, and since they sell well the company doesn't have to deal with the issue, though I believe they'll eventually see the light.

I agree that the UK 2L is a little gem. I often use it for EDC carry, butI must say that if I was forced to carry only one incandescent light it would be the Mini Q40 or 4AA with a selected lamp and lithium batteries.

Nevertheless, I have 2L's all over the place. In my coat pockets, my desk, bedroom, kitchen, at work; and I insisted that my girlfriend carry one in her purse at all times.

Best regards,
Brightnorm

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Once again, I am impressed with the amount of knowledge/information that is coming forward. My two teenage sons have shown very strong interest in what I am doing here and stated their instant requirement in a light for their two to three day camping/hiking trips which they do often. They said...what we need is a compact hand held light which we can walk with at night then hang it up in our tent to read, play cards etc. and not have to cary spare batteries...I think they would prefer to carry two of these "perfect" lights rather than carry spare bulbs/batteries for one. I guess to be on the safe side a run time of 30 to 40 hours should do it. I am sure that the color of the light would not be a major problem as long as you can read by it...after all about 80% of all information we receive comes through our sight. (at least this is what I have been told)...one more thing, LED lights are as rare as hens teeth here, or perhaps I have not been looking hard enough. Thanks again....

 

[Alan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
If I had to bet I would say the LS head will work on the G2, unless it replaces the entire bezel. I am hoping it is just a P60 lamp replacement, if that is the case it should work in all 2 cell except the Turbo, and E series.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Brock, I hope that you're right but quoting from pk "replacement LED bezel". Again, I hope that he meant lamp assembly.

Alan

 

[mcjamison]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Milan:
My two teenage sons [...] stated their instant requirement in a light for their two to three day camping/hiking trips which they do often. They said...what we need is a compact hand held light which we can walk with at night then hang it up in our tent to read, play cards etc. and not have to cary spare batteries...I think they would prefer to carry two of these "perfect" lights rather than carry spare bulbs/batteries for one. I guess to be on the safe side a run time of 30 to 40 hours should do it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You might want to think about the Eternalight Ergo or X-Ray. It's a 4-LED, 3-AA cell light. Aside from some whizzy flashing effects, its main appeal is the ability to adjust its brightness, over a wide range. Thus, as your eyes adjust to the dark, you can reduce its power and squeeze even more life out of its batteries. It supposedly lasts 40 hours full blast, but it'd be pretty dim by the end. A downside is that you need a screwdriver to change batteries, and it would be risky to do it in the field - put in fresh ones before hitting the trail. With lithiums, it even floats!

A UK 2L would be a nice complement as a bright, lightweight backup, waterproof, with less weight and longer life than an E2. I carry an E2 every day, but if backpacking, I'd swap it for the 2L.

Actually, for backpacking, I'd strongly suggest considering headlamps. You'll find plenty of threads here at CPF on the subject. I'm very pleased with my Lightwave Illuminator, an LED one. Plenty of light for walking around or doing campsite tasks like pitching a tent.

Have fun,
-- Jamie