Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and know very little about flashlights other than what I have been able to gater from various websites. I'm a police officer looking for an extremely bright light that is somewhat portable (around the size of a Stinger). I'd like something in the 500 lumen range. So far I'm trying to decide between the WiseLED Street, Microfire Warrior, or the Microfire Terminator II. Any help or other suggestions is greatly appreciated before I spend in excess of $500 on a light.
Which light is better?
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PhantomPhoton
Flashlight Enthusiast
As far as I can tell from recent posts here on CPF WiseLED is out of business so I would hold of on buying one of their products.
The Terminator is a 10 Watt HID. So the light output is around 500 Lumens... we now have LED lights which do about the same thing for much less money. An HID will illuminate a greater distance away usually but it really does depend on a number of factors.
The Warrior... which one by the way, Warrior II or Warrior III?... gives out much more light. But it is an HID so there is a warm-up time for the bulb to achieve full brightness. If you want instant on you're going to have to go to an even higher class of HID lights $$$.
So can you be a bit more specific in how you intend to use the light? We may be able to narrow down the best choice that way.
:welcome:
The Terminator is a 10 Watt HID. So the light output is around 500 Lumens... we now have LED lights which do about the same thing for much less money. An HID will illuminate a greater distance away usually but it really does depend on a number of factors.
The Warrior... which one by the way, Warrior II or Warrior III?... gives out much more light. But it is an HID so there is a warm-up time for the bulb to achieve full brightness. If you want instant on you're going to have to go to an even higher class of HID lights $$$.
So can you be a bit more specific in how you intend to use the light? We may be able to narrow down the best choice that way.
:welcome:
Well I'm looking for something that is significantly brighter than a Stinger, somethiing that can be used for building searches and searches in the woods where there is absolutely no light. But something reasonably small that can be easily held with one hand. It looks as if WiseLED is still in business, a subsidiery of another Dutch compoany. Their website is www.innoventa.nl.
StarHalo
Flashaholic
You don't need to go the HID route for ~500 lumens; you can get a much more durable multi-emitter LED for a lot less money. A good example would be the Malkoff MC-E drop-in for a Surefire 6P (or similar "D26" socket). At $125 for the drop-in, and ~$25 for a 6P clone host, you're looking at only ~$150 for a 500 lumen, 6-inch pocket flashlight.
Another option would be a stock multi-emitter light, like the JetBeam M1X; it's slightly bigger than a Stinger, but at 700 lumens for $150, plus a user-settable multi-mode interface and multiple battery configs, is quite a deal.
Malkoff MC-E Drop-In: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_14_20&products_id=53
JetBeam M1X: http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jetm1x.html
Another option would be a stock multi-emitter light, like the JetBeam M1X; it's slightly bigger than a Stinger, but at 700 lumens for $150, plus a user-settable multi-mode interface and multiple battery configs, is quite a deal.
Malkoff MC-E Drop-In: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_14_20&products_id=53
JetBeam M1X: http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jetm1x.html
Last edited:
Gunner12
Flashaholic
A multidie LED can achieve 500+ lumen.
How much runtime do you want?
What type of beam?
:welcome:
How much runtime do you want?
What type of beam?
:welcome:
LED or incan is definitely the way to go for your type of work. The Wiseled Street won't appear significantly brighter than the Ultra-Stinger though. You'd want to go with the Tactical but I think Wiseled might be a bit risky until we see how things work out for them.
I was giving your thread some more thought and decided that perhaps I assumed too much about the purposes or use that you had in mind for your light. If you don't need something that comes to full brightness instantly, and maybe just need it for searching, the HID would probably be fine. I would suggest the N30 or soon to be released L35 since the performance to cost ratio is extremely high. Since you stated that you wanted something stinger sized, (which is pretty small) I'd have to say the Microfire II
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=63&products_id=243
or the Wolf Eyes Boxer24W
http://www.pts-flashlights.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-17-74-6236
Both lights are very small for their 24W rating and will provide a huge performance increase from something like the Stinger. The Boxer is about size of a Surefire M6. Small enough to stick in your back pocket...at least short term. Jacket pocket is very doable too.
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=63&products_id=243
or the Wolf Eyes Boxer24W
http://www.pts-flashlights.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-17-74-6236
Both lights are very small for their 24W rating and will provide a huge performance increase from something like the Stinger. The Boxer is about size of a Surefire M6. Small enough to stick in your back pocket...at least short term. Jacket pocket is very doable too.
phoenix246
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 4
Forgive me for a stupid question in poor English. I'm new to this forum and have very litle experiences about HID flashlights. I have recently purchased my first HID flashlight, a G&P Scorpion. According to the manufacturer it delivers 3500 lumen, but I feel that it is actually not more than max. 2600-2800.
After about 60 min usage the burner has given up. (I used the torch for short, (<1 min) periods in very frequent cycles. Some type of discharge lamps can be damaged of similar on-off switching. What about HID halid bulbs?
After about 60 min usage the burner has given up. (I used the torch for short, (<1 min) periods in very frequent cycles. Some type of discharge lamps can be damaged of similar on-off switching. What about HID halid bulbs?
- Can I use some other type of burner, and where can I buy it.
- Can anybody recommend a real 3500 lumen torchlight with good quality, for affordable price?
Hello Phoenix246. There's never a stupid question around here friend and I understand your English perfectly.
Very sorry to hear that your light is no longer working. Unfortunately the G&P Scorpion had some know issues ever since it's introduction. One of the first test units which was reviewed by CPF members actually failed because the of an issue with the ballast. According to the reviewer, the ballast has insufficient heat sinking. The other problem had to do with a weak handle attachment method and poor water resistance. Due to these problems, one CPF dealer who was going to bring these to market for us decided not to.
You're probably accurate in saying that the Scorpion is probably closer to 2600-2800 lumens at best. I've never handled or operated one myself or done my own comparisons but it's very common for compact, 35W Asian HID lights to be well below the stated output specs. Additionally, because of the bulb's blue-ish 6000+K color temperature, they produce still further lumens than they would if the color was closer to 4200K.
Regarding the frequent turning on and off of the light, it's true that it will be harder on the components like the bulb and ballast. Some lights like the Polarion are rated for frequent on and off use but still, it's going to reduce the lifespan of the bulb some. As a general HID rule, it's best to run the light for at least several minutes and then let it cool for at least several minutes before turning back on again. Not following the general rule isn't going to ruin your HID light instantly, but over many months of frequent use it will have a negative effect. What the effect is will depend on the individual type of light and components used.
Regarding using a different type of burner, (I assume that you're talking about the bulb) your going to have to continue using HID type bulbs, either from the original manufacturer, or from another manufacturer who offers bulbs of the same specification. The term "HID" describes a wide range of lamps which uses a high intensity arc between two tungsten electrodes. Xenon-short arc, Metal halide, Mercury vapor, Sodium vapor are a few examples of the main types, but they're all HID.
Your choices of true 3500 lumens lights will be limited because in most cases 35W HID's are not capable of producing that output unless they're over-driven quite hard, reducing the bulb and component life. Although 3200 lumens is possible, very few HID lights use 4200K bulbs which are needed to attain that output. I'll list a few 35W lights that are capable of 3200 lumens.
N30 (from Battery Junction) (around $150)
L35 (soon to be released for sale from Battery Junction, see the L35 thread) (around $325)
RL-11 also known as the A3100 (available from Magnalight) (about $400)
Streamlight HID Litebox (available from BrightGuy) (about $400 but it's huge and uses a SLA battery)
Xe-35 from Xevision
http://xevision.com/hid_searchlights.html
Polarion X1
http://www.polarion-store.com/pd_polarion_x1.cfm
Obviosly the X1 is not in everyone's price range. It is now produced as a 40W light but used to be a 35W light. You might contact Ken Good at Polarion to see of the 35W is available any longer or check with these guys here:
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=87&products_id=415
Also, if you're interested in a 35W X1 you might place a want add in the CPF marketplace to see if anyone is interested in selling. You might be able to pick one up an a big discount.
Hope that answers your questions and gets you pointed in the right direction.
phoenix246
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 4
Hi Patriot!
Thank you for your dedicated and "illuminating" answer. Since I'm not (yet?) a real flashlight-fil the N30 seems to be the choice for me, when and if it will be aviaiable again. I'm afraid that the much more expensive L35 is intended to replace it.
Thank you for your dedicated and "illuminating" answer. Since I'm not (yet?) a real flashlight-fil the N30 seems to be the choice for me, when and if it will be aviaiable again. I'm afraid that the much more expensive L35 is intended to replace it.
You're welcome.
Occationally they come up for sale over in the CPF marketplace. One recently sold there for a good price. You could place a want add over there also, as another option.
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