Your expert advice required

[Swanster]

Hi everyone.
:wave:

I require your expert advice on a few items

I currently have a couple of 3D Maglites fitted with Maglite LED conversions which I'm sure you are well aware of are pretty rubbish but at least the batteries last longer. I would like advice on whether it's worth upgrading the bulbs in these or just buying a new torch/flash light.

I also have a few 2 x AAA miniMags around the house and a small LED Gerber with a 1 x AAA battery.
I would like to have a couple of similar but decent lights to replace those.

I've had a look around the forum but being a total noob I have gotten myself very confused as to what to go for.
I've also had a good look on DX and like their prices but again it's confusing reading conflicting reviews.

My budget is not great, I suppose I'd only want to spend a max of £20/$30 on one light.

Also I would like a small light that has a strobe, which I can use as a torch/flash light but also strap on to my bicycle for when I'm riding along the canal path on the way back from summer nights at the pub.


So if you were just beginning what would you buy??


Your advice will be greatly received

Many thanks Swanster


PS From reading the forum I can see the world of collecting lights can be a slippery slope into owning many more than needed.
I already have too many but my excuse on buying more is that they are all rubbish :laughing:

 

[TEEJ]

It depends on what you want to SEE and/or DO with the lights.

The strobe feature is easy...and working as a bike light is easy...but, other than that, we have no clues from you yet.

:D

 

[Swanster]

Thanks for the quick reply and sorry if my question is a bit vague.
Basically I would like something that gives maximum light for small price.
A light that great for general use, something I can put in my pocket or leave in the car.
Too be able to light up my garden when the dogs out there would be good. At the moment my maglite just picks up his eyes

I see a lot of talk about Fenix lights on the forum.
A mate of mine said Ultrafire are good cheap lights

Thanks again Swanster

 

[Vortus]

I'd swap the 3D's over to a malkoff drop in if you can afford them.


Check the budget light forum here on cpf as well.

But alot of budget folks like the sipik sk68.

 

[Swanster]

Thanks I've ordered a SIPIK SK68 from ebay.
I read a few reviews over at DX and they say it eats batteries, lasting about 30 mins.
So I'm still looking for something with a bit longer staying power
Can you suggest something that will give a good bright light, be easy to carry and not eat batteries?

The malkoff drop in looks great but a little to expensive at the mo


Thanks again :)

 

[Swanster]

Right because of this forum I've come to the conclusion that all my lights are rubbish.

Apart from the SIPIK SK68 I've also ordered a 1600 Lumen Zoomable CREE XM-L T6 LED 18650 Flashlight (Cheap Chinese thing)
[TABLE="class: my_itl-iT"]
[TR="class: my_itl-itR"]
[TD="class: dt-rowSeptr dt-alignLft my_itl-alT"][/TD]
[TD="class: dt-rowSeptr dt-alignLft my_itl-alT"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
A ULTRAFIRE CREE XM-L T6 LED 1000 LUMEN LM FLASHLIGHT
I also bid on a Surefire but didn't win.

I have a Petzl Tikka2 head torch which I thought was ok but have realised that's pants too, my Catseye bike light is the same :shakehead

Blimey it gets expensive this game :huh:

Now I need to sort out batteries
I thought the Ultrafire ones were OK but read somewhere on the forum that they aren't worth getting.

One of the flashlights needs [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1x 18650 the SIPIK a 14500
Can someone please recommend a good make of battery

Thanks again Swanster




[/FONT]

 

[Swanster]

I've upgraded one of the maglites with a TTS-3WCR45 Maglite Torch Flashlight CREE XPE LED Bulb Upgrade for 2/3 C/D Cell


Just got to wait for everything to be delivered now :)

 

[Swanster]

2nd hand SureFire G2L on it's way :twothumbs

 

[Swanster]

My maglite upgrade has made a massive difference
My surefire is brilliant too :twothumbs

Going to upgrade my MiniMag AA now as well

 

[mcnair55]

Send me a pm and i will give you my mobile number and we can chat as you are in the UK.My advice stay away from DX and all the other jockies as you will be sorry when you get a DOA(dead on arrival).