Your Recommendation

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Teotwauki

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
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G'day,

Firstly, nice to meet you all, it's good to see there's a dedicated light forum around, I've never bothered to look before, but may hang around.

I've done a brief search, but I'm posting this thread because I know I could take hours finding the information searching, and would most likely end up posting a thread anyway ... not to mention when it comes to electronics like this, things get outdated, can depend on location and it's hard to get the information you want out of 10 different threads all asking different questions. Any way... I'll try to be brief and to the point.

I'm in security, have had 4D LED Maglights for a few years (And lugged them around walking 20k+per shift). I'm also getting back into hiking, and really need a good light for that as well, and the Mag is to bloody heavy...

What I would really like in a light:

Small, roughly 4cm x 15cm or smaller.
Lightweight.
Waterproof.
Variable light output (example 2-200 lumans, that great of a spread or power isn't required though).

What I wouldn't mind ...:
Not sure about a variable beam spread, one top end light I looked at didn't seem to have one, are these being ditched in favor of having adjustable power now?
Flashing option (Emergency signaling at night), again, not needed.
You probably have a name for this, but some type of "shroud" to turn the torch into a small lantern for the campsite.
Push button switch.
If it's a specific battery type, the ability to recharge vie 240 or 12v power is nice, also having a replaceable battery.
Reliability.
Under $100 AUD (Preferably less)
Available in Australia.


Hrm, apologies for the long post. I generally don't like to turn to the forums straight away for help. And especially asking a detailed question on something that probably could have been researched eventually. Truth is, I really am behind on light technology, it's important, and I have had no time recently. Just recommendations on a few would be great, I can do the individual research myself if you don't want to spend ages giving me a run down that can be found elsewhere.

Regards
-Jim
 
:welcome:

IMO, most lights don't have variable beams because when de-focused (flood), artifacts come into the beam.

A 2AA light should fit your needs well. Check out the Fenix LD20+, Quark AA^2, Olight T25, Lumapower Vantage, or Nitecore D20. You can buy a diffuser for the Fenix.
 
Confirming what Gunner12 said - relatively few lights have "variable beam spread", usually referred to as flood-to-throw lights. LED Lenser has models that do this, but you will have a much wider choice and better chance of best meeting your other specs if you leave out that desirable item.

As he mentioned, the name for the "shroud" is "diffuser" - but you want the wand type not just a lens covering. It's nice if one's included with or available for your light, but if not they can be home made, see for example: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=261301

If his or Carrot's recommendations aren't what you are looking for, do you have a preferred battery size/format? Or preferred number of cells? That would help narrow the choices.

Also, since the light is much smaller than the Mag, how do you envision carrying it? Coat pocket? Pants pocket? Belt holster? Neck lanyard?

When you say available in Australia, I take it you mean you'd prefer to buy it from a local brick and mortar store, but ordering online is OK?
 
Hi Teotwauki , first off, welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful answers here.

As for your requirements, I'm pretty new here too so I won't be recommending any specific lights but I'll tell you how I researched my own lights.

I guess for a start you gotta figure out what type/size of batteries you are comfortable (ie AA, AAA, C, D, CR123, 16340, 18650 etc. Li-ion or Nimh etc). This correlates directly to the size of the light you wanna carry and also the runtime. Next comes the choice of flood or throw or zoomable, brightness (no. of lumens), various modes and types of switch (click or twist).

If you do a search with these parameters I'm sure it'll throw up a couple of brands/models of lights that are popular with forummers. Make sure you read the more current threads as some of the discussions can be a few years old! It's then a matter of researching each model till you find what's within your budget and fits your needs.:party:
You should also research the various dealers mentioned if you are thinking of ordering online - some take forever to ship items while others are pretty efficient.

I guess that's about all I can offer. Good luck in your search!
 
I definitely concur with those above who recommend that you begin by deciding which batteries you wish to use, and how many. Once you tell us that, and approximately how much output (in lumens) and how much runtime will be required to meet your needs, we can then give you some specific answers.

Remember, GIGO applies to flashlights as well as computers.
 
Thank you very much for the replies guys.

There were a couple of things I left out of the OP, I've been doing long back to back shifts and didn't have a lot of time.

Batteries, I don't know a great deal about much other than your standard sizes, availability, advantages etc ... so I just outlined a general size parameter. I don't mind specific batteries as long as I can recharge them with ease.

Generally it will be carried on a belt, pack strap or tethered in some way to my hat while setting up camp/cooking/reading etc.

On runtime and lumens, it's hard to specify without knowing what technology can provide now days, and at what price. Max brightness doesn't worry me a great deal, but more is better of course, and I will use it. The more important factor is having variable power.

(Just watching a Quark AA^2 review now), that advertises 30 days of continuous use at .2 lumens, and that seems bloody great to me. Ideally 3 settings, "moonlight" "general(enough to see a path in front of you well, but while conserving night vision and battery life)", and a "max" setting.

I should have made myself a bit clearer, a variable spread on the beam isn't necessary, but if it isn't available then the ability to attach a diffuser would be nice. Actually, I really would prefer one without a variable spread, my mag light is taped into place.

I'll have to research "zoom able" torches, and a couple of other things. Thanks a lot for the replies, on to the research now I have some good information to go off.

Also, I have seen a bit on the assumption that less lumens directly translates to run time, example...

At 10 lumens run time is 1 hour.
At 1 lumen run time is 10 hours.

Doesn't seem correct to me, can anyone clarify ?

-Jim
 
Flood to throw is a great idea in theory, but right now there simply aren't any really bright ones. I would scratch that for now.


I think your size requirements may be a bit off. 4cm is really really small! Is there a reason for this?

I mean, you are using this for camping, not an every day carry, right? I understand not wanting to lug around a 4D maglite, but any ole light that can fit in your pocket would be a decent choice, right?


You might want to consider a keychain light if you have a regular use for a light. I bought an itp A1 which is around 25 bucks. You can use a CR123 or a rechargable (which is a bit brighter, but adds 15 dollars to the cost due to needing a charger). Depending on how much you'd use the light will determine your battery choice.

Mine is 2.3 inches long, 0.8 inch diameter and I've found it to be really useful and not all that heavy. It has a 3 lumen, 30 lumen, and 200 lumen mode with a fairly floody beam. It still lets you see down the block a bit but is not a 'thrower'.



If you do not want a keychain light, then I would shop around for a 200+ lumen light that uses 2 CR123s or 2AAs or a single 18650. These are reasonably good form factors and will give you decent runtime and brightness with multiple modes.

To see what is available, I'd go to www.goinggear.com under flashlights. Start with itp which has good quality budget lights and see what all they have. Specifically look at the SC2, which uses 2CR123s and has infiinite brightness adjustment with a smooth reflector (decent throw). For 40 bucks it is a nice deal, and is 12 cm long. I think this is a good size, as it fits in your hand nicely. A 4cm light is little, but just not as easy to hold. Plus runtime will be poor so you have to carry extra batteries anyways.
 
This RRT-0 is one amazing little light. It takes double-A's, will easily fit into a pocket or a head band for reading purposes, has variable output, a bright shadow filling, campsite beam, with long run-times on either CR123A or AA's, while using the multiple, easily accessible, lower settings.

http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/rrt0.html

This is the type of light you want to give to everybody you know and love. Did I mention how much I love this light?

Don't forget to add the CPF discount code after putting this puppy in your shopping cart: CPFJET.

FWIW, an "AA extender" came with my copy.

:grin2:
 
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Ha ha, yes, 4cm width. I figure thats large enough to fit a AA, and I assume most other batteries designed for small torches.

TBH, I -think- I will go with the Quark AA² Tactical, R5 Edition, that seems a great light, the only downsides I can see is the lack of the "candle stand" ability, head/hat band attachment and diffuser.

I can get around all of these if need be though...
 
If a two AA torch works for you, I would get a Quark 2AA. You can get it in tactical or regular UI; check out the 4sevens web site to see which UI would work best for you, or better yet, read some reviews. The Fenix LD20 is very similar to the Quark 2AA regular.
I recommend Eneloop AA batteries. Should be easy to get a car charger. The Fenix wand diffuser should work on the Quarks. I have one at home; I'll try it on my Quark 2AA tactical and let you know.

An option with more power for only a slightly bigger form factor would be a torch that takes an 18650 battery. My personal favourite is the Nitecore SR3 with the 18650 extender, but the 18650 extender might be unobtanium at this point. You might want to check out the Fenix Tk21 or . Both of these have rotating switch rings to control the levels. It's my favourite UI by far, although the Quark tactical UI works ok for me too. Another good option is the Tk12 plus and 18650 body. These are all are a bit pricey though, especially when you have to add 18650 batteries and a charger.
Maybe someone else can suggest a lower cost 18650 torch that would work well for you.

Cheers,
Neil
 
Teotwauki said:
...TBH, I -think- I will go with the Quark AA² Tactical, R5 Edition, that seems a great light, the only downsides I can see is the lack of the "candle stand" ability, head/hat band attachment and diffuser. ...
Click to expand...

Then you might as well pick up a Prism kit from 4Sevens while you are ordering the light, it will give you headband, angle light, and diffuser.
 
I tried my Fenix wand diffuser on my Quark 2AA and it does not quite fit, but I am sure it would be easy to make it fit with a bit of sand paper. The diffuser has small ridges on the inside where it makes contact to the head of the torch. All you would need to do would be to sand those ridges down a bit.
However, if I were you I would just get the Prism kit and see if that fulfills your diffuser needs. It comes with a head band too which is a must for camping imho.

Cheers,
Neil
 
yatsunil said:
Ummm....he said 4cm x 15cm. Think he means 4cm diameter by 15cm length.
Click to expand...

Whoops, my bad! I accidently read it as 4cm by 15 millimeters. :)

A piece of my advice was still good though: The infinite brightness adjustment of the itp SC x2 or SA x2 (depending on whether you want CR123 or AA size) is pretty cool, and for 40 bucks you get a solid light with decent construction. You can pay a lot more and get a bit better construction, but I honestly believe there are diminishing returns past the itp point.
 
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Okay, now we seem to be gaining on it a bit. Having settled on a 1XAA or a 2XAA variable-output torch, I would STRONGLY recommend that you take a look at Selfbuilt's 1AA and 2AA "roundup" reviews here: http://www.sliderule.ca/cpf.htm

You should then have all the info you need to make a well-informed decision.

Good hunting!
 
i was going to suggest the jetbeam jet I Pro EX v2 but unfortunately its out of stock.

I like jetbeams for their versatility in programming the output modes to the levels that you need. They're also waterproof and very durable. Strobe modes are programmable too and they're hidden so you need never see strobe unless you want to.

If we move off from AAs, i think the Jetbeam Jet III Pro ST or Jet III military might suit you, they run off 18650s and provide very decent light for their size.
 
The Quark 2xAA will do you great.

BTW, with the money you save (compared to the $100 AUD budget), dude, get some roller skates for work :)
 
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