Re: Why shouldn\'t I get a Trident???
Silverfox,
Trident is a good light and I've never got any reliability issue on 3 of them I have. 2 of them is under SL brand while the other one is from the original manufacturer brand. I posted its result way before SL has the Trident. I like the light very much, if not, I will not get 3 of them
The problem for the light is its runtime. My experience is quite far from yours - 100+hrs? I only got around 20 hrs of bright light on mine. Of course, the light will still be on after that but it might not bright enough for my needs - reading in the tent. Switchback only claims 200+hrs on its 4C battery. Different manufacturers rate runtime on LED differently. Some manufacturers count glowing as lighting. Contrary, I don't like Switchback too much due to its weight on its 4C configuration and I no longer use my Switchback. However, the reason I recommend the light is based on the "user requirement" and target price range but not the one I personally like or dislike. In fact, none of tha lights in Wits' End choice is my personal choice for outdoor activities. One of Wits' End requirement is "has bright light on the same unit". I could hardly consider the incandescent lamp of Trident to be bright. The worst part of Trident is its switching approach. You need to go through all cycle before you get to the mode you like or before you turn off the light. Cycling through unwanted incandescent lamp will do nothing but draining the already "precious" battery juice. On the other hand, Switchback allows you to go direct to your previous mode when you turn on the light w/o cycling through unnecessary modes.
Besides, both of Switchback and Spaceshot II from BD allows spare bulb (Spaceshot has 2 spare bulbs) stored in the light itself. Spaceshot II has a very smooth incandescent beam and its 6AA config is lighter than Switchback's 4C.
If external battery is not convenient for your activities, spaceshot II will not fit you either as it uses external pack as well. In that case, you need to consider Supernova from BD or Yukon from PT when it becomes available. However, I don't have personal experience with Supernova or Yukon.
Hmm... based on further info provided by Wits' end, I think battery won't be an issue
Alan