Help me find a LED torch to buy please.

Hi.

Looking to purchase a fine LED torch. It must be of very high quality, have and even beam throw and on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd like the light output to be around the 7-9 mark. With 10 being a big mother torch.

1. Must use common batteries like AA, C or D.
2. Want it soon so if the seller is in the USA they must be able to ship it ASAP via air mail so I can pass it on as a present berfore too long.
or
As I'm in Australia is there anyone who sell these in Oz so that I can get on much quicker.

Size of the torch to be about 5-7" inches long not as big as a MAGLight 3D but bigger than say a MAGLight with the two AA batteries.


So if anyone could help me it would be great.

Cheers,
Peter

Australia

Well working within those confines (you didn't mention budget) I found THIS Fenix TK40 which uses AAs, purportedly chucks a beam to 300m, has a huge output of 600Lm+ (approximately 8+ times the output of a 3D Mag incandescent), sports multiple output levels, is digitally regulated so as to not dim over battery service duration & is 4" shorter than a Mag 3D... $195.00 AUD (shipped) guaranteed to put a smile on your dial when fired up!

Here's a CPF review (including torch comparisons) of the Fenix TK40 HERE :thumbsup:


If that's a bit rich for the blood, try Jaycar's they've got a selection of LED torches better than most BM stores, also check out your local camping/gun shops I've seen these establishments offering anything from Surefire & Maglite to LED Lenser (Coast) lights


BTW :welcome:

I think I will get 2 of these.

What about batteries? I think the Eneloop rechargeables are the go.
Is this basic charger okay that comes with the batteries?
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/S4415

Is there a cheaper place than **** Smiths to buy them from?

Peter

That charger is slow. Very slow. 8 eneloops will take you over 24 hours.

If you dont mind paying for shipping, you can get a 8 cell maha charger from Thomas distributing and it will arrive in 3 days.

I'm in Australia so shipping would be much longer.

So that charger will take 24hrs, and the other about an hour as I read it.

Do I really need all that fancy othe stuff just to chage batteries?

If you want AA / C or D you will need to cough up $$

C or D Maglite / possibly with Terralux unit ..

Check out fleabay for Terralux and Maglite .

Fenix TK40 ...

If you give up on the AA C D battery dream , you can have 1 x CR123A flashlight , or 1 x 18650 that will put a stock maglite to shame . :candle:

Its up to you , there are some 3 x AAA torches that are OK , and not overly expensive that function well , and have good power .
You can possibly use them with 1 x 18650 or 1 x 18500 if you buy a charger , and you will still have change from $50
I made a CR123A adapter for use in such lights .

Also you may want to try the smaller AA / 14500 lights , but they wont be powerhouses ..

The other option is a custom job , but your talking $$

What ever you chose , do some research .

apples said:

I'm in Australia so shipping would be much longer.

So that charger will take 24hrs, and the other about an hour as I read it.

Do I really need all that fancy othe stuff just to chage batteries?

Click to expand...

Have you checked out Fusiongear.com.au? I find them helpful.

Have ordered 2 of the Fenix TK40's. One for me on for the old man as a b'day present.

Should poop on the dolphin torch of his.

apples said:

I'm in Australia so shipping would be much longer.

So that charger will take 24hrs, and the other about an hour as I read it.

Do I really need all that fancy othe stuff just to chage batteries?

Click to expand...

Yes you do need, smart(and fast) charger extends your batteries cycle life.
Theres no point buying a formula 1 car if you plan to use cheap dino oil in it.

An hour is pretty quick.

Anyone know where I can get eneloop batteries and a good charger for them in Australia?

Peter

apples said:

I think I will get 2 of these.

Click to expand...

Good move... even better it seems that the online retailer linked has knocked another $25.00 off their TK40 stock, $195.00 including delivery sweetens the appeal does it not?

Why mess with 2 chargers when you can do it all with one? batterydoctor.com.au stocks an 8 cell independent channel unit for $79.00 (suitable for use with Eneloops) :thumbsup:

apples said:

I'm in Australia so shipping would be much longer.

Do I really need all that fancy othe stuff just to chage batteries?

Click to expand...

It took 3 days for me. I paid for it though. $45 but I didnt mind.

Do you need all that stuff? Well, in my opinion yes. The maha c9000 is brilliant and my only regret is that I didnt get two. I've got many chargers and the c9000 is still the one I use. I have 16 LSD 2000mAh NiMH batteries in rotation with my TK40. Got them from Aldi of all places.

Mr Floppy,

Where is Thomas distrubuting located?

One torch is a present for dad, should be handy for him with all his camping trips he does.

apples said:

Where is Thomas distributing located?

Click to expand...

Thomas distributing their time zone is CST (USA/Canada) :thumbsup:

apples said:

One torch is a present for dad, should be handy for him with all his camping trips he does.

Click to expand...

He'll love it... he may scare the heck out of fellow campers though!



Sorry some of us have way too much time on our hands

Eneloops are sold at **** Smith Electronics!


It seems I skimmed over your post...

DimeRazorback said:

Eneloops are sold at **** Smith Electronics!


It seems I skimmed over your post...

Click to expand...

Yeah, the OP was asking if anywhere locally had them available for less than **** Smith's

apples said:

Should **** on the dolphin torch of his.

Click to expand...

Oh it will, it will, my Fenix TK11 (240lm) outdoes a dolphin no problems (at least the older ones, not sure about the new ones that are supposedly 30% brighter or whatever).

My TK40 blows my TK11 away...

Your dad is one lucky man!! the TK40 is perfect for camping (so long as you *remember* it has lower modes that will make the batteries last longer.. )

I STILL haven't been camping since acquiring mine, but i have no reason to believe it would do anything other than excell.

M@elstrom said:

Sorry some of us have way too much time on our hands

Click to expand...

LOL I laughed when I saw that pic!!