Looking for my first "Monster" LED flashlight...

Hi all CPF'ers

As stated in the OP, now it's time to me for grabbing a "beast" flashlight.
I've been collecting mostly small ones (I like the AAA/AA form size) and
also gathered a few P7/MC-E and even a SST-50, the Lumapower VX-mini ultra
wich is very bright, but I feel my flashaholic "neccessity" of getting a real
monster flashlight.

I've been looking around the Xtar D30, Arcmania X6, Olight SR90 and
LedLenser X21... Hard to decide as they all have impressive beams.

From your own experience... Any suggestion/advice will be much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance

PS. My budget is no more than $400

I'd say wait for the new Surefire M3LT...they're not too far from being released. 350 Surefire LED lumens will beat out most other 500 lumen LED lights.

Are you considering only HUGE lights, or smaller ones as well? The Fenix TK-40, I just picked up and it is a BRIGHT one. Real hefty size too. I'd call it a monster and "mother of all" flashlights that I've used/tested in the AA/AAA range hands down.

Punisher said:

Are you considering only HUGE lights, or smaller ones as well? The Fenix TK-40, I just picked up and it is a BRIGHT one. Real hefty size too. I'd call it a monster and "mother of all" flashlights that I've used/tested in the AA/AAA range hands down.

Click to expand...

I agree: TK40 is bright as hell.
That's an option I've been considering and still in mind. Thank you for point it out.

If you're considering the Fenix TK40, you might want to wait a little while longer before making any purchase because the TK45 is coming out soon. It's supposed to be brighter than the TK40.

Compasillo ,

Do you want a Monster light ........

Like the one in this thread .... "TK Monster Explosion" ... ?

It really DID turn into a MONSTER


Be aware of their possible hazards .

(you didn't post there , so maybe you didn't see it ?)
.

compasillo said:

I agree: TK40 is bright as hell.
That's an option I've been considering and still in mind. Thank you for point it out.

Click to expand...

I just ordered my TK-40 last night. It might be here by Friday or Saturday hopefully. :twothumbs

maybe watch for one of these to come up on CPF B/S/T, or place a WTB?

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/177516

I recently grabbed one for about 2/3 of orig cost!

TooManyGizmos said:

Compasillo ,

Do you want a Monster light ........

Like the one in this thread .... "TK Monster Explosion" ... ?

It really DID turn into a MONSTER


Be aware of their possible hazards .

(you didn't post there , so maybe you didn't see it ?)
.

Click to expand...

Thank you TMG, as usual your advise on common sense and prudence is
very much appreciated.
I always keep in mind that possibility but the case you're pointing out
is a very rare one (I hope so) and probably a high dose of bad luck, poor
quality cell and other factors were involved.

I don't think the NiMH chemistry tends to produce explosions like that so that's a
point I'll keep in high value when decided.

One more thing: I'm looking for a "monster" but something like the TK "really BIG" MONSTER
is NOT in my mind.

With a budget of up to $400 you seriously want to consider a HID... even the Fenix TK45 will look like a poor cousin next to a decent $200 HID.

Have you considered a DEFT? They run on 4 AA's for about an hour & a half and throw as well as 24w HIDs with lux values in the 157,000 range.

While we're on the subject of HID flashlights and the DEFT, why not even save more money and outperform them all with a 12 V HID spotlight? If you can live with their larger size, nothing comes close to the performance/price ratio of an HID spotlight.

Didn't I just say that? lol

You may wanna consider the MKN with SST-90 with over 700 lumens. Best of all it's an EDC lights.

angelofwar said:

I'd say wait for the new Surefire M3LT...they're not too far from being released.

Click to expand...

Really?

Isnt the Ollight SR90 the KING of massive LED's at the moment ?

I see there is an elctro lumens "Kong" which looks to have more power than the big Olight ?

The Kong will definitelly has more lumens, but less throw.

Thank you buddies for your suggestions.
I'm not in the HID mood as I do prefer LEDs so that's not my cup of tea by now.

I've been watching the Led lenser X21 beam capacity and it's really impressive
how bright it can be as spot and flood modes. I think it's the best optic I have ever
seen.
Powered by alkies (& NiMH?) makes it safer to handle but the lack of regulation means
the output will probably drop from the first minute so the WOW effect won't last too long.
Also the flashlight is damn HUGE...

I also like the Xtar D30 Howitzer. Has a broad and bright beam and a "reasonable" size.

Still looking around :thinking:

Stay away from the alkaline battery technology. It was fine for walkmans and portable CD players, but it is just not up for the job of powering high-output lights. Lithium is not substantially dangerous, or it wouldn't be so widely deployed. Every now and then there's a slightly scary story about it, but that's the price you pay for reliably high output.

PayBack said:

Didn't I just say that? lol

Click to expand...

Sorry, I thought that you were talking specifically about HID flashlights, not HID spotlights. My bad!