A newbie question.

ok I am a newbie. Thought that I would go here for help. Every time that I go to a store I look at the flashlights. I find one, the packaging says it is just what I want. Get it home. No I don't think so.
Help---- I would like suggestions for a handheld flashlight. Led perferably. Really bright, far reaching as possible to see the critters in the woods before they see me. IS blue better? Is more bulbs better?

Welcome, Sandi1 -

Your retail selection of LED lights with good throw is limited to... uh... about zero. Stick a 5W LED in a Surefire Turbo head, and you can have some amazing throw... but that isn't a newbie mod by any stretch. Realistically, for picking out critters in the woods, you'll need to stick with an incandescent for now. For all other up-close work, there are several plenty-bright LED lights to be had. There are a handful of talented members here who are making some Luxeon Star mods for sale that are fantastic. Surefire now has their KL1 that will fit their Ex series lights, Arc has the LS. These Luxeon-based LED flashlights are the brightest LED lights on the market today.

If you're looking for an excellent light to keep on your person at all times, treat yourself to an Arc AAA. You won't be using it to pick out bears at 100' but you'll find yourself using it for thousands of other tasks. If you're like me, you'll wonder how you ever did without it. It is, the perfect LED "starter" light IMO.

Ok Now where can I find these flashlights? the Arc AAA and Surefire ex series?

www.arcflashlight.com
www.surefire.com

The best thing is to have a PR (flange) based light, and put an appropriate PR based LED bulb in it. This way you still retain the option of PR/Krypton/Halogen/Xenon and get LED.

I did this with my 2D Mag-Lite and it focuses perfectly. You also get the throw that comes from using a reflector. It does not have to be a focusable light. I can be a fixed focus, like a Princeton Tec. Be aware that not all lights are equal where reflectors are concerned.

Go through the postings on CPF to decide for yourself.

By the way, which one did you get???

For a far reaching, long burning, cheap to run BRIGHT light I would suggest the UnderWater Kinetics SL6. It uses 6 C cells in a 3 x 2 configuration and is very bright with a tight beam. It is available from BrightGuy for $35.99.

UKE SL6 - http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.tpl?&sku=UND18014

The Arc AAA and several Surefire lights are available there too. You may also want to consider a mod flashlight from one of many modders here: ElektroLumens, Lambda, Mr. Bulk... etc. They sell several modified products, particularly the LGI and Starlux LED flashlights for around $50.

Ok if I go for a mod flashlight how do I find these people and etc...........

I haven't gotten one yet.

Keep squeaking, and somebody will find YOU!

Read around the Modified Light board and see if anything tickles your fancy. Might even be able to pick up enough tips to build your own!

dat2zip
Electrolumens
Llambda
Mr. Bulk

Plenty of others, but these members, off the top of my head, are known to make some good stuff! Some turn-key, some piece-meal.

Appologies to all those that I DIDN'T list. Chime in here, and I'll add you!

Welcome to CPF Sandi1.

You'll find the Modders in the "Homemade and Modified" forum here at CandlePowerForums. I visit the LED forum often because people that buy LED mod lights often post reviews there.

I use Brock's page allot:
http://www.uwgb.edu/nevermab/led.htm

Here is Lamda's:

http://home.mchsi.com/~lambda/lambda3.htm

Here is Mr. Bulk's

http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/lgihome.htm

Here is dat2zip's

http://home.attbi.com/~theledguy/cpf_store/cpf_store.htm

Here is ElektroLumens'

http://www.elektrolumens.com/

He is on a production run right now and has lights available.

True to form, darell has made some helpful and intelligent statements. He's probably one of the smartest human beings in the world. I would agree that becoming familiar with the Homemade and Modified section is a great idea. I personally don't want to get into the Surefire E2x/Klx chase and I'm not sure that they would foot the bill for you anyway. Many people here are pleased with them, however.

Now, those Electrolumens lights are really getting my attention. I just bought a few Mods so I'm trying to be careful with the budget, otherwise; I would jump all over it. If I don't, in a few weeks I'll wish I would have, as will many others. It happens every time. I don't think any manufacturer can touch what the modifiers build…no matter what world they are from.

Your comment about blue LEDs got my attention. Since blue LEDs fluoresce objects I would like a long-throw 1wRB (royal blue) or 5wRB. My theory is that most humans wear something florescent and in the woods those are the critters I'm most leery of. Also, I've noticed that with my little 3C 7 blue LED Tektite freezes critters with it's alien light. Their eyes glow back at me like blue LEDs. I'm hoping to eventually get a modder to build a long-throw blue light.

IMHO, Ratso is giving you an outstanding solution for an incan in the woods. IMVHO you might consider giving a good long look at Electrolumens. He, like most of the modders here at CPF is a stellar individual.

Anyway, glad you are here. Have some fun.