Looking for advice -- LED Flashlight

I want to get an LED flashlight...but a friend of mine is getting one too. Because this friend of mine is a jerk, I want my flashlight to be better/brighter than his...or at least as good. Is it as simple as picking the one with the most LEDs?

Here's the list I was looking at...is there one that stands out? Is there something better that I don't have on my list?

Lightwave 4000 (10)
Trek 14
NightBuster 18X
Trek 19

Thanks

Well, sorry I can't help you out there. None of the LED flashlights I currently own have more than three LEDs. However, there are many here in this forum who can give you much information and good advice. My two cents on this would be a Luxeon Star (LS). This is an LED module made by Lumileds. These things are unbelieveably bright, about as bright as 15 LEDs, but it's more focused. Unfortunately, the only commercially manufactured flashlight I know of that uses one of these is the Arc-LS, but it's hard to come by right now. However, many in this forum have modified regular flashlights to drive an LS instead. I don't know what your knowledge of electronics is, but if you have some experience with electronics, this would be a good way to go. For more details on this, I'll let the experts pipe in here and add their vast wisdom and experience.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PikachuSalad:
I want to get an LED flashlight...but a friend of mine is getting one too. Because this friend of mine is a jerk, I want my flashlight to be better/brighter than his...or at least as good<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Get yourself a direct-drive 3-C "Elektro-Blaster" (a Mag-Lite modified to run a Luxeon Star LED with no resistor), and get your friend an early run TurboSpyder. Bright enough to not leave him stranded in total darkness (after all, he's your friend, not an enemy), but it's a real POS.

Near the bottom of my website's menu is a section labelled "The Toylet Bowl" and has a small picture of a toilet. Pick any flashlight from that listing and give it to him. You won't be disappointed.

1. Get a new friend
2. Get an LS-based light
3. Smile

OK...looks like I'm getting an LS light!

I wouldn't have even known to look for one! Thanks!!!

[Homer voice] Mmmmmmmmm... Pikachu Salad.... [/Homer voice]

Get an E2 and tell your friend it's a new "Xenon LED"

ARC LS seconds are avaliable from www.arcflashlight.com for $70.00.

The BEST source of information about led lights is the LED Museum at http://ledmuseum.home.att.net
[sorry about that wrong url!]

In my opinion, the ARC LS is the brightest single LED, factory made, flashlight going. There are some LS flashlight available that are reportedly brighter than an ARC LS, but they are custom made/modified flashlights.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Roy:

The BEST source of information about led lights is the LED Museum at www.ledmuseum.home.att.net<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but nobody will get to the website with that "www" in front of it. They'll just get 404'd to oblivion.

The correct URL is http://ledmuseum.home.att.net
In most browsers, you can also simply type ledmuseum.home.att.net with nothing in front of it and it will work.

you should fix that so www. works as well

I suggest buying any torch fitted with a 5W Luxeon (when they are available)!! The brightest of these is the Cyan version. Talk to Elektrolumens who is a torchaholic who specialises in modifying torches to Luxeon. You can either supply the torch, which must be a metal bodied torch for technical reasons, or he can supply you with a complete ready-to-go torch.
I actually have a huge pistol-grip halogen light which I intend to Luxeonise some time in the future!
Be careful where you point your torch however... the natural thing to do with a torch is to point it at your face and switch it on...a fully powered Luxeon at close quarters can do serious damage to your eyesight...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The LED Museum:
The correct URL is http://ledmuseum.home.att.net

In most browsers, you can also simply type ledmuseum.home.att.net with nothing in front of it and it will work.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I find it easiest to just click the banner on your posts, then click "favorites". (but then I'm lazey) TX

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zerox:
you should fix that so www. works as well<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Any idea how I would go about doing that?
No AT&T Worldnet address works with WWW.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The LED Museum:
[qb]Any idea how I would go about doing that?
No AT&T Worldnet address works with WWW<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would have to get them to make another entry in their DNS. Who knows if they'd do it or how much they'd charge you.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The LED Museum:
Any idea how I would go about doing that?
No AT&T Worldnet address works with WWW<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would have to get them to make another entry in their DNS. Who knows if they'd do it or how much they'd charge you.