AFAustin
Flashlight Enthusiast
I am putting together my flashlight line-up, mainly for use with nighttime hikes and wildlife spotting, and am wondering how many others have decided to construct their own torch collection without those expensive little CR123s?
My tentative line-up is:
1) Vectorlite 117 lightwt. aluminum spotlight---1 mil. CP, 55w halogen lamp, 6v battery (rechargeable). On sale recently at Best Buy and Home Depot for around $17! I know this is no "Thor", but I just want something considerably more powerful than a flashlight, lightwt., inexpensive, and rechargeable.
2) a couple of Maglite 5Ds, with the upgraded Xenon Star bulb---supposed to increase brightness ~15% or so, and the much-maligned Mag is already far and away my best distance spotter (other than spotlights).
3)Either an Elektrolumens FT-3C (whenever the new model is in stock), or the upcoming Inova T4 rechargeable, for my best-spotting pocketable model.
4) A Gerber LX 3.0 for its wide and bright flood for hiking through the deep woods, high grass, etc.
5) A Gerber Trio for easier hiking, along dirt trails and such, where modest light (with a great, wide perimeter) is what I need.
6) A SL JR Luxeon, which I keep at home for short dog walks, trash taking out, and other misc. chores. A great all-round light.
7) A couple of Infinity Ultras, for car (with long-lasting lithium battery), and for pocket/back-up, etc. A fabulous little light, soon to vanish from the dealer shelves.
8) A couple of original Infinity Task lights, for reading in bed (because the Ultra is so bright it bothers my wife!)
Anyway, that's where I'm heading right now---subject to change at any time as new ideas/temptations present themselves. I'm really inclined to go with a combination of rechargeables and cheap/available AA and C cells, which would also allow for later going with the rechargeable MiMh versions, and just doing away with the CR123s altogether (and if I do, there will be some good deals available on B/S/T!).
I would welcome any thoughts on the subject, especially from those who may have gone through a similar thought process.
Thanks very much to all on this great forum!
My tentative line-up is:
1) Vectorlite 117 lightwt. aluminum spotlight---1 mil. CP, 55w halogen lamp, 6v battery (rechargeable). On sale recently at Best Buy and Home Depot for around $17! I know this is no "Thor", but I just want something considerably more powerful than a flashlight, lightwt., inexpensive, and rechargeable.
2) a couple of Maglite 5Ds, with the upgraded Xenon Star bulb---supposed to increase brightness ~15% or so, and the much-maligned Mag is already far and away my best distance spotter (other than spotlights).
3)Either an Elektrolumens FT-3C (whenever the new model is in stock), or the upcoming Inova T4 rechargeable, for my best-spotting pocketable model.
4) A Gerber LX 3.0 for its wide and bright flood for hiking through the deep woods, high grass, etc.
5) A Gerber Trio for easier hiking, along dirt trails and such, where modest light (with a great, wide perimeter) is what I need.
6) A SL JR Luxeon, which I keep at home for short dog walks, trash taking out, and other misc. chores. A great all-round light.
7) A couple of Infinity Ultras, for car (with long-lasting lithium battery), and for pocket/back-up, etc. A fabulous little light, soon to vanish from the dealer shelves.
8) A couple of original Infinity Task lights, for reading in bed (because the Ultra is so bright it bothers my wife!)
Anyway, that's where I'm heading right now---subject to change at any time as new ideas/temptations present themselves. I'm really inclined to go with a combination of rechargeables and cheap/available AA and C cells, which would also allow for later going with the rechargeable MiMh versions, and just doing away with the CR123s altogether (and if I do, there will be some good deals available on B/S/T!).
I would welcome any thoughts on the subject, especially from those who may have gone through a similar thought process.
Thanks very much to all on this great forum!