I have been looking for a new torch.
I want something which runs with LED globes.
I would prefer something which took standard batteries (AAA, AA or D).
Not too fussed about size or weight, just want something reliable and bright, with OK runtime.
Does anyone know the best place to look for cheap(ish) torches? Any suggestions as to what kind I should get?
Thanks in advance.
LED torch
sweefu on 28/01/2011 - 21:11
Comments
I have checked out dealextreme, but there are so many LED torches it becomes a bit overwhelming. Any idea which are the better models?
Any idea which are the better models?
not sure, as i haven't bought any LED torches @ DX
however read the review and look at the star rating[usually 4 or 5 star is good]Thanks mate, will do.
I would prefer something which took standard batteries (AAA, AA or D)
That's a pretty wide scope in size & design right there…maybe narrow it down to whether you want a compact or a bigger workhorse! BigW, Kmart, Coles, Woolies, Supercheap Auto et.al. all have a heap of small, cheap LED torches at the checkouts for $5, often with batteries, if you want the former but don't want to wait!
I guess something smaller would be better, but would like something a bit better quality than the $5 specials at super cheap auto. Thanks for the feedback
Yeah, I suppose it kinda depends what you want it for. I keep several cheapies in the house, glovebox & car boots (redundancy = convenience + reliability IMHO) and my trusty LED 4D maglite in the car with me for emergencies & discouraging road-rage (very effective).
I am still a big fan of Mag Instruments, I still have my first maglite in working order, purchased over 30 years ago…it's been so well used there's almost no black left on it, it's pretty much silver now! A few years later I replaced it with a Mag Charger…also still working…the things are so reliable they just won't die! :)
I agree on mag instruments. I have an old 3D which has been abused for years, only thing I've replaced is globes. And I can imagine it would be effective to deter road-rage!
Some cheap LEDs would be great for the car and bike, might grab a few from dealextreme.
I have had a few in the past from LED lenser, Surefire and Tomcat. Ones on dealextreme are very good, plenty of size and battery options, however usually takes a month to ship. The tomcat torches (the longer one with single LED) at kmart are resonable quality for the price you pay. Just don't get the ones with hundreds of LEDs claiming they are the best (like you would see in supercheap).
Thanks mate. Have you had any experience with the led lenser p7? It's one that seems to come up a bit on ebay.
Try reading the flashlights review from here:
http://www.jayki.com/flashlight_review_board
I think this guy is a flashlight hobbyist that frequents quite a bit on whirlpool.
Thanks for that, he seems to have some good reviews of some of the lights on dealextreme.
This is what you want mate
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/romisen-mxdl-rc-g2-cree-flashli…
I have one and it is absolutely amazing the power of this thing. It will shoot a beam of light for about 150metres and it is STRONG. Its almost like a laser. for $12 this thing is unbeatable and you cannot buy this type of torch off the shelves here. Those crappy LED torches pale in comparison to this.
Trust me you will be impressed..
Nice light, but for general use I'd be looking for something with more spill light. Just having a single bright focused beam with negligible spill makes the g2 less worthy IMHO.
I read a very positive review of the romisen, but it did mention the narrow beam. Has anyone had any experience with the ultrfire c3, seen here:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-cree-c3-flashlight-wi…
It seems to be a good, budget light.The beam is very good. Believe me mate for about $11 shipped this Romisen light WILL NOT be beaten..
I use this for general use and its the best light ive ever owned. spill is good enough for smaller areas.
I carried my NiteCore D10 R2 all the times. It is a wonderful light. Do a search on ebay for this. It takes a AA and run on a piston switch. This is the most used light out of 20+ that are in my collection. Some are much more expensive than the Nitecore but I keep coming back to this torch.
I can't find anywhere which stocks the nitecore D10 R2, but did read a crazy review here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=255627&…
Any idea where I could pick one up?
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&produc…
my friend recommended me those. they are nice grade.
I have a fenix e21 and fenix ld15…. both runs on AA sized batteries… very very useful torches… I will never go back to an incandescent bulb again.
my advice is to head to candlepowerforums to have a read before you commit.. the people there know their stuff
candlepower forum is insane. I think i'm more confused than I was before. the fenix lights both have great reviews though.
Just looking back through some previous posts, and there have been some great specials on maglites (sets with 3D and 2AA for $20). Any idea if these are still available anywhere?
Maglites are not that bright. The Romisen will beat it and its cheaper.
facepalm This is what cracks me up about the current generation of flashlight afficionados…to them flashlights are toys, but to many of us they are a tool to do a job!
It's not always about brightness nubzy, it's often about endurance, longevity & reliability instead. Maglites have proven themselves in adverse conditions for decades now, their track record speaks for itself.
I sure as hell know if I was searching for a lost kid or standing knee deep in a bog trying to dig a 4wd out in the middle of the night I'd want something rock solid, that I know will take being dropped, kicked, wet, run over & generally abused…yet still come back for more…all night!
Yes, your Romisen with the highly collimated beam is very bright, but will it take punishment like that, or will that 1x AA cell last into the wee small hours…I think we both know the answer to that…horses for courses! ;)
i think its' called technology progression ;)
afaik LED has longer runtime hours than any incandescent bulbs you've got, and on a regulated circuit, it will stay bright longer too.
all modern flashlights will have a 'toy' version, and a rugged design version, maglites are the same as well.
some of the lights are designed to be mounted on guns even.
Mag makes LED models too bro, you should really keep up with that "technology progression"! All the regulation in the world won't help when you have a significant current drain on a single mode flashlight & only a single AA cell to back it up, that's just commonsense dude! That's why cells are rated in milliamp hours!!! :)
Please, point me to the 'toy' maglite versions made by Mag Instruments that are flimsy or of reduced quality??? I must confess, I've not heard of any such thing. However, your contextual interpretation of my use of the word 'toy' kinda missed the mark a bit I think! ;)
@stewballs
The LED series must be new, since I've only recently been searching for a replacement 3rd party luxeon led replacement for my maglight mount.
yeah, i used to own a couple of 'toy' maglites… which are mostly AAA or AA sized.. given as gifts from vendors and such. They are maglight brands, but they are nowhere near the durability of a D size torch.
Btw, tactical meaning used out in the field eg. army usage - I don't mean camping. ;)
Torch must be waterproof, dust/sand proof , shock proof. the maglight lite are noware near those quality.
As for arguments for Mag LED > everything else, I do suggest carrying that argument to candlepower forums. I'm pretty sure you can get more informed comments on for/against maglights.
Just an example for my case, I was after a light that I can carry everyday as a convenience factor.
I don't know about LED maglights enough, but the fenix I have regulates brightness on the LED, so it's really got nothing to do with how long the battery last, it's more of a case of "how long can this thing output a constant 117lumens?"
All I can say is, all the LED series (that uses 3xAAA) have lumens output of no more than 114 lumens, which ironically my single AA fenix LD15 can output on a constant 117 lumens for 1.5 hours.
That alone justified my decision of getting the fenix.. before we even got to the weight (21gram excl batteries), waterproofing (IPX-8 standard, whatever the heck it means ;P)Of course, I ended up buying one more high lumen torch as a 'toy' that is well capable of leaving retina "burns". }:D
as they say, horses for courses.
LED lenser got to be the best that I have used.
try other makes mentioned in the forums linked above. there's no 'best' out there… just a good mix of features and performance… even mounting a HID lamp to be a portable torch will draw heaps of power. ;)
Agreed, weigh the pros & cons of each with your intended use, read some reviews & you can't go wrong! ;)
I like the $5 LED ones from Kmart. I have a few around the house and I keep one in the car for Justin (Just In Case)
I have been using one weekly for 12 months now and it's still going strong.
Just wanted to follow up…
Ended buying a Led Lenser p7 from a local seller on ebay. Cost = $37 delivered.
The light arrived last week, and i'm really happy with it. Being able to focus the beam is useful, and it is very bright.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, and feel free to keep them coming.
I seem to be developing a bit of an obsession with torches…haha.. try not to go there, otherwise you would be one of the regulars at candlepowerforums, forever comparing torches, brightness, runtimes, graphs..etc.
i still reccomend you buy a romisen just to keep handy around the house. please do, it is only $10 or so.
glad you found a torch for your needs
just ordered one, couldn't resist for $12. Thanks for the advice.
dealextreme and the likes(http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/list_of_buying_sites)
DX link
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/flashlights-guns-lasers-999
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/cree-lights-901
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/cree-mc-e-flashlights-925
Read the reviews and questions to find some answers