LED flashlights

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:25 pm

Looking at a new flashlight...after Gerber knives I can't have enough flashlights and I'm totally sold on LEDs.

I've been really happy with LED Maglite conversions kits. My AA minimags have both the bulb and switch conversions and I got a bulb conversion for my 3 C cell Maglite as well. It rocks.

Looking at these http://www.niteize.com/pages/inova-flashlights

I've owned one of the single AA X-series for a couple of years and have been very happy with it. One frickin AA battery and it's brighter than most flashlights I used as a kid. The battery lasts almost forever, and I like using rechargeables whenever possible so it's perfect. I keep it in my winter jacket pocket.

Looking at their higher end models they're lithium, with a few rechargeable lithium ion flashlights. Anyone have experience with either lithium flashlights or rechargeable lithium?

I know they're going to be brighter than AA, obviously. I really like using standard rechargeable batteries though, much cheaper (and I'm damned cheap), I already have a lot of them, and I assume they're less toxic to produce and dispose of.

Sticking with this brand (can get it wholesale) but interested in any feedback regardless of brand.

Thanks

joecool169 · Post by **joecool169** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:53 pm

I got one of these at the shop.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=135

Just throw your other lights away. This is the ONLY one you will need.

cho · Post by **cho** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:16 pm

Pretty much the market leader in LED and anything flashlights would have to be Surefire.

http://www.surefire.com/

Probably more than you were looking to spend but definitely worth it. That being said the G2L is a great light for under a hundred dollars. 120 lumens with a burn time of 10-12 hours total.

http://www.surefire.com/G2-Led

I was a huge fan of Inova before I found out about Surefire. Inova do make good lights but SF just blow them away.

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:41 pm

*cho* wrote:
I was a huge fan of Inova before I found out about Surefire. Inova do make good lights but SF just blow them away.

I've drooled over the Surefire lights for a long time but can't get them at wholesale.

It's not like I need a new flashlight for vigilante justice or tracking deer across the plains.

I need/want yet another good one to:

keep in the truck for emergencies
walk fence line to find and fix fence breaks
look for said escapee dogs
maintain/fix ozone water system after work during the winter
use at the store and at home during winter power outages (very common)
guard carport from tweakers
and the garden from deer and raccoons
and the back field from bear
walk the dogs on a 1 1/2 lane road driven by tweakers at high velocities
walk the logging roads at DePlano's
work on electrical/networking/drainage under the house
clean dog wounds after break-outs or fights (or the latest...spider bite from hell)

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:16 pm

and I forgot the oh-too-rare nocturnal rider-mowing (it's the cracker in me)

Bastid · Post by **Bastid** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:58 pm

Ive had this one for a few years... its not led but it is as bright as the bat signal.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=12#

ThaDude · Post by **ThaDude** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:50 pm

I like this one from Coleman. It's very bright, small and runs off 3 AAA batteries. I found mine at Lowe's for $24.99, but probably available elsewhere.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemanc ... 185&brand=

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:47 am

Bastid wrote:Ive had this one for a few years... its not led but it is as bright as the bat signal.

http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=12#

Sweet jesus, 295 lumens!

Looks clunky but that's pretty damn bright

The highest-end one made where I'm getting mine is a 3-cell lithium 123 battery setup and it's 200 lumens.

What are sub-C batteries, from the description of your Streamlight?

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:56 am

ThaDude wrote:I like this one from Coleman. It's very bright, small and runs off 3 AAA batteries. I found mine at Lowe's for $24.99, but probably available elsewhere.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemanc ... 185&brand=

That looks like a good one, I just never have any use for the red or green or blue LEDs or lenses.

Then again, I dropped by a friend's after work for a beer, and he mentioned using the green or blue lens on his flashlight when he gets up at 4 AM to avoid waking his wife or son...so I guess they're useful for some people

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:06 am

If you like flashlights: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conte ... ights.html

ThaDude · Post by **ThaDude** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:13 am

Regarding the flashlight Bastid posted with the "Sub-C" batteries...I generally tend to avoid buying flashlights that use what I'll call non-standard batteries. I can find AAA batteries at any store that sells batteries, but will have a hard time finding batteries like Sub-C or CR123A which are quite common in bright LED flashlights. I can buy 16 AAA batteries for the same price as 2 CR123A batteries at Wal-Mart. I use mine, among other times, when I'm camping/hunting, and the little quick-stop style gas stations out in the country only carry the common batteries.
Something to think about.

Also, regarding the colored LED's...I use red in my pre-dawn approach to my hunting location in an attempt to draw less attention to myself. I like the fact that this light has 3 LED's that you select as opposed to adding/removing lenses. Blue is supposed to help find blood trails at night, but I believe that to be hokum as I and my relatives have had far better luck with white light over the years.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:19 am

I've got one of the Coleman LED's but its only white and I got it from Walmart. Very bright and powerful for just those 3 AAA's. I've dropped it so many times but its very well built and water proof!

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:23 am

They are pretty cool....I just have some blue aluminum one from Lowes....AA model.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:44 pm

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:17 pm

Dan wrote:hey humby,you got me looking at flashlights again,I need a new one,and I found this one today I might buy,I went to a police supply store and saw it in person,it has a slider beam adjuster that I like,and it's 195 lumens,and it takes "D" cells,which I like.

http://www.ledlenserusa.com/product_inf ... elNum=8417

it's $99

which one are you getting ?

That looks like a good one too Dan, haven't heard of that brand before but it has some nice features.

I'm sticking with the Inova line since I can get it at wholesale but the T-series (high end) are out of stock until they finish a redesign later this year.

Grabbing one of these http://www.niteize.com/collections/inov ... va-bolt-aa in the meantime. Can't beat the size, I have tons of AA rechargeable nimh, and if I need more candles I always have my D cell Maglite.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:33 pm

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:44 pm

Dan wrote:I just ordered one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LY ... ss_product
Nu-Flare 77R92L Ultrabright Luxeon LED Aluminum Flashlight, Gumetal, 210 Lumens $38.20

Nice lite for a good price.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:47 pm

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 2:01 pm

I'm still running my mini maglite 2 x AA with and 3 led kit. I just found out they have an upgrade for my solitaire which I will add to my next amazon order.

Bastid · Post by **Bastid** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:00 pm

ThaDude wrote:Regarding the flashlight Bastid posted with the "Sub-C" batteries...I generally tend to avoid buying flashlights that use what I'll call non-standard batteries. I can find AAA batteries at any store that sells batteries, but will have a hard time finding batteries like Sub-C or CR123A which are quite common in bright LED flashlights. I can buy 16 AAA batteries for the same price as 2 CR123A batteries at Wal-Mart. I use mine, among other times, when I'm camping/hunting, and the little quick-stop style gas stations out in the country only carry the common batteries.
Something to think about.

Also, regarding the colored LED's...I use red in my pre-dawn approach to my hunting location in an attempt to draw less attention to myself. I like the fact that this light has 3 LED's that you select as opposed to adding/removing lenses. Blue is supposed to help find blood trails at night, but I believe that to be hokum as I and my relatives have had far better luck with white light over the years.

Hey guys, sorry i neglected this thread... im not exactly sure what they are but it is a rechargeable system. the battery tube/handle Length: 11.75 in. (30 cm) Diameter: Lens Assembly Diameter: 2.37 in. (6.02 cm)
Body Diameter: 1.08 in. (2.74 cm) its not clunky per se, but it is long, bat signal though. The lens assembly will get warm. If left on its face for an extended period of time, it will melt the lens.
Dis-assembled:
Black cylinder in the middle is the battery(ies).

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:32 pm

I converted my Mag Light’s from incandescence to LED a while back, the batteries do seem to last longer but they do seem to not shine as far even though up close they do seem to be brighter.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:56 pm

Dan wrote:I just ordered one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LY ... ss_product
Nu-Flare 77R92L Ultrabright Luxeon LED Aluminum Flashlight, Gumetal, 210 Lumens $38.20

nice light but the battery type would have killed it for me.

one of the reviews...

Takes an odd photo battery type (CR123A) at about $2 per battery.
Batteries don't last but about 13 hours (according to the packaging, but I haven't experimented with this yet).

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:13 pm

Sava700 wrote:nice light but the battery type would have killed it for me.

one of the reviews..."Takes an odd photo battery type (CR123A) at about $2 per battery.
Batteries don't last but about 13 hours (according to the packaging, but I haven't experimented with this yet). "

I'm not sure what they're basing the "odd" on, it's a very common battery that you can find for $1 apiece pretty easily. My Inova T3 light takes CR123A and I've been amazed by it so far.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:17 pm

Humboldt wrote:I'm not sure what they're basing the "odd" on, it's a very common battery that you can find for $1 apiece pretty easily. My Inova T3 light takes CR123A and I've been amazed by it so far.

I guess "odd" could be in regards to the norm of AA and AAA batts... I can get AAA's and the good brands really cheap if you know where to look, plus if the batts die while out and about Its easier to run into some place and get them. Other than that I have a pile load of rechargeable AA and AAA's which already seal the deal for me on many things that take batts.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:53 pm

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:04 pm

Dan wrote:seems ok actually

http://www.batteryjunction.com/tpen-tcr123a-.html

http://www.amazon.com/Tenergy-Propel-Li ... rid_pt_0_0

yeah I'm sure there are good deals for them... and hope it works well for ya. I've been trying to stay off of regular batteries and go all rechargeable to avoid throwing them away... recycle the rechargeables when they are done. Doing my part

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:44 pm

I'd love to go all rechargeable, but rechargeable D batteries, good ones, are pricey.

For flashlights, I think when the ones we have die it'll be time to go to the ones you shake to make them work.

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:07 pm

Sava700 wrote:I guess "odd" could be in regards to the norm of AA and AAA batts... I can get AAA's and the good brands really cheap if you know where to look, plus if the batts die while out and about Its easier to run into some place and get them. Other than that I have a pile load of rechargeable AA and AAA's which already seal the deal for me on many things that take batts.

I'm all about rechargeables

especially as the NiMH get better and better. No use for AAA batteries myself, but my favorite pocket flashlight runs off a single AA and is surprisingly bright. LED and brighter than a AAx2 MagLite.

My favorite all-around flashlight, LED and AAx2, is brighter than a 3 D cell MagLite. Only downside is it can't be used for offense/defense in the same way

At a certain point of performance the little batteries can't keep up though, unless you want a flashlight that runs off 25 AA batteries

...which is where the lithium batteries come into play. Awesome shelf life of ~10 years (and they do make rechargeable Lithium 123A's).

My most powerful flashlight runs off 3 Lithium123A's, is just a hair bigger than a AAx2 flashlight, and is waaaaaaay brighter than a 3 D cell MagLite.

Sava, given your preferences you might want to look into a charger that will recharge alkaline batteries like Energizer and Duracell. They work really well

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:11 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:I'd love to go all rechargeable, but rechargeable D batteries, good ones, are pricey.

For flashlights, I think when the ones we have die it'll be time to go to the ones you shake to make them work.

The shake lights are handy for things for walking across a level field in the dark or to keep handy for power outages...to use until you find a real flashlight.

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:50 pm

I have a 5-D cell Maglite...need to upgrade the bulb in it.

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:10 am

loop2kil wrote:I have a 5-D cell Maglite...need to upgrade the bulb in it.

http://www.niteize.com/collections/flas ... de-cd-cell

I buy wholesale from them for their pet products, got a couple Inova flashlights from them as well that are awesome.
1 AA battery, LED, 25 lumens, a hell of a lot brighter than you expect from 1 small battery.

The best all-around light I've got, AAx2, 107 lumens

The most powerful I have Lithium 123Ax3, 178 lumens

They make (distribute) the LED upgrades you see at Target and Walmart and online, made specifically for MagLites.

Also some wicked upgrades for mini-mags http://www.niteize.com/collections/flashlights
You can take the awesome mini-mag and change the bulb out w/ an LED, add a headband for it, replace the twist/on function with a rubber one-click button that will solid or strobe.

I've upgraded all my MagLites with LED bulbs and the switches and they work really well.

Cool stuff.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:26 pm

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 11:13 pm

That is nice but a bit pricey for my cheap butt...I tend to buy flashlights that I don't mind losing

If you want one of the best for under $10 this one is absolutely unbeatable in my book....yep it comes from China and will take a couple of weeks to arrive but I have had 3 of them for over a year and it still works great. It can run on either a single AA or a 3.6v 14500 rechargeable. It has an unbelievable beam for such a small flashlight and a very basic but useful focus slide.

http://www.tomtop.com/lasers-flashlight ... -lamp.html

SlyOneDoofy · Post by **SlyOneDoofy** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:00 am

Craftsman makes one at 220 lumens for about $35 bucks. Runs off 3 AAA batteries if I remember right.

I have one...adjustable focus. Works great.

If you unscrew the lens and take it off the led make a great tent light. lights up a fairly large area.

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:00 pm

Pelican SabreLite 2010 Recoil LED Flashlight with Photoluminescent Shroud

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-SabreLite ... flashlight

It is by far the best flashlight I have ever owned.

2010PL__48913_zoom.jpg

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:37 pm

Still very fond of these, I own 1 each X-series, Bolt, T-series and wouldn't trade any of them: http://www.niteize.com/pages/inova-flashlights

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:46 pm

I'm getting this.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Eton-Multi-Pu ... ifications

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:28 pm

Here's an interesting one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 82-276-016

Mad_Haggis · Post by **Mad_Haggis** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:20 am

Who pays your electrical bill? Divide by Diode, equals ....

In the end.

It does not make the Beer colder/faster.

Mad_Haggis · Post by **Mad_Haggis** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:21 am

http://www.howcast.com/videos/470062-Ho ... olar-Power