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FLASHlights: what's the latest in SUPER-bright LED "torches"??


JoshT

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The one he has uses the CR123A batteries. But I don't doubt the one you have work great on 2AA batteries.

He always uses those batteries... they do sell a rechargeable battery for it too. He said something about those and he didn't like it and stays with the regular batteries. He buys a 10 pack for about $15 and has batteries for the entire year.
I'm sure it works, but it ain't going to be as good as the CR123A light. I'm curious what he has against the rechargeable batteries. I've got several lights that can use CR123A or 18650 rechargeable. While I keep a pack of CR123A on hand for those that can't use the 18650 (mostly weapon lights), I must say I prefer the rechargeable battery.

Don't go to CPF then. There's lots of professional reviews with tons of photos there. I stay away from the place because it's a money pit. I have too many damn lights as it is, most unused because something newer and brighter came along. Last light I bought was that Nitecore TM03.
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I've been a around CPF for a while and got tired of the snobbery I found over there.

I will agree with you on the Nitecore products. I was actually building my own P60 based lights for a little while to get what I wanted. They worked great, much better than anything I could buy at a store for a similar price. Still have and use them. I happened on an Amazon sale on a Nitecore P12GT and it's been my light since. I still use the home built P60s, one on resides on the night stand, another mounted on a shotgun in the corner, and a few more floating around. The Nitecore is the one I typically carry around though. I actually panicked a bit when it disappeared on me a few months ago.

Eddo, you're probably right. MBA professors like to tell the tale of when Nabisco CEO John Sculley took over at Apple, he used a Maglite and a cheap plastic flashlight to make the point to his staff that there are no MID-priced flashlights, and that by God they were going to make the Maglite/Cadillac of computers, not the Eveready/Yugo...
...and they succeeded in creating an Eveready/Yugo that costs more than a Maglite/Cadillac. Convince people to buy a name and you can sell them anything.
 


vruts01

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Recently, I got a new Nitcore TM26 flashlight, it's an amazing super bright flashlight to carry at camping or outdoor. It's loaded with many features that attract me to carry it anywhere. The best feature that I love about this flashlight is the OLED display, It helps to operate this flashlight easily.
 

gaz

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fixizin,

I am a bicyclist, so all my good lights mount to helmets or handlebars. My current go-to has proven very reliable and durable. I use it everyday, USB rechargable, fast charging, long lasting.

500/1k lumen with 3 solid beam and 3 flash settings. A bit pricey but currently on closeout from The Bike Closet, the Serfas True 500 or 1000. The 500 is marked down to $19.99 and extra batteries are super easy to get.

Attached to just about anything and will not start a fire in your trousers if turned on by mistake!!

On the highest setting the 500 will last 2 hours, the 1000 will provide light over 2 hours. This is seeing beyond necessity while traveling 20 mph+ speeds in no light conditions with daylight like visibility.
 

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Blmpkn

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I'm about ready to give the 4D Maglite I got from @Uncle Gump forever ago a makeover to bring it into the 21st century.

Going to purchase it a malkoff LED drop in, and a set of USB rechargeable lithium batteries.

The malkoff light puts out over 4x the lumens as the old school bulb does, and I figure the rechargeable batteries will be super convenient and save me money eventually.



These two upgrades are going to cost 3x what a 4D Mag costs.. theres definitely better lights out there for the money.. but im doing this more for sentimental value rather than just looking at the bang for buck factor.

The Maglite my father always carried at work wasn't found at the scene of the accident that took his life, so I'm building a sweet one in his memory.
 

superj

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i am not a fan of those rechargeable batteries either, though i do have some bicycle lights that are rechargeable. i don't like having to recharge each ride or have them turn off unexpectedly, if you forget to recharge them. i have lights that run on aa and aaa that i change batteries in once a year and are just as bright as my rechargeable (except one of them).

the one rechargeable i have the lasts more then one ride ( a ride is generally 1730-2000) is one of those cheapie amazon ones that has a battery pack that is corded to the light. i just unplug the battery pack and charge it without removing the light.

like this
Amazon.com : Weihao Bike Light, 6000 Lumen 5 LED Bicycle Headlight, Waterproof Mountain Bike Front Light Headlamp with 6400mAh Rechargeable Battery Pack, AC Charger : Sports & Outdoors

but i think that one is bigger than mine. some of the guys in the guys in the bike group have two or three of those on their bars and i always think its a motorcycle when they come up from behind because they are so bright
 

Blmpkn

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i am not a fan of those rechargeable batteries either, though i do have some bicycle lights that are rechargeable. i don't like having to recharge each ride or have them turn off unexpectedly, if you forget to recharge them. i have lights that run on aa and aaa that i change batteries in once a year and are just as bright as my rechargeable (except one of them).

the one rechargeable i have the lasts more then one ride ( a ride is generally 1730-2000) is one of those cheapie amazon ones that has a battery pack that is corded to the light. i just unplug the battery pack and charge it without removing the light.

like this
Amazon.com : Weihao Bike Light, 6000 Lumen 5 LED Bicycle Headlight, Waterproof Mountain Bike Front Light Headlamp with 6400mAh Rechargeable Battery Pack, AC Charger : Sports & Outdoors

but i think that one is bigger than mine. some of the guys in the guys in the bike group have two or three of those on their bars and i always think its a motorcycle when they come up from behind because they are so bright

I'm just after the rechargeable feature because the light is going to live in my truck. It gets cold enough up here in the winter to kill a set of batteries in a few weeks. Even if these get super low on voltage and I need to use the light I'll be able to just plug it in for a few and be set.. rather than need to find a store that has D cells and have to spend 12$ on them or whatever ridiculous price they cost nowadays.
 

Uncle Gump

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That's a pretty sizable investment in a flash light. I'll be curious to see how well it performs.

I see you have to modify the reflector... if you fail or it breaks I think I still have a couple parts lights somewhere.
 

Uncle Gump

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I bought a Streamlight ProTac 2L-X with a Christmas gift card this year. I love the size and it sends more light then any MAG light I've ever owned.
 

sgtsandman

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I'm about ready to give the 4D Maglite I got from @Uncle Gump forever ago a makeover to bring it into the 21st century.

Going to purchase it a malkoff LED drop in, and a set of USB rechargeable lithium batteries.

The malkoff light puts out over 4x the lumens as the old school bulb does, and I figure the rechargeable batteries will be super convenient and save me money eventually.



These two upgrades are going to cost 3x what a 4D Mag costs.. theres definitely better lights out there for the money.. but im doing this more for sentimental value rather than just looking at the bang for buck factor.

The Maglite my father always carried at work wasn't found at the scene of the accident that took his life, so I'm building a sweet one in his memory.
Let me know how those batteries work out. Regular rechargeable D batteries suck for longevity. They only put the equivalent of a AA in them and they just don’t last long.
 

sgtsandman

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I bought a Streamlight ProTac 2L-X with a Christmas gift card this year. I love the size and it sends more light then any MAG light I've ever owned.
Streamlites make a good flashlight. I’ve been quite happy with mine.
 

Blmpkn

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That's a pretty sizable investment in a flash light. I'll be curious to see how well it performs.

I see you have to modify the reflector... if you fail or it breaks I think I still have a couple parts lights somewhere.
Right on, thanks!

I may actually replace the stock reflector with an "orange peel" reflector. The OP reflectors smooth out the uneven-ness in the beam maglites are notorious for.

Let me know how those batteries work out. Regular rechargeable D batteries suck for longevity. They only put the equivalent of a AA in them and they just don’t last long.
These batteries are apparently rated at 5000mah. Less than a single use D cell.. but for my intents and purposes I'm sure they'll provide enough runtime to be satisfactory.

Well see what happens!
 

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Here's something fun in light of this conversation. I met these folks New Year's Eve. They were supposed to do a serious product review. But, since it was Kim's birthday and they had to wait for it to get dark, they kinda hit the booze and the product review got silly. They still show if some cool products.

 

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I love my streamlight.
 

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I love my Nitecore, and LED Lenser headlamp, which I found out is made a Leatherman company. I have a Fenix headlamp that I hate, mainly because it sucks down CR123 batteries and will barely work on rechargeables.
 

sgtsandman

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If we are moving to head lamps. I’ve found Black Diamond to be my favorite and easiest on batteries.

Pelican is ok, depending on the model.

Energizer is fine for a light you don’t use often and/or don’t care of it gets messed up.
 

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