Recommend me a new LED torch

[Mark A]

Hi,

I currently have an LED Lenser V2 professional torch which i love to bits. There are however some drawbacks that are forcing me to purchase a new torch. http://www.ledco.co.uk/Product_D_Professional_V2Professional.asp

The torch lasts less than an hour before it starts to go dimmer and dimmer until its no use at all. Not sure if thats a fault with the torch or the fact it uses 3x AAA batteries.

Ive started doing nighttime photography and need a small torch that will fit in my camera bag and last a lot longer than 1 hour. I was thinking something with variable light outputs would be the perfect solution as i can turn it down for when i just need to change settings on my camera etc.

I'll also be using it as a bike light, so a bike bracket would need to be available for it.

Finally I'd like it to take AA batteries as i have a load of decent Energiser batteries at hand.

From a quick google it seems the Fenix torches are pretty decent.

http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page23.htm

This looks to be the perfect torch to replace mine but i thought I'd post here first to see if there is anything better out there. I'd be willing to spend up to £50 if it was worth it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mark A]

Maglites are far too big for my needs. Also from a quick google it seems maglite are very old tech and there are much better torches available.

The other torches that keep popping up are Surefire but they only seem to take li-ion batteries. I'm after one that takes AA sized batteries as i have a load of decent rechargeable at hand.

 

[Mark A]

i rate fenix torches highly.

Any particular model? Or would any in the range be decent?

 

[Mark A]

Weird, I have one and it hasn't gotten dimmer after an extended amount of time. In fact it has been used for several hours and is still using the original batteries that came with the torch!

Mine might be faulty then. I'm using Instant Ni-MH batteries that are supposed to be top of the range. They're only 900MAH though. I have AA batteries in 3000MAH so they should last a lot longer.

Good torch for the price and always surprises people how light it is from such a small torch. I can stand it upright in my bedroom and it lights the whole room up . Just wish it would last longer.

 

[Mark A]

Thanks for all the info guys. I still have no idea which to get lol.

The TA30 looks good but i don't think i could justify spending £75 on a torch . Also i don't like the idea of using Li-on batteries as they're expensive and only last 500 charges from what i have been told. Also i don't have any, nor do i have a charger for them. I have a decent AA charger and loads of AA batteries, so i think i would be better off with one that takes AA bats. Then i can just chuck a few in my camera bag if the torch runs out.

What would you recommend as the best AA torch for around £50? Also what difference does a smooth or textured reflector make?

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_ta30.html

(Discount avail to OCUK members from this store)

tell me more .

 

[Mark A]

@Tomsk, thats fantastic thanks.

*adds L2T to wishlist*

You can get Ronson LED torches which have many LEDs and are VERY bright and last ages from local DIY stores. I picked one up for the airing cupboard for £3.

Why would you need a super expensive torch anyway? You're not stirring lobster with it!

I've had cheap torches in the past and they're not very good at all. Had a cheap £5 LED torch i got from ebay and dropped it and it broke, so i had to head home. Also dropped another in a puddle and it stopped working.

The more expensive torches can be abused a lot more and continue to work. I also want to use the torch as a bike light so it has to take a fair amount of abuse plus be resistant to rain etc.

Another reason was the bad luck i have had with this LED Lenser, running out in less than an hour. But i think after reading some replies in this thread mine seems to be faulty. But hopefully paying a bit more for a Fenix i shouldn't end up with another faulty torch.

 

[Mark A]

Just watched a video review on youtube on the Fenix LD20 and I'm pretty much sold. Looks like an awesome bit of kit and should be fine for what i need.

I have like 20 AA NI-MH batteries and also 4 x AA eneloop ones and a decent fast charger that can charge 6 at a time, so i really want to get a torch that makes use of them.

I'll probably end up getting one of the more powerful torches at some point as well as I'm a total gadget whore .

 

[Mark A]

http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix_tk11_r2.html

I also like these, 240 lumens from such a small torch . Only problem with them is they only have 2 power settings so i would have to use it on turbo mode all the time.

Ive seen Tesco cree LED torches pop up in a lot of my searches. Might pop over and check them out. They're supposed to be as bright as the L2D and built well. Might get one for leaving in mt glovebox and get a couple more for stocking fillers etc .

 

[Mark A]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fenix-TK11-Pr...in_0?hash=item19b6516dfd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Hmm, not sure if this is legit or not...

 

[Mark A]

If it isn't a scam thats a really good deal, and im after the new TK11 myself. (Edit - actually its not that brilliant with postage included)

Does anyone have any definate info on this ocuk discountat fenix-store? I will be buying very soon methinks and any monay off would be a bonus!

Well the only thread i found that mentioned a discount, it was a free accessory worth about a fiver, so not great really.

I think that ebay deal is pretty good. I added the items to basket on fenix torch and they come to £108 and thats with batteries rated at 2100MAH, whereas the ones from ebay are 3000MAH ultrafire ones.

I guess it depends if it gets caught by customs as well.

Seems legit looking at the feedback, there is positive feedback from people who have bought the Fenix torches.

If you find a better deal please post it in here.

 

[Mark A]

That works out the same price as the one on ebay but it'll almost certainly get caught by customs. IME ebay sellers tend to put a lower price on the package, especially from HK.

Do you know what % they add if you have to pay a customs charge? It could still work out cheaper.

EDIT: This one works out at £68.50 inc del, with 2 x 2400MAH batteries

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fenix-TK11-Pr...in_0?hash=item19b6566413&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[Mark A]

Same kit works out at £85 from Fenix-store.com but its the AW batteries. Also the charger would have a US plug wouldn't it?

+ £20 possible import duty makes it not much cheaper than buying from the UK .

Shame the ultrafire batteries from the ebay store arent AW ones. £68 for the full kit is a decent price.

 

[Mark A]

Converters are only a couple of quid.

With a converter added on and assuming it gets hit with a customs charge it'll work out around the same as buying in the UK but it'll include 2x 2600MAH aw batts instead of 2200MAh.

I don't really want to be paying £108 for a torch really. I'm tempted to either just go for the £68 deal on ebay and see what the ultrafire batteries are like or just go for the LD20 i was originally interested in.

**** **** ****ker **** **** ****er

How are you not banned yet?

 

[Mark A]

Just found this and thought it might be useful.

http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/

The code: CPF gives an 8% discount. The prices are the same as Fenixtorch.

The total price of TK11R2, ultrafire charger and 2 x 2200MH batteries comes out at £100.10 with free delivery. So thats £15 dearer than the kit from the USA but it'll be cheaper should there be a customs charge.

Best Ive found yet from a UK company. Still tempted by the £68 deal from HongKong but its just the batteries could be dodgy.

 

[Mark A]

Well I've just ordered the K-106

Mark - Rereading your first post, it looks as though it might meet most of your requirements. Full power is 200 lumens which should last abut 70 minutes on hi mode
Description says

So it should be a lot longer on the lower modes. Takes 1xAA battery.

It's £12 with delivery so a lot cheaper than some of the other options, which I expect may be apparent in the build quality

Hmm just having at look at these now. I might get a few to give out as presents at Christmas .

I'd be interested in hearing what you think of it when you get it. Seems a bit too good to be true when a comparable Fenix is like £60-£70. 200 lumens from a single AA and 70 mins runtime?

I'd still get myself a decent Fenix though as i wouldn't trust this to stay watertight in the pouring rain and i wouldn't like to be left in the dark on some of the roads i ride on . But they would be great as an inexpensive backup torch or to put in my glovebox for emergencies etc.

I think I'll go for the £68 Tk11R2 from ebay and just keep my eye on the batteries.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Mark A]

fenix l2d is great, on high (100+ lumins) i get 4+ hours from 2 2700nimh ansmann rechargable AA's. use the velcro lock block holder on my bike bars. had mine over a year and has been flawless.

, well i decided to go for the LD20 (the 2010 model with belt clip) with free white diffuser from ebay.

I'm going to get the TK11 around Christmas time. You can never have too many cool torches .

I'll post my thoughts when i get it. I have no doubt I'll be very happy with it. My LED Lenser is apparently around 60 lumens and is very bright so 180 will be ample. Just hope it lasts more than an hour with my 2500 Energizer batts.

But even if it doesn't i have loads of AA batts and a Vapextech charger that can charge 6 at a time so i can chuck a bunch in my backpack/camera bag.

 

[Mark A]

what would be the best deal on the Fenix K11 or k12 with no batteries or charger? I already have 18650's coming out my ears!

Best Ive found is £48 from HK on ebay. You also get a free white diffuser. You might be able to find it cheaper from a US store but Ive looked on 4sevens and Fenix-store and they work out dearer and without the diffuser. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fenix-TK11-R2...0?hash=item4ceaef7273&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

Do you know a good place to get cheap 18650's then? Are the Ultrafire ones really that bad?

I still really want the TK11 R2, Ive seen a few pics of the light it gives off mounted to a bike and its far better than the Cateye bike light i currently have.

Just hope Royal Fail dont strike and i dont get my LD20 .

 

[Mark A]

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/The_Torch-74-41.html

4100 Lumens.

Nuffsaid.

It's not LED but.. its cool as hell

, I'd be scared of using it in case the beam caught me in the eye. That cant be good for the old retinas.

Ive seen some Sealey lights that are 5 million candle power, they're more of a floodlight with a bulb though. What would that be in Lumens roughly?

EDIT: http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Rechar...0-Candle-Power-Sealey-AK438?range=101,150,178

10,000,000 candle power for £44

 

[Mark A]

Torch arrived this morning and I'm very pleased with it . Much, much better than my LED lenser. Thanks for all the helpful replies.

The only annoying thing was that the torch was pictured with a pocket clip and it came without one. I emailed the guy but i have a feeling he'll just say it doesn't say it comes with one. But the listing is very misleading as there are 2 LD20s on his store and one is pictured with a pocket clip and the other without . That would have come in very handy but never mind.

Side by side with my Lenser. Both torches weigh around the same and both fit into the hand well. I have to admit i do prefer the Lensers thicker body and shorter length but this design is only made possible by compromising on the batteries it uses.

I like how the Fenix has a flat surface so that it can be stood up. Both buttons have a nice positive click.

The Fenix lens is far superior to the plastic one of the Lenser. You cant see it in the pic but the Lenser plastic lens is full of light scratches from it being in my pocket etc. The glass lens of the fenix should be a lot less prone to scratches.

I did some comparison shots of the beam and the Fenix is a lot better. I was worried the spill from the LD20 would be too narrow for bike riding but its much wider than the Lenser despite its thinner body. I was quite surprised how good the beam is from such a small torch.

The light is more white than the Lenser, the Lensers light has a blue tint to it. Both look decent but i do prefer the Fenix.

The pictures were both taken on manual mode on my D80 and used the same settings. The pictures don't actually show the true brightness of the torches well as I'd have needed to lower the shutter speed even more or increase the ISO and that would have given a noisy/blurry pic. The Fenix lights my whole room up when pointed at the white ceiling. Its much better than the Lenser and lights up a far bigger area with the spill. I think its going to be perfect for mounting to my bike.

All in all I'm very happy with it. I'll test the burn times out when i go for a bike ride. If it lasts a couple of hours I'll be very happy. Got some Vapex 2900MH batteries when i ordered the torch as well so hopefully these will be even better then the 2500MAH Energizers i have.

 

[Mark A]

That diffuser looks so dodgy!

, Not bad for free and it would seem Ive snagged another free gift. Emailed the seller to say Ive been sent the wrong one and got an email back a few mins later saying they were sorry and will pay for return postage and give me another free gift \o/. Heres hoping its a 2 fish mount block, but i think its more likely to be a red filter.

So Ive had to package it all back up for now .

I'm really pleased with the quality of it. it'll be perfect for mounting to my bike. I was looking forward to trying it out tomorrow night but cant really now.