Spec me an LED Torch

Have lost my trusty Fenix E25, which I had a for a few years and liked quite a lot.
I need to replace it, but really don't know where to start, do I need to go with a branded torch like a Fenix again? It was £32 which is the most I would spend again.
Are Chinese AliExpress type torches as reliable as a branded torch now?

From the Fenix E25 I'd like to keep the following Pros of it:
About that size
About that much output
About that much adjustability, high/medium/mega blindingly bright

But would prefer something that charges via USB this time?

The ones linked to above by '233' Look kind of ok, but maybe not that rugged, I need it to survive in a toolbox and get thrown around a bit.
 
I operate skyray king types as my torch of choice for most stuff.
I have three of varying numbers of LED emitters, but they all put out the same lumens pretty much.
Mine get used many times daily using old laptop recycled 18650 cells and charged in my intellicharger i4.

Latest one seemed to have a slightly loose power button, but nothing a quick tightening did not solve.

So in that respect I think the Chinese types are perfectly serviceable in most cases for all but the most hard core work. At least from my experience.

I also have various D cell converted Maglites, they tend to stay in easily accessible places in the house and the 6 cell beast lives in my car as an ever dependable backup with branded duracell alkaline.

Never let me down that 6 cell and puts out about 1000 lumens.
 
Can anybody recommend some 18650 3000mAh batteries which are protected, but the same length as non-protected batteries? I'd settle for a slightly lower capacity to get the correct size protected battery, but 3000mAh is convenient for my solar lights.
 
I've just bought a BLF Q8 XP-L

With a discount code it was £35 from Banggood.
4x18650 batteries.
Meant to be over 5000 lumens.
It's been developed with the members from budget light forums.
I'm pretty impressed for the price. I love the ramping method with no clicky modes.

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FISHGUTS said:
I've just bought a BLF Q8 XP-L

With a discount code it was £35 from Banggood.
4x18650 batteries.
Meant to be over 5000 lumens.
It's been developed with the members from budget light forums.
I'm pretty impressed for the price. I love the ramping method with no clicky modes.
Click to expand...

Could you please trust me the code, really want this torch but don't want to pay full price.
 
A couple of years ago I was recommended by a few users on here a Lucky Sun D80

This has been a great torch but unfortunetly I have misplaced it. So looking for a replacement. If someone could recommend me a torch of a similar size around the 20-25 quid mark that wold be brilliant as i dont really know what I am looking for as sites like Gearbest have so many to choose from.

Cheers
 
roccles said:
A couple of years ago I was recommended by a few users on here a Lucky Sun D80

This has been a great torch but unfortunetly I have misplaced it. So looking for a replacement. If someone could recommend me a torch of a similar size around the 20-25 quid mark that wold be brilliant as i dont really know what I am looking for as sites like Gearbest have so many to choose from.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Also interested in similar and it must use 18650 batteries please.
 
I have had the nitecore EA41 for the last 3yrs and its been a brill torch up until a about a month ago when it went real dim like the batts were gone. Im not surprised as people in my family use it on max power, that I do not get because the medium setting is ample for anyone, its about 4x brighter then the traditional torch. Anyway no probs as it had 5 yr guarantee, so I sent it back to the place I bought it from, they sent it to nitecore and about 2-3weeks later I received it back again.. I think its a new torch with my battery screw cap on.

Im guessing the led had burnt out, as it has had a hell of a lot of use over the years and mainly on full power (960 lumems). £60 is quite a lot for a torch, but your getting a lot for your money,

A nice white 960 lumens led( but its 1000 lumens now).
Uses 4x AA batteries (I have been using eneloops rechargeable batts since I have had the torch and it will do about 8hrs on the med setting)
5yr guarantee
Its not too small like with a lot of LED torches out there
Seems to be quite tough as I have dropped it a few times, and no dings or dents
Its great when we have power cuts as it really brightens a med-large room, on the mid setting, standing up on the battery cap, and will last 2 evenings/nights on a set of batteries.

The only problem with it, its round so it rolls if its on its side. Ah yeah I used torch direct to buy this because you know your getting the real thing and they dont question you if the torch goes wrong and still under guarantee, as I was expecting to send it back to nitecore, and that would have costed me more money. So Im really pleased with there service.

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I either use my Snap On Hockey Puck or my Exposure Six Pack.

The exposure is rather bulkey being a bike light but it's something stupid like 4000 lumens with 10 programmable modes. And the Snap On light is 350 Lumens with magnetic base and twisty function.
 
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I haven't been impressed with any of the 'zoomable' torches I've seen (except for one I got that cost £1.34 delivered from China! :p) and 50m isn't asking a lot in terms of throw these days, even at the sub £20 mark.

Tbh, I wouldn't go for any of those torches. I can recommend one of these for <£20 ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00U79XFLU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All you need in addition would be a decent, protected 18650 battery and some way of charging it. You can get a good quality, and very handy usb charger (you can charge other devices direct from your battery) for about £11 or so, similar to one of these...

https://www.torchdirect.co.uk/batte...exbank-single-bay-li-ion-battery-charger.html

Or if you do only need 50m you could just get something that takes normal disposable batteries and save the money.

Maybe a headtorch would be better suited to the activity?

Edit: The torch I linked to is a tail switch (it still tail stands, though), not sure if you prefer tail or side switches.
 
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FISHGUTS said:
I've just bought a BLF Q8 XP-L

With a discount code it was £35 from Banggood.
4x18650 batteries.
Meant to be over 5000 lumens.
It's been developed with the members from budget light forums.
I'm pretty impressed for the price. I love the ramping method with no clicky modes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, wasn't looking for one as I'm happy with my dqg tiny monster, and nitecore ea41.
But at that price I couldn't say no, with 4x the output can't wait to see what it's like.
The trail I live next to is known for being dodgy, this should put them off a bit.

Went and ordered some nice samsung 30q cells,should give the torch what it needs.
 
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What sort of price were you thinking? What is the primary use of the torch?

The torch I linked to above is an excellent torch for the money, it easily matches a couple of £70 torches I've played with, in terms of throw.

Just a single 18650 is ideal for 1000lm, unless extended run-time is needed.

On the site you mentioned, Klarus, Fenix are brands I generally like, and Olight (although I didn't see them).

They also have a couple other well-regarded brands, although I don't have any personal experience of them.

What about charging, do you want a torch that has it built in - so you can charge up via usb?
 
SexyGreyFox said:
If I'm on the Banggood website what torch is a decent brand?
Nitecore is a name I've heard of before but what else should be a starting point?
I've got an Ultrafire that has never worked properly and now it's dead.
Click to expand...
Nitecore and Fenix are the two main ones, I'd say.

There are some other brands that are decent, but it seems they can vary from design to design. The Convoy S2+ is a cheap torch that's well regarded.

So it depends what you're after.

A couple of months back I bought a Fenix HP25R headtorch from banggood for £48. The cheapest I could find it in the UK was £72. It's a good site. (Excellent head torch too. Very good balance of brightest vs battery life).
 
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