Spec me an LED Torch

Fair enough then :)

Some people use the protection systems like they're there to let you know when to change batteries, but i'm fairly confident they're designed for emergency use, like if you left the light on face-down by accident, so the cells get cut off before catastrophic failure.
 
I always recharge when they get down to 3.7/3.6, but usually higher than that.

All my lights that use Li-Ions have a spare cell always ready to go for them, so before i take a light to use it i give the cell a quick voltage check.
If they're 3.8V or higher leave it in. less than that I change the cell out for a spare and add the discharged cell to the pile of "cells to be recharged" which i then pop on charge when i'm not busy :)

This ensures both healthy cells and also means that whenever I have my light with me, i always know the cell is almost full and ready for action :)
 
This thread is pretty big, so if someone has already asked about a torch that fits the following I apologise! Any recommendations? Thanks in advance :)


1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

Online, UK retailer preferred.

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!

£50-£70

3) Format:

I want a flashlight.

4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).

5) Emitter/Light source:

LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)

6) Manufacturer:

I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.

7) What battery type do you want to use?

I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
If the torch fits the right criteria I’m happy to get the right batteries for it. Already have a NiCad, NiMH charger but buying a different charger wouldn't be an issue.

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).

I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).

9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

I don't care.

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.

14)Material/Finish/Coating

I don’t care.

15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

N/A
 
Been reading the protection circuit stuff above - also beware that the protection limits are "under load" - i.e. say 2.75v when being used. If the flashlight is switched off once the protection circuit has tripped then when you measure cell voltage (after restting the cicuit) the cell voltage will often be 3.5v/3.6v. The voltage measured with no load is often also referred to as the resting voltage.

The above is why, even with a battery with a protection circuit, you should NEVER rely on the circuit to save the battery, especially if you're using the flashlight in a low mode, as it's entirely possible to completely kill the battery without tripping the protection circuit as the load wil barely be anything. Protection circuits are a real last resort.

I concur with Aod - if you have a cell that has a resting voltage of <=3.5v - bin it.
 
Guys can you help out - which one of the flashlights here would be good for someone in the military? Its my cousins birthday soon and hes in the Army.

Should be:

1. Not too big
2. Very powerful beam
3. Weather-resistant
4. Be able to take some knocks. So if he drops it (a reasonable height of course lol) the bulbs shouldn't crap out or the front glass/plastic shouldnt shatter.

Thanks loads :D
 
Muban said:
This thread is pretty big, so if someone has already asked about a torch that fits the following I apologise! Any recommendations? Thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...

Hello Muban.
Yeah, the thread is huge, I don't expect or request that anyone read through the whole thing hoping to stumble upon the nugget of info they may need.

From your requirements it sounds like a smallish multilevel torch would suit you quite well.
With that in mind, and considering your reasonable budget I'd recommend a pair of AW's 18650s, an Xtar WP2 II and a Shiningbeam S-mini.

The S-Mini is a cute little 18650-torch with a few well-spaced modes, good but not excessive maximum brightness and good build quality. it's the sort of torch you wouldn't find burdensome to carry everywhere with you :)

With just a small 2000mAh 18650 (almost all are higher capacity) the S-mini would run for 2 hours on max, 5 hours on medium and 83 hours (3 and a half days) on low :D

Torch
Charger
Batteries (you want the AW 2200, 2600 or 2900 ones)

KatanaDV20 said:
Guys can you help out - which one of the flashlights here would be good for someone in the military? Its my cousins birthday soon and hes in the Army.

Should be:

1. Not too big
2. Very powerful beam
3. Weather-resistant
4. Be able to take some knocks. So if he drops it (a reasonable height of course lol) the bulbs shouldn't crap out or the front glass/plastic shouldnt shatter.

Thanks loads :D
Click to expand...

Hi there, can we get an idea on the budget you've got available. is your friend going to be on deployment soon? will he have access to CR123A cells while on deployment?
 
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Aod said:
Hi there, can we get an idea on the budget you've got available. is your friend going to be on deployment soon? will he have access to CR123A cells while on deployment?
Click to expand...

Yes he is lined up for deployment soon, I just want to get him something he will find handy in the field and I know how useful a good flashlight can be. I hear some have built-in compasses and stuff!

I have a budget of £100, will that get me a good one. Also I dont know about those CR123A cells you mentioned!! I dont know if he will have access to those? Should I stick to something where the batts are easy to get hold off then? Or are those CR cells really good..I guess I could get him spares along with the flashlight!
 
KatanaDV20 said:
Yes he is lined up for deployment soon, I just want to get him something he will find handy in the field and I know how useful a good flashlight can be. I hear some have built-in compasses and stuff!

I have a budget of £100, will that get me a good one. Also I dont know about those CR123A cells you mentioned!! I dont know if he will have access to those? Should I stick to something where the batts are easy to get hold off then? Or are those CR cells really good..I guess I could get him spares along with the flashlight!
Click to expand...

What military is he in, British Army, US Army, Royal Air Force etc?
CR123A cells are the defacto standard power-source for cells in military situations, they have a 10-year shelf life, work at both freezing low (-30!) to boiling hot (more than 60C!) temperatures and have reasonable current-delivery capabilities.

Many "Tactical" torches use these cells, and some militaries make them available to troops (especially the US forces).
 
British Army!

V interesting about those cells I didnt know all that..thas pretty insane. Scratch the Energizers then :p

Im scrolling through this thread...a lot to read and look at but its interesting! Might well find the right one here!
 
I can't find any information about the CR123A availability for UK troops, you could get a CR123A torch and then spend the rest of your budget on batteries for it.

I think though, that he might be better served by a torch that uses AA's. the torches are longer and bit more unwieldy but battery availability is practically guaranteed.

I recommend that you ask him which he'd prefer, a smaller light with higher potential brightness or a slightly larger light with much more plentiful batteries.

Otherwise, here are a few lights that i'd recommend in both categories;

AA Lights:
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/sunwayled/sunwayman-m20a.html
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/4sevens/quark-aa-2-turbo.html
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/fenix/fenix-ld20.html

CR123A Lights:
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/sunwayled/sunwayman-v20c.html
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/jetbeam/jetbeam-rrt2-r5.html
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/4sevens/quark-123-2-turbo.html

I've tried to suggest lights that don't have a strobe mode, or if they do, it's somewhat out-the-way (The Fenix is the worst for this).

All the lights i've suggested have variable modes. this is good, he'll want the flexibility. the Jetbeam and Sunwayman CR123A lights and the Sunwayman AA light have control-rings instead of the usual mode selection methods. i recommend these above all else simply because they're much much less fiddly. he doesn't want to be in a situation where he turns the light on thinking it'll come on in minimum brightness and it's blasting a strobe or something like that. with a selector ring he can turn it to minimum before he even turns the light on.

If you want to buy him some CR123A batteries, these guys have them the cheapest in the UK for brand-name, made-in-the-USA cells (which you definitely want):

ComponentShop
Second one down labelled "CR123A 3.0V lithium battery. (Panasonic)" buy more than 10 for the discounted price. these guys are an absolute pleasure to deal with, Highly highly recommended.

Muban said:
Thanks for the quick response and recommendations guys, very helpful. I'll have a look into them :)
Click to expand...

You're very welcome Muban, always happy to help. if you have questions or want more/different suggestions just ask away :)
 
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Damn you guys, I don't have any need for a torch but you just make me want one.

Just ordered that ShiningBeam S-mini and the charger that was recommended, just need some 18650 cells now. No idea which to go for.
 
Mmmm been out tonight with a buddy scoping out an abandoned ancient gallery hall (massive inside) - Kind of awesome now with the BC40, being able to illuminate an entire building with one light :p
 
Nick1881 said:
Damn you guys, I don't have any need for a torch but you just make me want one.

Just ordered that ShiningBeam S-mini and the charger that was recommended, just need some 18650 cells now. No idea which to go for.
Click to expand...
Ahaha, excellent :)

I really hope you enjoy it.
As for 18650's, you can get away with cheap ones but these days i'm really starting to recommend that people get decent ones like the AW's. if you get the 2200mAh ones they're only £10 each from flashaholics.

The CandlePowerForums Marketplace is the "direct source" of the AW cells, he sells them from there in person and wouldn't hesitate to deal with him, he's fast efficient and posts stuff really quickly. I have a pair of his 17670's and they're excellent.

If you want to get them "direct from source" and feel like registering on CPFMP, then this is the sales thread:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?230876-AW-s-LiIon-Batteries-Sales-Thread-*Part-12*

As you can see, they're much cheaper than buying here in the UK... unsurprisingly.

mrk said:
Mmmm been out tonight with a buddy scoping out an abandoned ancient gallery hall (massive inside) - Kind of awesome now with the BC40, being able to illuminate an entire building with one light :p
Click to expand...

Sounds good Mrk! any lovely long-exposure photos of the cool abandoned building?
 
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