My new torch

[shogun001]

My new torch next to my work torch (exposure joystick 400lm).



It's a Fenix TK75.

2900 lumens and a range of 700meters. The throw of this light has to be seen to be believed.

Pictures to come when it finally stops raining!

[Jonny_]

Sammitch said:

Christmas cracker torch.

It has no place here, but trying to be positive, it is very cheap and might be OK for throwing in your toolbox.

Probably 6 or 7 years ago these cropped up for £1.69 in B&M. I was amazed that a useably bright LED torch could be had for so little, and bought 6 to throw in toolboxes, glovebox etc. Surprisingly robust, as it turns out.

Still got one unused in it's blister pack somewhere!

[richtea78]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I want to get a decent torch for walking, not too heavy that it can go in my pocket but it's fairly bright. I don't want to spend a fortune but I figured about £50 most. I'm also confused about batteries. Are the 18650 batteries just fancy AA batteries? I don't mind charging it once a week but not more often than that really

[y2blade]

My Christmas gift package from DX is still on way

I never thought there would be a thread on here about such a topic lol

[tenohfive]

richtea78 said:

Not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I want to get a decent torch for walking, not too heavy that it can go in my pocket but it's fairly bright. I don't want to spend a fortune but I figured about £50 most. I'm also confused about batteries. Are the 18650 batteries just fancy AA batteries? I don't mind charging it once a week but not more often than that really

18650's are very different to AA's - they're lithium ion batteries. If you break down a laptop power pack you'll find a few of them inside. I don't know the science behind it but as a rule they're much more efficient - they tend to go hand in hand with brighter lights and they don't lose charge as quickly as alkalines when not in use.

In real terms depending on how much you use it - if it's dog walking duties you should get away with about a month between recharges.

As for what...take your pick really. You could probably spend a fiver and get something that'll do the job or a lot more. Personally I really like this torch - the Aurora WF-600. I bought it because it'll throw a tight hot spot a long way which is a fairly specific job, but there's more than enough spill for walking around with it. A simple two mode clicky (high>low>off) cycle and it's robust enough to survive my cack handed use. And it's light, despite the odd shape (thin neck, massive head.) I'm thoroughly impressed with it.

Like I say, there are plenty of other options and there's nothing to stop you going on DealExtreme and having a nosy through the user reviews. But if your walk takes you out into open areas you'll appreciate the throw the Aurora offers.

[Andy M]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B0KZFVI/

Highly recommended.

[defblade]

audi321 said:

audi321 said:

Right, I'm going to order one of the 5 LED ones for $36 ( these), so before I do, is there anything else from DX which would tickle my fancy!

Came today DOA

DOA ia often something small and silly - especially check the negative path is OK - too much grease on the threads, poor contact with the ring on the back of the pill. I've only had a couple of the really really cheap ones that I couldn't bring back to life (usually cleaning/tightening, occasionally a bit of soldering), and IIRC that was bacause the pills had been glued in instead of screwed, so I couldn't get them out to check them.

[tenohfive]

Andy M said:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B0KZFVI/

Highly recommended.

Range of 1000 metres from a £27 torch? Even the Chinese torch manufacturers with their 50 gazillion lumen claims don't claim that sort of range. Either it's total BS, their definition of 'range,' is, 'someone 1000 metres away can see that there's a light out there,' or that's the bargain of the century for those looking for a throwy torch.

Really wish I could believe it was the latter, I love a good thrower.

[Andy M]

tenohfive said:

Range of 1000 metres from a £27 torch? Even the Chinese torch manufacturers with their 50 gazillion lumen claims don't claim that sort of range. Either it's total BS, their definition of 'range,' is, 'someone 1000 metres away can see that there's a light out there,' or that's the bargain of the century for those looking for a throwy torch.

Really wish I could believe it was the latter, I love a good thrower.

Definitely doesn't reach 1,000m (maybe not even a quarter of that), but for £27 it performs pretty impressively and a lot better than the much more expensive LED Maglite I purchased at the same time.

Quite fancy one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Led-Lenser-8421-R-Recharge...

[giblet]

Civpilot said:

I purchased the same thing from Amazon.co.uk 2 weeks ago and it arrived the next day?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Torch-300LM-CREE-Flashligh...

Ordered one of these on the 17th of Dec, turned up yesterday from China. Whilst the build quality isn't amazing the output is rather impressive. It seems to be much brighter than my Fenix L2D, both were being tested on freshly charged Eneloops.

Any recommendations for something that can be used on AA's and is of a decent size for "security" use?

[silverthorn2151]

defblade said:

audi321 said:

audi321 said:

Right, I'm going to order one of the 5 LED ones for $36 ( these), so before I do, is there anything else from DX which would tickle my fancy!

Came today DOA

DOA ia often something small and silly - especially check the negative path is OK - too much grease on the threads, poor contact with the ring on the back of the pill. I've only had a couple of the really really cheap ones that I couldn't bring back to life (usually cleaning/tightening, occasionally a bit of soldering), and IIRC that was bacause the pills had been glued in instead of screwed, so I couldn't get them out to check them.

My one arrived super quick and on an unsatisfactory mix of 18650's is bluddy brilliant.

I'm most happy with it. Worth fiddling with yours Audi to see if it's fatal.

[rat840771]

giblet said:

Ordered one of these on the 17th of Dec, turned up yesterday from China. Whilst the build quality isn't amazing the output is rather impressive. It seems to be much brighter than my Fenix L2D, both were being tested on freshly charged Eneloops.

Any recommendations for something that can be used on AA's and is of a decent size for "security" use?

they are amazing i bought some as stocking fillers and the brother in law is well impressed!

[rat840771]

giblet said:

Ordered one of these on the 17th of Dec, turned up yesterday from China. Whilst the build quality isn't amazing the output is rather impressive. It seems to be much brighter than my Fenix L2D, both were being tested on freshly charged Eneloops.

Any recommendations for something that can be used on AA's and is of a decent size for "security" use?

they are amazing i bought some as stocking fillers and the brother in law is well impressed!

[blod]

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-Vd9AC-DM

[300bhp/ton]

The Nur said:

Afternoon chaps, a quick recommendation if you will

Small, bright and preferably under £20 if possible. I don't mind if it is 18650s or AA/AAA but I don't want any Chinese crap, have been caught out by the Chinese stuff before so would prefer not to make that mistake again

I have been having a look but I don't know what I am looking at in truth. The Lenser L7 looks like the sort of thing I am after (I think) but they do not appear to be available at my price range any more. Any recommendations?

Just a heads up, Led Lenser are also built in China, not Germany.

And the L7 is quite an underperforming light IMO.

If you don't mind waiting for shipping, check out the POP lite T33 ad T34 availble from FastTech or DX.

I believe these are made in the same factory as Led Lensers, but a lot cheaper to buy.

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000890/107560...
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000890/107560...

Do you already have li-ion batteries and a charger? They are quite different to regular AA's?

[300bhp/ton]

richtea78 said:

Not sure if this is the right place to ask or not. I want to get a decent torch for walking, not too heavy that it can go in my pocket but it's fairly bright. I don't want to spend a fortune but I figured about £50 most. I'm also confused about batteries. Are the 18650 batteries just fancy AA batteries? I don't mind charging it once a week but not more often than that really

18650's are a more specialist battery, they are 4.2v Li-ion cells and contain a lot more power than a regular AA.

They also need more care and a special charger. You really should also get yourself a digital multi meter to monitor the cell and check it's voltage.

It's not that they are truly dangerous, but you should respect Li-ion batteries in a similar manner to how you'd treat using petrol at home in a mower/strimmer. i.e. with a tad more care and caution than you do with a normal rechargeable battery.


In terms of run time. Batteries that hold more power & capacity will offer the best run time, however many of these lights will also be high output, so the gains can be offset somewhat if you only use the highest output.


These are a nice all round light, will just about fit a jeans pocket, although chunky, but easy to slip in a coat pocket. Very high output and very good throw.

XinTD C8:
http://intl-outdoor.com/xintd-c8-v4-xml2-u2t6-1865...

They use a single 18650 battery and you have a choice of modes and emitter types.

Personally I'd opt for a neutral white and a 3 mode version.

Get yourself a good quality 18650 and charger and I don't think you'd be disappointed.

If Li-ion doesn't appeal, then take a look at this:

XinTD X3:
http://intl-outdoor.com/xintd-x3-xml2-3aa-flashlig...

It offers about the same output and performance as the C8, maybe slightly lower runtime and it's a little chunkier. But the big plus is, it works on 3xAA batteries.

Get yourself a pack of Sanyo Eneloops and a good charger and you are all set. If later down the road you fancy trying out Li-ion, then this torch will also run on 1x18650 or even 1x26650 for maximum runtime.

[richtea78]

I've done a lot more reading and went for a NiteCore EC25. I read up on the 18650 and it doesn't seem that much trouble. I am used to managing cells from my lipo packs for my RC cars. It would appear that the lion batteries are easier to manage at least.

[TheBlondeFella]

Just been playing with a Suprabright Q7xr. Any thoughts on this model? Are there cheaper equivalent alternatives or others that produce a beam without a hot spot?

[The Nur]

300bhp/ton said:

Just a heads up, Led Lenser are also built in China, not Germany.

And the L7 is quite an underperforming light IMO.

If you don't mind waiting for shipping, check out the POP lite T33 ad T34 availble from FastTech or DX.

I believe these are made in the same factory as Led Lensers, but a lot cheaper to buy.

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000890/107560...
http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10000890/107560...

Do you already have li-ion batteries and a charger? They are quite different to regular AA's?

Sorry, completely missed your reply. I do already have some li-ions but none I would trust, same of the chargers. I am tempted by buying a set of decent batteries and a good charger but I don't really have the need for it as I can make do with what I have. I bought the L7 in the end and while it may not be the brightest available, in it's brightest setting it is in fact a little too bright for what I had in mind

Obviously there is a side of me that still instinctively wants the brightest I can possibly obtain so my next purchase is probably going to be something obscene but I think that can wait.

[tenohfive]

Can't remember who posted it originally, but tritium key fobs are a life saver. I foolishly put my keys on a cheap S-biner, and whilst out doing some astrophotography last night (having driven about 15 miles to two diffent locations, and walked about 3) the sodding thing let my house key (with tritium fob) fall off. Of course I only found out at 2am when I got home, knackered and ready for bed.

Cue a rush back to the last place I'd been taking photo's. In pitch black I saw a glint amongst the mud, grass and dirt close to where I'd had my tripod. Pointed the torch that way and couldn't see it - everything reflected back. Turned it off again and managed to pick the keys up straight away. Were it not for the tritium fob I would have a) missed them, and b) ended up walking miles across muddy fields fruitlessly looking for them.

The whole episode may have served me right however for boasting earlier that night to my missus that the easiest way to find my keys was to turn the lights off...