My new torch

[BigTom85]

Just take a spare rechargeable battery with you instead of a spare disposable. Job jobbed.

[audi321]

defblade said:

http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~toykeeper/flashlight-...

Or, the diagram
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/41726
does make sense once you've got your head around it



I did say the UI is fiddly

Bloody hell............how about plain English for a numpty? In other words, is there a way to just turn it on to full power?

[Mr-B]

audi321 said:

Bloody hell............how about plain English for a numpty? In other words, is there a way to just turn it on to full power?

If you have memory mode engaged then it will do that, just one press will bring it back on at the level you last used it. I'm not sure how to engage memory mode though (mine has it now but I don't know how I did it)

[schmunk]

Mr-B said:

audi321 said:

Bloody hell............how about plain English for a numpty? In other words, is there a way to just turn it on to full power?

If you have memory mode engaged then it will do that, just one press will bring it back on at the level you last used it. I'm not sure how to engage memory mode though (mine has it now but I don't know how I did it)

Short press to cycle modes about 15 times in a rite until it stops flashing.

It will then flash twice, small pause and again flash twice.

If you turn the torch off during the first two flashes it switches between 7-mode-mode and 4-mode-mode.

If you turn the torch off during the second two flashes it toggles memory mode.

[Gingerbread Man]

Guys and girls. I'm struggling to relate to the torch specs in regards to lumens. I have no benchmark to work from.

For example, the LED Lenser 7.2 and the T7M state that they'll run at 320/ 400 max or 40 min lumens (is this typically two settings or variable in between the max and min?). How bright is 40 lumens? Fine for walking across a pitch black field?

I looked on a few Aussie sites and have a few tabs open;

LED Lenser P7.2

LED Lenser T7M

JETBeam SRA40

SUNWAYMAN D40A

Fenix UC40 Ultimate Edition - rechargeable batteries, but USB rechargeable. Seems more convenient than mains powered if near a car/ battery bank.


They're just random ones within budget that came up on a few torch websites. Some have 900 odd lumens.

[defblade]

Gingerbread Man said:

Guys and girls. I'm struggling to relate to the torch specs in regards to lumens. I have no benchmark to work from.

For example, the LED Lenser 7.2 and the T7M state that they'll run at 320/ 400 max or 40 min lumens (is this typically two settings or variable in between the max and min?). How bright is 40 lumens? Fine for walking across a pitch black field?

I looked on a few Aussie sites and have a few tabs open;

LED Lenser P7.2

LED Lenser T7M

JETBeam SRA40

SUNWAYMAN D40A

Fenix UC40 Ultimate Edition - rechargeable batteries, but USB rechargeable. Seems more convenient than mains powered if near a car/ battery bank.


They're just random ones within budget that came up on a few torch websites. Some have 900 odd lumens.

An old fashioned Maglite would be about 40 lumens. It's enough to use for close work, walking a bit. It won't light up those trees over there.

100 lumens is a reasonable amount of light. A normal person would call it a nice bright torch (how little they know! heh! heh! heh!). You'll get some light on those trees over there.

200 lumens is probably as much as any sane person not working in search and rescue really needs. It'll be bright enough that sometimes you'll want to turn it down. Those trees will be lit up; if it's got a zoomable head to give a spot (or is a thrower in the first place (digression: stippled, shallow, reflectors = smoother floodlight beam, less distance; deeper, smooth reflectors = spotlight, distance, poor beam pattern outside the hot spot)) you'll also be able to light up the trees on the other side of the field..

500 and up, people start swearing when you turn it on. Night becomes day over a fair area.





The only other qualification to this is: there are lumens (pinch of salt), there are OutTheFront (OTF) lumens (often quoted by the most reputable manufacturers), and there are Chinese lumens (mountain of salt).

Chinese lumens need to be approached cautiously at source and basically ignored on ebay/amazon/etc. They're cheap to buy though (I like DX.com, many others are available), so splash out on a few and see how you go

[FiF]

defblade said:

Gingerbread Man said:

Guys and girls. I'm struggling to relate to the torch specs in regards to lumens. I have no benchmark to work from.

For example, the LED Lenser 7.2 and the T7M state that they'll run at 320/ 400 max or 40 min lumens (is this typically two settings or variable in between the max and min?). How bright is 40 lumens? Fine for walking across a pitch black field?

I looked on a few Aussie sites and have a few tabs open;

LED Lenser P7.2

LED Lenser T7M

JETBeam SRA40

SUNWAYMAN D40A

Fenix UC40 Ultimate Edition - rechargeable batteries, but USB rechargeable. Seems more convenient than mains powered if near a car/ battery bank.


They're just random ones within budget that came up on a few torch websites. Some have 900 odd lumens.

An old fashioned Maglite would be about 40 lumens. It's enough to use for close work, walking a bit. It won't light up those trees over there.

100 lumens is a reasonable amount of light. A normal person would call it a nice bright torch (how little they know! heh! heh! heh!). You'll get some light on those trees over there.

200 lumens is probably as much as any sane person not working in search and rescue really needs. It'll be bright enough that sometimes you'll want to turn it down. Those trees will be lit up; if it's got a zoomable head to give a spot (or is a thrower in the first place (digression: stippled, shallow, reflectors = smoother floodlight beam, less distance; deeper, smooth reflectors = spotlight, distance, poor beam pattern outside the hot spot)) you'll also be able to light up the trees on the other side of the field..

500 and up, people start swearing when you turn it on. Night becomes day over a fair area.





The only other qualification to this is: there are lumens (pinch of salt), there are OutTheFront (OTF) lumens (often quoted by the most reputable manufacturers), and there are Chinese lumens (mountain of salt).

Chinese lumens need to be approached cautiously at source and basically ignored on ebay/amazon/etc. They're cheap to buy though (I like DX.com, many others are available), so splash out on a few and see how you go

That's a very good analysis. Take the P7.2 for instance. 40 lumens is quite enough on a dark field to see what you're doing but as defblade says it isn't going to light up the other side of the field. In reality it's brighter than my old 2 D cell Maglite even with new batteries, noticeably brighter.

High setting 250 lumens is to normal people, guess that means we aren't normal, but to normal people it's a very bright torch, and lights up a local area very brightly when on flood, and on zoom throws a bright white beam, a noticeable beam across the field and even lights up the trees the other side of the river when on boost.

40 lumens is also bright enough to attract a driver's attention if you're walking down a road AND they're paying attention. On high, 250 lumens is certainly enough to wake the dozy buggers, and boost is high enough to get them to immediately dip, and slow down thinking they're about to get pulled for something by the constabulary. That's not shining directly at them as that would be silly.

In terms of switching between power modes, one click, high, another click, low, another click off. Press and hold but not far enough to click, boost, simple.

Just to add, 900 genuine lumens, or 1800 as I have on my Fenix, is totally on the unnecessary side of flaming bright and definitely gets complaints.

Edited by FiF on Monday 18th January 09:45

[wseed]

schmunk said:

Short press to cycle modes about 15 times in a rite until it stops flashing.

It will then flash twice, small pause and again flash twice.

If you turn the torch off during the first two flashes it switches between 7-mode-mode and 4-mode-mode.

If you turn the torch off during the second two flashes it toggles memory mode.

Thanks for that, I'd figured most of it by reading the firmware post but I'd thought the memory was only enable by a physical alteration. I'll enable that tonight.

[Mr-B]

schmunk said:

Short press to cycle modes about 15 times in a rite until it stops flashing.

It will then flash twice, small pause and again flash twice.

If you turn the torch off during the first two flashes it switches between 7-mode-mode and 4-mode-mode.

If you turn the torch off during the second two flashes it toggles memory mode.

I'd worked out the toggle between 4 and 7 modes, that's why I must have accidentally got the memory mode working, it's not too dissimilar in the button pressing sequence.

[Gingerbread Man]

FiF said:

defblade said:

Gingerbread Man said:

Guys and girls. I'm struggling to relate to the torch specs in regards to lumens. I have no benchmark to work from.

For example, the LED Lenser 7.2 and the T7M state that they'll run at 320/ 400 max or 40 min lumens (is this typically two settings or variable in between the max and min?). How bright is 40 lumens? Fine for walking across a pitch black field?

I looked on a few Aussie sites and have a few tabs open;

LED Lenser P7.2

LED Lenser T7M

JETBeam SRA40

SUNWAYMAN D40A

Fenix UC40 Ultimate Edition - rechargeable batteries, but USB rechargeable. Seems more convenient than mains powered if near a car/ battery bank.


They're just random ones within budget that came up on a few torch websites. Some have 900 odd lumens.

An old fashioned Maglite would be about 40 lumens. It's enough to use for close work, walking a bit. It won't light up those trees over there.

100 lumens is a reasonable amount of light. A normal person would call it a nice bright torch (how little they know! heh! heh! heh!). You'll get some light on those trees over there.

200 lumens is probably as much as any sane person not working in search and rescue really needs. It'll be bright enough that sometimes you'll want to turn it down. Those trees will be lit up; if it's got a zoomable head to give a spot (or is a thrower in the first place (digression: stippled, shallow, reflectors = smoother floodlight beam, less distance; deeper, smooth reflectors = spotlight, distance, poor beam pattern outside the hot spot)) you'll also be able to light up the trees on the other side of the field..

500 and up, people start swearing when you turn it on. Night becomes day over a fair area.





The only other qualification to this is: there are lumens (pinch of salt), there are OutTheFront (OTF) lumens (often quoted by the most reputable manufacturers), and there are Chinese lumens (mountain of salt).

Chinese lumens need to be approached cautiously at source and basically ignored on ebay/amazon/etc. They're cheap to buy though (I like DX.com, many others are available), so splash out on a few and see how you go

That's a very good analysis. Take the P7.2 for instance. 40 lumens is quite enough on a dark field to see what you're doing but as defblade says it isn't going to light up the other side of the field. In reality it's brighter than my old 2 D cell Maglite even with new batteries, noticeably brighter.

High setting 250 lumens is to normal people, guess that means we aren't normal, but to normal people it's a very bright torch, and lights up a local area very brightly when on flood, and on zoom throws a bright white beam, a noticeable beam across the field and even lights up the trees the other side of the river when on boost.

40 lumens is also bright enough to attract a driver's attention if you're walking down a road AND they're paying attention. On high, 250 lumens is certainly enough to wake the dozy buggers, and boost is high enough to get them to immediately dip, and slow down thinking they're about to get pulled for something by the constabulary. That's not shining directly at them as that would be silly.

In terms of switching between power modes, one click, high, another click, low, another click off. Press and hold but not far enough to click, boost, simple.

Just to add, 900 genuine lumens, or 1800 as I have on my Fenix, is totally on the unnecessary side of flaming bright and definitely gets complaints.

Edited by FiF on Monday 18th January 09:45

Right, that helps a lot, thanks you two. I used to have an old maglite, the ones about as thick your finger, so it goes me something good to work from. Unfortunately I can't find it, but I have a vague memory.

It seems to me that the two LED Lenser torches that I mentioned above, the P7.2 and T7M are designed to run mostly at their 40 lumen setting (low) and then with the press of a button you can ramp them up to their ~400 lumen setting (high) if needed. But the high setting only lasts for an hour, and I feel that this torch should produce more light than my old Maglite. Therefore I think I need a torch with a middle setting for a halfway house of lumens and battery life.


I think it'd down to;

JETBeam PA40





Or the Fenix UC40 Ultimate Edition




Anything I'm missing?

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Tuesday 19th January 07:17

[defblade]

Gingerbread Man said:

Right, that helps a lot, thanks you two. I used to have an old maglite, the ones about as thick your finger, so it goes me something good to work from. Unfortunately I can't find it, but I have a vague memory.

Mini-mags probably closer to 20 lumens....

You can't go wrong with Fenix, IMO - the best qualityrice ratio for proper manufacturers. They do do a lot of models though, so don't limit yourself to one! The one you've listed will have 960 real lumens - as said, that's far more than you'd probably really need

[Gingerbread Man]

defblade said:

Gingerbread Man said:

Right, that helps a lot, thanks you two. I used to have an old maglite, the ones about as thick your finger, so it goes me something good to work from. Unfortunately I can't find it, but I have a vague memory.

Mini-mags probably closer to 20 lumens....

You can't go wrong with Fenix, IMO - the best qualityrice ratio for proper manufacturers. They do do a lot of models though, so don't limit yourself to one! The one you've listed will have 960 real lumens - as said, that's far more than you'd probably really need

I was more basing it on the low and medium settings. Also what I can get for my Max budget.

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Tuesday 19th January 11:10

[FiF]

Don't see anything wrong with that Fenix, rechargeable via the USB lead. Charge time is about 6 hours so as back up if that's going to be a problem you will need to set yourself up in advance with 2 x CR123A batteries or an 18650 and a charger.

[markmullen]

CR123As are ideal for backups as they've got a really long shelf life, usually 10 years.

I make sure most of my lights are capable of taking a CR123A, even if just as a backup, as if suddenly they're needed they can be fired up without waiting for 18650s to charge.

[Gingerbread Man]

What are the best batteries for the job?

[audi321]

markmullen said:

CR123As are ideal for backups as they've got a really long shelf life, usually 10 years.

I make sure most of my lights are capable of taking a CR123A, even if just as a backup, as if suddenly they're needed they can be fired up without waiting for 18650s to charge.

I buy em from eBay at a fraction of the price of shops. Duracell too and they aren't out of date or fakes. Makes you not worry about using the torch as much lol

[tenohfive]

audi321 said:

I buy em from eBay at a fraction of the price of shops. Duracell too and they aren't out of date or fakes. Makes you not worry about using the torch as much lol

Erm...wouldn't it just be better to take spare rechargeables, be they 18650's or 18350's?
I thought the point that Mark was making was that in a pinch if you find yourself running out of juice away from home CR123A's can be purchased from most supermarkets etc.

[JontyR]

I've joined the ridiculous torch brigade

I am going through my training in Lowland search and rescue and my first night session wasn't the best with the torch I had! I have a Lenser SEO-7R which has been fantastic, but the battery didn't last the night out and head-torches are not recommended.

So I have bought two new torches today!!

First is the Fenix TK75 4000 Lumens. Just waiting to see what the new batteries that Fenix have released with their new 18650 battery going from 3200mAh to 3600mAh. Bought the extender pack and a spare set of 4 batteries to keep in my bag.

Plus amazon has a deal on http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F9ZH4O6?ref_...
which gives the Pro7.2 at half price...so that is now my back up torch.

Looking forward to seeing what they are like

[tenohfive]

JontyR said:

Plus amazon has a deal on http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F9ZH4O6?ref_...
which gives the Pro7.2 at half price...so that is now my back up torch.

Looking forward to seeing what they are like

I'd seriously consider cancelling the latter order and looking at something like the Nitecore EA11. It replaced my (vanilla, older) Lenser T7 and a friend with a P7.2 has recently followed suit. Both being used for a similar application to yours. It's more output, just as much performance and much, much less weight. And if you know where to look (Mad Max on BLF) it can be had for similar money.

[FurtiveFreddy]

Jamesgt said:

This weapon of mass destruction turned up last week. Very impressed. It weighs more than I thought it would for such a small light. I think it's the smallest Coke can light out there?!

I've just got mine

Very impressed by the build quality and I think the size and weight are both acceptable given the light output and versatility the UI gives you.
You can run it off only 2 batteries if you want to save a bit of weight.
It also doubles up as a very effective hand-warmer when in turbo mode.