My new torch

[Tiggsy]

Just moved house and my new dog walk is now through unlit fields at night - My Little single AAA LedLenser is a bit lacking - Budget of £50, what do I go for (happy with same brand - They just have so many option!!!)

[FiF]

My first suggestion is one of the lenser 7.2 variants powered by a set of AAA eneloop.

Alternatively a head torch? Thrunite TH10 or Nitecore HC30, but then you need to set yourself up with 18650 battery and decent charger which stuffs the budget.

[Tiggsy]

thats ok - decent charger?

[FiF]

I've been very happy with the XTAR VC4. Lots of suppliers from Amazon and elsewhere, it uses a USB power source, so I plug it into an IKEA 3 way USB charger that sits in the utility room and we use for phones, tablets etc. Charges the eneloop in my P7.2 lenser and the 18650 for the other torches.

The bit I like is that the display also shows how many mAh you've put in.

[V8mate]

I've looked back and can't find who recommended these, but I decided to grab a pair anyway - apropos nothing - and they're great!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0189UAMEG/

[silverthorn2151]

Oooo, that reminds me. I forgot that I needed those.

Won't have that worry tomorrow evening after Amazon do their bit.



I'll tell her its slippers from Santa, or something. I won't tell her its 'another bloody torch'.

[V8mate]

Can a thread 'Power User' advise as to whether I can use those bionic rechargeable batteries in them^, or just stick with regular jobbies?

[silverthorn2151]

I have some super duper 14500 (AA) batteries warming up in the charger for them and there is no reason you can't run them on those.

I got mine from Torchy the Battery Boy via his ebay shop.

These in fact.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Torchy-IMR-14500-AA-s...

[FiF]

Are you sure about that? Those batteries you've linked are 3.7v whereas it uses AA batteries which are 1.5v. I know it says they are AA size but I wouldn't be putting those Li-ion rechargeable in. Willing to be corrected.

[NordicCrankShaft]

Just got given this as a gift for my birthday and it is a monster. So bright. Perfect for winter night hiking or when we're out cross country skiing.



Also got given this one too and it's handy is it wireless but also has a 12v input for plugging into the car.

[silverthorn2151]

FiF said:

Are you sure about that? Those batteries you've linked are 3.7v whereas it uses AA batteries which are 1.5v. I know it says they are AA size but I wouldn't be putting those Li-ion rechargeable in. Willing to be corrected.

Use them in my other AA powered torches with no apparent problems.

However, it would be good to know if I'm going to be incinerated at some point whilst walking the dogs. I get my amps and volts all jumbled up.

[Nigel_O]

Chaps - what have you done to me?....

I posted a couple of weeks ago asking for head-torch recommendations for my wife when she's at the horse yard on dark winter mornings. The recommendation came back for the Nitecore HC30, so I've duly purchased one for her Christmas pressie, along with a Nitecore 3400mAh 18650

However, from my brief test at my office desk this morning, it would appear to be brighter than my own Fenix PD35.

As we all know, its not permissible for SWMBO to have a more powerful torch, so I'm now faced with having to upgrade

So - what 18650 (1x or 2x) torch can I get? I'd love a zoomable, as there are occasions when I need (OK, want...) reach instead of flood

I was sorely tempted with a Nitecore TM06, but I believe they are quite floody

I also prefer torches without a straight body, rather than a pronounced "head" (hence liking the PD35 and the TM06 "coke-can" styles)

I can see this going the same way as car tuning and camera kit - both are VERY slippery slopes....

Edited by Nigel_O on Wednesday 14th December 15:30

[NordicCrankShaft]

Just to add and I didn't even realise this until this morning but the heart orch I've posted above has infrared sensors built into the light unit, so you can wave your hand in front of it once to turn it off and on as apposed to clicking through the different light levels to switch off.

[silverthorn2151]

V8mate said:

I've looked back and can't find who recommended these, but I decided to grab a pair anyway - apropos nothing - and they're great!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0189UAMEG/

you're right.

Real nice.

[Zad]

Hopefully somewhat safer than the usual generic Chinese camping lantern, which are slightly lethal. BigClive has done a couple of videos on them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwqFkelUs_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMuXuIYkco

(TL;DR: USB connector is at mains potential when plugged in to 240V to charge it)

He did one on the "10W" portable LED work light too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi5n1-yhqf8

(TL;DR: Not 10 Watts, but perfectly fine)

[silverthorn2151]

Just good old AA's for 'our' lamps.

[markmullen]

TM06 is good but as you say floody. That said its power means there is a reasonable range but no hotspot at such.

[Hainey]

Zad said:

Hopefully somewhat safer than the usual generic Chinese camping lantern, which are slightly lethal. BigClive has done a couple of videos on them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwqFkelUs_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMuXuIYkco

(TL;DR: USB connector is at mains potential when plugged in to 240V to charge it)

He did one on the "10W" portable LED work light too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi5n1-yhqf8

(TL;DR: Not 10 Watts, but perfectly fine)

That was a real education. Thanks for posting.

[Jon321]

Just moved to the country, middle of nowhere, no street lighting, big garden and surrounded by walks and fields. I need this thread in my life.

Been doing some research (I'd sticking lots of words into Google) and I've come up various torches, including this
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/mh20gt
Anyone got experience of these? It's not mega cheap but I want to spend a few £, quite like my gadgets. I like that this can be charged with the batteries remaining in the torch.

[tenohfive]

Jon321 said:

Just moved to the country, middle of nowhere, no street lighting, big garden and surrounded by walks and fields. I need this thread in my life.

Been doing some research (I'd sticking lots of words into Google) and I've come up various torches, including this
http://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/mh20gt
Anyone got experience of these? It's not mega cheap but I want to spend a few £, quite like my gadgets. I like that this can be charged with the batteries remaining in the torch.

The MH20GT has a solid reputation; I've been keeping an eye out for one on sale myself.
One other option that springs to mind is the Klarus XT12GT:
http://www.klaruslight.com/index.php?m=content&amp...

For either option though I'd still recommend getting a smart charger and an extra cell or two - battery life of 18650 lights is generally excellent, but there's no harm in having a charged spare ready for when you forget to recharge the light. Xtar VC2 or VC4 is a good charger, although I've recently acquired Liitokala Lii-202 and 100 chargers for convenience (one in the car, one spare) and for dirt cheap chargers they do the job perfectly well.

Welcome to the thread.