My new torch

[tenohfive]

Polarbert said:

I'm going camping soon and thought about one of these: https://www.amazon.com/WindFire%C2%AE-Waterproof-A...

I never expect it will actually be 1800 lumens but do you chaps think it looks alright?

It'll probably be fine. Campsite use isn't particularly taxing. If you're going wild camping anywhere reasonably remote though then you might want something a bit better.

jimmyjimjim said:

Ok, I'm sure it has been covered on here to some depth before...but it's probably outdated (as was the info I found on various forums), so let me ask this question: I have a couple of D cell maglites that I still use as I don't have much need for a torch, except of course, for when I do. So they live in a drawer in the kitchen and get fed a diet of D cells as and when needed (very infrequently*).

So, what are my best options for upgrading a 4D and 6D maglite to led - both for keeping the D cells or replacing them with something more exotic?

I'm thinking keeping the D cells should lead to a relatively cheap drop in solution, and replacing them should allow a truly comic beast of a torch? And something in between being what I'd probably go for...

Your suggestions please gentlemen.

* a look at the 4 cell torch show batteries dated 2004 and 2013. Still works for its purpose.

Are you totally set on keeping the Maglite? There are a lot of muuuuuuuuuch lighter, smaller, less cumbersome lights that'll run longer and outperform the Mag for very little money.

If so, have a look at Terralux.
https://www.shopterralux.com/led-conversion-kits/

If not and you want to stick with the zoomie style, Brinyte B158 springs to mind:
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_263535....
Chuck in a LiitoKala Lii 202 charger (a fiver) and a couple of 18650's ($15 for a pair of NCR 18650B's) and you're sorted.

For non-zoomie's there are hundreds of options that'll do the job; what is it you'll be using it for? Having first got into torches because of zoomies (Mags and Lensers) I now use none day to day as with the right beam pattern you can get better performance but without the compromises.

[FurballS2000]

jimmyjimjim said:

Ok, I'm sure it has been covered on here to some depth before...but it's probably outdated (as was the info I found on various forums), so let me ask this question: I have a couple of D cell maglites that I still use as I don't have much need for a torch, except of course, for when I do. So they live in a drawer in the kitchen and get fed a diet of D cells as and when needed (very infrequently*).

So, what are my best options for upgrading a 4D and 6D maglite to led - both for keeping the D cells or replacing them with something more exotic?

I'm thinking keeping the D cells should lead to a relatively cheap drop in solution, and replacing them should allow a truly comic beast of a torch? And something in between being what I'd probably go for...

Your suggestions please gentlemen.

* a look at the 4 cell torch show batteries dated 2004 and 2013. Still works for its purpose.

I have a 2D Maglite that I bought one of these for
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maglite-Upgrade-Conversio...

Not the brightest torch out there but you'll get a nice boost from the standard Maglite bulbs with it, plus better battery life (although that doesn't seem to be an issue for you!)

[schmunk]

tenohfive said:

I think he means 18650 batteries.

That's right - apologies all for the error.

[jimmyjimjim]

FurballS2000 said:

I have a 2D Maglite that I bought one of these for
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maglite-Upgrade-Conversio...

Not the brightest torch out there but you'll get a nice boost from the standard Maglite bulbs with it, plus better battery life (although that doesn't seem to be an issue for you!)

Thanks; might get one (or similar) for the 4 cell. Battery life only really matters for 'standby' battery life

[jimmyjimjim]

tenohfive said:

Are you totally set on keeping the Maglite? There are a lot of muuuuuuuuuch lighter, smaller, less cumbersome lights that'll run longer and outperform the Mag for very little money.

If so, have a look at Terralux.
https://www.shopterralux.com/led-conversion-kits/

If not and you want to stick with the zoomie style, Brinyte B158 springs to mind:
http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_263535....
Chuck in a LiitoKala Lii 202 charger (a fiver) and a couple of 18650's ($15 for a pair of NCR 18650B's) and you're sorted.

For non-zoomie's there are hundreds of options that'll do the job; what is it you'll be using it for? Having first got into torches because of zoomies (Mags and Lensers) I now use none day to day as with the right beam pattern you can get better performance but without the compromises.

Thanks; I found Terralux last night and was tempted.

I'm not completely set on keeping the maglites - but I've had them for a while(>10 years), they take commonly available batteries, they don't need charging and they can just sit around in a drawer until needed, unlike more exotic offerings. I see no reason to throw it out, so anything I get will be either an upgrade or in addition to them. My main use for them is to navigate around the house when the power goes out and general torch duties as and when needed (nothing out of the ordinary). Also as a ttting stick if needed (not so far...and very much a secondary use).
So zooming isn't really necessary for me - throwing out a decent/appropriate amount of light is.

The Terralux drop in upgrade for ~$65 seems to fit the requirement quite nicely; selectable modes allowing for blinding whatever needs blinding, or turning down enough to work on a car while lasting several eternities.

Quite tempted.

I really don't use it that much or for anything demanding. So, if i take that $65 and instead go for something in a fixed beam, what would you recommend - for general purposes?

[tenohfive]

$65 would be massive overkill for general round the house duties; you could get three Convoy S2+'s (my go-to round the house torch) with batteries and the charger above and probably still have change. Maybe 4. Anything running off an 18650 will last plenty - I've got a WF501B in my glove box that's been there 2 years without charge and still has life in it.

If you wanted to spend the full $65, I think you could get a Convoy L6 within budget (maybe slightly over with a 26650 battery and charger) which has still got a good bit of heft to it. Massive, massive overkill for house use but it will do that job. A lot of torch geeks have suggested that it's one of the best lights of 2016, and it's side by side with the Klarus XT12 on my 'want' list.
http://www.banggood.com/Convoy-Clear-L6-XHP70-3800...

For something smaller with microUSB charging there's the Lumintop SDMini.

In all honesty though if you take bulk out of the equation I suspect that just about any 18650 light will do all you want.

[jimmyjimjim]

Yes...having had a look at a few of the links or suggestions you've provided, I think I'm tending towards the 'pretty much any 18650 light will do' answer.

Either that, or 'only a Manker MK34 will do'.

I shall have to go sit on my credit card until these urge pass, I think.

How long does an average capacity 18650 take to charge over USB?

[FiF]

There have been a few occasions where someone on the thread has recommended using Li-ion rechargeables in torches where the spec says use disposable AA or AAA.

AA/AAA means 1.5v
Li-ion rechargeable eg 18650 means 3.7v

Wtf?

I can accept that there may be devices where multiple batteries are connected in series rather than parallel so the supplied voltage may not be 1.5v.

Equally one can get AA/AAA sized Li-ion rechargeables which have circuitry to reduce the voltage to 1.5v. Ref Kenli batteries, but expensive. Plus do these work with chargers such as the VC4?

You can get AA sized Li-ion rechargeables that produce 3.7v.

Can someone please explain whether I'm missing something here, as there is no way I'd put a 3.7v battery in something that is supposed to take 1.5v disposables.

[tenohfive]

FiF said:

There have been a few occasions where someone on the thread has recommended using Li-ion rechargeables in torches where the spec says use disposable AA or AAA.

Can someone please explain whether I'm missing something here, as there is no way I'd put a 3.7v battery in something that is supposed to take 1.5v disposables.

Where was that suggested?

I certainly wouldn't put li-ions in something that is only rated for 1.5v. There are more and more lights that will run off either li-ion or alkaline batteries, albeit with about 1/3 of the output if running on alkalines (most of my AA/AAA form factor lights in fact) but they are rated to take the higher voltage of a li-ion cell. But I've missed it if someone has suggested running a lower rated light on li-ions in this thread.

[tenohfive]

jimmyjimjim said:

Yes...having had a look at a few of the links or suggestions you've provided, I think I'm tending towards the 'pretty much any 18650 light will do' answer.

Either that, or 'only a Manker MK34 will do'.

I shall have to go sit on my credit card until these urge pass, I think.

How long does an average capacity 18650 take to charge over USB?

You probably don't want to click this link then...
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=prod...

On the charging front - honest answer is I don't know as I don't own any 18650 lights with a charging circuit built in. My best guess (and it is that, guesswork) would be up to 3 hours max. That's based on a) how long it takes me to recharge an 18650 in a smart charger (a fair bit less than that) and b) how long a lipstick style USB battery pack takes to charge as they are 18650 based with a simple charging circuit.

Personal thing but whilst it's a nice-to-have feature, with smart chargers and spare cells being as cheap as they are now (even for reputable cells - Panasonic/Samsung etc) it's not a deal breaker for me. I have my VC4 charger for main duties, a Lii 202 for the odd occasion 4 slots isn't enough and a Lii 100 single cell charger that sits in my cars centre console in case I ever get stuck (and to save bringing a separate one when I go camping.) The last two cost me £8 for both.

Edited by tenohfive on Wednesday 4th January 17:39

[moleamol]

jimmyjimjim said:

Thanks; I found Terralux last night and was tempted.

I'm not completely set on keeping the maglites - but I've had them for a while(>10 years), they take commonly available batteries, they don't need charging and they can just sit around in a drawer until needed, unlike more exotic offerings. I see no reason to throw it out, so anything I get will be either an upgrade or in addition to them. My main use for them is to navigate around the house when the power goes out and general torch duties as and when needed (nothing out of the ordinary). Also as a ttting stick if needed (not so far...and very much a secondary use).
So zooming isn't really necessary for me - throwing out a decent/appropriate amount of light is.

The Terralux drop in upgrade for ~$65 seems to fit the requirement quite nicely; selectable modes allowing for blinding whatever needs blinding, or turning down enough to work on a car while lasting several eternities.

Quite tempted.

I really don't use it that much or for anything demanding. So, if i take that $65 and instead go for something in a fixed beam, what would you recommend - for general purposes?

I got three of these when they were £1.82. They are ridiculous value for money, even at the current price. They are absolutely fine for everything you want them for apart from pretending to be a security guard. They really are surprisingly good and I don't think I've changed a single battery yet.

[jimmyjimjim]

tenohfive said:

You probably don't want to click this link then...
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=prod...

On the charging front - honest answer is I don't know as I don't own any 18650 lights with a charging circuit built in. My best guess (and it is that, guesswork) would be up to 3 hours max. That's based on a) how long it takes me to recharge an 18650 in a smart charger (a fair bit less than that) and b) how long a lipstick style USB battery pack takes to charge as they are 18650 based with a simple charging circuit.

Personal thing but whilst it's a nice-to-have feature, with smart chargers and spare cells being as cheap as they are now (even for reputable cells - Panasonic/Samsung etc) it's not a deal breaker for me. I have my VC4 charger for main duties, a Lii 202 for the odd occasion 4 slots isn't enough and a Lii 100 single cell charger that sits in my cars centre console in case I ever get stuck (and to save bringing a separate one when I go camping.) The last two cost me £8 for both.

Edited by tenohfive on Wednesday 4th January 17:39

Just as well it's out of stock. Managed to talk myself out of the Nitecore TM28, too!

Having seen the price of the chargers, it doesn't seem to be worth paying the premium for usb, either.

I shall ponder. Unfortunately for me, it's moved into the 'that would be a nice piece of kit to have category', so I probably need to buy something cheap quickly in order to satisfy the cravings before I have to order something massively OTT.

[moleamol]

Have a look at my reply on the previous page.

[jimmyjimjim]

moleamol said:

I got three of these when they were £1.82. They are ridiculous value for money, even at the current price. They are absolutely fine for everything you want them for apart from pretending to be a security guard. They really are surprisingly good and I don't think I've changed a single battery yet.

Should I want to pretend to be a security guard, I'll nip 5 miles down the road and buy this. More effective and probably lighter than my maglite...

[tenohfive]

moleamol said:

I got three of these when they were £1.82. They are ridiculous value for money, even at the current price. They are absolutely fine for everything you want them for apart from pretending to be a security guard. They really are surprisingly good and I don't think I've changed a single battery yet.

Sipik SK68 clones - good little lights, excellent value.

[jimmyjimjim]

moleamol said:

Have a look at my reply on the previous page.

I did see it, I'm thinking along the lines of this right now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RKTQYG

I'm in the US, btw.

[moleamol]

jimmyjimjim said:

moleamol said:

Have a look at my reply on the previous page.

I did see it, I'm thinking along the lines of this right now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RKTQYG

I'm in the US, btw.

Well in that case get 5!

[tenohfive]

jimmyjimjim said:

I did see it, I'm thinking along the lines of this right now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RKTQYG

I'm in the US, btw.

My glovebox light and the first 18650 light I bought. The Convoy S2+ is a much better light though for an extra $5:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-Ship...

[jimmyjimjim]

moleamol said:

Well in that case get 5!

I should really, as I remember I bought 118 AA's on black Friday for $15 and haven't used one yet...

[FiF]

tenohfive said:

FiF said:

There have been a few occasions where someone on the thread has recommended using Li-ion rechargeables in torches where the spec says use disposable AA or AAA.

Can someone please explain whether I'm missing something here, as there is no way I'd put a 3.7v battery in something that is supposed to take 1.5v disposables.

Where was that suggested?

I certainly wouldn't put li-ions in something that is only rated for 1.5v. There are more and more lights that will run off either li-ion or alkaline batteries, albeit with about 1/3 of the output if running on alkalines (most of my AA/AAA form factor lights in fact) but they are rated to take the higher voltage of a li-ion cell. But I've missed it if someone has suggested running a lower rated light on li-ions in this thread.

Well just on the last page (109) we had this relating to a torch which used 3xAAA.

schmunk said:

The biggest single improvement you could make is to swap your 3x AAA batteries for 1x 18600 Lithium Ion battery

Which you commented on saying that you thought he meant 18650.

On the page before that someone was suggesting using something at 3.7v in those Hero beam camping lanterns that I definitely use normal IKEA yellow AA's in.

Hence me asking the question if I'm missing something, or are people being put at risk of buggering up their kit.