My new torch

[silverthorn2151]

To extend the discussion a little.

My old and battered 4D Maglite has been with me for years and used to be my torch of choice. Some years ago I changed the bulb for a maglite LED upgrade. Back then I was oh so innocent of the torchnerd sub-specis that I feel myself sliding towards. I tried the torch last might to compare with my new toys and frankly, I may as well have used a tea light in a jar.

So, question. Can I upgrade the maglite, what's best to do, will it cost me loads, where do I get the bits, where can I find a 'how to' and anything else that I should know! Or should I not bother?

[Glade]

itsnotarace said:

Back on the subject of torches, a recent birthday present from the Mrs:

mmmm it's my birthday coming up in November!

[tenohfive]

silverthorn2151 said:

To extend the discussion a little.

My old and battered 4D Maglite has been with me for years and used to be my torch of choice. Some years ago I changed the bulb for a maglite LED upgrade. Back then I was oh so innocent of the torchnerd sub-specis that I feel myself sliding towards. I tried the torch last might to compare with my new toys and frankly, I may as well have used a tea light in a jar.

So, question. Can I upgrade the maglite, what's best to do, will it cost me loads, where do I get the bits, where can I find a 'how to' and anything else that I should know! Or should I not bother?

I looked at this in another thread - to save rehashing, heres the link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[silverthorn2151]

tenohfive said:

I looked at this in another thread - to save rehashing, heres the link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Oh god......she's gonna kill me.

"blah, blah blah....more bloody torch stuff....blah, blah blah"

Doesn't she know how important this stuff is?! I mean, what's the point in an LED upgrade if you don't change the glass eh?

[Mobile Chicane]

I can't wait for it to get dark so I can test out my latest acquisition - a MTE M3-2i.

If there are any zombies in the garden, that should smoke 'em. Ha!

[Waspy1]

silverthorn2151 said:

To extend the discussion a little.

My old and battered 4D Maglite has been with me for years and used to be my torch of choice. Some years ago I changed the bulb for a maglite LED upgrade. Back then I was oh so innocent of the torchnerd sub-specis that I feel myself sliding towards. I tried the torch last might to compare with my new toys and frankly, I may as well have used a tea light in a jar.

So, question. Can I upgrade the maglite, what's best to do, will it cost me loads, where do I get the bits, where can I find a 'how to' and anything else that I should know! Or should I not bother?

This site does Maglite upgrades: The Torch Site

But if you want a REAL Maglite upgrade (and you're not short of cash) you need to talk to Jay, here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php...

[Pints]

Mobile Chicane said:

I can't wait for it to get dark so I can test out my latest acquisition - a MTE M3-2i.

If there are any zombies in the garden, that should smoke 'em. Ha!

Not scared of the dark and a couple of zombies, are you?

[Mr Pies]

Waspy, can you recommend me a torch (pref from deal extreme) for about £20 that will take AA eneloops. It's for work when I'm on nights.

[Waspy1]

Mr Pies said:

Waspy, can you recommend me a torch (pref from deal extreme) for about £20 that will take AA eneloops. It's for work when I'm on nights.

NEXTORCH TA2 SSC-42180 120-Lumen White LED Flashlight w/ Strap & Batteries Set - Black (2 x AA)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/nextorch-ta2-ssc-4218...



£33.10



Brinyte PA 01A HA-III Cree Q3-WC 5-Mode 150-Lumen Memory LED Flashlight (1*AA/2*AA)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/brinyte-pa-01a-ha-iii...



£24.37


UltraFire WF-606A Cree Q2-WC LED Flashlight with Extension Tube (2*AA/1*CR2)

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-wf-606a-cre...



£13.15

[Waspy1]

...but personally, I'd go for this:

http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php...




$11.99

Added with this:

http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php...



$9.99

The XR-E drop-in has a lovely throwy beam.

Important you get the lower voltage (0.8-4.2v) drop-in with 2XAAs.

Prices are in USD.

[Mr Pies]

Thanks! I make that $23.98 so around £14. Does that seem correct?

Also looking at that site, I think they may only sell to wholesalers?

Edited by Mr Pies on Tuesday 25th October 17:22

[Waspy1]

Mr Pies said:

Thanks! I make that $23.98 so around £14. Does that seem correct?

Also looking at that site, I think they may only sell to wholesalers?

Edited by Mr Pies on Tuesday 25th October 17:22

£14 sounds about right.

They sell to individuals, I have bought from that site before.

Solarforce are one of the better Chinese manufacturers.

Also, AAs are very handy but Li-ion 18650 rechargeables are where it's at. Two AAs put out a total of 3 volts but two 18650s put a total of 7.4 volts, but if all you have is AAs and you're on a budget, then your choice makes sense.

[Mr Pies]

How much would 4 18650's with a charger set me back?

[Waspy1]

Well, Solarforce sells a 4x18650 & charger set for $32.99

http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php...



But of course 18650s won't fit the torch body I provided a link to earlier.

Solarforce do torch bodies that take 18650s, either one or two, the main benefit of two is longer run times, but you can get away with one.

If I was you I would get a Solarforce L2 set-up.

This is basically a copy of the Surefire 6P torch, but without the expense of buying a genuine Surefire (also Surefire will not take 18650s, they insist you buy disposable (and expensive) C123s.

The Surefire 6P format is one of the most popular torch formats ever.

One reason is you can change (like lego) bodies (2x18650 for example, doubles the runtime) tail switches, heads and most importantly drop-ins.

This is a nice complete outfit for $49.99

http://www.solarforce-sales.com/product_detail.php...



I used one of these last night at work and it outshone all other torches at an incident. It's surprising how many people who work night shifts have such poor torches.

You can get little plastic cases to carry a couple of spare batteries.

Edited by Waspy1 on Wednesday 26th October 03:27

[Mr Pies]

Ive got some of those eneloop batteries (AA's) how long should the first charge take? Ive had them on for almost 12 hours and the led charge lights still have not gone out!

[Waspy1]

Mr Pies said:

Ive got some of those eneloop batteries (AA's) how long should the first charge take? Ive had them on for almost 12 hours and the led charge lights still have not gone out!

Eneloops are slow charging, the idea is it is better for the batteries.

Probably best to leave them overnight.

Edited by Waspy1 on Saturday 29th October 22:20

[fwaggie]

Woooah! I just ordered one of these
http://www.mte-led.com/show_imgnews.asp?id=461&amp...
together with a double battery charger + batteries for it, all for £91.

Yesterday.

And then saw this thread today.

Spooky

(or not, when I turn that torch on!)

[Mr Pies]

Waspy1 said:

Eneloops are slow charging, the idea is it is better for the batteries.

Probably best to leave them overnight.

Edited by Waspy1 on Saturday 29th October 22:20

They've had another 10 hours today and still the charge lights have not gone out to say they're charged?!

[Waspy1]

Blimey, well maybe you should ask this question on Candlepower forums.

In the meantime just leave them on charge until you get an expert answer.

[nick_j007]

Another vote for the Fenix LD20 here: http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/led_torches/fenix-ld20...

I am blown away by the light this thing puts out. I use rechargeables now as it will eat non rechargeables.