My new torch

Author
Discussion

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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That Nitecore is just too ugly for my tastes.

Avidfanofstuff

235 posts

135 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Arif110 said:
And, a bit like a 911 - actually quite practical, day-to-day. This would be the Nitecore TM26, and it's my main everyday use (not carry!) torch - from 3 Lumens, to be able to check up on the babies with - to 3800 Lumens* to check up on the burglars.

  • It originally came out as a 3500Lumen version, but now mostly you should only find the upgraded version, which also has a less-blue LED display (some call it 'white').
My other two in-use ones are the Olight SR95, and SR96 - the latter putting out 4800Lumens in a package not much different to one's idea of a large, handheld torch.

Fenix, Nitecore, Klarus and Olight all in my experience execute fabulous torches - factors being things like glass lenses and current-controlled circuitry (so, constant brightness).

Nitecore's MH Series are fantastic in that they are USB-chargeable - as are their excellent P25's.
Thanks for the informative post.

Do you reckon this is the old version then?

http://www.dx.com/p/nitecore-tm26-0-7-lcd-4-x-cree...

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Avidfanofstuff said:
Thanks for the informative post.

Do you reckon this is the old version then?

http://www.dx.com/p/nitecore-tm26-0-7-lcd-4-x-cree...
Looks like it could be to me (based upon Arif's post.) 3500 lumens quoted on that one.

A quick Google Shopping search shows this for £6 more than DX though, appears to be the 3800 version?
http://www.dinodirect.com/nitecore-tm26-tiny-monst...

I've not heard of the company so I'd do some digging, they have got some stars on GS so they aren't completely unknown so it should be easy to bottom out if they're legit.

Arif110

794 posts

213 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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It's actually a bit of a lottery. During the transitional phase, you'd have to be torch nut enough to call up the dealer & get them to determine which the version in their stock was, based on info you provided!! The outer packaging never kept up with the contents for a while - meaning ordering what should totally be the old version, but where the actual torch was the newer one (theory was that they had already printed an excess of said packaging)! There were even a few of them where the LED display didn't keep up with the new fact - ie old blue display, but showing revised Lumen figures.
Now though you should only really find yourself with the upgraded version (from a reputable dealer, at any rate!).

Arif110

794 posts

213 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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P.s. The Nitecore MH Series are USB-chargeable - but ALL of the torches I've mentioned can charge in-situ - no need to take batteries out to charge, inc of course the TM26.

Arif110

794 posts

213 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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DoubleSix said:
That Nitecore is just too ugly for my tastes.
Much like Crocs - ugly as sin, functional as hell!

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Wished I hadn't started reading this. Just bought my self an early birthday pressie smile

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007B86KLC/ref=pe_38572...

Avidfanofstuff

235 posts

135 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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pherlopolus said:
Wished I hadn't started reading this. Just bought my self an early birthday pressie smile

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007B86KLC/ref=pe_38572...
It won't be the last one you buy... trust me!

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Oh I have a selection of maglites and other LED tat. Bought Mrs P a lenser key chain one for xmas last year - so I have some previous form!

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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Well my £1.75 torch has arrived, and it is marvellous even with just a durecell, pondering getting the higher power batteries though...

Polarbert

17,923 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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You know, I haven't used either of my three torches in god knows how long, but I still my find myself looking at them and thinking my god I want it. I can't explain why either!

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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This is the latest on my 'want,' list - Zebralight H600 MkII head torch:





XM-L2 powered, 1090 lumens on high (for 2 hours) and 18650 powered. And can of course be used as a hand torch if need be.

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,298 posts

178 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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It's heading back into torch season proper now and of course ones mind turns to new toys.

Rather leaning towards a new head torch or two. Anyone got something to recommend?

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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silverthorn2151 said:
It's heading back into torch season proper now and of course ones mind turns to new toys.

Rather leaning towards a new head torch or two. Anyone got something to recommend?
The post above you seems ideal.

Been after a head torch that runs 18650s...

tamore

6,784 posts

283 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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TM26 (3800) turned up eventually after it's round the world trip from dx. Along with some 3400Mah panasonic batteries. Blimey, that's some light from a thing the size of a coke can.

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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silverthorn2151 said:
It's heading back into torch season proper now and of course ones mind turns to new toys.

Rather leaning towards a new head torch or two. Anyone got something to recommend?
If the rather large price tag on the Zebralight puts you off, my three head torches are:

LED Lenser H7.2 - say what you want about Lenser, the flood to throw, good throw, comfort, weight and throw all in one nice 250 lumen package. It's brilliant. I've used it for everything from round the house DIY to camping halfway up a mountain and it's an impressive bit of kit.

Alpkit Manta: a cheap but very cheerful headtorch with a very basic flood to throw (it's not that throwy), coloured lights (red/green/blue) for night vision preservation and despite it's slightly chunky looks it sits very comfortably. Round the house/garden/tent duties which it performs admirably.
Alpkit have just released a couple of other headtorches though, may well be worth a look.

Ring Cybalite Sprint: tiny, incredibly light but surprisingly bright little headtorch. I've got a couple knocking around for 'just in case,' duties, and as a backup for the Lenser when I'm going somewhere remote.

All three have their place but I rarely use anything other than the Lenser these days. It does everything well.

papa3

1,407 posts

186 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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Just ordered this as a new main dive light. Tried the Beta version on Saturday and the light produce from the 1 LED model was amazing, the 3 LED as ordered should make my cars headlights look feeble!

markmullen

15,877 posts

233 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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silverthorn2151 said:
It's heading back into torch season proper now and of course ones mind turns to new toys.

Rather leaning towards a new head torch or two. Anyone got something to recommend?
I can recommend the Petzl MYO RXP, http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/petzl-myo-rxp-headlamp...

It is programmable, when it arrived it was set that the first press of the button came on at its brightest and subsequent presses made it dimmer, I reversed that, for my photography I often just need a little extra light, not a full on eye searing burst, so I have it come on dim, then ramp up to full brightness.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Can someone recommend me a nice looking, well made (and bright, of course) LED torch up to about £40 delivered?

I've had a good look through the thread and options seem so varied I'm not sure where to start.

alock

4,224 posts

210 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Dr G said:
Can someone recommend me a nice looking, well made (and bright, of course) LED torch up to about £40 delivered?

I've had a good look through the thread and options seem so varied I'm not sure where to start.
You'll get better answers if you can specify the size of torch you want. The best way to think of this is what type of batteries you want to use, There's a big different between a torch that takes 4 D cells and one that takes a single AAA. Additionally do you want to use off the shelf alkaline batteries or are you happy with high voltage rechargeables?