My new torch

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Discussion

Pesty

42,655 posts

255 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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5678 said:
Whats the consensus on Gearbest then? 6% back on Quidco and I've got a TK51, batteries and charger waiting to be bought!

Timely delivery?
Customs charges?
4 recent orders. I seem to remember I paid extra 2 quid for quick delivery with tracking number on 2 and they came in a few days.

The last two I was getting worried took ages then they both turned up at the same time despite ordering a few weeks apart. So they must hold all free shipping ones until they can fill a container or something.

Bang good also pretty good. In fact they may even be the same company.

5678

6,146 posts

226 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
Pesty said:
5678 said:
Whats the consensus on Gearbest then? 6% back on Quidco and I've got a TK51, batteries and charger waiting to be bought!

Timely delivery?
Customs charges?
4 recent orders. I seem to remember I paid extra 2 quid for quick delivery with tracking number on 2 and they came in a few days.

The last two I was getting worried took ages then they both turned up at the same time despite ordering a few weeks apart. So they must hold all free shipping ones until they can fill a container or something.

Bang good also pretty good. In fact they may even be the same company.
Thanks for that. Found somewhere in the UK selling the TK51 for £99 so only £4 more.

Before I order though, is it the right torch for me?

I want...
18650 powered dog walking torch.
Needs to be on the "unneccesary" side of bright so 1200+ lumens
Good flood plus a fair bit of throw.
Range of at least 500m

I'd looked at the TM16, but it's a bit bulky. TK75 is another but also too bulky.

Anything I've not thought of?

FiF

43,965 posts

250 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
5678 said:
Thanks for that. Found somewhere in the UK selling the TK51 for £99 so only £4 more.

Before I order though, is it the right torch for me?

I want...
18650 powered dog walking torch.
Needs to be on the "unneccesary" side of bright so 1200+ lumens
Good flood plus a fair bit of throw.
Range of at least 500m

I'd looked at the TM16, but it's a bit bulky. TK75 is another but also too bulky.

Anything I've not thought of?
This is principally what I have bought the TK51 for, dog walking on pitch black riverside meadows and common heathland, with some unlit connecting roads. Most of the time the flood led is on the mid setting 150 lumens and the thrower off, or maybe on low, another 10 lumens. If have both on mid setting then generally it gives plenty of general illumination and sufficient throw to be useful.

On high it's plenty bright enough and on turbo definitely the "unneccesary " side of bright. The riverside flood plain does get people including some unsavoury individuals walking through it unlit, caught a flasher the other week, and it buggers up their night vision unfortunately, but like to get advance warning of folks drifting about.

On the unlit road, it's bright enough to give traffic advance warning of your presence, and is bright enough that they dip their headlights in advance. hehe

Downside is that it's big and heavy, probably about half a kilo including batteries, so not exactly the thing you slip into your pocket. Buttons bit fiddly if wearing thick gloves, whereas a small tactical style torch with tailcap button, eg lenser P/T7.2 fits that bill admirably, but on 4*AAAs.

As it's so open and pitch black an area usually have a head torch too btw, but not strictly necessary with the TK51. If take the lenser P7.2 then head torch definitely also needed imo.

5678

6,146 posts

226 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
Thanks! Just a bit worried about the bulk.

I've got a few at present that I flit between an Eagletac D25A2 (2xAA tail clicky) and an older Trustfire X8 (2 x 18650 1000 chinese lumen thing)

The Trustfire isnt great and the Eagletac just not bright enough.

Other than the TK51, anything else I should look at?

5678

6,146 posts

226 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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Great. Browsing at lunch and tried to go on candlepowerforums.... Websense blocks it as "Weapons"! I await the email from IT...

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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FiF said:
eg lenser P/T7.2 fits that bill admirably, but on 4*AAAs.

As it's so open and pitch black an area usually have a head torch too btw, but not strictly necessary with the TK51. If take the lenser P7.2 then head torch definitely also needed imo.
You surprise me, I have a P7 & P7.2, find them plenty bright enough for dark dog walks, never bother with my head torch.

Have just bought a P14.2 for dog walks but only because it was cheap (£27) & it feels more substantial, would give somebody a nasty headache I should think. Prefer the P7.2 though, it's spot on for my needs most of the time.

FiF

43,965 posts

250 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
FiF said:
eg lenser P/T7.2 fits that bill admirably, but on 4*AAAs.

As it's so open and pitch black an area usually have a head torch too btw, but not strictly necessary with the TK51. If take the lenser P7.2 then head torch definitely also needed imo.
You surprise me, I have a P7 & P7.2, find them plenty bright enough for dark dog walks, never bother with my head torch.

Have just bought a P14.2 for dog walks but only because it was cheap (£27) & it feels more substantial, would give somebody a nasty headache I should think. Prefer the P7.2 though, it's spot on for my needs most of the time.
Problem is that P7.2 is either spot or flood, what if you want both simultaneously in a very wide open space? Agreed most of the time it's enough, but on the heathland it struggles ime. You might be wanting to make quick progress keeping something a fair way away lit and tracked, but have enough light close to to avoid putting your foot in cow pats, rabbit holes or snagging a root. There's not enough flood on the P7.2 when in thrower mode imo.

patmahe

5,744 posts

203 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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Looking for some advice from the torch aficionados, need something for walking the country lanes near my new house (completely unlit) want as much useful light for as little outlay as possible <£50 is preferable, any suggestions.

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
FiF said:
Problem is that P7.2 is either spot or flood, what if you want both simultaneously in a very wide open space? Agreed most of the time it's enough, but on the heathland it struggles ime. You might be wanting to make quick progress keeping something a fair way away lit and tracked, but have enough light close to to avoid putting your foot in cow pats, rabbit holes or snagging a root. There's not enough flood on the P7.2 when in thrower mode imo.
That makes sense, thanks for taking time to explain smile

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
patmahe said:
Looking for some advice from the torch aficionados, need something for walking the country lanes near my new house (completely unlit) want as much useful light for as little outlay as possible <£50 is preferable, any suggestions.
P7.2 as above would be my suggestion but it now looks like there may be better options!

FiF

43,965 posts

250 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
patmahe said:
Looking for some advice from the torch aficionados, need something for walking the country lanes near my new house (completely unlit) want as much useful light for as little outlay as possible <£50 is preferable, any suggestions.
P7.2 as above would be my suggestion but it now looks like there may be better options!
It's a bit difficult to say exactly without having a bit more info. P7.2 is still a good shout, but as good as it is the rate was going through disposable batteries was getting a bit wearing. But if the walk is, say 20 mins to the pub and back a couple of times a week then it's still a good shout. If it's longer walks than that then perhaps something else? Problem there is the budget precludes going down the something using rechargeable route due to setup costs, even Eneloops that would cost a tenner for 4xAAA still need a charger, and have even less capacity than the disposables.

Then a question of size, again something that fits handily in the pocket or something larger?

Yet despite having said all that, including the earlier posts, if nipping outside, ie not long dog walk and just on the unlit lanes, then the P7.2 is usually the go to torch, that or the Lidl 3*C cheapie and stock up on disposables when Maplin have an offer on. e.g. pack of 100 extra long life AAA alkaline at half price, and the other day they had a special on C batteries, 3 packs of extra long life for the price of one pack.

V8RX7

26,766 posts

262 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
5678 said:
Thanks for that. Found somewhere in the UK selling the TK51 for £99 so only £4 more.

Before I order though, is it the right torch for me?

I want...
18650 powered dog walking torch.
Needs to be on the "unneccesary" side of bright so 1200+ lumens
Good flood plus a fair bit of throw.
Range of at least 500m

I'd looked at the TM16, but it's a bit bulky. TK75 is another but also too bulky.

Anything I've not thought of?
I've just bought the Uniquefire 1405, it sounds idea and is 25% of the price. The only flaw is it takes quite a few turns to go from flood to zoom.

tenohfive

6,276 posts

181 months

Monday 30th November 2015
quotequote all
BLF A6 for country lane use if you're comfortable with 18650's.

My latest toy arrived recently and got it's first use in anger. The Manker T01.
http://mankerlight.com/index.php/en/products/14

It's a pocket rocket. It's a dinky little torch - AA or 14500 (the latter to get your full 900 lumens) and I bought it as a lightweight thrower for night trail runs/walks where I need to navigate/route pick well ahead. And a Nitecore IMR14500 battery to go with.

I think Manker have been conservative with their range claims. I was getting 200m throw in windblown sideways drizzle. Doesn't sound much when in a thread of 4-800m range torches, so until you've held one and realised how small and light it is - then seen the beam that comes out of it - it's difficult to really do it justice.



Side note, Banggood and GearBest are two different companies - and competitors. I use both regularly and wouldn't be shy about using either again.

5678

6,146 posts

226 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
tenohfive said:
BLF A6 for country lane use if you're comfortable with 18650's.

My latest toy arrived recently and got it's first use in anger. The Manker T01.
http://mankerlight.com/index.php/en/products/14

It's a pocket rocket. It's a dinky little torch - AA or 14500 (the latter to get your full 900 lumens) and I bought it as a lightweight thrower for night trail runs/walks where I need to navigate/route pick well ahead. And a Nitecore IMR14500 battery to go with.

I think Manker have been conservative with their range claims. I was getting 200m throw in windblown sideways drizzle. Doesn't sound much when in a thread of 4-800m range torches, so until you've held one and realised how small and light it is - then seen the beam that comes out of it - it's difficult to really do it justice.



Side note, Banggood and GearBest are two different companies - and competitors. I use both regularly and wouldn't be shy about using either again.
Good call on the T01! Just ordered one as a back up for the dog walks!

That and the tk51 should keep me sorted.

Although, just seen the Eagletac D25A Titanium which is tempting, £60 is a bit steep though!

Pesty

42,655 posts

255 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
If you are worried about the bulk of the 51 the tk35 should be right up your street not as much flood but enough spill as to not matter that much . I don't mind carrying a big torch and I have huge pickets so the 51 goes in anyway. Agree with fif the only down sides are the buttons but for me three of them makes up for it. For me it's perfect.


Just been out without one of my two beasts and only my every day klarus. Which for most purposes is brilliant although the UI harms my cool to such an extent I may just have a heart attack next time I use it. Seriously klarus wtf.

I came across Two people one in the woods who snook up on me wearing all black with a black dog also unlit resulting in one fight. Ffs it's pitch black you tts if you can't control your dog at least you can light him up. It ran passed me to get my dog who was sniffing something behind me.
With the other torches I would have spotted him in time no doubt. The other was walking towards me in the fields again I didn't notice till the last minute. Controlled my dog they didn't ffs. So I'm only ever going out with the beasts. There are also plenty of weirdos around here I want early warning.

Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 1st December 17:57

Jamesgt

848 posts

232 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
Pesty said:
If you are worried about the bulk of the 51 the tk35 should be right up your street not as much flood but enough spill as to not matter that much . I don't mind carrying a big torch and I have huge pickets so the 51 goes in anyway. Agree with fif the only down sides are the buttons but for me three of them makes up for it. For me it's perfect.


Just been out without one of my two beasts and only my every day klarus. Which for most purposes is brilliant although the UI harms my cool to such an extent I may just have a heart attack next time I use it. Seriously klarus wtf.

I came across Two people one in the woods who snook up on me wearing all black with a black dog also unlit resulting in one fight. Ffs it's pitch black you tts if you can't control your dog at least you can light him up. It ran passed me to get my dog who was sniffing something behind me.
With the other torches I would have spotted him in time no doubt. The other was walking towards me in the fields again I didn't notice till the last minute. Controlled my dog they didn't ffs. So I'm only ever going out with the beasts. There are also plenty of weirdos around here I want early warning.

Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 1st December 17:57
Sounds like you're out in a dogging area with all these strange men sneaking around. confusedgetmecoat

Pesty

42,655 posts

255 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
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I go dogging every night.

FiF

43,965 posts

250 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
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Pesty said:
I go dogging every night.
Shades of Peter Kay

https://youtu.be/cMikaIYbFu8

markmullen

15,877 posts

233 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2015
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Tiny Monster TM06 is a winner, small enough to fit in my search vest pocket when out on a land search, and a decent holster which fits on the quick release belt of my buoyancy aid and tucks out of the way. It's pretty floody, not a huge throw, but a good wall of light. The low settings are useful for most jobs too.

andrewrob

2,912 posts

189 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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Quick question for any BLF A6 owners. Ordered one for my father in law which arrived a couple of days ago. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't seem to want to switch off. Is there a special way of doing it with these?

Thanks