Maglite replacement
Discussion
There are so many better brands of torch than maglite.
You really don't need to be lugging D cell sized monsters about, a good 2 AA torch is much better.
Have a look on here.
Www.flashaholics.com
Be warned good torches are not cheap but they are addictive
You really don't need to be lugging D cell sized monsters about, a good 2 AA torch is much better.
Have a look on here.
Www.flashaholics.com
Be warned good torches are not cheap but they are addictive
This thread is excellent, but as another poster warned, it gets addictive!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
Elderly said:
I have an LED 3 D Cell Maglite and the batteries are stuck fast.
I want to replace it (they are about £30 on a well know retail website)
but can I do better with some lesser known (except to torch aficionados ) brand?
With enough perseverance you can get leaked batteries out. But it's probably not worth the hassle.I want to replace it (they are about £30 on a well know retail website)
but can I do better with some lesser known (except to torch aficionados ) brand?
In terms of options. It really depends what you are wanting from a torch.
Many people slat and slag off Maglite, but usually for the wrong reasons. For example if you want LONG runtimes and a nice tight beam that'll throw well (light stuff up a long way away), then the Maglites do this very well for the money.
That said, if long range ability isn't as important and shorter runtimes are acceptable or maybe even a smaller torch, then there are loads of options.
The decision then comes down to what type of batteries you want to use.
In the first camp you have the low voltage batteries, these include regular alkaline batteries such as AAA, AA & D cells. TBH these are worth AVOIDING as a power source. Alkaline are prone to leaking (as you know), perform very badly at high amp draws and don't work well in the cold.
There are options, such as Low Self Discharge NiMh rechargeable batteries. These solve all the issue pretty much and can be recharged. Sanyo Eneloops are the ones to get. However only available in AAA and AA. There are adapters to make them fit a D cell size, but runtimes will be much lower.
And there are Lithium Primaries such as Energiser Lithium. These are 1.5v and direct replacement for AAA/AA alkaline batteries. Again they solve all the ills of alkaline, but as a non-rechargeable option. Good if you don't use the torch often, if you do, then Eneloops are a better bet. Again no D cell size though.
The next option is to move up to the 'big' league and start using Li-ion batteries. These are 4.2v and pack a lot more punch than anything AA/D cell and are a lot more compact.
However Li-ion is potentially much more volatile, so you need to be a bit more sensible and savvy with them. Handle them as though you would a can of petrol and treat them with respect.
For example, a C8 is a great Li-ion torch. It's the one on the left:
They still have a pretty big reflector, so will throw a beam quite well. But with much higher output than a Maglite. And obviously a lot more compact and pocket friendly.
Total runtime might not be quite as good, as a single Li-ion battery doesn't hold as much energy as 3xD cell. But you'll get a lot more lumens for your money and multi mode lights all you to extend runtime.
If you want to go the Li-ion route you'll need some batteries (under £10/pair), a charger (£15-20) and a Digital Multi Meter (DMM) (£5-7).
But the torch can be bought pretty cheap.
http://www.banggood.com/NEW-Convoy-C8-AK47-71358-3...
£11.90 delivered and will have a better quality anodising than a Maglite.
I'd recommend the XM-L T6-4C, it'll have a nicer tint than the other LED options. I'd also suggest the OP (Orange Peel) reflector option as it'll smooth the beam out nicely.
These batteries will work well with it:
http://www.banggood.com/2PCS-INR18650-25R-2500mAh-...
And grab an Xtar 18650 charger off ebay.
leglessAlex said:
This thread is excellent, but as another poster warned, it gets addictive!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
Convoy S2/S2+ will do pretty much the same as the Fenix (slightly simpler UI) for about £12 delivered.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
And I thought that speccing a new PC was problematic 
It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
300bhp/ton said:
leglessAlex said:
This thread is excellent, but as another poster warned, it gets addictive!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
Convoy S2/S2+ will do pretty much the same as the Fenix (slightly simpler UI) for about £12 delivered.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
Anyway, a lot of people like to buy things from a known brand as it gives peace of mind, that's why I recommended a Lenser and a Fenix. I have to say I don't mind one way or the other personally, but this forum does usually tend towards branded goods from what I have seen.
Elderly said:
And I thought that speccing a new PC was problematic
It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
Led Lenser P6.2? It takes two AAs and is around the right price on Amazon, but I can't claim to have any personal experience of it. Every Lenser I've tried though has been a decent performer and good quality, if a tiny bit on the expensive side. It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
Elderly said:
And I thought that speccing a new PC was problematic
It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
With NiMh there is something to note. You get Low Self Discharge and normal NiMh. The LSD ones will hold 70% of their charge for 3 years. This makes them good for something not used all the time.It doesn't need to be small, I'd probably lose it around the house.
Something with multiple AA batteries sounds sensible for me, I do already have lots of AA Duracell 2450mAH Ni-MH batteries and a charger.
I've been ploughing through the other 70 page thread and it appears that the well regarded and relatively sensible priced torches seem to use CR123 cells.
Normal NiMh has very high self discharge and can completely discharge in 2-4 weeks. These work well in high demand devices, where you'll charge them the night before using them and run them completely flat in a day or two. But no good at all for a torch left in a draw somewhere.
CR123a's are ok, a bit pricey to run. They are essentially higher voltage Lithium Primaries (3.0v vs 1.5v). They do offer good output and a compact size, but Li-ion is probably a better option if you aren't being supplied with CR123a's.
Some of the Led Lenser offerings are quite good, I like them. But they do lack a few important things, such as regulation, proper low output modes and good tints. And they are relatively pricey for what they are.
EagleTac D25 the D25LC2 runs on 2x CR123a but will also run on Li-ion if you want to try it out later on.
A bit more money £42, but a very high quality light:
http://www.ledfiretorches.co.uk/eagletac-d25lc2-cl...
But also quite small... so maybe not what you are after.
leglessAlex said:
The Convoy has half the output of the Fenix, I wouldn't have thought they were in the same league.
Same output pretty much. The 8*7135 driver in the Convoy will pull 2.8amps. The Fenix does no better.Half the cost yes, but equal performance. The Fenix is just expensive and the only thing it really offers is a more advanced user interface and something for prats over at CPF to fornicate over.
leglessAlex said:
Anyway, a lot of people like to buy things from a known brand as it gives peace of mind, that's why I recommended a Lenser and a Fenix. I have to say I don't mind one way or the other personally, but this forum does usually tend towards branded goods from what I have seen.
Convoy is very well known. Just because you might not know them, doesn't mean they are unknown.I have several banggood torches as bit like this one (all live in different coats, cars etc.
They are great, bright, and haven't had any quality issues with them.
I run them with 18650 batteries, but most will take 3 x AAA too.
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-CREE-XM-L-T6-160...
They are great, bright, and haven't had any quality issues with them.
I run them with 18650 batteries, but most will take 3 x AAA too.
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-CREE-XM-L-T6-160...
Elderly said:
No, they've leaked; I've got the first one out but there's no way to remove the others.
Slightly off topic ......... I rang Mags
te's UK distributors to see if I could buy a replacement barrel - "No", and a quick email to their HQ in the 'States (to which I got an immediate reply) confirmed this.So I rang the pink bunny and explained the situation,
he was extremely helpful and is sending me a contribution
towards a new torch and a voucher for presumably some more of his batteries.
Now that is what I call excellent customer service
. Doesn't help me with my 'which torch' decision though, although I know what I'm not going to buy!
300bhp/ton said:
Convoy is very well known. Just because you might not know them, doesn't mean they are unknown.
Ah 300. You have a particular, passive aggressive way of saying things don't you? You are, of course, correct. Just because I don't know them doesn't mean they aren't well known, but they don't tend to turn up as a common choice in most discussions I see. Accordingly, I don't feel like I made a mistake by putting Fenix and Led Lenser in the known brand category and treating Convoy as a lesser known brand.
After all, just because you know them doesn't mean they are a well known brand.
The many and varied "unknown" Chinese brands may not be the best thing to recommend to someone who just wants one decent, reliable torch.
The quality can vary from batch to batch and you have next to no after sales support should the thing go wrong. I've had some bargains from China (Akorays, MarsFires, TrustFires, etc) but also some that have let me down.
More expensive but less potentially troublesome are UK based retailers (such as flashaholics.co.uk) which sell reputable branded lights, such as Nitecore, Fenix, Eagletac, Olight, Zebralight. You're probably looking more like £40 to £50 for something bigger and meatier than a pocket torch, but the upside is you get a warranty and avoid the hassle of postage from the Far East and the handling charge if it's subject to import VAT.
The quality can vary from batch to batch and you have next to no after sales support should the thing go wrong. I've had some bargains from China (Akorays, MarsFires, TrustFires, etc) but also some that have let me down.
More expensive but less potentially troublesome are UK based retailers (such as flashaholics.co.uk) which sell reputable branded lights, such as Nitecore, Fenix, Eagletac, Olight, Zebralight. You're probably looking more like £40 to £50 for something bigger and meatier than a pocket torch, but the upside is you get a warranty and avoid the hassle of postage from the Far East and the handling charge if it's subject to import VAT.
leglessAlex said:
The best small torch seems to be the Fenix PD35, but seeing as it's double your budget I'd be more inclined to recommend something along the lines of a Led Lenser P7.2 which can be had for around £30 I think.
I'm probably going for the P7.2 (£36.00)I did like the idea of the Lenser P14.2 (£42.00) as it uses AA cells
and is less of a loseable size, BUT, one review said that re-chargeable batteries are not recommended for it ...... or is that b
ks?300bhp/ton said:
Hardly unknown though:
http://budgetlightforum.com/search?q_as=convoy
Very true!http://budgetlightforum.com/search?q_as=convoy
I made no mention of how known or unknown they were originally, at no point did I say they were unknown. I did say they were a lesser known brand, and seeing as Fenix gets 50% as many hits again on that link you just posted even though it's a site for budget lights(which Fenix really isn't), I'm going to stick with that.
Anyway, this is getting very off topic.
Back on topic, I'm not sure how many lights from the likes of Fenix and Nitecore will fulfill the OPs requirements for AA batteries. I was under the impression more are made for CR123a and 18650 size batteries? That was my reasoning for suggesting the Led Lenser P6.2 anyway. I think the Fenix LD22 is similar to that as well.
There must be other AA torches out there, but 300 is probably more aware of them than most. My (limited) knowledge is restricted to the 'main' UK brands.
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