Discussion
audi321 said:
Damn this thread, it's got me wasting half my day looking for something which I don't even think exists! I'm after a focusable torch (i.e. one that I can change from flood to throw easily) but that has multiple leds and batteries? Preferably 18650s as I have loads 
Anyone know of any?
Generally, you'd not have multiple LEDs and flood/throw; you'd have to have separate focusing for each emitter. There's plenty of powerful single emitter 18650 torches with zoom though.Anyone know of any?
Just bought a Fenix E05 after playing with a dozen big powerful torches... can't beat my BLF special at the moment (leave alone the ones I was playing with were 5, 6, 7 times the price!). Funny how a very small and neat torch can catch my eye instead. It's now attached to my keyring.
Oh, and while I was in a Fenix mood, 2 of their 3400mAH protected 18650s and one of their posh chargers.
Oh, and while I was in a Fenix mood, 2 of their 3400mAH protected 18650s and one of their posh chargers.
defblade said:
can't beat my BLF special at the moment (leave alone the ones I was playing with were 5, 6, 7 times the price!)[/url]
That BLF A6 is a brilliant torch. I find an excuse to use mine everyday, usually ignoring a range of other torches that are nearer to hand and more than capable of whatever I need a light for. Truly impressive bit of kit.audi321 said:
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, missed that question. You have 4 or 5 brightness settings, plus strobe and sos. There is no focusing though. Tbh I don't think it needs one. It uses a custom reflector which offers good flood and throw.
Real shame that, I'd love something that size which was focusable......I don't need one, I just WANT ONE!Maglites still use the focus adjustment, this isn't really a flood to throw zoom, it really is a focus and allows an optimum beam for the distance you are pointing it at.
Led Lenser are really the only company that do flood to throw on a big scale. And they use a patented TIR optic, which there are very few clones or copies of.
There is a raft of budget zooming lights which use an aspheric lens, this is quite different from a TIR optic, although gives a similar zooming ability.
Most of these budget zooming lights are fairly compact (only a few exceptions). I like them, but their ability is polarised at each end of the spectrum, i.e. either flood or zoom. And nothing really inbetween.
And apart from Led Lenser there are no premium zooming lights. Not sure why, but there aren't.
Uniquefire are a budget brand, but quite ok quality. They do a range of larger zoomy lights:
http://www.banggood.com/UniqueFire-UF-1405-Cree-XM...
A review of some of them here:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/39407
I have the 1505 which is simply HUGE. It runs on a single 26650 battery and has a massive glass aspheric lens, which makes it very heavy.
I don't use mine as a zoomy though, it's built as a customer thrower with a de-domed XP-G2 and direct drive. Probably makes in excess of 400,000 lux.
The regular lights are more tame and use XM-L2's and multi mode drivers.
Nitecore HC30 and MT10C have both arrived. Managed to hide the latter from the missus as I had no good reason to order it, but I saw a good deal and couldn't resist a lightweight all rounder.
Really liking the HC30 so far - bought to replace a Lenser H7.2 as I've been persuaded that whilst flood to throw is useful, having good flood and good throw all-in-one beam is more appealing for running at night. Again, just need the time to get out and test it - I've had 6 torches arrive in the last month or so.
Really liking the HC30 so far - bought to replace a Lenser H7.2 as I've been persuaded that whilst flood to throw is useful, having good flood and good throw all-in-one beam is more appealing for running at night. Again, just need the time to get out and test it - I've had 6 torches arrive in the last month or so.
rhinochopig said:
It has four LEDs collimated into a single beam.
Just been out with the dogs tonight and it really is a very impressive torch. I would debate the 700m range but then it was slightly misty, but I was picking out deer at 450-500m - I paced out the distance. I also did a little experiment driving back down the forest track. Switching between main beam and lights off, and the torch on max setting, the torch illuminated the track ahead far better than the car.
For £76 it really is a bargain.
+ 1 Mine arrived today, chuffed to bits with it thanks for the tip.Just been out with the dogs tonight and it really is a very impressive torch. I would debate the 700m range but then it was slightly misty, but I was picking out deer at 450-500m - I paced out the distance. I also did a little experiment driving back down the forest track. Switching between main beam and lights off, and the torch on max setting, the torch illuminated the track ahead far better than the car.
For £76 it really is a bargain.
Husaberk said:
rhinochopig said:
It has four LEDs collimated into a single beam.
Just been out with the dogs tonight and it really is a very impressive torch. I would debate the 700m range but then it was slightly misty, but I was picking out deer at 450-500m - I paced out the distance. I also did a little experiment driving back down the forest track. Switching between main beam and lights off, and the torch on max setting, the torch illuminated the track ahead far better than the car.
For £76 it really is a bargain.
+ 1 Mine arrived today, chuffed to bits with it thanks for the tip.Just been out with the dogs tonight and it really is a very impressive torch. I would debate the 700m range but then it was slightly misty, but I was picking out deer at 450-500m - I paced out the distance. I also did a little experiment driving back down the forest track. Switching between main beam and lights off, and the torch on max setting, the torch illuminated the track ahead far better than the car.
For £76 it really is a bargain.
Looks well made. Like the buttons. Im sure the flashing led to tel battery status will be useful if I can remember,bee how to activate it already forgotten
Lowest setting is no use for anything next setting too,bright.
Lots of flood but only really when on Setting 3 and 4 so ended up walking most of the way on 4 mixture of wood and open field.
Nice blllance easy to hold on 4 great torch lit up everything but nowhere near the distance claimed. Whip inch is a real shame.
My dog roams a bit and can be agressive to other dogs so I like to see far in the distance if any other dog owners are around.
I usually have the tk51 flood on level 2 and beam off. Every now and again momentary press gives me turbo on both LEDs this way the battery lasts forever and I don't have to scroll through a million settings.
I as usual got all pissed off scrolling through the settings because there must be some sort of memory or its fault sometimes 5 presses to get to turbo sometimes 3 meaning I went round again, spent half the walk wondering what level it was on.
Hmmm,m
Mine consistently has 5 settings - four button presses from min to turbo. Perhaps there is a fault?
The instructions with mine were in chinese so I didn't know the flashing on/off button told you how much charge there was. Will have to find some English instructions on-line to see what the flashes mean.
Min does have a use and that's map reading - lam-fold maps reflect a lot of light so you need a v-low output to read them clearly.
I would be interested to see how the TK51 compares with the TM - take a comparison pic next time you're out.
Off back to look at focusable lasers for the ultimate thrower
The instructions with mine were in chinese so I didn't know the flashing on/off button told you how much charge there was. Will have to find some English instructions on-line to see what the flashes mean.
Min does have a use and that's map reading - lam-fold maps reflect a lot of light so you need a v-low output to read them clearly.
I would be interested to see how the TK51 compares with the TM - take a comparison pic next time you're out.
Off back to look at focusable lasers for the ultimate thrower
silverthorn2151 said:
I felt obligated to visit the local Lidl and pick up one. Seems a nice addition to the quiver of torches and I don't have another C battery torch.
£12.99. Plus the set of drills, dog lead, windscreen scraper, magnifying thing cheese and drink and it came to 37.99. Bugger it. Man maths in action.
£38? You didn't buy enough wine!£12.99. Plus the set of drills, dog lead, windscreen scraper, magnifying thing cheese and drink and it came to 37.99. Bugger it. Man maths in action.
300bhp/ton said:
DoubleSix said:
If you're after the ultimate compact thrower then look no further than a Nightmaster 800... serious bit of kit.
A bit ouch! on the price. You'd probably be able to get similar results with the UniqueFire's I posted earlier. Still the only torch in my collection that leaves people a little open mouthed.
DoubleSix said:
300bhp/ton said:
DoubleSix said:
If you're after the ultimate compact thrower then look no further than a Nightmaster 800... serious bit of kit.
A bit ouch! on the price. You'd probably be able to get similar results with the UniqueFire's I posted earlier. Still the only torch in my collection that leaves people a little open mouthed.
I have the UF-1505. I forget now, but think I paid $26 for the host (no LED or driver), but you can get them complete.
I built mine with a de-domed XP-G2 and direct drive (one mode). Other people have gotten 400,000 lux + from similar setups. Total cost was in the region of $30 I think.
This isn't mine, but you get a beam a bit like this:
Oh Christ there had to be a torch thread on here didn't there.
My Gearbest free delivery arrived yesterday, 14 days from China. Some of the new Neutral White LED stuff for the MTB (less glare more definition)
Nitefighter BT40s for the bars http://www.gearbest.com/bicycling-gear/pp_180805.h... some of their cheap gopro mounts
and matching 4c tint Convoy S3 XML2 torch for the lid. http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_236471....
Quality built stuff now inc branded battery pack and non exploding charger.
Still get proper Panasonic 18650s off Torchy though.
My Gearbest free delivery arrived yesterday, 14 days from China. Some of the new Neutral White LED stuff for the MTB (less glare more definition)
Nitefighter BT40s for the bars http://www.gearbest.com/bicycling-gear/pp_180805.h... some of their cheap gopro mounts
and matching 4c tint Convoy S3 XML2 torch for the lid. http://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_236471....
Quality built stuff now inc branded battery pack and non exploding charger.
Still get proper Panasonic 18650s off Torchy though.
rhinochopig said:
Mine consistently has 5 settings - four button presses from min to turbo. Perhaps there is a fault?
The instructions with mine were in chinese so I didn't know the flashing on/off button told you how much charge there was. Will have to find some English instructions on-line to see what the flashes mean.
Min does have a use and that's map reading - lam-fold maps reflect a lot of light so you need a v-low output to read them clearly.
I would be interested to see how the TK51 compares with the TM - take a comparison pic next time you're out.
Off back to look at focusable lasers for the ultimate thrower
Will do. It made me appreciate the 51 a bit more I love momentary turbo and being able to have its little flood led on rest of the time. Don't why I spent 170 quid on more torches I don't need. Oh yeah this thread.The instructions with mine were in chinese so I didn't know the flashing on/off button told you how much charge there was. Will have to find some English instructions on-line to see what the flashes mean.
Min does have a use and that's map reading - lam-fold maps reflect a lot of light so you need a v-low output to read them clearly.
I would be interested to see how the TK51 compares with the TM - take a comparison pic next time you're out.
Off back to look at focusable lasers for the ultimate thrower
I've just got used to not f
king around with torches while using it now remembered how frustrating it is scrolling through. Well tested the 16 with an old 3000mah I had kicking around with 3 of the new ones - feck!!! I can still see white dots.....
Blows my TK35 out of the water.
Also I tried the newer batteries in the TK35 and they do indeed fit (just).
Thanks for that tip. Old ones I have are about 2mm longer.
Means I can stop buying job lots of 123As.
Blows my TK35 out of the water.
Also I tried the newer batteries in the TK35 and they do indeed fit (just).
Thanks for that tip. Old ones I have are about 2mm longer.
Means I can stop buying job lots of 123As.
Edited by red_slr on Wednesday 21st October 21:13
Pesty said:
Husaberk said:
rhinochopig said:
It has four LEDs collimated into a single beam.
+ 1 Mine arrived today, chuffed to bits with it thanks for the tip.http://flashlight.nitecore.com/download
I've not looked but the other Nitecore lights I have all have some sort of shortcut into turbo and hidden modes, so I'd be surprised if the TM16 was any different. I keep the pdf's saved in a Dropbox folder so I can get to them if I need them (but it comes second nature pretty quickly.)
300bhp/ton said:
The UF's I posted above are all apsheric lens equipped.
I have the UF-1505. I forget now, but think I paid $26 for the host (no LED or driver), but you can get them complete.
I built mine with a de-domed XP-G2 and direct drive (one mode). Other people have gotten 400,000 lux + from similar setups. Total cost was in the region of $30 I think.
This isn't mine, but you get a beam a bit like this:
How easy is that, and how much range?I have the UF-1505. I forget now, but think I paid $26 for the host (no LED or driver), but you can get them complete.
I built mine with a de-domed XP-G2 and direct drive (one mode). Other people have gotten 400,000 lux + from similar setups. Total cost was in the region of $30 I think.
This isn't mine, but you get a beam a bit like this:
I've got a Jacob A60 but I want more throw, waiting for a decent GB on BLF for something suitable - possibly one of the Olight throwers.
tenohfive said:
How easy is that, and how much range?
I've got a Jacob A60 but I want more throw, waiting for a decent GB on BLF for something suitable - possibly one of the Olight throwers.
I have the Jacob A60 and the Olight MX3S-UT Javelot. I got the Olight through a group buy on BLF some time back. Very lucky I think as I snagged it for $87.99 (about £56).I've got a Jacob A60 but I want more throw, waiting for a decent GB on BLF for something suitable - possibly one of the Olight throwers.
And the UF-1504. I bought the 1504 as a host from another group buy on BLF. So if you want this exact spec, you'll have to mod one or get someone to build it for you (it's a very easy build however).
Sorry these pics aren't better, used my iPhone. I'll try and get some better pics tonight.
A60 on the right. Left is 1504
A60
1504
A60
1504
The A60 is a good thrower for it's physical size. But it's a bit out dated these days. The emitter is very cool white, so doesn't show colours very well. It does throw well, but the hot spot is very small for a reflector light and not much in the way of spill beam. Poor PWM on lower output modes too.
The 1504 is running a de-domed XP-G2 and direct drive (pulls about 4.7 amps or so). The tint has turned out to be a wonderful NW edging towards warm. It shows colours very well. But tint will depend on what emitter you de-dome, as de-doming causes a tint shift.
The 1504 has a very narrow laser like beam. And no spill beam at all when zoomed. Flood mode sadly isn't all that good, it's bright, but not a wide flood like other zoomies and the beam isn't overly smooth. But it is usable. Personally I just use the 1504 as a dedicated thrower.
I'll take some snaps of the Olight tonight if I get chance. The Olight uses a de-domed XP-L emitter (latter ones use the new HI XP-L, which is basically a factory de-dome LED). Tint is a bit greenish. Shows colours better than the cool white A60, but not great. But the beam is very nice, has a larger hot spot than the A60 or the 1504, so lights up a bigger/wider area. The spill beam is also more usable due to the lumen hike over the A60, although it is obvious it is a thrower with a stark difference between spill and flood.
I run the Olight in it's short form which is 2x18500. It makes it fairly compact, but not quite as small as the A60.
The 1504 is a bit of a beast, it runs a single 26650. The host is a bit uncomfortable to hold with lots of odd shapes and the glass asheric lens (yes glass not plastic) is really really heavy, making the entire torch very nose heavy.
The 1504 easily out throws the Olight in terms of distance, but with a much more narrow beam. Arguably the Olight is the more useful torch of the two, but for the bargain price of the 1504 it is by far and away the best thrower I own. And I think you'd have to spend quite a bit to truly beat it.
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