My new torch

[Dan_1981]

Advise me gents......

I had a cree xml-t6 / hwawys ultra Fire.

It’s given up the ghost - no idea why could be battery or build or dunno but I might as well replace it.

Reccomendations? I liked the above as I could ‘zoom’ between flood and focus and it was bloody bright.

[silverthorn2151]

Pesty said:

Hmm so I was just checking bang good seeing if any update on the astrolux MF02 thrower and noticed that they have refunded me and the price has gone up.

Well still sort of want one so joined budget light forum for a code to see how much that brings it down.


Then found the BLF GT

Hmmmmm I have no use for it, it's too big to carry.


Talk me out of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LStmsIyGldA&t=...

Edited by Pesty on Friday 17th November 22:37

Oh no........

THIS is too big to carry

https://youtu.be/-JVqRy0sWWY

[tenohfive]

Dan_1981 said:

Advise me gents......

I had a cree xml-t6 / hwawys ultra Fire.

It’s given up the ghost - no idea why could be battery or build or dunno but I might as well replace it.

Reccomendations? I liked the above as I could ‘zoom’ between flood and focus and it was bloody bright.

If it's a zoomie specifically you're interested in, the Brinyte B158 is supposed to be pretty good.
If you're not fussed about zoom but just want a decent cheap light bright light that'll do everything the Convoy BD06 is currently on offer for £14; I'm tempted myself at that price. (Let me know if you're interested and I'll post the link/code.)
http://lightsngear.com/convoy-bd06-rechargeable-fl...

If you're more throw than flood orientated though the C8 with an XPL-HI is a) cheaper and b) just a lovely light. Doesn't have USB recharging though.

For a cheap zoomie (less than a fiver) a Sipik SK68 (AA sized) or SK98 (18650) will probably seem similar to your old light.

[Dan_1981]

Yeah ideally needs to be a zoom type thing so I can alternate with a small beam of light or a big pool.

I use it mostly when out walking / night photography so use it either for a pool of light to work in or a beam for light painting

[Pesty]

Buy two

A really floody one and a throwy one

[tenohfive]

Dan_1981 said:

Yeah ideally needs to be a zoom type thing so I can alternate with a small beam of light or a big pool.

I use it mostly when out walking / night photography so use it either for a pool of light to work in or a beam for light painting

What Pesty says - different tools for different jobs.

As a rule for general purpose lighting though I'm more a fan of a floody beam with a tight central hotspot than zoomies as I find they do both jobs better, require less messing around and you tend to get a smoother beam pattern without distracting artifacts. But there is still a place for zoomies, so YMMV.

What sort of distance do you need light painting wise? I've got a tonne of BLF-348's - they're pen lights with a Nichia emitter (very neutral white; less fiddling with WB needed) and a very even beam. If you're light painting big objects with a wide angle lens, it probably won't do what you want. But for cars etc I think one would work pretty well (if you use a 10440 for the extra output.)

I've got about 6 of them so if you want to try one drop me a PM and I'll stick it in the post with a li-ion 10440 to have a play with, see if it does what you need or not.

[Pesty]

El stovey you ordered that olight yet? It continues to impress. Never been a fan of flood before but this tiny thing really packs a punch.

Phone doesn't do it justice for example up until 1:15 it's on it's lowest level but looks pitch black. It is however perfectly fine for walking in that level in pitch black. Turn turbo on at 1:16 that tinynthing is bright, again camera doesn't capture it. Pretty staggering the way technology has improved even in the last few years.
Boring vid I was filming the dogs playing which I could see easily but camera would not pick up.
Skip to 1:15 ish. It's it's clipped to jacket so not pointed down at them


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq13PB53ZYI

Dan there is a slightly different option although expensive. Fenix tk51 throw and flood in same torch seoerate controls can have on individually or teogether and vary levels of both

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 19th November 23:30

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 19th November 23:32

[Dan_1981]

Yeah that's a little more than I wanted to spend

Thinking something like this will be more or less the same as my old one?

Possibly fake but will still do the job I want? (And possibly blow my hand off?)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8000LM-G700-CREE-XM-L2-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5000LM-Cree-XML-T6-LED-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/X800-Shadowhawk-8000LM-...

Do the job though right?

[tenohfive]

I wouldn't touch any of those three with a barge pole - even if the lights are alright, the batteries look like utter c**p and likewise the chargers. You don't want to mess around with cheap 'xxxxxFire' cells nor the chargers which as a rule are dumb chargers (i.e. they'll keep charging your dirt cheap cells even when full...overcharging can lead to explosions.)

If you've got £15 go for the Convoy BD06 I mentioned earlier, it'll do it all. Or a Convoy S2+ which will be smaller, lighter and cheaper. Neither are zoomies but I honestly don't think you'll miss that.

If you're intent on a zoomie at that price go for an SK98 and the charger and battery I've linked below. It's a reputable smart charger that won't overcharge, and a reliable cell.)

Convoy BD06 - £14 with code BlackFriday19
Convoy S2+
Charger - use code BlackFriday51
Sipik SK98
18650 battery

[Dan_1981]

Thanks for the further advice.

It's not that I only have £15, but I don't think I need to spend more than that for what I need?

The SK98 looks pretty much identical to the ones i've linked too but will take guidance on the cells etc.

I'll go for that, or possibly the Brinyte

Cheers

[tenohfive]

Honestly, for what you're describing a £2.50 Sipik SK68 will do the job running on a normal AA. You've got plenty of choice and whilst I'm of the 'more is more' persuasion, but any of the lights mentioned should do what you need. It's just the chargers and cells that are a potential issue when li-ion is in play.

[pdavison]

I’ve been reading the thread but I’m confused as to what to buy!

I need (I think) a flood type torch with possible zoom option but not essential that is small, ideally with a pocket clip, rechargeable via USB, bright (by now I think most available would be adequate) with a budget up to £40.

It’s for dog walking mostly so what would anyone recommend?

[PJ S]

Buy the same one Pesty did – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Versatile-Il...
It’s over your budget, but with 5 years warranty and a very useable output on high, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better for a whole lot less.
Don’t be tempted to scrimp by getting the H1 as it drops to a fairly useless 180 lumen after 3 mins.

Alternatively… https://www.amazon.co.uk/Imalent-Hr20-Multi-Functi...

There’s also the new Nitecore HC33 coming, but with no on-board charging, you’ll need a separate charger – the other two are far handier when it’s your only torch.

[pdavison]

Thanks!

The first option might be pushing the budget a little but the second looks promising.

I was looking at the lower end of the scale at this but know nothing about it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brightest-Rechargeable-Fl...

[RZ1]

Been following this thread closely as need a new torch.
The convoy bd06 looks to be perfect for my needs, had a look but can’t find it on amazon.
Any other recommendations for places to buy it from, ideally would like to find someone that is UK based.

[PJ S]

pdavison said:

Thanks!

The first option might be pushing the budget a little but the second looks promising.

I was looking at the lower end of the scale at this but know nothing about it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brightest-Rechargeable-Fl...

Neither would many of us – Join Smart?
Funnily, I’d be more inclined to put more weight on the single 1 star comment than the twelve 5 star ones.
What you need to check, with any light, is not the headline figure, but the run time at that output.
That was why I advised not going for the cheaper Olight, as it drops to too low a level to be useful outside after only 3 minutes or so.
Ideally, you’d want at least double the output it drops to, for a useful 2-3 hours, with a spare battery just in case – depending on where and how long you’re walking the dog for.
That is why I suggested the some one as Pesty got himself or the Imalent, if funds really are not available to spend the extra for the longer warranty, better known brand.

[silverthorn2151]

silverthorn2151 said:

tenohfive said:

wsurfa said:

Thanks - I'll have to go for the first one, as gearbest have a ' wont ship to the UK' on the second, which is odd as they've shipped batteries before...

That's annoying - and yes, GB have shipped batteries to me too - including those ones.

I got the same message.

I was feeling the itch for another new torch. I am a massive fan of the C8 so I have taken the opportunity to pick up an L6 using that code. Batteries as above too. For the for time I went for quicker delivery so hopefully it will still be dark in the woods when they arrive.

Well, my L6 is here and it's my first 26650 powered torch. My word its bright! So impressed again with Convoy equipment. It's a bit of a beast but it does what I wanted. It wins the torch wars walking the dogs in the evening!

Only irritation......being hit by DHL for a £17 surcharge. Grrrr.

[Pesty]

silverthorn2151 said:

Well, my L6 is here and it's my first 26650 powered torch. My word its bright! So impressed again with Convoy equipment. It's a bit of a beast but it does what I wanted. It wins the torch wars walking the dogs in the evening!

Only irritation......being hit by DHL for a £17 surcharge. Grrrr.

That's why I stopped using gearbest

[tenohfive]

I've ordered at least a dozen times from Gearbest and never had any import charges. I know it's a risk, but it's usually well and truly offset by the price difference. Did you pay extra for delivery? I never do and I'm wondering if some couriers differ.

[Pesty]

tenohfive said:

I've ordered at least a dozen times from Gearbest and never had any import charges. I know it's a risk, but it's usually well and truly offset by the price difference. Did you pay extra for delivery? I never do and I'm wondering if some couriers differ.

last lot i orders some small bags total was £33 I had to pay dhl £17 50% but it hasn't just been that. They have opened all the packs and made me prove the price I paid with an invoice stating they thought the products were worth more.

I think I did pay a quid or something for extra delivery. Problem with expensive torches from there if over 40 or 50 they use dhl for you for free. Never been charged with bangood.

Anyway imolent has arrived.

Excellent size for every day carry. Worked extremely well for my needs still have no idea how they rate these things 300meters max for any use not the 600 or whatever they state.. Seems equivalent to my fenix tk35 but is about a third of the size. Had the l6 in the car too that had more flood but seemed about the same useful range and that's huge. I took pics but they didn't come out.
I liked the display too. No lanyard is a pain though and all the reviews that say buttons are hard to find are spot on. Glad I had it with me I needed it the other day. Some strange people were floating around in the middle of nowhere, could easily see if they had dogs or not.

Crap phone picture doesn't do it justice. It's actually lighting up a water tower fairly well at between 250 and 300 meters. I'm pointing it at the tower but it's still getting quite a bit of field.

Does not have a bright hot spot but I suppose that's down to the size. It's not much bigger than the battery.

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 26th November 00:59