My new torch

[Pesty]

tenohfive said:

This, right here, is true dedication. It takes a proper kind of torch geek to be posting recommendations for torches within seconds and minutes of seeing in the New Year.

I’m here to serve
I’m upstairs dieing of man flu. Didn’t think it politie to be downstairs coughing over everybody plus I’d have had to have a shower and I’m just not up to it,

Of course since I’ve been in bed all day sleeping on and off I’ll be awake all night

[pdavison]

I get the 600lm comment but it’s going to be used for basic dog walking duties and I want rechargeable and small so I can pop it in my pocket or clip it to me to go hands free!

Amazon would be preferred as I have vouchers and I’ve heard of having to pay customs duty when ordering elsewhere.

Based on that what are the thoughts of those who know more about these things than I do as any pointers are much appreciated?!

[JimbobVFR]

I would certainly recommend Olight torches, ice owned and used quite a few different ones and they're certainly up there in perceived quality, really nicely made and thought out bits of kit.

If you're prepared to wait I've seen Olight on offers and lightning deals on several occasions.

I got the H2R which uses an 18650 size battery and is technically a head torch for just over 40 quid. I've never seen such a compact torch with an 18650 battery, it's really pocket friendly, it's really bright (unnecessarily so actually) on turbo mode but there's plenty of variation on the lower levels. I've actually found the angled head to be a really nice format for hand held use and I haven't actually used it as a head torch yet, it's nice to have the mount and strap though.

I'll probably be buying another Olight at some point, they are that good, however I'll be patiently waiting for an offer to make it cheaper first, probably the S2R model next time it's on offer.

[pdavison]

I’ll keep my eyes open for any lightening deals and see what comes up!

[HOGEPH]

I bought this at £35, it's on a lightning deal for £28, gives a big spread of light.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=s...

[tenohfive]

For that money you could have had a BLF Q8 (albeit without any generic, no brand batteries.)

[V8mate]

Special offer on Amazon today. Any good?

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkax-Adjustable-Flashli...

[schmunk]

V8mate said:

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

[Cactussed]

V8mate said:

Special offer on Amazon today. Any good?

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkax-Adjustable-Flashli...

thanks G.
Two of them ordered. How wrong can you go for that money.

[V8mate]

Cactussed said:

V8mate said:

Special offer on Amazon today. Any good?

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkax-Adjustable-Flashli...

thanks G.
Two of them ordered. How wrong can you go for that money.

Dunno. Maybe you can let us know how many insurance claims you have to make as a result of owning them in due course

[V8mate]

V8mate said:

Cactussed said:

V8mate said:

Special offer on Amazon today. Any good?

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkax-Adjustable-Flashli...

thanks G.
Two of them ordered. How wrong can you go for that money.

Dunno. Maybe you can let us know how many insurance claims you have to make as a result of owning them in due course

What were they like? They're still on offer.

[Leggy]

Not heard of a 18650 battery before. What are the advantages against some standard rechargeable AAA’s?

[PJ S]

^
Greater capacity, current, and runtime.

[Leggy]

Cheers, any recommendations on where to buy and suitable charger?

[PJ S]

For batteries, steer clear of anything with the word 'fire' in its name – there's a link within these pages (November time?) to a trustworthy eBay seller.
As for charger – eBay, Amazon, (Gearbest, Banggood, if you've no problem with importing directly) and whatever you're happy to spend on one.
Typically, the more expensive, the more features it has, and more batteries can be charged at once.

Rather than write an abstract essay on charging currents and capacity testing, you'll join the dots more easily by watching a few YT video reviews – then you'll know whether you want to go as in-depth or just stick with something relatively basic.

Maybe do that first, then if you've still got a question or two, come back then so we can help cement your knowledge.

[S6PNJ]

I bought myself a chinese cheapy Ultrafire copy (yeah I know..... ) and it seems to want to switch mode every time I turn it on. It's a 5 mode torch (high/med/low/strobe/SOS) and I'm sure that somewhere on this thread there was a set of instructions as to how to get '5 mode torches' to say in mode and not keep changing. I'm showing 64 pages in this thread and that's a lot to search through but I'm sure someone reading knows what I'm on about.

If it helps, mine 'claims to be' an Ultrafire XML-T6 HWA WTS and takes a 26650 battery (it's not an 'Ultrafire' battery I'm happy to say). In fact, it was one of these from Gearbest.

Found them! (Page 49 if using 40 posts per page)

but sadly I can't get my torch to follow the instructions or to do anything than go to the next mode at each switch on. Any thing else to try?

I have 2 other cheapy torches (using 18650s) and they are fine, starting at fully bright each time.

Edited by S6PNJ on Wednesday 28th February 13:00

[bagusbagus]

V8mate said:

Special offer on Amazon today. Any good?

Interesting that it features a battery loader which will take 3 x AAA or 1 x 18650.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkax-Adjustable-Flashli...

nop, its utter crap. more like around 100 lumens with very very bad spread.


If you want REAL Lumens, great quality, great spread , get Convoy flashlights 800-1200lumens depending on model and costs $10 ,
or BFL A6 1600 lumens (REAL ACTUAL), at around $20

You will need a good 18650 battery such as samsung q30 as well, which costs about $5 each

Those are 2 of the budget ones which are really decent and would easily cost you $100+ If you wanted to buy the same spec/quality in UK.

[schmunk]

bagusbagus said:

or BFL A6 1600 lumens (REAL ACTUAL), at around $20

The A6SE is only 1600 lumens if you do some soldering (the"spring mod"). About 13-1400 otherwise.

[steveo3002]

where can i read about the mod please

[tenohfive]

True, but 1400 isn't to be sniffed at. And it's a BLF light. I love all of my torches but the two I look for a reason to use (3800 lumens to walk down the side of the house? 5000 lumens to check if it's still snowing? Yep, that's the tool for the job, etc) are my BLF Q8 and Convoy L6.