My new torch

[tenohfive]

V8mate said:

Can the thread masses recommend me a small torch?

Rules:
18650-powered
Palm-sized-ish
Good for 'showing the way' in pitch black open countryside.
Up to 5 hours use from one charge.

I'd prefer if it was sold by or supplied by Amazon.

Budget, and single or multiple 18650?
If the latter, Q8 is the answer. It generally is.

[V8mate]

tenohfive said:

V8mate said:

Can the thread masses recommend me a small torch?

Rules:
18650-powered
Palm-sized-ish
Good for 'showing the way' in pitch black open countryside.
Up to 5 hours use from one charge.

I'd prefer if it was sold by or supplied by Amazon.

Budget, and single or multiple 18650?
If the latter, Q8 is the answer. It generally is.

Like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253193616081

400g is a fair bit heavier than I was anticipating.
And certainly don't want anything larger than this

[V8mate]

PJ S said:

^
I’m struggling to think of or see anything that I believe is better than the Klarus XT11GT that I have (apart from other XTs).
The Imalent DN70 is too expensive, but still a great flood, which is at least equalled by the cheaper Klarus G20L, albeit from the specs and photos I’ve seen.
Those, and the Olight R50 are all 26650s, and even the S30R II just doesn’t really stand out, for me.

Interesting, thanks. The XT11 is slightly on the large side for what I want, but remains interesting.

The G20L is definitely shortlisted. I wasn't aware of the 26650 battery - I was just trying to avoid regular AA/AAA cells.

[Mr-B]

Have a look at a BLF A6 (Astrolux S1 is the equivalent I think) 1400LM (1600 if you are into modding) that would appear to be a similar size to the one in your photo.

[schmunk]

Mr-B said:

Have a look at a BLF A6 (Astrolux S1 is the equivalent I think) 1400LM (1600 if you are into modding) that would appear to be a similar size to the one in your photo.

I was going to post this earlier, but was on my phone and feeling lazy...

[tenohfive]

Pretty much any tube light will do the job. BLF A6, Convoy S2+, Nitenumen NE01...there are lots, including some very good ones.

Budget, beam pattern (i.e. how important throw and flood are to you) and in some cases the availability of different tints are the differentiator.

[PJ S]

V8mate said:

Interesting, thanks. The XT11 is slightly on the large side for what I want, but remains interesting.

The G20L is definitely shortlisted. I wasn't aware of the 26650 battery - I was just trying to avoid regular AA/AAA cells.

Ah… I see. Thought you already had 18650s and/or a charger, so wanted to stay with compatible options.

Just been doing a bit more thinking and whatnot, and this brand (previously unknown about) does give a good impression – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rofis-Torches-Rechargeabl...

Here, you can see the size against the Imalent and Klarus G20L, so it may be more what you were envisaging before looking at the Klaruses – http://budgetlightforum.com/node/59171

In case the runtime graphic causes confusion, allow me to decipher it – take Turbo mode, what the mins mentioned mean is that on that setting, in typical conditions, the output will be 3500 for 1 minute, then drop to 1500 for 10 mins, before dropping to 1000 for the next 3 hours and a bit.
This will be as a result of the temperature rising and what the head & body can dissipate to the surrounding air, so as to protect the electronics and battery.
As you’re looking for around 5 hours usage, I’d advise carrying a second charged battery with you, in case the mid level wasn’t bright enough, and you ended up running on high most of the time.

[schmunk]

PJ S said:

As you’re looking for around 5 hours usage, I’d advise carrying a second charged battery with you, in case the mid level wasn’t bright enough, and you ended up running on high most of the time.

...and a second, very small, torch so that you can see what you're doing whilst you're changing the batteries!

[PJ S]

Damn you V8mate… now I’m looking at that Rofis, and the new Fitorch P26R with very itchy fingers!

[V8mate]

Thanks for your follow-up advice^^!

I'm getting lost in the world of batteries now... button top, flat top, tabs, 20A, 30A, FFS!

[V8mate]

This one currently has my eye. On special offer...and well over forty quid via amazon.co.uk

https://www.banggood.com/BLF-A6-XPL-1600LM-7-4mode...

[Mr-B]

V8mate said:

This one currently has my eye. On special offer...and well over forty quid via amazon.co.uk

https://www.banggood.com/BLF-A6-XPL-1600LM-7-4mode...

Got mine from Banggood when they first came out and paid about that price, that's a decent price and you probably won't get it significantly cheaper than that. It's a cracking light, use it all the time. Dropped it the other week from about shoulder height onto concrete floor tried turning it on and nothing it was dead, I was mortified! Didn't know what to do, I am not a modder so have never taken it apart, took out the battery had a look inside the tube and at the tailcap not knowing what I was looking for (but it's a bit like opening the bonnet of a broken down car when you know nothing about mechanics/engines, you know it's the right thing to do ) put the battery in tried it again and it was working! Has been fine since.

[untakenname]

Interesting episode of the gadget show tonight on Channel 5, they reviewed some decent torches including a BLF, was surprised they would find niche torches.

[V8mate]

Mr-B said:

V8mate said:

This one currently has my eye. On special offer...and well over forty quid via amazon.co.uk

https://www.banggood.com/BLF-A6-XPL-1600LM-7-4mode...

Got mine from Banggood when they first came out and paid about that price, that's a decent price and you probably won't get it significantly cheaper than that. It's a cracking light, use it all the time. Dropped it the other week from about shoulder height onto concrete floor tried turning it on and nothing it was dead, I was mortified! Didn't know what to do, I am not a modder so have never taken it apart, took out the battery had a look inside the tube and at the tailcap not knowing what I was looking for (but it's a bit like opening the bonnet of a broken down car when you know nothing about mechanics/engines, you know it's the right thing to do ) put the battery in tried it again and it was working! Has been fine since.

[tenohfive]

My A6 came off my bike at about 30 mph with no negative effects. Solid torches.

Interesting about the Gadget Show, might have to give it a watch.

[defblade]

Right folks, it's my birthday next week , so if you could all chip maybe a tenner each, I'll let you know just how little I need, how pointless is, and how cool are... 9000 lumens in one place


https://www.heinnie.com/fenix-tk72r

[Stenasev]

I thought this thread deserved a bump. I remember mention of the BLF GT a while ago but wondered if anyone reading this bought one?

Mine turned up yesterday. A couple of stolen pics below, not done any of my own.

Edit: defblade beat me to the bump

Edited by Stenasev on Thursday 3rd May 22:21

[gregs656]

V8mate said:

Can the thread masses recommend me a small torch?

Rules:
18650-powered
Palm-sized-ish
Good for 'showing the way' in pitch black open countryside.
Up to 5 hours use from one charge.

I'd prefer if it was sold by or supplied by Amazon.

The best small 18650 torch is the Zebralight SC600 IMO.

[schmunk]

gregs656 said:

The best small 18650 torch is the Zebralight SC600 IMO.

£90? So it should be! You can buy 5 of the BLF A6 for that price.

[gregs656]

schmunk said:

£90? So it should be! You can buy 5 of the BLF A6 for that price.

Yep. They are worth it if you want a compact 18650 torch. The UI is just brilliant.

I’ve got budget torches too and I rate them but don’t think anyone touches zebralight at what they do best.