LED Flashlight recommendation needed please

[Porsche]

I have found TRF to be a great resource for non-watch related information.

I have looked on a couple of Torch forums (yes, there are a few!) and they go DEEP into the technicalities (I guess they are TIS's - Torch Idiot Savants, he he).

Anyway, I want to get a new LED flashlight. I am over the cheap $2 counter specials. I have looked on Fleabay, and am a little overwhelmed by the variety.

I am happy to spend around $50-$70, and I know you get what you pay for, but some of the murmurs are that the stuff out of China is not as claimed (eg. even though they claim CREE LED's, high lumen output etc, this may not be true).

Any suggestions on brands or sellers who can be trusted?

Main use will be camping. Summer has hit and a bunch of dads have organised camping with the kids in a few weeks. We try and go 2-3 times every summer to various campgrounds. Kids have a ball, they get all feral and go a bit Lord of the Flies crazy.. we normally set-up sleeping tents in a circle around a central marquee which is where the kids congregate (and we keep an eye on them!).

Obviously I need to have the brightest, strongest and most F.O. torch you can get!

The kids will be mighty impressed when I can pinpoint a wombat in a burrow at 300 metres, or show them a goanna scooting up a tree to grab a koala for dinner

PS. a full-size adult goanna can grow to over 2 metres!

[Demosthene]

Surefire
http://www.surefire.com/

[bayerische]

LED lenser are awesome!

[Monte Cristo]

You can't go past Maglite, the Rolex of torches (flashlight for our US friends)

[AH0RSEY]

Originally Posted by bayerische

LED lenser are awesome!

+1 .... Use as gun torch ..... Ooops did I mention a bad word

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by Demosthene

Surefire
http://www.surefire.com/

+1

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Okay... admittedly, the Danish handmade Wiseled Tactical NG or WiseDive customs 3,300 lumen are a bit more than 70 USD ... but they're the BEST and most powerful LED flashlights in the world!

Read my review here

[swatty]

Hi John ,

Those Goannas are great on the BBQ

This is what you need check out outbacklighting.com.au

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Do they smoke a pipe?

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

You can't go past Maglite, the Rolex of torches (flashlight for our US friends)

That's the one !

HAGT

[swatty]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Do they smoke a pipe?

No , they just smoke on the BBQ

[penfold]

Maglites got left behind years ago. Prefer Fenix to surefire. Favourite tourch of mine is an Olight M30. Do you want it to just run on standard batteries eg AA,AAA or happy to venture into high capacity rechargeables?

[bayerische]

Maglites are good as a baton, as a flashlight... not so much. Maybe 10 years ago.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Maglites are good as a baton, as a flashlight... not so much. Maybe 10 years ago.

Did you see the size of that Goanna in the pics? A baton is probably more useful than a torch...

[tattooedfagin]

Fenix TK11 or TK45 all day long

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

Did you see the size of that Goanna in the pics? A baton is probably more useful than a torch...

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Okay... admittedly, the Danish handmade Wiseled Tactical NG or WiseDive customs 3,300 lumen are a bit more than 70 USD ... but they're the BEST and most powerful LED flashlights in the world!

Read my review here

Listen to Bo on this one. Bo Knows........

I looked at these and wanted one until the sticker shock scared me off.

They are not great lights, but for the money some of the Coast LEDs are pretty good. They are 3AAA designs mostly which in the world of LED is design, but what you get for under a $100.

[Kobayashi]

Check out CPF - Candle Power Forum. That's the equivalent of TRF. There are several Fenix models in the $40-$50 range that can be used for camping.

Also, I prefer Eneloops over standard AA cells now. The other options are 18650's or CR123. The lithium batteries have a 10 year shelf life and the Eneloops can be recharged more than 1500 times. You can find those at Costco for $20/pack. The mah's range from 1900-3000 on the power sources I mentioned. All are much better than your standard Alkaline.

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by bayerische

LED lenser are awesome!

x2 I have one I keep with me all the time in my MC vest. It's small and bright as hell. Essentially this one, just not "Coast" branded.

http://www.amazon.com/Coast-TT7736DC...+red+and+white

[subtona]

4sevens are excellent and take regular AA batteries along with rechargeable AA ... big convenience when your in remote areas, AA much easier to find than a lot of the specialty type.

[Dr. Robert]

I put LED bulbs in my old Maglites.........works very well for me.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by bayerische

LED lenser are awesome!

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

x2 I have one I keep with me all the time in my MC vest. It's small and bright as hell.

X3. I have an LED Lenser P7. It has two levels of brightness and is quite powerful. It easily fits in a pocket and is bomb-proof in construction.

[donas]

I am an LEO and have carried a Fenix TK30 for years. It is slightly more than you said you wanted to spend, but well worth it. I paid about $120 for the light, $30 rechargeable batteries, $20 for the charger.

I read several others mention Fenix as well. In my opinion, they are just as reliable and just as well built as Surefire - they just aren't as proud of their name as Surefire so you're not paying for the label.

Not sure if I'm breaking the rules here recommending another site - but checkout lighthound.com great deals there and super customer service (I am not affiliated with them other than being a customer)

[masterserg]

I love my Surefire E2D LED. The P2X Fury line is very nice as well. They are above your budget but will last a lifetime and then some. Either is blindingly powerful and will flood a pitch black room with no problem. The too tactical models tend to concentrate the beam (more than flooding) so you might want to consider that when choosing.

Only downside is that they use CR123 batteries, but they have a 10 year shelf life so you can always carry a bunch of spares.

Fenix makes some nice ones as well. Wade (Donas) is correct above. They are bulletproof and excellent. I carry a pocketsized PD20 with me all the time ... you would not believe the amount of light this little thing produces. It is ridiculous. This was about 40/50 bucks.

I tried a Led Lenser T7 a while ago. It was well built, powerful, it used AAA batteries, but I did not like the beam (uneven) so it went back.

So, I think you need to consider:

What's your use scenario? How much brightness do you really need?
Beam shape (tight vs. flood)
Size / Weight / Ruggedness
Super brightness (150 real lumens and up) is nice but it eats batteries like candy so you probably want dual output (like 15/200 or so).
Which beam you want first when turning on, high or low?
Do you want a clicky back cap or a rotating bezel to turn on ...
What type of batteries? Do you mind carrying spares vs readily accessible AAAs?

That's all I can think.

Oh, and take the lumen claims with a grain of salt.

The first pic is the E2D.
The second is the Fenix PD20 and the third is the amazing PD20 on a pitch black room (with a battery that is at well less than 50%. The Surefire is a bit more intense but the beam is tighter (do not look into it or you will be seeing nothing but white stars for a while).

[gmh1013]

My fav is
http://www.lumapower.com/68_new.html

for the money and 450 lumes .....you cant beat it

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

X3. I have an LED Lenser P7. It has two levels of brightness and is quite powerful. It easily fits in a pocket and is bomb-proof in construction.

I have the same, but the re-chargable model.

[bayerische]

Serg,

I've heard of some LED lensers with a beam problem (uneven) but mine is a perfect circle. It's good to test them, and I glad you did, and didn't end up with an uneven beam.

[Brushpup]

I have heard great things about the Fenix lights. Forgot about those.

Joey, the light you mention is sold I think private label to coast, I think I have that too.

Also, I am going to check out that PD 20. I carry one about that size everday and want an upgrade that doesn't cost a fortune. I'll waste that on watches.

[Glenn422]

Hello :)

I'm an active member in the CPF forum with years of experience around flashlight and do own a lot of them from low to high end ones. For around $50-70 you can go look at 4sevens or some sure fires especially in the second hand market. from your intended use I recommend the E2D Led Defender which is actually a bit more than your budget, but i'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Do you want a cool white tint or prefer a warmer white tint? Warmer white tints have a better CRI (color rendering index) if you're going to use it outdoors. It does render colors better making things look more natural. Be aware that the E2D has a low CRI. Have a look at neutral tints on the 4sevens website..There are many other good brands such as nitecore, fenix and jet beam..

Also, what battery configuration do you prefer? 1x123, 2x123, 1xAA, 2xAA, 1xAAA? (the typical ones)

Do you prefer a simple easy to use UI (User Interface) or a high tech customizable more personal UI?

Do you prefer a long throwing beam or a more floody beam?

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Also, I am going to check out that PD 20. I carry one about that size everday and want an upgrade that doesn't cost a fortune. I'll waste that on watches.

The new version is the PD22 (55 bucks at Amazon).

http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=178

I don't need it but I might get one now ... dammit.

John, for the money, check Fenix's TK line, such as the TK15 or TK41 (AA batteries and a great thrower from what I read, but on the larger side).

As I mentioned, Surefire are nice, but you are paying for the brand and Fenix are pretty reliable (I got a couple firemen buddies and they use Fenix).