Looking For A Torch

Keith W

Keith W

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As the title states, I am looking for a torch

I am after something small that can fit easily in my pocket but still be powerful enough to emit a bright light

Preferably it will only take 1 aaa or aa battery

Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully revived
 
Looks good, maybe a little to big though

Also something less fancy would be better, on/off is all that is needed
 
Have a look on 7dayshop's site.
 
I am a big fan of led lenser. My p7 and m7 find in my pockets, but do required 4 AA. The beam is amazing, good enough for nighttime forest dog walking.

I've also got a smaller one that is in the car, but the compromise is noteworthy.

It all depends on what you really want to use it for.
 
Oh and be led lenser is tough, tough enough to give someone a good and proper thump :)
 
I am looking for something that I can put in my coat pocket and not weigh a ton,

I need something that will be bright enough to light the area in front of me like it was daylight, I am a clumsy git and have almost fallen over numerous times gaining access to my property at night
 
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Think you might be struggling for power and time with one battery.

I'm a fan of LED lenser torches also. How about an L7. 115 lumens. Twist from spotlight to flood light. 3 AAA batteries. Weighs 5 ounces.

They also do an L5 and L6. Slightly less powerful in each case and slightly cheaper, slightly lighter.

Plenty to choose from. Fenix, Maglite, Coast and several others
 
Keith W said:
I am a clumsy git and have almost fallen over numerous times gaining access to my property at night
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Those pesky strolls back from the boozer after closing time. I hear you brother.
 
If the route is good and not cobbled or similar, how about a head torch of some description? The only problem is when the footing's a bit uneven - no discernable shadows can make it a bit dodgy!

GMTA!!!
 
Sorry not after a head torch

It would take up more room in the pocket than a standard torch and then there would be all the faffing about getting the thing out and trying to fit it on my head.

I just need something I can keep in my pocket & take out and turn on when needed
 
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Pretty much any of the cheap LEDs from eBay or Amazon seem to work fine. With more expensive kit you're paying for reliability and "light quality".

I picked one of these up at a car boot and it's amazingly bright, fairly robust and pocketable.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultrafire-E...d=1450267896&sr=8-1&keywords=ultrafire+xml+t6

Nod said:
If the route is good and not cobbled or similar, how about a head torch of some description? The only problem is when the footing's a bit uneven - no discernable shadows can make it a bit dodgy!

GMTA!!!
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I think part of the problem with headtorches is looking through the beam. I use a chest mounted light from Decathlon which is great even on dodgy paths.
 
I go caving, and Fenix have a great reputation for being robust, waterproof and excellent build quality.
http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/Shop/Fenix-Torches.html
There is a bewildering choice of lights in there; something for everyone.
Not quite the bargain basement stuff from eBay, but the considered opinion is that they are worth the money.
Worth noting that a lot of the eBay listings have Lumen ratings that they will never achieve. Personal experience indicates their claims of being waterproof aren't true either. However, there is no doubt that you get a lot of light for your money.

Edited to add: I have an LedLenser head torch which cost quite a lot.
Washed it under the tap to get mud off and it failed; there is way to much delicate electronics in there.
It eventually started working after several days on a radiator, but I won't trust it again.
The equivalent Fenix headtorch would have been slightly cheaper and looking at the way others abuse theirs I'd still be using a Fenix.
 
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DuncanDisorderly said:
I go caving, and Fenix have a great reputation for being robust, waterproof and excellent build quality.
http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/Shop/Fenix-Torches.html
There is a bewildering choice of lights in there; something for everyone.
Not quite the bargain basement stuff from eBay, but the considered opinion is that they are worth the money.
Worth noting that a lot of the eBay listings have Lumen ratings that they will never achieve. Personal experience indicates their claims of being waterproof aren't true either. However, there is no doubt that you get a lot of light for your money.

Edited to add: I have an LedLenser head torch which cost quite a lot.
Washed it under the tap to get mud off and it failed; there is way to much delicate electronics in there.
It eventually started working after several days on a radiator, but I won't trust it again.
The equivalent Fenix headtorch would have been slightly cheaper and looking at the way others abuse theirs I'd still be using a Fenix.
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I bought a Fenix TK40 earlier this year and they had a batch with on/off switches that started playing up after a while, they replaced it no questions asked and no messing about, some of the best customer services I have come across in a long time.
 
That's looks like an excellent buy. Apart from everything else, it uses good battery choices and has a proper moonlight (0.5 lumen) setting. Everyone is getting obsessed with high power performance these days, and it certainly has it's place, but a very low output is fine for use around the house during a power cut, inside a tent and so on, and offers a hell of a long runtime!

I still love my Surefires, but not the running costs of CR123 batteries. I should convert one of them to use a 18650 rechargeable.
 
Check out thrunite torches...exceptional build quality and very well priced!
 
MartynK said:
That's looks like an excellent buy. Apart from everything else, it uses good battery choices and has a proper moonlight (0.5 lumen) setting. Everyone is getting obsessed with high power performance these days, and it certainly has it's place, but a very low output is fine for use around the house during a power cut, inside a tent and so on, and offers a hell of a long runtime!

I still love my Surefires, but not the running costs of CR123 batteries. I should convert one of them to use a 18650 rechargeable.
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CR123A rechargeable batteries can be cheap enough, I used to use them all the time before I moved up to 18650s
 
Steep said:
CR123A rechargeable batteries can be cheap enough, I used to use them all the time before I moved up to 18650s
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I have been looking at getting something more powerful but have heard horror stories about 123A and 18650 going up in flames.
Have you ever had any problems ?
 
scraggs said:
I bought a Fenix TK40 earlier this year and they had a batch with on/off switches that started playing up after a while, they replaced it no questions asked and no messing about, some of the best customer services I have come across in a long time.
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I wouldn't call that the best customer services, that is merely doing ones job I would argue.

It's the problem these days that people are so used to bad customer service that when they come across someone just doing what they are supposed to be doing it is deemed exceptional.

A very alien concept to me.
 
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dejongj said:
I wouldn't call that the best customer services, that is merely doing ones job I would argue.

It's the problem these days that people are so used to bad customer service that when they come across someone just doing what they are supposed to be doing it is deemed exceptional.

A very alien concept to me.
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Considering I had lost the receipt for it and they didn't want the old one back I would argue that it is, but everyone is entitled to their opinions, but yes it is unusual to actually get someone to sort anything out properly now days.
 
Used both CR123A and 18650 batteries for years without a single issue. I'm pretty sure the 18650s I use now are all Chinese no names and I know for a fact the CR123As are. The 18650s take an age to charge but last for months with daily usage in my Eagletac work torch.
 
Steep said:
CR123A rechargeable batteries can be cheap enough, I used to use them all the time before I moved up to 18650s
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I thought about that, but standard CR123s are 3v and most of the rechargeables I've seen are around 3.6v. That's enough to fry the bulb in a 6P or G2 flashlight.
 
scraggs said:
Considering I had lost the receipt for it and they didn't want the old one back I would argue that it is, but everyone is entitled to their opinions, but yes it is unusual to actually get someone to sort anything out properly now days.
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I had a similar experience with an LED Lenser 'Police' flashlight. The end cap jammed solid, and I returned it under their 5 year warranty. The receipt was long gone, but they just took my word for when I bought it, and sent me a new one.
 
MartynK said:
I had a similar experience with an LED Lenser 'Police' flashlight. The end cap jammed solid, and I returned it under their 5 year warranty. The receipt was long gone, but they just took my word for when I bought it, and sent me a new one.
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It makes logical sense really. I mean if there is a fault and it is clear no other manufacturer makes them then why need a receipt?
 
scraggs said:
I have been looking at getting something more powerful but have heard horror stories about 123A and 18650 going up in flames.
Have you ever had any problems ?
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I've heard of fires/explosions when people try to recharge CR123A batteries, which aren't meant to be recharged. 18650s should be fine.
 
dejongj said:
It makes logical sense really. I mean if there is a fault and it is clear no other manufacturer makes them then why need a receipt?
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Probably for much the same reasons as Canon, Nikon et al want to see proof of purchase for warranty claims?
 
MartynK said:
Probably for much the same reasons as Canon, Nikon et al want to see proof of purchase for warranty claims?
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I couldn't think of a single reason what difference it would make.

Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Apple just to name a few also don't need any of that.
 
Aldi had a pocket sized Cree torch in last week, think it was about £12
 
Steep said:
Bit late for Keith but...if you can wait 10-15 days then http://www.banggood.com/Olight-S15R...Rechargeable-EDC-LED-Flashlight-p-948431.html using code M4DS15R brings it down to about £15.55
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I just got one of these (found it today after the postie had left it in the garage) very nice bit of kit. Small size, about 3" long 3/4" at the widest end. Very bright on the highest output going down to barely a glimmer on moonlight (find your way to the bathroom without waking the whole street) setting. Comes with a 14500 Li-On battery but can also use AAs, magnetic charging base lead, strap & spare O-rings.
 
Steep said:
I just got one of these (found it today after the postie had left it in the garage) very nice bit of kit. Small size, about 3" long 3/4" at the widest end. Very bright on the highest output going down to barely a glimmer on moonlight (find your way to the bathroom without waking the whole street) setting. Comes with a 14500 Li-On battery but can also use AAs, magnetic charging base lead, strap & spare O-rings.
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This looks good. I like the 14500 rechargeable with the ability to use AA if necessary, and the moonlight mode, which isn't all that common. Not so sure about the big gap between the 7 and 70 lumen settings, and the resulting difference in run time. I'd rather have a 20 or 30 lumen setting for general use, but that's just my preference!
 
I reckon the mid setting is ample for everyday use at least for me, the highest setting has it's uses but is overkill for the close up work I will need it for.
Neat feature, side switches can be pocket pressed so it has a lockout feature to prevent accidental switching. Easier than that though, just swivel the clip round to physically cover the switch.
 
Steep said:
Bit late for Keith but...if you can wait 10-15 days then http://www.banggood.com/Olight-S15R...Rechargeable-EDC-LED-Flashlight-p-948431.html using code M4DS15R brings it down to about £15.55
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Decided to order one which arrived today as my current pocket torch had recently given up the ghost due to a leaking battery (suspect Duracell!), very impressive little torch and nice it has a lockout feature to prevent it accidentally being switched on and the moonbeam setting is ideal as too often a torch can be too bright . Many thanks @Steep for the link. (y)
 
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