Torches

u8myufo said:
Buy anything branded by trustfire and you are asking for problems ;) or anything with the word fire in the name.
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Well, providing it wan't called the OnFire then I didn't really care. As long as it lasts two years and lights up country paths and poop when out with the mutt then for £25 it's pretty much disposable. Which is why I said to the OP "something to get you by while you make a decision". I'm sure if I needed to rely on a torch for professional or business purposes I would buy something with a proven reputation and bigger price tag but then I wouldn't necessarily be paying for the thing.
 
Spuff said:
As long as it lasts two years
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That would be pushing it :D Just saying that in general anything with the word "Fire " in them, are in most cases unreliable,even more so when it comes to batteries and chargers.But hey,what do I care about it all? :)
 
Another vote for the LED Lenser, I have had the P7 and the H7 headtorch when working. My old electician mate sweared by the headtorch hence me getting one, suprising how useful it's been over the years. Also got a keyring one for the misses.
 
Nearly went for the lenser p7.2 pro but opted for the thrunite tn4a...should be here by weekend will let you know my thoughts once I have tested it out
 
Well after a major balls up with amazon(shouldnt be listed as a prime item apparently!) its finally here.First impressions very well built,nice and solid in the hand.Not too big and comes nicely packaged with decent holster and a lanyard plus spare switch cover.Not tested it out properly yet but trust me its very very bright!! Overall very pleased and looking forward to testing it tonight.
 
StuartH said:
Well after a major balls up with amazon(shouldnt be listed as a prime item apparently!) its finally here.First impressions very well built,nice and solid in the hand.Not too big and comes nicely packaged with decent holster and a lanyard plus spare switch cover.Not tested it out properly yet but trust me its very very bright!! Overall very pleased and looking forward to testing it tonight.
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I see it's now listed as 1-3 days for Prime.

What batteries are you using?
 
Yes still listed as prime but when we rang them amazon said it shouldnt be and wasnt showing as a prime eligible item their end?? Just using 4
Duracell MX1500 Ultra Power
in it and its bright very bright!
 
StuartH said:
Yes still listed as prime but when we rang them amazon said it shouldnt be and wasnt showing as a prime eligible item their end?? Just using 4
Duracell MX1500 Ultra Power
in it and its bright very bright!
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Non-rechargeables? It can get quite expensive with high power torches. The Eneloop technology batteries work well, I've got Sanyo, Panasonic and Duracell that go into the torches, perhaps something to consider?
 
Yes Dave will certainly be looking at a set of them but had a 12 pack of these in the draw so will use them up first.Cracking little torch and really surprised at the build quality.
 
Hi Stuart have you ever thought of doing your own torch as in getting a standard Maglite and modifying it to suit your needs.
I have done quite a few over the past few years and found XML-u2 Led's the best between output and efficiency.

Here are a few I have done cut down to 1 cell battery which is Lipo 4000mAh lasts forever.
 
Never considered it mate but funny enough found a large un used 3 d cell mag lite in the loft the other day!!
 
n0chex said:
Hi Stuart have you ever thought of doing your own torch as in getting a standard Maglite and modifying it to suit your needs.
I have done quite a few over the past few years and found XML-u2 Led's the best between output and efficiency.

Here are a few I have done cut down to 1 cell battery which is Lipo 4000mAh lasts forever.
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Looks interesting, would you post some more details on how you have gone above it
 
You will need a donor Maglite ideally 2 cell (D)
3A multi mode driver
XML-u2 Led
Heatsink

If you go to Candle Power Forum and do a search Maglite Mod there will be plenty of info how too's. but to make a 1D Maglite as mine you will need to know someone with a lathe to cut the mag down and re thread it.

Here is what it looks like taken apart on a 2D and all depends on what LED used and what mag body standard bulb and led bulb body's are different diameters so you need to make sure you get the right heatsink.




 
Stuart you can use a 3 cell no problem just a little large and 3 batteries will be expensive at near £10 each.
Also you will have to make sure the driver is rated at the right voltage for 3x 3.7V lipo's.

I will have a look after tea and see if I can post some links to parts needed.

PS: Forget manufactures lumens figures they are made up most the time and I know my Maglite's pull the full 3Amps on High power and 1000 lumens plus.
 
Cheers for that mate..I know the manufacturers exaggerate but most reviews state that the thrunite lumen output is pretty accurate..there was a review on CPF by someone called selfbuilt I believe that stated it was pretty much as advertised.
 
Just looked in my drawer and found some bits and bobs led's,drivers.heatsinks etc not sure if any use to you mate but you are more than welcome to have them FOC if you can use them.
Most was bought from http://www.lck-led.com/index.php from a guy called Elvis :) No joke and I am sure if you was handy at DIY you could bring back that old Maglite.

If you need a heat sink for your Maglite if you can't get any of mine to fit then head over to CPF there is a guy over the water doing custom ones at around £8 a pop or £20 for 3 and if I was you I would go for 3 as like photography you will soon get the bug and want another custom Maglite.

 
Looks a lot of work!...

Can anyone recommend a decent aa battery charger and some decent 2450 aa batteries?..The panasonic eneloops seem to get good reviews
 
StuartH said:
Looks a lot of work!...

Can anyone recommend a decent aa battery charger and some decent 2450 aa batteries?..The panasonic eneloops seem to get good reviews
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I don't see any difference between the various Eneloop tech batteries, I have the Sanyo and Panasonic, as well as the Duracell, Energizer and Uniross versions, I have the charger from 7 dayshop that was mentioned in the Eneloop thread (BH700?) but it's at work, I normally use a smart charger I got from LIDL last year most of the time (it will charge 6 AA at a time).
 
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Stuart have a look at the Fenix range also they are well regarded and most important reliable and please don't use Chinese torches no matter how good they look as they won't last been there worn the T-Shirt.
 
I just remembered the model number TK75 but it's a monster and a little over your budget but what an Awesome torch and they do make cheaper non expensive which are also brilliant............Oh I forgot to also say I am a self confessed Torcholic :)
 
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n0chex said:
Stuart have a look at the Fenix range also they are well regarded and most important reliable and please don't use Chinese torches no matter how good they look as they won't last been there worn the T-Shirt.
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Where do Fenix torches come from? :rolleyes:
 
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n0chex said:
HaHa ermmmmmm but they are a good torch maker not the tat that comes from places like aliexpress and deals extreme and so on.

Would you buy a torch named fannylight :) http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-Police-Fanny-Torch-Light_60057561496.html
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I would agree about buying the super cheap rubbish that is at the bottom end of the market (Chinese or not), but there are plenty of good Chinese makers.

Saying "Don't use Chinese no matter how good" is not the best advice (to put it mildly ;)). Plenty of excellent kit from China, CandlePowerForums shows that in many reviews.

I would actually put 4Sevens, Olight, Dereelight, Jetbeam, Eagletac, Nitecore, Zebralight and Sunwayman (amongst others) at least as good as Fenix (4Sevens and Olight are 2 that have better QC and service than Fenix, David Chow who started 4Sevens and is also president of Olight used to be at Fenix and aims all his products a niche above).

Just to add, you mention Chinese tat from DealExtreme, you mean like this sort of thing ;)

www.dx.com/
 
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Yes Dave I agree and I did mean the lower end stuff I should have made my post a little clearer. the others you have mentioned are again good reliable manufacturers and having owned the Fenix TK75 I can say what a nice piece of engineering that was and boy was it bright with a long throw beam also a good spill.
 
n0chex said:
Yes Dave I agree and I did mean the lower end stuff I should have made my post a little clearer. the others you have mentioned are again good reliable manufacturers and having owned the Fenix TK75 I can say what a nice piece of engineering that was and boy was it bright with a long throw beam also a good spill.
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Glad we agree ;).

If you liked the Fenix, you should have a look at 4Sevens, think of them as a higher quality Fenix.

http://www.foursevens.com
 
Holy Crap have you seen the size of the Maelstrom XM18 it's a monster that one in it .....oh and thanks for the link and you have now got me looking at flashlights again :)
 
Cheers for the replies gents..as for chinese torches yeah there is some crap about but as mentioned also some very good ones.The thrunites are chinese and get great reviews.I did look at the tk75 but for that price you could get the thrunite tn36 6500 lumens monster! Or for £70 the tn30 which is 3200 lumens..both a lot of torch for the money

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkFk6EsUrXc
 
StuartH said:
Cheers for the replies gents..as for chinese torches yeah there is some crap about but as mentioned also some very good ones.The thrunites are chinese and get great reviews.
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Thanks to you I've just spent more money on torches ;).

I was just browsing the Thrunite stuff and saw their 1AA/2AA light gets a good review.
http://edcstuff.net/2015/04/01/thrunite-neutron-aa/

http://edcstuff.net/2015/04/01/ten-of-the-best-single-aa-flashlights/

Found it on Amazon, so thought it worth a try.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ThruNite-Neutron2A-v2-CW-Flashlight/dp/B00MOE6VOO/
 
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lol I looked at that one as well..lovely little torch.Just been looking at reviews for the tn4a I got and most mention that eneloops are a really really tight fit and a struggle to get in and out.
 
StuartH said:
lol I looked at that one as well..lovely little torch.Just been looking at reviews for the tn4a I got and most mention that eneloops are a really really tight fit and a struggle to get in and out.
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That's a strange conclusion, my rechargeables are all the same diameter as normal alkalines, I haven't had a problem across 4 brands of eneloops, some older conventional rechargeables and even some NiZn batteries. If your Duracell alkalines fit I would expect the eneloops to fit as well.
 
I deleted CPF bookmark out my Favs for a reason now I have clicked the above link and marked it back in which will now most certainly cost me money.

I had the TK 75 when it first come out Stuart and I am sure there are a lot more better flashlights on the market as better technology appears as in battery tech and cooling which is a big factor.
 
StuartH said:
Thats what I thought Dave but a few have mentioned it..

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?395272-Thrunite-TN4A-(XP-L-V6-4xAA)-review-RUNTIMES-BEAMSHOTS-VIDEO-and-more!
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His complaint seems to be the springs in the battery carrier were too strong, I'm surprised by his variances though, I've just measured a Duracell alkaline and a Sanyo Eneloop and they are the exact same size (length and diameter). Admittedly, my test was with a standard Eneloop rather than the Pro (the new standard ones are better value for money as they can be charged more times than the Pro).
 
there was a couple of reviews that mentioned the batteries were slightly different size so cheers for the reassurance they are the same. Technology certainly seems to have come a long way.
 
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