Camping flaslight for my GF

Originally posted by Michael_Aos
I'm looking for a good camping flashlight for my GF. I picked up a Surefire A2 for myself, and I think it's about perfect, but she refuses to carry anything that expensive out into the woods. She wants something in the $20-$30 range, extremely long burn time, and not especially bright. Just for getting back and forth the tent at night, walking to the "potty chair", etc.

She wants something with a "clickie" switch.
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I have not read all three pages, so please forgive me if someone has already suggested this:

I would get her a AA Maglite and put an Opalec Newbeam Module and Kroll or RAM "clickie" tail switch on it.

The bad news is: by the time you do all that, you'll be out of the $20 to $30 price range, but hopefully not by much. $10 (or less) for the maglite + $25 for the Newbeam + $6 for the switch = about $40.

The good news is: she will get her "extremely long burn time" (10 hours of constant brightness sufficiant for her purposes) and clickie switch.
 
Originally posted by JDMSMBACPA
I would get her a AA Maglite and put an Opalec Newbeam Module and Kroll or RAM "clickie" tail switch on it.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I'm going to do.

I just need to find a website where I can order both.

Mike
 
www.brightguy.com - look under MiniMag, and then loook under accessories. The list the Kroll tailswitch & Newbeam - looks like the entire package, including a new MiniMag would be about $42.

BTW, I have a very cheap 2AA light that is rubber covered, has a clicky-switch in the same location as it would be on a c/d cell mag, and uses PR based bulbs. With a pr-based LED replacement (available from a few sources for less than $15), it would probably be just the thing. I can get others, if you were interested - the light would cost less than $5 for the light, including shipping ( I think there are a few colors to choose from - red, yellow, OD).

Sam
 
Originally posted by Flotsam
BTW, I have a very cheap 2AA light that is rubber covered, has a clicky-switch in the same location as it would be on a c/d cell mag, and uses PR based bulbs. With a pr-based LED replacement (available from a few sources for less than $15), it would probably be just the thing.
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That reminded me, I have this flashlight that came with my Honda. Appears to use PR-based bulbs.

Brightguy sells the EverLED for $37.50. Where have you seen them under $15?

Cheapie.jpg
 
IIRC the Everled is a PR based Luxeon Star emitter--not just a regular LED.

Another option for 2D lights is a voltage or current regulated (pulse width modulation IIRC) 2D to 8AA converter from Willie Hunt (do a google search. He sells other stuff online. This item is no longer listed, but he may still have some). Hunt says www.lightingpro.org also has them. They allow you tu use Lithium AAs (for long shelf life) and provide constant brightness. I dropped one into my old 2D maglite. The 3.6 volt high efficiency krypton bulb is brighter then the OEM bulb.
 
I was thinking it might be fun to try one of those EverLED's in a Mag 2C converted to 3x123A lithiums.

:D

Mike
 
Originally posted by Michael_Aos
I was thinking it might be fun to try one of those EverLED's in a Mag 2C converted to 3x123A lithiums.
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I'm not positive, but I think that beyond a normal 3 cell (1.5 x 3), there is supposedly no real change in brightness for the EverLED.
 
Hello Zheng and Sam :)
Mike many Led's are voltage regulated and will not be brighter by increasing the voltage.
Incandescents on the other hand are not V regulated.
Hope this confuses you even more :) :)
There is a whole science and alchemy to swapping bulbs. Either Led or Incan :)
The drop in's for the mag aa are really great...but you then need the kroll (I like Kroll, others like Ram)on the end or stay with the twist on.
You may want to try the 2c mod with incand pr bulb. (@9volts)
AND
get the setup aa mag with lithiums and a led. Inretech and Dat2Zip's are the ones I have and enjoy.
The others are stated above and are equally as good...I hear. :)
The Flashoholic motto
"BUY BOTH"
Remember ..tho, the applications and voltage that you describe in the mag 2c post above are very different animals
Enjoy the illuminating times ahead!!
Has the inova x5t been mentioned above?
Has your Lady said "what;s the big deal, where's my light"
Yet? :)
Tom
 
Tom,
Which Dat2Zip 2AA adapter is similar to or brighter than the InReTech using lithium AA batteries?
Jim
 
I have the BadBoy and Madmax from Dat2zip. These are not the newest iterations tho. the BadBoy 400 is what I have not the q3. I have the madmax before the one on his site currently. Both are about the same brightness but different run characteristics. Here is a link to Madmax,Badboy INFORMATION
tHE Q3, 500 and madmax are brighter than what I have.
Please read thru the link to be educated on a fine technology : IT'S HUGE.
The Inretech is equally as bright (as my versions) and I WAS a big proponent of his....
the price is right~$25......
BUT his shipping sucks. And has for almost 8 months now. It seems to be a crap shoot if you don't have to wait months for your order and many emails. I see on CPF he still has the shipping probs and the same excuses that he's used since Nov 02. It's sad because it's such a great product. I prefer the Inretech white. I have the cyan which is numerically lux brighter but hard on my eyes. The white is just right :)
My reccomendation is the BadBoy. Nice as silk.
AND for a real treat here are two links to Mag 2c with 3x123 batts and RS kpr112
MAG 2C AND ANOTHER
This mod is a drarkness killer.
Sam and Zheng may have thoughts and experience on this also :)
Tom
 
Originally posted by ZENGHOST
I'm not positive, but I think that beyond a normal 3 cell (1.5 x 3), there is supposedly no real change in brightness for the EverLED.
Click to expand...

You are correct. However, you get longer runtimes if you use more cells. The everLed is spec'ed at a maximum of 6 x 1.5v cells. The optimum brightness is achieved once you reach 3 x 1.5V cells.

Michael's idea of running it with 3 x 123A cells is very much workable.
 
Originally posted by rajan
You are correct. However, you get longer runtimes if you use more cells. The everLed is spec'ed at a maximum of 6 x 1.5v cells. The optimum brightness is achieved once you reach 3 x 1.5V cells.

Michael's idea of running it with 3 x 123A cells is very much workable.
Click to expand...
Yeah, my Space Needle II runs 3 x 123s and it's a really easy conversion for a 2C/2D Mag. I hadn't thought about the run time. Usually when it comes to LEDs my first thoughts go to brightness and throw, but it does make sense to do it if it'll increase the run time--you can never have too much run time.

Howzit, Tom? I actually have no experience with any of the drop-ins yet so I can't really comment. That's too bad about the Inretech shipping time, I had been planning to try one of those out. That, the Opalec and the BadBoy are all on my "to buy" list but still haven't gotten around to getting them. The "McModule" will likely be my first drop-in. My next couple of paychecks are already spoken for by several flashlights and knives (not to mention my new camcorder) so I won't be able to pick those up anytime soon.

Michael, don't forget to let us know which one she ends up with--I know we're all dying to hear what you settle on.
 
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