Flashlight Help?

Sullie

Sullie

Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
513
Hi. So I have been using this forum for awhile, as most of the answers to my knife related questions on the net end up leading me here but just became a member recently. And I did not expect my first post to be about flashlights! But the urge is growing....
I spend a fair amount of my time outdoors, when I can. Honestly I don't use a flashlight too often...even though there have been times I could use one. The ones I have used have been sub par.
So, after looking into it a little bit I realized I want one...bad. And I found a guy locally who customs them. I got all caught up in this hype but realized I am in over my head with this. I was hoping some of you would be able and willing to help me make an informed decision on buying one.
Here's the deal-as I said, I spend a lot of time camping, canoeing, fishing, etc and want to carry everyday in case I need it. Now, here is what he is offering and I want to know if this is a good set up and worth the money. Sounds good....but I don't know much.
His offer-4.63" long, 0.94" diameter. Rechargeable 18650. 800+ lumens on high(says they are real lumens, not "Chinese ebay inflated fake lumens"). "used super compact body for it, and rebuilt the internal circuit board and installed one of the highest XM-L LED's. 800+ lumens on high but because of it's small size it doesn't have as much mass to dissipate so I recommend high mode for short periods, no more than 5 min during summer temps. Low mode approximately 32 lumen has about 10 hour run time, Med approximately 200 lumen has about 1.7 hour run time and high approximately 800+ lumen has a run time of about an hour on a full charge. Plus the light has strobe and SOS mode."
He has other one's available but says this is his pride and joy....Seems like a trust worthy fella but I also got lost past lumens...So can you guys tell me where abouts you would rank a flash light with such specs and if there are any questions/concerns I should have about the light? Thank you, I really enjoy learning from a bunch of guys and gals who share a passion and just wanna help.
 
If the spec's of that flashlight are correct it's definitely a nice light IF the price is right.
He got a website or any other information on the internet?


You should look at candlepowerforums.com, you'll find (almost) everything about flashlights!
 
Thanks, appreciate it. What would be a good price?
I'll check out candlepower...been lead there through google searches as well. Seems to be a good mix of folk with common interest here. Thanks again!
 
And no website as far as I know, guess it makes it difficult to check out his credibility. I will ask him more...is there any way to know how accurate the info is?
 
I wouldn't do it.

Lights are finicky enough coming out of a factory that specializes in them, trusting someone with no website or other information would be too much for me.

A light, with those spec's, from a reputable maker would cost hundreds of dollars. Surefire, who isn't even the most expensive out there, charges $150-200 for their top shelf pocket lights. That money buys you a light that instead of being gimmicky is guarenteed to perform well for years to come.

If you want a bright, custom light I'd check out overready.com:

http://www.oveready.com/custom-flashlights/triple-xpg2/219-surefire-c2/prod_140.html

...that is what a high quality custom light costs. Anything less is a crap shoot.

If you really want to play with different modes and brightness levels, Solarforce makes very inexpensive Surefire clone bodies that will take the bigger rechargeable batteries. Just make sure you research how much voltage you're actually supplying, and buy an 'engine' that won't fry from too much juice. The sky is the limit for P60 drop ins (Surefire common models like 6P, 9P, C2, C3, M3 etc. all take P60 bulbs/LED/engine/DropIns) but you do have to pay attention and match your engine to your batteries.

800+ lumens on high(says they are real lumens, not "Chinese ebay inflated fake lumens").
Click to expand...

There's really no way to know until you see the light. My wife just got a Klarus "245 lumen" light, and it looks half as bright as my "200 lumen" Surefire EB1T.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Like I said I don't know much about lights but got caught up in the hype and was surprised to find a local guy with customs. But I'm gona slow sown and learn a few things, starting with the websites you guys posted, before I settle on a light. Thanks again
 
After doing some math (converting the inch to cm :P) it's a small light.
Now you can EDC it easily but the size will affect the performance negatively. So I dont know of that 800 lumes are real, and you can't (and you dont want to) run it at full for a long time due overheatig.

Maybe it's just me but for my first flashlight I would look at a good and known company.

Many known company's has single 18650 800+ lumens lights that are around 100-150 dollars.
Some good brands are: Eagletac, Nitecore, Fenix, Olight, Surefire (mostly a bit expensive), Led Lenser.
 
Sounds like a good light if the price is right!

Another option is the Fenix TK22 (650) lumens but it looks brighter due to the reflector design and bright white LED ), it is a good contender, I have one and love it! The price is right around $90.00 BNIB from many different sites too.
 
There are a number of custom flashlight makers. Most, though not all, have websites. You don't mention where you live, for us to see if there's a well know highly regarded "local" one near you; then you could see if it's him.

Otherwise, for a first light, I would forgo the custom and get something off the shelf that looks like it meets your needs. Highly respected companies include SureFire, EagleTac, ZebraLight, and Fenix -there are others, but that will give you a wide range of options. Once you get a couple lights and figure out what you like and what you don't, you could look into a custom that more specifically meets your needs.

800 lumen on a single 18650 light of that size can be done, but it needs to be implemented well with a good-sized heatsink. No matter what, I wouldn't run that sucker on Hi for more than a couple minutes.
 
Like others say, sounds nice if it's the right price. My only concern is the low/32 med/200. I usually like my low around 10 lumens, and my medium around 50. 32/200 seem like a bit of overkill to me, just my opinion, not sure what you will be using this light for.
If you decide to change your mind from the custom route, you should check out the Four Sevens Quark Turbo series. I have the 2xAA model and I think it's the perfect light to keep in your house or car.
Good luck in your search. :)
 
I have done flashlights like you are asking about. Now I buy what I want from the 4Sevens brand. For ~$100 you can get a flashlight with extra throw, or extra spread, with an egg shell reflector or smooth one.

When you know what you want, you can get SureFire performance at a fraction of the price with 4Seven brand lights. 4Sevens offers a lot of performance and quality for the price.
 
As stated before, check out candlepowerforums. Look for vinhnguyen54 and shoot him an email. He's been the most helpful dealer I think I've ever dealt with and has a flawless rep over there. Ask him anything and he'll answer and give you suggestions to help you find what's best for your uses.
 
My advice is to pickup a solar force host then email Wayne (vinhnguyen54) and get a d26/p60 drop in custom built to your specifications all for around $60ish.throw in a li-ion charger with a decent protected 18650 and you can have a great upgradable light for well under $100.
 
Thanks a lot guys, like I said, appreciate all the knowledge and help floating around here. I think I am gonna go through with it...we are talking about some fishing tackle, flys(I make) and a little cash for a deal. Seems pretty good. And I'll keep looking and reading...didn't see this one coming but I am getting into flashlights! More specifically are there any questions or concerns I should make known before going through with this? It really isn't a big hit and seems better than all the name brands at a fraction of the price. Thanks again every one, all opinions are welcomed and appreciated
 
4Sevens is what I was looking at before but if all is true about this package then I am getting more for a better deal. He is a guy who wanted a good flashlight, realized he could make them better than they can sell for the price and got carried away and now have quite a few really good ones. I realize not everyone who makes or thinks they can do things on their own can but his answers have seemed pretty legit and for the money it is little risk. Another guy was talking 6 times the price for a similar set up.... Seems like more of an average joe transaction than anything and being local I know I can always bring up concerns. I'll probably end up taking him fishing to balance things out
...
 
I generally have a pretty good understanding of knife spec's when it comes to pricing and this site has proved itself before. Now, I am literally new to the scene of flashlights and all advice is appreciated and not taken lightly. Just seems too good a deal to pass up....but it's the same with my fly's. Especially made with materials I have harvested myself, they will catch the fish but cost a fraction of the price as those bought from brand names. Now, that being said people also talk about their 10 dollar knife being every bit as good as a 100 dollar one....I don't want to be naïve, I want to learn. There must be some balance between dealing directly with the person and a company and inflation and good value.
 
The one downside, as of now, is no pocket clip. But I don't think it will be a problem to rig one up! Yes....I realize that statement drops me down a notch in flashlight standings but hey why pay someone for something you can do yourself??
 
Diablo_331 said:
Look for vinhnguyen54 and shoot him an email. He's been the most helpful dealer I think I've ever dealt with and has a flawless rep over there.
Click to expand...
Just to clear up confusion, vinhnguyen54 (Wayne) is not a dealer. He is, however, an excellent modder and specializes in emitter swaps, replacing stock drivers, upgrading heatsinks, and makes his own P60 dropins with a variety of options (among other things). At times, he will list for sale Solarforce hosts with his dropins, or lights that he has modded with non-stock drivers and emitters. If you have any questions he is always more than happy and quick to answer.
 
moshow9 said:
Just to clear up confusion, vinhnguyen54 (Wayne) is not a dealer. He is, however, an excellent modder and specializes in emitter swaps, replacing stock drivers, upgrading heatsinks, and makes his own P60 dropins with a variety of options (among other things). At times, he will list for sale Solarforce hosts with his dropins, or lights that he has modded with non-stock drivers and emitters. If you have any questions he is always more than happy and quick to answer.
Click to expand...

You are exactly right. Thanks for clearing that up. ;)
 
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