Flashlights- short-lived obsession?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
Right before Arc went he way of the Dodo I traded one of my custom knives for a AAA. Shortly after I got a AAA in red, and turquoise, then an LSL-P, an LSL-ST and a First Run LS. Then a AA. I traded away the red and turquoise AAA's and got, then traded, a camo E2E. Also acquired a handful of Peaks while I was at it. Now I feel like the whole flashlight thing is kind of ho-hum. I check out CPF every now and then and there's nothing new in the LED world. Am I burned out already?
 
Chiro75 said:
Right before Arc went he way of the Dodo I traded one of my custom knives for a AAA. Shortly after I got a AAA in red, and turquoise, then an LSL-P, an LSL-ST and a First Run LS. Then a AA. I traded away the red and turquoise AAA's and got, then traded, a camo E2E. Also acquired a handful of Peaks while I was at it. Now I feel like the whole flashlight thing is kind of ho-hum. I check out CPF every now and then and there's nothing new in the LED world. Am I burned out already?
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Everyone's different - and that's what makes the world go round -
So for you, possibly - there are plenty of others that are afflicted with the obsession of flashaholicsm.....

The Arcs you bought pretty wisely - since they are now more or less collectors items (the multi-LED versions of the Peaks may also be too) -
and probably would sell for more $$$'s than you paid for them especially over at the CPF Buy/Sell/Trade >> B/S/T ~ Lights section.

So your short-lived obsession may not have cost you that much,
or even turn a small profit.

There aren't that many hobbies/obsessions that can claim that.... :cool:

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
That's true. I pretty much only like small LED's, like single CR123's and the like, so I guess my obsession was self-limiting. I did good with my flashlight hobby. I turned a profit for the most part. Kept the Peaks and the LSL-ST and the First Run. Good EDC lights. Just seems like the technology is waiting for that next step and until that happens everyone's just sort of staring at their shoes.
 
Chiro75 said:
That's true. I pretty much only like small LED's, like single CR123's and the like, so I guess my obsession was self-limiting.
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Me too.

I prefer small pocketable lights.

The single 5mm LED class like the ArcAAA (and cheaper Dorcy 1AAA) seems to suit my usage fine, so I'm not always on the lookout to buy more/better lights, unless it's outstanding.

However I did just buy 2 more Energizer LED Head Beams (comparison review - linked) at Target stores' clearance price of $9.08 each....

Chiro75 said:
Just seems like the technology is waiting for that next step and until that happens everyone's just sort of staring at their shoes.
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This is true - there are hints that a another step is on the way - either on brighter/more efficient LEDs
or bringing costs down to the consumer mainstream.
Either of which is welcomed by me.

For example the MJLED drop-in for MiniMag 2AA (long comparison review thread, linked) is fabulous for a $6 LED mod that gives a light that's perhaps a bit brightrer than the standard incandescent bulb - definitely much better smoother beam and a huge 30+ hours runtime (reported) on plain alkalines.

So yes, perhaps people are staring at their shoes -
but there is grass growing underfoot :cool:

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
I think the obsession kinda died for me after I got my A2... It's everything I've ever wanted in a light. Combined with the Dorcy AAA and the Inova X5T, I think i'm set for light... Life! :D

Wouldn't mind getting an L4, just for the coolness factor, but I've stopped looking for flashlights anymore.
 
I haven't bought one in a few......... weeks. :D I was lucky enough to snag a Peak AAA ultra power 3 LED right before they had to stop selling the multiple LED heads. Great little light. Other recent aquisitions include a TNC 3W 2 x CR123 and a LED conversion kit for my G2 from Bug Out Gear.

I have to say, that G2 is now my brightest light. Best $40 I've spent on lights in a very long time.
 
I think I went through a similar thing.

A little over a year ago, I got an Inova X5 and a Surefire G2. They were my first high quality lights and they satisfied me for several months.

Over the summer though, I became totally obsessed with flashlights. I would read every post on CPF and I bought a ton of stuff. It became clear after awhile that I was going overboard and I’ve already sold a lot of the lights that I wasn’t using.

Luckily, flashlights generally seem to hold their value well and the Arcs have even gone up in price!

Nowadays, I check into CPF every couple of days and only follow a few different threads. I guess I’m still a sucker for the latest and greatest flashlights though. About a month ago, I bought a HDS Ultimate 60 and I just got a shipping notice for a JIL 1.3W. LOL! :D
 
Peter, I scored a Peak 3-LED AAA with Snow colored LED's right before that BS occurred, too. GREAT light. I tried that out and then said "goodbye" to my Arc AAA drawer queen for a cool $65 or something around that. Not a bad deal for me. My Peak is acting really weird, though. I hop it's just the batteries.

Have you seen pics of the Peak 3-LED AAA prototype? It had the Arc body, but with an elongated head the same diameter as a normal Arc head. I saw one picture one time. That's what I had originally ordered, right before the holidays, but I got the regular AAA instead. I'd kill for one of the prototypes...
 
Watch out for the Chinese LEDs, these were under $1.50 US each and I could not let them go, they look good and even come with spare batteries, they use LR41 button cells, for some reason one uses 3 and the other 4. If they keep up everything will be Chinese soon, it is a frightening thought.

Luis

2jfrli
 
Those Arcs and Peaks are obselete and don't have great performance. I can see why you're bored already.

If you want to see something impressive, check out the Lionheart, Lioncub, HDS EDC, Aleph and Fire~Fly II lights.
 
I use my CMG Infinity Ultra constantly. A simple functional design.

(or used to be...)
 
I'm a big light fan as well. I lost interest a couple of years ago but we got hit with a big blackout on the East Coast and poof I got dragged back in!

Even if you're not a collector, everyone should have at least one good flashlight. My current obsession is the TNC AA small flashlight. It's as beautifully crafted light as I have ever held. It wasn't cheap but I use mine all the time.
 
I like a good old fashioned Maglite. I've got lots of them. A 4D with my camping stuff, a 3D in my car, a AAA on a keychain, a AA somewhere...

I've been thinking abuot getting a higher end light, but Mag is making an LED version, so I'll wait for that. I like them because I've seen one run over with an old Ford van and come out unharmed.
 
Psychopomp said:
I like a good old fashioned Maglite. I've got lots of them. A 4D with my camping stuff, a 3D in my car, a AAA on a keychain, a AA somewhere...

I've been thinking abuot getting a higher end light, but Mag is making an LED version, so I'll wait for that. I like them because I've seen one run over with an old Ford van and come out unharmed.
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Have you ever compared a surefire alongside one of your mags ? :D
 
i've got several mag lites, an E2e SF, E2D,M3,C2,Z2,Z3 and a M2, put a KL1 head on my E2e, also have a arc AAA and an inova, and a streamlite twin task 2 123 batt, so i am set pretty well right now myself, but i am always looking for something cool ......am sure i'll get something/another this yr, nuwai, longbow, etc etc.
 
Psychopomp said:
I like a good old fashioned Maglite. I've got lots of them. A 4D with my camping stuff, a 3D in my car, a AAA on a keychain, a AA somewhere...

I've been thinking abuot getting a higher end light, but Mag is making an LED version, so I'll wait for that. I like them because I've seen one run over with an old Ford van and come out unharmed.
Click to expand...

Ah, I saw this on the JD forums posted by Beau T (G Pilot on CPF)

quadamire013ni.jpg


"These are the newest of the new modded Maglites. Fully adjustable dimming switch. Just like on your wall at home. Rotate the small knob up and down to get the brightness you want. Batteries last from 2 hours on high to 100 + on low. Made with 3 or 4 3watt luxeons, each with their own reflector and a glass lense."


I thought they were sooooo damn sexy, I just had to post it. :D
 
I've got a red photon for night vision, a Surefire G2 for OMG BLINDING and a 4D Maglite for light and a little extra. I think i'm covered.

Then again to a candlepowerfoums member that's probably like saying "Yeah I got a Calypso jr, a KA-BAR, and a toothpick, I'm good."
 
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