I want something really bright and well focused... (Flashlights)

Grease

Grease

Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
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Yeah, yeah. Another flashlight thread on the same page. Well, mine's more specific :p

I'm looking for a good spotlight. Not exactly a search light, but something like a modernized maglite. Something really bright with a nice tight beam and long throw distance. Bonus points if it's under $100, but don't limit it to that. I can always save up for something worth buying.
 
I was drawn to Lenslight for this purpose. I picked up their Mini (Single 123 Battery.) It has a very focus-able beam. You can go from flood to a very tight square. Check them out, they are all american made and very robust lights.
 
What size are you looking for? Something you can carry in your pocket? What type of batteries?
 
Like I said, something like a modernized maglite. Same size works, or it can be smaller. Batteries don't really matter - I need to invest in a bunch of rechargeables, and this would help decide how many of what kind.
 
A few months ago I completed my convoy C8 build, the light its self is a nice light and under $20 from fasttech, I soldered on extra current limiter chips (to boosttje drive current) and upgraded the emitter from an aluminum mounted XM-L to a copper mounted XM-L2 and its throwing 1000lumens almost 400 meters. Its no my EDC and its not a general use/around the house light but I carry it to the dog park and on walks and it's an amazing light for $44. I have yet to find someone who has a light that can out throw it.

I EDC a foursevens quark and a zebralight SC52 and both of those are also great lights for general use/EDC but the C8 is without a doubt my favorite. I have between 2 & 3 dozen LED & HID lights of varying size/output and the C8 blows them all but my 45w HID out of the water. I does take 18650's tho (1 cell) so of your not into Li-ions it'd be a bigger investment as I doesn't run on 2xCR123's.
 
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Sorry double post.

If your looking for something that doesn't run on "special" batteries (4.2v Li-ion's that take a special charger) I would recommend a Fenix E21, its a 2xAA light that while only's rated at 154lm it throws extremely well because of the deep smooth reflector, it also has a very simple UI, twist the head hight for high, twist it loose for low (54lm).

Also the foursevens quark series is a great light, I use a QT2L-X (2xCR123 ((but I run it on a single 17650 Li-ion)) tactical interface) mounted in my carbine and a QP2L-X burst mode ("pro" interface) in a holster in my belt.
 
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+1 on the Fenix E21 - I ordered one that just arrived today, and for the $ I'm very impressed. Besides the price tag my other motivations were size battery type; hard to beat plain old AA and ability to fit in an old Maglite holster!
 
My favorite thrower In my collection at the moment is my Armytek Predator. I bought one here on the forums used and bought another new one shortly after since I liked it so much.
 
There are quite a few different sizes of mag lites but I assume you mean the larger C cell ones, though I used the smaller ones mainly.

How about a Fenix TK35 (fairly sure thats right). Something like 2600 lumens and 600 meters throw. I don't have one but thinking about getting one and from the picture it looks like a pretty tight beam.
 
Fenix E40. I don't have one, but the price/specs look good. Uses 4 AA, cheap and easy, even with rechargeable.

Ultrafire C8. I have one and like it for long distance. Check reviews. Might find them really cheap online. Uses 18650 battery.

Zebralight... small, 1 AA or 18650.

Shiningbeam has several reasonably priced lights that would suit your requirements.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
How about a Fenix TK35 (fairly sure thats right). Something like 2600 lumens and 600 meters throw. I don't have one but thinking about getting one and from the picture it looks like a pretty tight beam.
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You're thinking of the Fenix TK75, which is an amazing light but runs on 18650s so it might not be for everyone.

I just picked a Fenix TK41 which runs off 8*AAs and it is a beast of a thrower all things considered. About the same size as a 2D Maglite, 860 lumens and throws 400+ meters with a Cree XM-L LED. I really like it and it can be had for right around the $100 mark.
 
I ordered a Sunwayman T40CS today, should have it here by tomorrow. I'll definitely post my thoughts about it tomorrow night after work. It's 845 lumens and has a lux of around 54,000 I believe. Runs of two 18650s or 4 CR123s.
 
How portable does it need to be, are you ok with using exotic batteries and would you prefer a headlamp or a more traditional light? Does color matter to you? The brightest lights have a cool white beam tint which penetrates the dark a bit further but makes objects look funny. How long does it need to run?

Anything that puts out about 200 lumens with a focused beam will beat the snot out of an old maglite. That can be had with any type of battery the difference comes in the run times. Pick your poison.

2x AAA 4sevens preon 2
1 x AA zebralights
2x AA everyone makes one. Fenix, 4sevens, nitecore all have good options.
4 x AA nitecore ea4

1 x Cr123 4sevens mini

If you are willing to invest in 18650 batteries then you get the best toys. Put in multiple 18650 batteries and you get stupidly high lumens.

Headlamps
4 x AA fenix hp25
 
Armytek Predator or Predator Pro. Small and very robust design. Throws amazingly well for a reflector based light and the pro version is very customizable. My favorite thrower and a close 2nd to my HDS CLICKY 200T for overall favorite.
 
sideways said:
Headlamps
4 x AA fenix hp25
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I actually own one of those, and it is my reason for wanting more things like it. I've never had a really nice light like it before.

I think I'm gonna stick with a familiar brand and pick up another Fenix. The TK22 and TK60 both look like the kind of thing I want...
 
Grease said:
I actually own one of those, and it is my reason for wanting more things like it. I've never had a really nice light like it before.

I think I'm gonna stick with a familiar brand and pick up another Fenix. The TK22 and TK60 both look like the kind of thing I want...
Click to expand...

Give the nitecore ea4 another look. You can stick with AA's and still get over 800 lumens. Not bad for 50 bucks.
 
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