Opinions on new Insight lights?

B

Bayoublaster

Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
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I saw the ad for the Insight Tech. Arcturus the other day and I'm interested. I'm currently carrying a Surefire E2D and an Inova X5. I'd like to free up some pocket space by going to something like the Insight because it has high and low settings. The strobe and strike bezel are cool bonus features but I really like the idea of a bright LED and 2 brightness settings. I'll supplement it with a keychain light (always like to have a backup). Are there any other lights like this I should consider?
 
nitecore also makes very bright, but reasonably priced pocket sized lights.

fenix, by far, offers the best bang for the buck, as well as a wide variety of size and battery options.


if you're going to spend $100 +, i would get a surefire.
 
lol at the "120 SCORCHING Lumens" listed on the website. I'm going to have to agree with Morimotom.

Their advertising seems very suspect. They list "Up to 300 hours runtime," which would seem to imply that the light runs for up to 300 hours at 120 lumens. Obviously it doesn't, it may run that long on a very dim "moonlight setting." But I can't tell you how dim that would be, because they don't list a lumen rating for that, or any of the other functions on the flashlight.

I think you'd be much better off buying a Fenix TK11 for about $75.00

tk11fenixledge8.jpg


...For a SCORCHING 225 Lumen beam with a longer runtime than the Insight light on a rechargable--like the Insight uses--and the capability of using 2 readily available CR123a size batteries.

It also has a general mode at 60 lumens for 12 hours.

Whichever light you decide, at $130.00, I'd look around a little more first before buying the Insight flashlight.
 
insight technologies was on the cutting edge of small lights, in particular weapon mounted lights, about 5-7 years ago.

they are way behind on the led front, and since their early pistol lights, have more or less copied surefire designs.

feniz/nitecore are currently on the cutting edge, and clearly not resting on their successes. new more powerful lights, in small packages, and using readily available batteries, are constantly being introduced. and all this at about half the price of a comparable surefire (at least regarding brightness).

surefire's customer service and unit durability are second to none, however for the vast majority of people they will find a fenix more than suits their needs.

i recently switched to a nitecore for duty use. manily because of the size and lumen output, which is significantly brighter than my surefire u2 (which retails for nearly $300). and their new piston drive tailcaps are innovative at the least. we'll see how it holds up, surefires are workhorses, and my u2 is still going strong (though i broke the lense, which was replaced at no cost by sf, as well as a circuit board upgrade).


also, dont be sold on purely on lumen output. there is definitely a point of diminshed returns. in a standard 2 cell light, 100-150 lumens is more than sufficient, heck, even a well placed beam of 50 lumens is quite disorienting. over that you really aren't going to see a noticeable difference unless the increase is on the order of a 50% + increase in lumen output.
 
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MORIMOTOM said:
insight technologies was on the cutting edge of small lights, in particular weapon mounted lights, about 5-7 years ago.
Click to expand...

This is why I was looking into the Insight. I'm now pretty sure I like the Fenix P3D Q5. Christmas list just got one item longer.
Fenix Store lists it as a premium or limited run item. Do I have to worry about this thing selling out and having to wait months for the next version or another run?
 
Bayoublaster said:
This is why I was looking into the Insight. I'm now pretty sure I like the Fenix P3D Q5. Christmas list just got one item longer.
Fenix Store lists it as a premium or limited run item. Do I have to worry about this thing selling out and having to wait months for the next version or another run?
Click to expand...

unlikely, but possible.

even if they run out of that particular light, there is almost certainly another that is similar or even identical. often the limited runs are just color or finish changes.

ill take a look and see which light you are referring to.
 
the p3d q5 is an upgrade over the p3d. in addition to the finish, it has about a 25% higher output on turbo mode.

i dont know if they will run out, i would guess not. but that's just a guess, so if that's the one you really want, grab it as soon as you can.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I just ordered the Fenix posted earlier. This'll be great paired with a keychain light (I always like to have a backup).
On another note, I also hate you guys ;)! Well, my wallet does at least.
 
just the beginning.

you'll eventually decide you NEED a two cell, then probably want to try a cr123 model.

soon, your dresser will look like mine, covered with knives and flashlights. i spend more time deciding on a light/knife combo than on what clothes to wear.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
just the beginning.

you'll eventually decide you NEED a two cell, then probably want to try a cr123 model.

soon, your dresser will look like mine, covered with knives and flashlights. i spend more time deciding on a light/knife combo than on what clothes to wear.
Click to expand...

Been that way for years already. I'm beyond hope on the gun/knife/light front. And I blame all of you!

What brand batteries do you guys recommend feeding these higher end lights. I've got some Surefire batteries laying around but what should I get when those dry up?
 
surefires have a ten year shelf life.

for aa's i use the energizer lithiums. readily available, though a bit pricey.
 
Rechargable CR123 batteries can be confusing and you must know your max voltage that can be handled by said light. You can get 3.0v 123's and 3.7v 123's and if you don't use the right ones you risk damage to the light and possibly yourself.
 
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