Please help... ? = Gerber LED flashlights...

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FliGuyRyan

Joined
Dec 2, 2005
Messages
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So... my question is... what are the best Gerber models for someone who almost carries their flashlight everywhere (so no D or C cell lights)? Must be LED and BRIGHT AS POSSIBLE, and last a hell of a long time (at least 15 or 20 hours... none of this 60 minutes b-$h!t).
I was originally looking at Surefires, but said "Dang, that's a little extreme, until I get shipped to Iraq or something...maybe then I'd buy one." But, for now, I have been using the Nite-Ize upgrade in my AA Maglite, and it's been wonderful. Batteries last a long time - especially the Energizer disposable lithiums!!! - and the beam is a good spread. I was just wondering, is there a comparable beam but, a brighter and longer?
This is when I spotted Gerber... they seemed well-priced and a fair deal. Are their lights any good? I would really like to stick with AA's... I don't care how many, but I just want some big range, and with good battery life.
It doesn't have to be fancy aluminum, titanium or anything like that. I could honestly care less about the technology (which Surefire is really into), but as long as it has those two things... I'll give it a try. Until then, my Nite-Ize upgrade still amazes me. And the batteries haven't gone dead since...

Thanks in advance...
-Cleary

P.S. Like I said, I usually use the Energizer Lithiums, or Engergizer 2500maH NiMH rechargeables... both last a long time, but how does this affect the listed "length of time" info that the manufacturer lists? Don't they base those times on normal Alky's?
 
Ohpe! How much money you got?

Just by going by what you're saying I'd go with the Fenix L1P 2.0. it's around $40, and you can get it modded to have a two stage power. It doesn't have a clip though.

You can read up on it and other flashlight goodies at Candlepowerforums.com (sorry, I'm too lazy to make it a link ). :D

Oh, about the gerbers, I have no idea. You can also check out flashlightreviews.com or ledmuseum.com :D
 
imho the gerbers arent that great, for the $$ peak, fenix, quwai, streamlite, all better buys.

the little gerber infinity light, IIRC the name, is "ok" for ~$20, nothing to write home to mom about though. the arc 1 AA is a lot better albeit higher.

why do ya want a gerber anyway, if ya dont mind me asking?
 
FlyGuyRyan, I too have been looking at small pocket size LED's, and like you have been using a nite-eze converter on one of my mini-mags. It seems like for a really great AA light you have to go mail order or internet order for one of the ARC aa or peak. I've been looking in stores like REI, Hudson Trail Outfitters, and ohter camping type places. They just don't stock the really cutting edge stuff, exept for REI who have the Gerber made version of the CMG infinity. The Gerber infinity is the same light as the CMG and has the same two qualities I want-long battery life, and reliable simple construction. It has good light for personal tasks.

What are you going to be doing with this light?

When I converted my minimag to led I missed the long range spot at first. Only at first. Now after a few months I love it the way it is. It's my "walk the dog in the woods" light, as well as being carried in a velcro flapped nylon case of my belt. In the woods at night giving our dog her last walk before going to bed it puts out a good flood of blue-white light that gives me great visability. The Surefire thing is just over kill. Plus I've been on the same batteries for a month and a half, and many hours of light.

I'm going to try one of the smaller lights. A friend of mine has one of the little Dorcey AA pocket lights from Walmart of all places. It's a very good light. Small pocket size, single AA battery that lasts a long time, and good enough light to see what your doing in the dark. Is there anything else that really matters? Heck, Flashlights are cheap enough we can collect alot of them to try them out without breaking the bank. I am going to try the Dorcey and the Gerber infinity. Maybe sometime I'll try the ARC and see what all the hubbub is about. But on alot of this stuff I've found that sometimes the double, or even tripple price does not give that much in return. Alot of this stuff, especially the stuff that is the "latest and greatest" is way over priced for what it is.

For now though I'm sticking with my converted minimag and am going to try the little Dorcey AA for all of $ 5.95 at the 'mart. Later I may go for the Gerber infinity.
 
20 hours? Get an Inova X5. They sell them at Target.
 
Jackknife, I agree man... and couldn't do so anymore. My mini-mag conversion is excellant, but I just wanted a more focused powerful beam with just as much battery life.

Good info though, and I agree with all that fancy stuff... save it for later...

Cleary
 
Hey FlyGuy, I just thought of another plus for the converted mag- If the nite-eze unit ever fails, just take it out and put the spare bulb from the tailcap in it. You have the best of both worlds in a light built like a tank. :thumbup:
 
Alrighty, drop by Candlepowerforums and get some more advice.
Something powerful, yet has decent run time and runs on common AAs, Streamlight ProPolymer Luxeon for around $40.
For more or less the same price, the streamlight jnr luxeon is just like the Minimag with a clicky tailswitch and tons brighter for 1hr+ battery life.
For $40-60 you can get a sandwich which is a drop in module for the Minimag and makes it into one very bright light
 
Jackknife... great minds think alike my friend... and right now, we're thinking just about as close as you can get.

-Cleary
 
I just got a Gerber Infinity Ultra, and I have a couple of questions for you experts.

1. Is it okay to use a lithium AA battery in them? (the packaging doesn't specify alkaline or anything, just "AA").

2. It doesn't seem to have a momentary switch, but if I turn the cap so that it's just barely "off," I can press on the tail cap with my thumb and get the same effect (because of the spring inside, I assume). Is it okay to do this, or am I going to damage something if I keep doing it?


Thanks!
 
rhino said:
I just got a Gerber Infinity Ultra, and I have a couple of questions for you experts...
2. It doesn't seem to have a momentary switch, but if I turn the cap so that it's just barely "off," I can press on the tail cap with my thumb and get the same effect (because of the spring inside, I assume). ...
Click to expand...
Congrats on getting the Gerber Infinity Ultra. It is built like a tank and the battery will last a long time.

I have been pressing my IU's tail cap to produce momentary light bursts for a few months with no ill effects. I have used only AA alkaline batteries, especially those which were "too dead" to power other devices. Therefore, I can't advise you on using a lithium ion cell, though I have read positive reports from other IU owners who have.
 
Thanks! It's going to be a nice little tool to supplement what I carry on my bat belt. Sometimes a SureFire is a little too much to find a seat in a dark theater! :D
 
Hey, if your not a 'mart hater, I picked up a Dorcy 1 watt luxeon light with an aluminum body and a clip for $18.00. Really bright, good spread, I'm really impressed with it and this is from someone who normally carries a surefire. I just wanted something I was'nt worried about loosing at work.
It takes 3 AAA batt. in a cartrage thing, had it about 4 months, use it everyday and still on the same set of batt.
 
I also have a little stubby light I got from CVS/Pharmacy for $10. It has 21 LEDs and is really bright. Uses three AAA batteries.
 
rhino said:
I
1. Is it okay to use a lithium AA battery in them? (the packaging doesn't specify alkaline or anything, just "AA").

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Stricktly speaking AA means all AA, Lithium would dictate caution and ask the manufacturer. I have been playing with the Lithium in a Mini Maglite (against manufacture's recommendation). I have reverted to Energiser titanium which give a nice light for a much longer time than alkaline batteries. I could not justify the huge jump in price :barf: for a moderate increase in performance and stress on the bulb. There is Lithium and there is Lithium. Energiser/Duracell have controlled ampage and many of the "cheaper" options don't.
 
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