suggestions for LED light

T

takao

Joined
Jul 1, 1999
Messages
406
Hi, I was wondering what you would recommend for a AA or AAA LED light for survival use and ease of carry.

thank you mike
 
Princeton tech Attitude. It has three LEDs that meld into one smooth beam. 150 hrs of burn time and it is small and light weight for a 4 cell AAA. I keep the Pulsar on my keychain and it has been a super little light.
 
Any of the CMG Infinity lights are great, and really tough and waterproof. I keep the O4 Task Light on my key chain and the Infinity Task Light (1 lithium AA cell) in my backpack. They burn for a long time too!
 
I'd vote for the PT attitude also..alot of light for a long time..it's small too... some of the micro lites are so small you lose track of them..
 
The 3 LED Priceton Tec Attitude should fit your needs quite well, and the size is good, price is right. Heckuva light, I'm a big fan of PT. I also like the 4AA Dorcy single-bulb LED that's available at every Wal-Mart for ~ $8. A surprising amount of light, long bulb and battery life, small package, cheap, available everywhere. At this price I've been buying several of these, some to give away, some for car-carry, one for the basement during 'tornado season' use. They're a little heavy for EDC, but they're a dandy 'stash flash'.
 
I will point out that anyone with a little electronics knowledge can convert a normal flashlight like the maglite to LED by soldering a current limiting resistor (ILR) to the anode of an LED. I have one Mini so converted, and a spare in the buttcap of my EDC.
 
thank you for all the suggestions. I especially thought the conversion of the flashlight was quite interesting. does anybody know the approx life of the batteries in such flashlight?


Mike
 
I bought a P.T. Impact & Attitude for my mom & dad.

I haven't actually seen either flashlight, but they seem to like them.

Mike
 
I second the PT Attitude. It's a bright, durable, realatively inexpensive LED light.

If you're looking for single cell lights, I like my Arc-AAA; the LE version is even better.

gm
 
Takao, I'm sorry and ashaimed that I haven't done the ol' battery life test on my converted maglite. Going from what I know of solid state electronics, I'd say it's a lower draw circut than the origonal bulb, but as I don't actually have a VOM on me, I'd be hard pressed to prove it.
I'd guess it would be at least as a regular maglite which would depend on your batteries, how fresh they are, etc. On a lark, I'll say about 3 hours, but don't depend on it. I could probably scare up a schematic if you like.
 
social cameleon yes that would be great, schematics are always good thank you.

Mike
 
The bare minimum number of lights I carry to the wild is two (2): a PT Matrix headlamp w/ fresh lithium AAs (100+ hours of light) and CMG Infinity w/ 1 lithium AA (also 100+ hours of light). Both run on AAs so I carry (4) extras. I guess I can't stress enough how handy (or un-'handy') a headlamp can be. Plus, the PT Matrix and the Tec-40 (mentioned below) are waterproof to 2000').

Often, I also bing along my Surefire M2 (NOT and LED ;)) w/ a red filter cap & a spares carrier (1 extra lamp & 6 extra batteries) - just in case I REALLY nead some light...and/or a PT Tec-40 (also w/ lithium AAs)...

Just my .02
 
I, too, am quite fond of Princeton Tec's offerings - the Attitude is a great light (esp. for under $20). The Arc is great as well. Now Princeton Tec needs to make a LED module for the Blast (the Attitude module works in the blast, but it is pretty weak)!

For Warriorsociologist - look at the PT Surge - uses 8 AA - extremely bright! (easily the match of my SF 6Z, although bigger, but would be a comfortable carry in a jacket pocket/pack), and stays w/ the easily available AA batteries.
 
I got my X-5 today..I really like the aluminum construction..It is also brighter than the Attitude ...but the batteries won't last as long. I bought it for the cold temp rating of the batteries..Nice light if you have to have one of everything...8-)
 
Originally posted by Flotsam

For Warriorsociologist - look at the PT Surge - uses 8 AA - extremely bright! (easily the match of my SF 6Z, although bigger, but would be a comfortable carry in a jacket pocket/pack), and stays w/ the easily available AA batteries.
Click to expand...

Thanks! However, I have heard that Lithium AAs are BAD for the Surge. I'll try to find that reference again... I guess due to the temperatures I am sometimes operating in, I like the assurance of lithium batts. I do agree that the Surge is a GREAT light!
 
I don't mean to steer the thread too far from LED lights, just wanted to say that I just got a new SURGE this week from Bright Guy who also suggests that one shouldn't use Lithium batteries (to prevent bulb problems IIRC). My original batch of Alkalines will last for quite a while, and I'm buying NiMH rechargeables (and a Rayovac fast-recharger) to replace the originals. Many of the SURGE owners at the Candlepower forums recommended this combo, fast re-charge, frugally low cost per use, lots and lots of power.

Back OT, I picked up an Eveready 2 LED light/lantern this week at Wally World ~ $8. Nice power outage room light, lets you use 2 LED's for as much light as possible, or 1 LED for longer burntime (~ 150 hours). Folds down about the size of an Altoids tin, unfolds to point the lamp any direction you choose. Going in with the Tornado bundle down in the basement.
 
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