Which LED to get?

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frank k

Joined
May 8, 2001
Messages
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Hello all, I am a near newby when it comes to LED lights and am considering (among others) a Pricneton Tec Attitude (with a spare Rage head lamp) and a Impact (single LED). How do these compare in terms of brightness to each other, a Mini Mag Light and other LEDs? I intend to use these lights outside mostly (hunting/camping trips), so I wonder how well these work at a distance (I know LEDs tend to be very bright inside or close up, but tend to loose ground to conventional lights at longer distances)? Also, do they make lithium bats. in AAA? I figure lithiums would be best in the cold. Thanks!
 
I'll triple the Arc AAA LE endorsement. I'm not sure if it's big enough for what you want though. All I can say at this point is, if you're considering a mini-mag, the Arc LE will outperform it in every aspect (brightness, durability, etc.) Even if you want a bigger light to throw a beam way down range, an LE in your pocket, or around your neck, would never be a bad idea.

Try-
www.candlepowerforums.com
 
Again, the ARC AAA or ARC LE are both good choices, as is the ARC LS, although that's a little more expensive. ;)
 
ARC flashlight

Yep, the Arc LE is the one to get. Much brighter then a Photon light. Good light at a reasonable distance. At 6.8 candlepower, it won't compete with a 2 battery AA light but, for its size and weight it is certainly one of the best. I've got one on my keychain now and haven't used the Photon since it went there.

Money well spent. 'Net prices run about $26 plus shipping for an LE model.
 
My impression is that Arc is still quite a bit thicker and heavier than the Photon. Am I wrong? I know that won't matter to everyone, but it does to me...

--Bob Q
 
Inova X5 5LED light comes in blue and white and is very very bright ....The best 40$ you'll ever spend on a light source.
 
I've got one of the Princeton small LED lights. Mine has 3 white LEDs for bulbs and uses 4 AAA batteries. Trust me, you dont want to look into the beam of this light. Maybe not as bright as a bigger light, but plenty of light for such a small light. Supposedly, the bulbs last for over 10,000 hours and the battery life is 150 hours. Also, it is waterproof to 500 ft. I left mine on overnight and it is still working after being on for 24 hours. Price was $19.95 and included the Duracell batteries in the package. Size is maybe 5" long and about 1" wide.
 
The Arc LE is more closely related to a Mag-lite solataire in size then a Photon. It's about a 1/4 in diameter and 3 inch long (approx). Weight (~3/4 ounce) is certainly more then then the Photon but, to be honest is still seems very light and I don't notice it on the key chain.
 
If you're mostly going to use it for camping and hiking. I would look at the Petzl Tikka. It's a headlamp that has 3 LED's and uses 3 AAA batteries. I believe that the batteries last over 80 hours. I don't know I haven't managed to use up a set yet. If you want something even smaller you can't go wrong with the Arc LE. It uses AAA batteries. (Gives about 4 hours of bright light and an hour of dim.) The Photon 2 and 3 use lithium coin batteries (2 CR2016 for white and blue.) and lasts about 10 to 12 hours on one set but it's not as bright as the Arc and the batteries are more expensive.

As far as I know, no one makes lithium AAA batteries.

You might want to try www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi for more information.
 
Has anyone tried the Eternalight and Palites?
They are not keychain size, of course, but might be good for outdoors (and take more conventional batteries).
 
If you want really small I would suggest the Photon line.

Slightly larger, much more durable and cheaper to run using a AAA cell I would recommend the Arc LE. (my personal favorite)

The next step would be the Inova X5, using 2 123 cells. Nice and bright for its size and very durable.

And finally (the brightest) I would suggest the Arc LS, slightly smaller than the Inova, but much brighter and much more $.
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
The Arc LE is more closely related to a Mag-lite solataire in size then a Photon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comparison and specs! It sounds like the Arc LE is bigger than what I want for my keychain, but I should pick one up for my waist pack. :)

--Bob Q
 
Hello all, and thanks for all of your replys. Brock, your outstanding web sites are an education!
I am not realy looking for a super small light (I have an ASP shaphire and I don't consider it bright enough, I am thinking of some thing closer to the Brinkman LED in brightness/range). I thought the Attiude with a Rage lamp would be versitile (LED for close up and long battery life, Rage for longer distances). I also want the light to be waterproof, rugged and low priced if possible. I also have a slight pref. for a plastic body over Aluminum. Thanks again!
 
Originally posted by Emerson Guy
Inova X5 5LED light comes in blue and white and is very very bright ....The best 40$ you'll ever spend on a light source.
Click to expand...

I have to second this one. But I like the Traser TEKNOLITE as it has the builtin trasers to find it at night.
 
I just picked up one of the PT Attitudes - nice little light for under $20 - the 3 LEDs give off the typical bluish-white light, enough output to light up an average sized room well enough to read 1/2" print from across the room. 150 hour battery life is a huge selling point, as well as its water resistance. Very nice, small enough for pocket or belt carry (it would be nice if they came out w/ an LED module for the blast). Another interesting light to look at is the Pelican L1 - small (slightly smaller than the blast), push-button at the base, lanyard - only issue is it runs on lr44 button batteries, although these can be had for cheap off the web. It puts out about as much light as the Arc AAA (to my eye, at least)

Sam
 
I love the Arc AAA/LE, but I think the 4xAAA PTs that frank is considering are much bigger and brighter. I'd probably go with the Inova over the PT, but the Inova is more expensive to run, using 123A batteries. I've only heard good things about that PT, it's probably a fine answer, especially given the attributes frank is looking for in his 2nd post.

For me, the big difference between the Arc and Photon is the regulator. I'm a huge photon fan, but it seemed like the photon had an hour of really bright light, followed by many hours of not-so-bright light. So the photon is really impressive with new batteries, but not as much after that. I'm still on my first battery with my Arc LE, but if the voltage regulator keeps the light anywhere near the bright for the life of the battery, the extra size and weight are well worth it.

Joe
 
i was toying with the ASP Ram Light, not the brightest LED i've seen, but if you already own a baton it's not a bad idea.

The Petzl Zipka holds a very impressive design feature over the Tikka, the elastic wire idea is extremely versatile when going hiking, and bright too~
 
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