LED Flash Lights

M

Matt Vivlamore

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
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Southern MD, USA
www.meerkatsound.com
I am in the market for some "general" use LED Flashlights, but I do have some newer 'needs' that need to be met for my purchase. What are some suggestions?

Battery Size: AA (taking the 'slightly used' batteries from the Wireless)
Output: Equivalent to a Maglite 2 D-Cell Incandescent
Size: Bigger the Better (no pencil size).
Beam: focusable - Flood to Spot
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

I'm assuming that the MiniMaglite AA LED is too small? Because otherwise, it fits your requirements.

A couple general notes:

Pretty much all LED flashlights today will have output equalling an old 2D incandescent Maglite, assuming that they use high-power LEDs. The old 2D Maglites were only about 30 lumens.
Most of the focusable beams are garbage. A good spot with plenty of spill light often works better, and is easier to come by.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Rob, I think the Mini Mag series is a little to small for general purpose; like House, Car & Garage work. We have a few 2-D Mags around the house that have some years on them. Plus with all the extra AA batteries I bring home, I'd like to use them.

I know most focus's on flashlight are bad, but at least I can do either a flood or pin spot. I haven't worked with a LED Flashlight in the recent years.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Costco had some 250 lumen flashlights, $12.50 each. I bought a couple and love them, zoomable beam, very bright. I don't remember battery type right off. Duracell brand.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Matt Vivlamore said:
I am in the market for some "general" use LED Flashlights, but I do have some newer 'needs' that need to be met for my purchase. What are some suggestions?

Battery Size: AA (taking the 'slightly used' batteries from the Wireless)
Output: Equivalent to a Maglite 2 D-Cell Incandescent
Size: Bigger the Better (no pencil size).
Beam: focusable - Flood to Spot
Click to expand...

I've been using Fenix lights for the last couple years. They make one that takes 8 (!!) AA batteries, but it's not cheap.

http://www.fenixlight.com/ProductMore.aspx?id=113&tid=8&cid=1#.VHNdSksvtSU

You can also search their product list by the battery type.

http://www.fenixlight.com/Product.aspx
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Matt Vivlamore said:
I am in the market for some "general" use LED Flashlights, but I do have some newer 'needs' that need to be met for my purchase. What are some suggestions?

Battery Size: AA (taking the 'slightly used' batteries from the Wireless)
Output: Equivalent to a Maglite 2 D-Cell Incandescent
Size: Bigger the Better (no pencil size).
Beam: focusable - Flood to Spot
Click to expand...
I have a 2-D mag that I replaced the bulb with the LED bulb sold by Mag and it works great. Now of course you can’t use your used AA batteries but I keep mine in one of my cars and I haven’t changed the batteries in a long time. I should check to see if they are leaking. BTW one thing I have found with the mini mag that I always carry on my belt is the batteries can be so low that they start to leak but the light still works. In the mini mag I replaced the bulb and put in an aftermarket led assembly that has 3 LEDs and I replaced the tail cap with a clicky switch. I am almost a flashaholic.

One of the things to consider when buying a flashlight is how it will be used. Some of the newer flashlights have some nice features, but on many of them you have to step thru the different modes. My 2-AA mini mag serves the purpose of a reasonably intense light in a darkened theater. For that usage you need a light that when turned on isn’t going to distract everyone because it is too bright.

I picked up a Rayovac flashlight that uses 2 –AA batteries and is pretty durable and nice for how inexpensive it is. It isn’t focusable and it is pretty bright, I am having a little bit of a hard time typing this because I just turned it on while looking at it and now I am just seeing spots. how can I insert a blinking eyes icon here? :) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rayovac-...-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-202968168-_-N
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Brian Bolly said:
I've been using Fenix lights for the last couple years. They make one that takes 8 (!!) AA batteries, but it's not cheap.

http://www.fenixlight.com/ProductMore.aspx?id=113&tid=8&cid=1#.VHNdSksvtSU

You can also search their product list by the battery type.

http://www.fenixlight.com/Product.aspx
Click to expand...
I've heard good things about the Fenix products.

However, I have a couple tactical flashlights from 4Sevens.

Both of mine use the CR123 batteries because I wanted to buy batteries that had a great shelf life. They also have lights that use AA, AAA, and various flavors of rechargeable batteries.

The ones I use specifically are in the Quark Tactical series. I have one that uses a single CR123 battery, and one that uses two CR123 batteries. They have five different levels of brightness plus three different flashing patterns. You can program two of the available configurations to be available at the twist of a wrist so you don't have to light up the whole theater. The form factor of these lights is similar to the MAG Mini everyone loved before we had something better. They do have bigger and smaller lights if that is what you are interested in.

I've been carrying this Quark Tactical CR123^2 light for probably three years now and have gone through maybe 40 batteries or so with my occasional, though daily use. These things are really well built and work extremely well. I expect there will be a sale coming up on or after Black Friday, as they usually have one.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Hi Matt,

Little pencil flashlights sure are easier to carry around than my old D-cell Mags...

I use an older Fenix L2T. Has held up very well, uses 2 AA batts. Low and medium light output. Nice pouch.
Recently gave my wife a Fenix E25, uses 2 AAs. It has low, medium and high settings. The high is twice as bright as the L2T. Then it has a short-term-use have-to-hold-the-switch-down super-bright setting that is VERY bright. $35 shipped.
The E25 has a high-performance bulb and is brighter and at the same time has longer battery life than the L2T.

An ARC single-AAA premium flashlight lives on my keyring. It is a bit brighter than the L2T and E25 low setting.

Thanks and good health, Weogo
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Another vote for Fenix here. I have used the LD20 the E20 and the PD32. All solid lights. I currently carry an Eagle Tac D25, but that uses 18650 batteries. Both the fenix LD20 and E20 use AA batteries, and are very nice lights.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

I use this for scuba diving.... http://www.lightandmotion.com/sola-dive-1200 upto 1200 lumens with Rechargeable battery rather than using your used AA batteries. We have other dive lights that use AA batteries that are all 250 lumens and up. Do a google search for dive lights, you will find a lot of very durable lights that will do spot and wash with high lumens. I have been using dive lights rather than my old Maglights for general flashlight needs as most of them have better lenses and are made to last longer on the batteries than typical LED flashlights.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

I bought an Atom AL from 4sevens several months ago and I'm loving it. Fit's in my pocket very well. I wanted small so that I was likely to actually have it with me. This uses a CR123a battery and so far is lasting quite a while with the provided battery. I'm tempted to get the AA model as well since it can use those leftover wireless batteries along with the headband. The Atom lights have a magnet in the base which is quite handy for retrieving lost tiny screws too. :roll: I know these don't fit the original posters needs (largeness) but I do want to pass on my review of this 4sevens light. Well made, bright, compact. A bit pricey but I'm quite happy with it.
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS said:
I use this for scuba diving.... http://www.lightandmotion.com/sola-dive-1200 upto 1200 lumens with Rechargeable battery rather than using your used AA batteries. We have other dive lights that use AA batteries that are all 250 lumens and up. Do a google search for dive lights, you will find a lot of very durable lights that will do spot and wash with high lumens. I have been using dive lights rather than my old Maglights for general flashlight needs as most of them have better lenses and are made to last longer on the batteries than typical LED flashlights.
Click to expand...


+1 for dive lights.

All mine use 18650's (or canisters built up of 18650), but there are many out there with AA, in the range of 250-4K lumen output.

BRad
 
Re: LED Flash Lights

Matt Vivlamore said:
I am in the market for some "general" use LED Flashlights, but I do have some newer 'needs' that need to be met for my purchase. What are some suggestions?

Battery Size: AA (taking the 'slightly used' batteries from the Wireless)
Output: Equivalent to a Maglite 2 D-Cell Incandescent
Size: Bigger the Better (no pencil size).
Beam: focusable - Flood to Spot
Click to expand...

Streamlight has been my go-to for years. I carry an LED ProTac daily, same size as an LED AA MagLight, but significantly brighter. I have an old 4AA incandescent that outshines my 2D maglight. Depending on how hard on flashlights you are, they make lights for the fire service that work under some pretty extreme circumstances. Models vary so I'm sure they have some adjustable beam patterns.
 
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