I need a new Flashlight....

[Chuck289]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

anyone know if there is a LED lamp option for the Surefire P3?

The KL3 will fit but it will be dimmer than using 2 or 3 cells.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by Chuck289

The KL3 will fit but it will be dimmer than using 2 or 3 cells.

Huh? my P3 is a single cell (DL123A) Surefire with a Krypton lamp?

[Chuck289]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

Huh? my P3 is a single cell (DL123A) Surefire with a Krypton lamp?

Ya the KL3 is designed for 2 and 3 cell lights. It will fit the P3 but it will be dimmer. Other than that I don't know of other LEDs for single cell P bodies. Most LED assemblies that fit P bodies are for 2 and 3 cells. I suppose you could get an adapter to attach E series heads to a P body.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by Chuck289

Ya the KL3 is designed for 2 and 3 cell lights. It will fit the P3 but it will be dimmer. Other than that I don't know of other LEDs for single cell P bodies. Most LED assemblies that fit P bodies are for 2 and 3 cells. I suppose you could get an adapter to attach E series heads to a P body.

Oh ok, I don't really need one for the P3 since I am OK with it being a Kryp since I have three other LEDs that are bright! I just figured if they made one specifically for it...

[RiverRat]

Anyone check out the surefire E2L that runs on 2 AAs? It looks like just the ticket for 123a adverse users. MSRP around $165 iirc which isn't much more than a 123 powered E2L outdoorsman.

Once these get on ebay I might have to pick one up.

[sailah]

I've been on a flashlight buying spree lately. The coolest new one I have is a JetBeam I Pro that comes in AA format.

http://store.bugoutgearusa.com/jetipro.html

I do really like the flashlights that use the 18650 Li Ion batteries as they are ridiculously bright and last forever, but this one I keep in my truck so I want the ability to use regular AA alkys if I want.

So far I have run it with AA alkilines, NiMH, NiCad and 14500 Li Ions. It's my favorite light and I have lights that are 5 times as expensive. Super compact, very bright (i got the warm tint, great for outdoors, not the super white LED typical of most LED lights) and the build quality is on par with every Surefire I have had. Plus you get 20% off at bugout when you are amember of candlepower forums.

I think I paid $50ish shipped.

I would run Li Ions if you have the scratch to invest in batteries and a charger.

The thing I don't like about Surefire is that their lights aren't bright at all. Compared to the JetBeams, its pretty weak. I have my jetbeam set to 3 modes, Max, 50% and about 2% which is just enough to read in a tent at night and I think the runtime is 60 hours. Plus you can program strobe and SOS off, thankfully!!

[Nobikebiker]

That 500 LED light is pretty neat, but could be so easily blown away by two SST-90's.

I'd say he's probably running each 5mmLED at about 30mA, which is probably about 10 lumens apiece, until they begin to heat up, at which point efficiency decreases dramatically... So, with 500LED's at about 6-7 lumen's after they get warmed up that 's about 3000 lumens... Of extremely sickly, cold blue light.

Two SST-90's, properly heat-sinked and powered, can produce 2200 lumens each. And, you can choose different tints and bins to get a more pure white, or a light output closer to incandescent warmth. Plus, you could have them behind a different optic or reflector, one for pure throw, another for a more localized flood light. The entire light would be smaller, but probably weigh only slightly less, due to the necessity of a thermal mass, as well as finning for increased surface area.

It has a neat user interface, but overall is just something to boast about...

[RocketMoto]

I'll jump in and add my 2 Kopeks worth here - and a plug for a flashlight that my customers really are thrilled with.

If y'all haven't read WebBikeWorld's test of the Clearwater Lights 'Andie' LED flashlight, it's worth reading.

I know it's summertime, and it stays pretty light out 'til late so you can sun yourself, but come winter, just think of how much dough you can save at the tanning booth by using one of these little jewels, instead?

Seriously, check these out, and if you're in the Boston area and want see one of these lights for yourself, give us a call and drop by the shop. Would be happy to send you home with one (or will ship if you're not close-by).

[4D GRIT]

I have had a Streamlight Strion LED for about a year now! Very small, bright and rechargable, (ac/dc) dimable, damn near bullit proof....$110.

[KingRat]

Mmmmmm.... Surefire... nice, but expensive.

I go through torches flashlights like Mutt goes through poncey cocktails. For when reliability is a serious issue I use mostly Fenix, or my only Surefire, but I like to leave a reasonably competent, yet cheap, torch lying around in all sorts of places just in case I need it.

I've got a few from an interweb dealer based in HK that have been of varying quality, so this time I bored myself stupid reading all the reviews, selected a few that looked good, and hit them for 5. Total cost, um... a smidge under $85, or half a Surefire. They all take CR123A lithium batteries, which have a very long shelf life and run time. All use CREE LEDs, a US-owned company producing very bright LEDs with 50,000+ hour service lives. Sadly the actual manufacturing is according to wikipedia HK-based.

So, in a post ideal for any lumen-loving KLR rider, here's some cheap torches flashlights, a quick description, and a linky or two. The links have plenty more pics of the individual items, and no, I'm not on commission.





#5, little pocket thingy, or keyring-if-you-have-lots-of-junk-on-it

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19183

Bright enough, but a small diameter reflector limits the throw of light. The closest of the 5 to being a turkey, but cheap, usable and compact. Lots of irritating brightness and flashing modes that you have to click through using the on/off switch. $13.50

#4, Conventional 2-cell flashlight

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16178

Very bright, single mode on/off switch, cheap, solid... the only think knocking it down to 4th place is the battery tube diameter is a little large for CR123s in order to easily accommodate rechargeable lithium cells. A little duct tape wrapped around the cells and it's all good - Motoplaner would be proud. $14.08. Eap.

#3, pocket flashlight, 1 cell, or 1xAA

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.32947

This one has an conversion tube that allows AA cells to be used if CR123As are not available, although I suspect it will eat AAs very rapidly. It has a crenellated bezel [or assault bezel, if you are a yank] because we all know that Americans like their offensive weapons. Three modes with high and low not too dissimilar, and the pocket clip is annoyingly positioned so the head would stick out your pocket if you used it, but otherwise [for the money] well made. $16.63

#2, pocket flashlight, 1 cell

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26793

Slightly smaller but otherwise very similar to #3, this scores by being easier to pocket and having the pocket clip located at one end of the flashlight, so it sits in your pocket better. No AA tube. 180 lumens claimed. $14.80

#1, Luke Skywalker's first light sabre.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16538

There are plenty of brighter flashlights with Luminus SST50 LEDs, but they cost lots more. The big reflector and quality Cree LED on this thing throw a tight white spot of light easily over 150 metres. Two modes with low not being a great deal different and a claimed output of 250 lumens. Great for anyone who might want to search a large area of open land with a $25.51 flashlight.

The dealer I used despatched from HK and doesn't charge shipping, but takes a while. There is another one, US-based, which charges a bit more but tests the flashlights before sending and despatches from the US. I haven't used them, but they have the pocket flashlight I rated at #2 for £21.75 with a single-mode switch [no annoying flashing modes; knowing their customer base, this is referred to as a 'tactical' on-off switch. ]

I really rate this thing, and bought a couple for presents. Compared to most cheapo flashlights it's really well screwed together and ideally suited for the pocket.

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/t...-X-Cree/Detail

[Andrew]

Thanks, KR, good info and appreciate you sharing your reviews.

[EvilGenius]

I want this.



"

• • LED: Cree XLamp® MC-E
• • Lumens: 500 lumens on high, 150 lumens on low
• • Up to 8 hours and 30 minutes of run time
• • Operates: 6AA batteries, included
• • Tough annodized aluminum body
• • Multiple settings: High / Low
• • Crenulated bezel always shows when power is on
• • The blazing power of a spotlight trapped in the body of a flashlight

• • 500 incredible lumens
• • PerfectBeam™ light technology
• • Coleman® LED Flashlights are weather resistant
• • Long lasting LEDs never need to be replaced
• • Product weighs 17.1 oz with power source
• • Product weighs 12 oz without power source
• • Dimensions: 8.9″L X 2.3″W
• • Made in China"

[EvilGenius]

Bought this to go in my tool box.



110 lumens max.
Can adjust to anywhere between 6% and 100% output.
Aircraft aluminum.
Waterproof.
Has a 30min auto shutoff.

[tslewisz]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

Bought this to go in my tool box.



110 lumens max.
Can adjust to anywhere between 6% and 100% output.
Aircraft aluminum.
Waterproof.
Has a 30min auto shutoff.

I'm diggin' that. Might go for that one and the leetle 1A for EDC pocket carry.

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by tslewisz

I'm diggin' that. Might go for that one and the leetle 1A for EDC pocket carry.

It's got a metal pocket clip that's not shown in the pic too.