jgradyc...where are you? (Flashlights)

[Guest TankerHC]

Since j sent me on a quest for a decent flashlight, I started looking around and found I HAD NO IDEA there is an entire "Flashlight Culture" with Flashlight Tech and Terminology (Which I had never heard) far beyond my current knowledge. (Didnt know there was even such a thing as a "throw" measurement"). Have been reading the Forums. These collectors are as passionate about their lights as gun owners are about guns. Saw one guy who claimed to have a $2000 tactical light. Others who say they have hundreds of lights. I also had no idea you had to pull maintenance on a flashlight and lube it. (Good lights)

 

So to j, and anyone else that wants to chime in. Based on some posts I read about a light in this range ($50-$60). This one seems to be the most recommended. They say the LD20, but there is an LD22, some people disagree though and say that Carbon Fiber is the way to go but they don't name any in this price range so I dont know.

 

So this? Or something else?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-LD22-Lumens-Flashlight-Black/dp/B007ESYFR0/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1374052521&sr=1-2&keywords=fenix+ld20+flashlight

[Sam1]

There are some $5 ones that put out more lumens than that - listed as 300-400 but tests show a bit above 200. Will send you a link later

[Guest TankerHC]

From what I have been reading though it isnt all about lumens, these guys are talking "throw", width of center beam, circuitry, different lumen levels at each setting and a bunch of other stuff and this one based on the fact that it has "Cree" something.

Edited July 17, 2013 by TankerHC

[jtluttrell]

The Fenix lights are great IMO.

[RichardR]

I've been using a Coleman MAX Cree for a couple of years, bought it for $24 at Walmart as a temporary replacement until I could order another Surefire G2, I was pleasently surprised after getting it home & it's been both bright enough & rugged enough that I've never bothered to get another Surefire when the Coleman has been such a great little light.

The Coleman does fit a little loose (its a little smaller in size) in my leather Desantis belt flashlight/aerosol pouch/holster, but thankfully it does have a snap flap cover so it keeps it in the pouch/holster just fine, even if the Coleman is a tad loose in there.

It's been awhile since I bought the Desantis but I do believe it was more expensive than the Coleman was, LOL go figure eh?

[npgunner]

I too became "illuminated" to this flash-light subculture some years ago (do you see what I did there? if not I can "throw" some light on it for you ... ha!). And I too was surprised to realize the depth of passion and craftsmanship in some of these "non-Walmart" style flashlights. I've "plugged-in" a bit to this culture and have been "turned on" to some of these lights myself. I have several fenix lights, as well as some surefire and 4sevens also. They're all great lights and the differences (at least to me) seem subtle; typically between UI's of the light. I don't think you'll go wrong with any Fenix. From my experience they have great customer service. I have a PD31 which was a few months out past it's warranty and the head quit working. They replaced it for free even outside the warranty window and threw some freebies in the return box as well.

Are these lights better than stuff you can by at Walmart? In the same since a high-end custom Nighthawk (or other) 1911 is "better" than a basic $800 entry level 1911 sure; but it sure does hurt to realize you left a $60 flashlight at the baseball game and its gone. None the less, I bit and am a believer. Make sure to put a review up of the LD20 If you decide to go that way.

[RichardR]

Agreed NPgunner.

There was a time where it was almost mandatory to spend a small fortune to get a decent, hard-use, compact yet bright light but thankfully Cree technology is everywhere these days, even the Walmarts stock plenty of useable quality, inexpensive choices at unheard of pricing compared to 10-15 years ago from specialty manufacturers.

[jgradyc]

From what I have been reading though it isnt all about lumens, these guys are talking "throw", width of center beam, circuitry, different lumen levels at each setting and a bunch of other stuff and this one based on the fact that it has "Cree" something.

Hi TankHC,

 

Lumens aren't a very reliable measurement. A better evaluation is to look at night shots (called beam shots) taken at the same exposure settings. That will show the width of the center beam, the throw, the overall brightness, and although not completely accurate, an indication of the color (warm white, neutral, or cool white).

 

Fenix is considered a good brand and you can probably find some beam shot comparisons at Candlepower Forum www.candlepowerforum.com or Budget Light Forum www.budgetlightforum.com .  Of the two, I much prefer BLF. CPF is heavily moderated. It's hard to make a post without violating one of their rules... and there are so many, they are listed by number.

 

Anyway, I can't comment much on that specific light. I like that the SOS mode is hidden... that mode is a total waste, but at least you don't have to cycle through it every time you use the light. The strobe is useful only in a tactical mode, but for it to be a tactical advantage you have to KNOW for sure the light is in the strobe mode. I keep one very bright LED light in strobe mode by the bedside. It is incredibly disorienting if you're flashed with it, but from the user end you can get used to it with practice.

 

I'd bet if you join BLF and ask about the LD22, they'll tell you more than you could possibly want to know about it. Be sure to post why you want a light and how you plan to use it. It matters a lot.

 

If you want bright (not always a good thing) the most brightness you can get for your money will be with lights that use 3.7v batteries instead of 1.5v AA batteries.  You can get 3.7v batteries the same size as AA batteries. YOU CANNOT use a 3.7v in a 1.5v light. My point is that you can get a brighter light the same size as the Fenix LD22 by getting one that uses 14500 3.7v rechargeable batteries.

 

A 16340 battery has the same dimensions as a CR123A. A 18650 is the same size as 2 CR123As.  These 3.7v batteries are expensive and a lot of them are junk, so you have to be careful what you buy. EDITED: A 14500 is the same size as a AA battery. There are some lights that will allow use of 14500 or AA, but if so, it will be specified in the battery specifications.

 

Bottom line: The Fenix LD22 is reported to be a very good light. I think you'll like it. I'd buy it before I would buy a Surefire and pay three times as much.

Edited July 17, 2013 by jgradyc

[jgradyc]

Are these lights better than stuff you can by at Walmart? In the same since a high-end custom Nighthawk (or other) 1911 is "better" than a basic $800 entry level 1911 sure; but it sure does hurt to realize you left a $60 flashlight at the baseball game and its gone. None the less, I bit and am a believer. Make sure to put a review up of the LD20 If you decide to go that way.

Yes, they are better. But.... above $50-$150, you start paying more just for a brand.

Edited July 17, 2013 by jgradyc

[jgradyc]

Run time: How long the light will run in each mode.  I have a GREAT $7 14500-powered light, but the brightness comes at a cost. It runs for about 15-20 minutes.

 

Drop off: Regardless of the claimed lumens, most lights will drop off in brightness after the first couple of minutes. Then, they'll maintain that slightly lower brightness until the life of the battery is almost gone.

[Guest TankerHC]

npgunner...yea...your one of those guys, and jgrady as well lol. Something else I learned and have to ask about. Are you guys "cooler" guys too? If your on those Forums you know what Im talking about. I had no idea that my 60 dollar, 58 qt Coleman was basically a piece of junk. I figured since it keeps things cold it was doing the job, next time Ill make sure to check for the (Insert unknown terminology here) and get on the Cooler Forum (Who woulda guessed) Coleman Collectors.  It would appear that collecting flashlights goes hand in hand with being a cooler expert. lol (And some of those guys really are experts)

[npgunner]

npgunner...yea...your one of those guys, and jgrady as well lol. Something else I learned and have to ask about. Are you guys "cooler" guys too? If your on those Forums you know what Im talking about. I had no idea that my 60 dollar, 58 qt Coleman was basically a piece of junk. I figured since it keeps things cold it was doing the job, next time Ill make sure to check for the (Insert unknown terminology here) and get on the Cooler Forum (Who woulda guessed) Coleman Collectors. It would appear that collecting flashlights goes hand in hand with being a cooler expert. lol (And some of those guys really are experts)

Lol ... I don't participate in any flashlight forums but have a good friend that pretty much posts daily on CPF and BLF. I just learn from him and get him to send me pertinent reviews when I'm looking at a light.

Cooler forums?!? I know nothing of such and use one I bought at wal-mart for $10. The only "obscure" idea I know with coolers is that when the ice melts its time for more.

[Sam1]

From what I have been reading though it isnt all about lumens, these guys are talking "throw", width of center beam, circuitry, different lumen levels at each setting and a bunch of other stuff and this one based on the fact that it has "Cree" something.

Cree is just the electronics/led. The $5 ones also use Cree components

[RichardR]

Welp all coolers are not created equal, I am not a member of any cooler forums but I do have about a dozen different coolers of all sorts of various sizes, age, materials & design of construction.

The newest of the bunch is a 62 quart wheeled Coleman Xtreme, which keeps ice ice for a good solid week of summer-temps camping, price was really reasonable too ($60ish) considering the size, features & how well/long it keeps everything cold.