I had posted all of this information earlier but the topic was closed and I could not get your comments. Here I have compiled all of my posts together and am creating a new topic as advised by my friend.
If you do not have the time to read everything just scroll down and see the pictures for a brief summary.
Welcome to the world of Flashaholics!
The flashlights we are talking about here are way beyond what we can visualize in comparison to the locally available flashlights or the cheap Chinese LED flashlights.
Fenix is one of the best flashlight manufacturers in the world rivaled only the Surefire. This said there are other good companies too in the market like Jetbeam, Olight, Icon etc. I personally would love to get Fenix or other flashlights of a good make in India, its time we get some good stuff here in India. The only good flashlights we get right now in India are the trusted Maglights: Incadescents as well as LEDs.
The flashlights I own are:
2 x 2016 - Photon Microlights (a few)
1 x AAA - LD01 Fenix, MiniMag
1 x AA - LD10 Fenix
2 x AA - LD20, TK20 both are from Fenix
8 x AA - TK40 This big fella throws and output of 630 Lumens at the Turbo Mode with its Quad core emitter
1 x 3D - Maglite Incadescent + with a LED converter
1 x CR123A - Fenix PD20 & Surefire E1B Backup
2 x CR123A - Surefire LX2 Lumamax
Along with other assorted flashlights of different makes and configurations.
These are all multi-mode flashlights with the LED life span of more or less 50,000 hours. Yes, you got it right Fifty Thousand hours. Which means you do not have to worry about replacing the LED ever (almost). Also these are all waterproof, not dive rated, but you can go for a swim or shower with the Fenix or Surefire flashlights without any problems. In other words: weatherproof.
The Surefires are way more expensive than the Fenix flashlights and are backed by a lifetime warranty and I though I should go in for these when I wanted to opt for the much more expensive CR123A batteries. However there is nothing lacking in the Fenix flashlights.
A typical 2 x D sized cell Maglite's light output is somewhere around 20 to 25 Lumens and for example the Fenix LD20 2 x AA's output is somewhere around 185 to 200 Lumens. Fenix has a general tendency to slightly overrate its lumens but even then this mini Fenix gives more than 7-10 times the light of the 2 D Maglite.
The Surefires are known for underrating their outputs so the 1 x 123a tiny E1B gives 4 times the light of a 2D Mag and the 2 x 123A LX2 at 200 Lumens gives 10 times more light than the 2D Maglite.
The Maglites are great and trusted lights but the technology is old now and they are trying hard to get back their share of the market by launching new models. The Maglites are worth their value in money as they are priced accordingly too.
If you talk about the TK40 which is the same size as a 2D Maglite: the TK40 gives an output of 630 Lumens compared to the 25 of the Mag
It is really hard to think about it until you have seen one of these. And we are not even talking about the HID's right now
I am familiar with the Brite Lite which some people are familiar with on this forum.
The main thing is the size vs output factor as most of these (fenix or surefire etc) are pocket able but with tremendous output which beats any flashlight in this category leaving apart the HID's which are another story.
I would like you to try the Fenix flashlights and the Surefires and I guess it will change your views like these changed mine. Surefires are American made flashlights and the company started out with making weapon mounting lights and most flashlights from Fenix can be mounted on Guns too and pressure switches can be added.
They use the best rated emitters from the right bins and the best possible makes like Cree (Q5, R4, XRE etc,). These emitters are unparalleled and simply the best. Combined with this is the intelligent circuitry which keeps the output constant even when the batteries are weak, the output does not dim until the last few minutes. Secondly the opticals (reflectors) are optimized for their specific use: Flood or Throw.
These are not flashlights but are Tools in the true sense are are made for people who need these not for recreation but for work. This is true specially for the brands like the Surefire and Inova Inforce.
Rechargeable Flashlights
First of all let us talk about the problems with the rechargeable flashlights: The battery pack has a certain life i.e. the number of times it can be charged and some of these develop "memories" if charged incorrectly, completely discharged etc. Now if the life of your battery pack is over you are going to have a hard time finding another battery pack here as most of these flashlights do not have and service facilities or sales outlets here.
Now coming to the Fenix AA size battery flashlights: these are rechargeable in the terms that you can simply buy rechargeable AA batteries and a charger and you can buy a couple of extras too to keep with you in case the batteries in your flashlights run out. Its that simple and you never have to worry about the availability of batteries!
In case of the Lithium CR123A battery flashlights, the scene is a bit different. You can buy rechargeable 123A's with chargers and use the Fenix flashlights OR you can buy 18650 Batteries (1 x 18650 = slightly more power and runtime than 2 x CR123A's) most of the Fenix flashlights accommodate these batteries.
BUT Surefire strongly recommends AGAINST using these rechargeable batteries and only advises that batteries from well known companies such as Duracell, Energizer and Surefire should be used. These are high drain flashlights and the local batteries might cause explosions as lithiums are powerful batteries. 1 x CR123A battery costs around Rs 150 so clearly they are not every day use flashlights to use when there are simple power cuts. These flashlights have a different purpose and should only be put to special use.
For everyday use you can always use the AA battery flashlights and the Fenix have different output levels too.
Coming to the output in terms of the distance of light thrown or the "throw": Among the flashlights I own the Fenix TK40 (8 x AA) with an orange peel large reflector at 630 Lumens is the best followed closely the the tiny in comparison Surefire LX2 (2 x CR123A) with its TIR internal reflection special optics and smooth reflector.
The others which have a good reputation but I do not own but know are the Fenix TK45, Deerelight DBS, JetBeam Raptor, Olight M30 warrior, customized flashlights with aspherical lenses along with a dozen others. The Rechargable Magcharger also has a good throw and is available in India at Basecamp.
Then there is WiseLED. They just make two models. Although there are several constraints but they have a super output.
The distance the flashlights throw their light depends upon the purpose they were built for. The good manufactures make different models aimed at different user requirements: Flood or Throw or a combination. This is done with a combination of the reflector tuning, output in lumens, and specially designed reflection systems like the TIR etc.
This was all said with reference to the LED's and Incandescents but not the HID's. If you need REAL throwing power then there are the HID's. The good ones will throw light further than you can even imagine! But this is another story.
Comparison to Britelite
No offence meant but I am just trying to ensure that the right information gets across to our members. The Britelite as you say may be the best that is seen here but these are no where near the BEST in the absolute terms.
When I first bought the 3D Maglite a few years ago I too thought that it was the best flashlight ever until I got to know these. No doubt that the Mag is still a great and reliable flashlight. The price of the britelight may be justified and the Surefires and Fenix's may cost way beyond its cost.
But then we are taking about the worlds BEST LED flashlights in the Surefires and WiseLED's and their nearest competitor in Fenix flashlights.
These are in an entirely different league. Although I do not really advice going in for the WiseLED's for several reasons BUT those who need such flashlights do buy these.
Check out http://www.surefire.com, http://www.wiseled.com and http://www.fenixlight or http://www.fenixtactical.com for more information.
I am sure you will get to know what I mean.
Guns, Knives and Flashlights have always been an inseparable combination. Almost everyone here is familiar with Guns, a few have a passion for Knives ( I have noted Subal Das and Mack The Knife) then I do not understand why Flashlights have been left out.
Do see Low light shooting Techniques: http://www.indiansforguns.com/viewtopic ... 12&t=11137
When we are discussing about the very best we are of course not talking about economics. When the makers make the very best they leave no stone unturned in the quality and performance of the product and the buyers have to agree to pay the price to get the product.
This is the same league as the Desert Eagle, or the Hummer or the Chris Reeves or Strider knives and the price tag which accompanies these is to be expected.
I have done enough talking. A picture is worth a thousand words and I will let the pictures do the talking.
I am not the photographer here and have just borrowed the images although I own both of the flashlights. These are the best of both worlds: the AA and the 2 X CR123A’s. Enjoy!!
The Fenix TK40
The Surefire LX2 Lumamax
LX2-HA-WH
The LX2 is a compact dual-output flashlight featuring a virtually indestructible power-regulated LED emitter, a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens, and a smooth fluted body design that takes it easy on clothing. The LX2's tactically-correct two-stage pushbutton tailcap switch lets you instantly select output level: press for a momentary-on 15-lumen long-runtime low beam suitable for general night use or close work; press further for a momentary-on 200-lumen high beam—ten times the light of a big two-D-cell flashlight; twist for constant-on low beam, twist further for constant-on high beam.
Features
• Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize output and runtime
• Two output levels—high for maximum light, low for extended runtime
• TIR lens produces tight beam with enough surround light for peripheral vision
• Coated tempered window resists impact, maximizes light
• High-strength aerospace aluminum body, Mil-Spec hard-anodized for extreme durability
• Two-stage tactical tailcap switch—press for momentary-on low, press further for high, twist for constant-on at either level
• Two-way clip permits light to be carried bezel up or down
• Weatherproof O-ring and gasket sealing
• Includes high-energy 123A batteries with 10-year shelf life
First of all: I do not sell these flashlights and am not any company’s sales rep. I am here and discussing this as this is just one of my personal interests.
Most of the above information has been created by myself except for specifications of the flashlights which are taken from the manufacturers website.
Please post your comments!
but it is a solid dependable light which you can use for years. OR you can buy the LD10 from the same manufacturer and exceed your budget by Rs. 1000 approx. and the power source will be 1 x AA. Of course the LD 10 will give you lower output and runtime.
