Flashlights: Information and Interest Check

[Rajat]

Rijo check out the newer version of the PD 20 http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=111

The fact is that I own one PD20. The newer version. Good, solid, dependable light with multiple output options. The light output is great too in this size. Small, compact and easy to carry. But works on 1 CR123A battery and the cost of each battery coming from a decent company like Duracell or Energizer etc will not be less than Rs. 100 per battery.

The reflector is the "ORange Peel" type in the newer PD20 which will give you a combination of both "Throw" and "Spill" (wide) beam.

Therefore, unless you are willing to spend so much, it is not meant to be used for everyday work like power cuts at home etc. Good for occasional use where you need to rely on your light.

If you need to upgrade to a 2 x CR123A's you can go in for the TK series if you want to buy from Fenix or if you want to go for the AA's go for the LD series or the bigger TK lights.

There are various other options from other manufacturers too.

[Rijo Joseph]

Thanks Raj, for your good advice....

[Biren]

Hi Rajat,

Very informative post. Helped me understand flash lights. You made me fan of flashlight. Thanks again for such informative post and willingness to share information. Placing order for ThruNite Scorpion v2 Cree XM-L T6 Flashlight.

Cheers
Biren

[Rajat]

Hello Biren,

I am glad to know that you found the post interesting. Go ahead buy a couple of these lights but I must warn you that it could be very addictive!

The specs of light that you have chosen seem quite good: 2 x CR123 batteries with a maximum output of 750 lumens and multiple modes. Go For It!!

-- Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:39 pm --

Oh! and I forgot to say that do share the experience with us once you get it.

[Biren]

Hi Rajat,

It took some time making up my mind after going through such huge array of flashlights. Earlier my focus was on max lumen, then decided to give thought to other features as well and bought OLIGHT M21 Warrior SST-50 Luminus LED Flashlight SET.

Yes will soon post my review.

Cheers
Biren

[Rajat]

Biren, Olight manufactures great flashlights and they are in the same league as the other top manufacturers. I had also thought about buying the Olight Warrior at one time.

I am sure you will like its performance and will look forward to the review and the pictures. Enjoy!

[Olly]

@Olly, Is that a rechargeable one?

I've shortlisted Britelite so far because they are the most readily available in India. Can't choose the model though. Range stretches from 400m to 2000mtrs. Guess 400m will be too short. Also don't know the whether the 1000mtrs model can be used as EDC or not!

If someone could shed some light on Britelite models, would be great...

No it is not rechargeable, but with 10 hrs of light, who bothers.... !

I can't comprehend 2000m of flash illumination... !

[.32]

How are Fenix E20, Fenix L2T & UltraFire WF-1800L ?

[Rajat]

The Ultrafire I am have not used so I will not comment on it. However it should be good. Second only to the top flashlight makers.

The E-20 is a good flashlight. The L2T is discontinued I think. Another one highly recommend with an AA power source is the LD20 from Fenix.

[Biren]

Hi,

Utimately bought two flashlights. Insipiration Rajat. One UltraFire 1000 Lumen CREE XM-L T6 LED and another M21 OLIGHT Warrior.

Ultrafire claims to have a maximum output of 1000 lumens can be mounted on weapon with 5 switch Mode: high / middle / low / strobe / sos and ON/OFF switch on the torch's end is powered by 1 * 18650 battery 3.6/3.7V.Bulb: CREE LED XM-L T6 and LED lifetime about 10, 000 hours

Whereas Olight Warrior claims Max 500Lumens, three digitally constant levels & strobe,stainless steel striking bezel and rear striking bezel, installed for close quarter combat, full orange peel reflector, advanced digital power management system for best battery life time and is powered by: 2x CR123A or 1x 18650 / 1x 17670 batteries

Builtwise Olight is well ahead. I tried testing at night but since the place around is well lit so what i could at the best make out was:
- Ultrafire is easy to use. To change the mode, one has to just rotate the ring, whereas in olight one has to rotate clockwise first then anti clockwise. The ring is tight to rotate so need efforts.

- Ultrafire more distant throw then olight except yet to check the duration both can last.

- Ultrafire is light in weight and shorter in lenght.
- Both are small enough to fit in palm.

Cheers,
Biren

[Rajat]

Congratulations! Thats great Biren, not 1 but 2 at a time!

You will not regret this purchase, I can bet on this, specially the Olight. Check out the performance of these lights when you go out camping or where there are no lights around and you will be surprised once again. The easiest is to check these out during a power cut.

Enjoy!

[Biren]

Congratulations! Thats great Biren, not 1 but 2 at a time!

You asked to get couple.

where there are no lights around and you will be surprised once again. The easiest is to check these out during a power cut.

Enjoy!

Yesterday tried during power cut. Olight is simply amazing.... One more thing from where to get battery here in India?
Its difficult to belive some thing so small & compact could throw such strong beam.

Cheers
Biren

[Rajat]

Biren, I do not know a source for the 18650 battery in India. As usual I would say go to Ebay and buy from any of the Hong Kong sellers. Make sure to buy a charger along with the batteries too.

But I am sure that you know that you can always use 2 x CR123A batteries instead of 1 x 18650 battery in these flashlights. These are available on ANY shop selling cameras or equipment related to photography etc. Buy Duracell or Energizer, these are the best brands available here and perform well. Problem is that these are not rechargeable.

So until you get the 18650's use the CR123A's.

Its difficult to belive some thing so small & compact could throw such strong beam.

Yes, its hard to imagine until you actually see this. We are so used to those locally available flashlights with such a miserable output that this comes as a shock!

[Biren]

Hi Rajat,
Thanks for the suggestion. Have rechargealbe batteries along with charger for Olight, but forget to place order for Batteries for Ultrafire. Ebay thing is a good idea but i bought it from hkequipment Hongkong.Very reliable seller and good price as well.

Thanks

Rgds
Biren

[choombak]

Congratulations! Thats great Biren, not 1 but 2 at a time!

You asked to get couple.

where there are no lights around and you will be surprised once again. The easiest is to check these out during a power cut.

Enjoy!

Yesterday tried during power cut. Olight is simply amazing.... One more thing from where to get battery here in India?
Its difficult to belive some thing so small & compact could throw such strong beam.

Cheers
Biren

18650 are not available in India as Rajat noted - I tried several places, but in vain. There are the same batteries used in the laptop battery pack - 4-cell, 6-cell and so on. If you open the battery pack, these are the ones placed in series. Additionally, CR123As' run very costly - lowest you could get is a Rs. 100 deal per battery, so I'd recommend going for the RCR123s' (rechargeables, also known as 16340) instead. Again, RCRs' are not available here, but some good sites that can get you all these batteries and chargers are:
(1) http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/ (the owner Ric has a reasonable reputation on candlepowerforums)
(2) http://www.dealextreme.com/ (this site has lot of el-cheapo stuff, including batteries, etc. Ensure you get some sort of insured postage, or registered postage while placing an order).
(3) http://www.hkequipment.net/ (very reliable, and has an option of adding $2 per $100f for insurance and tracked shipment).

Oh, and BTW, these numbers 18650, 16340 etc. indicate the diameter and length of the battery: 16340 is 16 mm dia, and 34 mm len, while 18650 is 18 mm dia and 65 mm length, and so on. The sizes that correspond to an AA battery is 14450, and AAA battery is 10440). All of these run at higher voltages, typically around 3.7v.

Enjoy your lights.

-Amarendra