Author Topic: Flashlight recommendations  (Read 1031 times)

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Offline Sir GuitarCozmo

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Flashlight recommendations
« on: June 06, 2016, 06:55:19 AM »
That's flAshlight.

I have a Mag Light that is nice and durable and such, but they always have that dead spot in the dead center of the beam and I hate it.  Plus, I need to get a replacement bulb for it anyway, so I'm writing that one off for now.  Looking for something I can use in the backyard at night, as I'm often taking the dog out after dark.  So something that has long range and is bright as hell.  Doesn't matter if it takes standard batteries or 18650s.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Offline Kotowboy

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2016, 06:58:57 AM »
Go LED. They're bright as shit and the batteries last ages.

Offline Sir GuitarCozmo

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2016, 07:11:55 AM »
That's what I keep hearing.  I have a very small and inexpensive flashlight with LEDs and they ARE very bright, but the distance on it is very minimal.  I want something I can get some good distance with.

Offline hefdaddy42

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2016, 08:51:27 AM »
Go LED. They're bright as shit and the batteries last ages.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2016, 09:13:04 AM »
I went through the same thought process trying to find a good headlamp for bike riding either before sunrise or after dark.  Same concerns:  Brightness and distance.  I ultimately went with something cheap, but with the right specs that met my needs:  https://www.amazon.com/5000Lm-Cycling-Bicycle-HeadLight-Headlamp/dp/B00F9UZABA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01  5,000 lumens is way more than I need, and I have rarely used it in high beam mode for that reason.  But when you are cruising along on a bike trail at 15-30 mph, you need brightness and need to see far enough in front of you that if there is a hazard, you have time to react to it without having to swerve abruptly.  Anyway, I list it here so you can take a look at the specs.  I would just search Amazon for LED flashlights with similar specs.  I would think you would probably want something at 700 lumens minimum, and just over 1,000 would be idea.  Variable brightness settings and/or focus settings should mean that you can get decent distance out of it.  After a quick search, this might do the trick for you:  https://www.amazon.com/UltraFire-Lumen-Zoomable-Waterproof-Flashlight/dp/B00KWE4DXY/ref=sr_1_11?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1465225809&sr=1-11&keywords=led+flashlight  Same cheap made-in-China brand as mine, so who knows about durability?  But it definitely has the right specs.  And you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for a "name brand" either.
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Offline JayOctavarium

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2016, 11:03:49 AM »
When I get home I'll post a link to what I use(d)  at work.  Small.  Bright (like 1200 lumens).  Cheap.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2016, 11:07:36 AM »
^Sounds like the perfect combo.
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Offline rumborak

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2016, 11:07:45 AM »
Really, any porn website will have a link to buy them.






Oh. Flashlight.
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Offline Kotowboy

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2016, 11:17:34 AM »
I want an LED headlight for my motorcycle. I just bought a brand new bulb one but it;s not great for distance. I can see what's just ahead of me :lol

Offline rumborak

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2016, 11:20:53 AM »
LEDs are nice, but I think it's just a question of time until they have to get regulated. I bought a really strong one recently for my bicycle, and frankly it is plain blinding to everybody. I always switch it to the lowest setting for that reason.

Which brings me to my pet peeve: cop car lighting. With the advent of LED lighting, these have become seizure inducing road dangers. More than once did I have to shield my eyes with one hand while trying to navigate a narrowed road (which is the reason why the cop car is there). They are way too bright at this point.
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Online El Barto

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2016, 11:26:30 AM »
I want a flashlight that's functional for lighting dark areas and injuring somebody should the need arise, so I'm obviously partial to my 3D maglite. However, traditional maglites have fallen way behind. I'd be curious if anybody has a modern LED maglite and what they think of it.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2016, 11:26:52 AM »
LEDs are nice, but I think it's just a question of time until they have to get regulated. I bought a really strong one recently for my bicycle, and frankly it is plain blinding to everybody. I always switch it to the lowest setting for that reason.

That's the difficult thing about having a light on a bike in the first place.  If it is for a bike, you NEED it to be bright and have good distance.  But the tradeoff is that it is blinding for anybody coming at you.  For suburban and trail riding, it isn't much of an issue because, when someone is coming toward you, you just aim it farther down instead of out and cup your hand over the top of it so it doesn't blind the person coming at you.  In a more urban setting like where you are, you constantly have people coming at you, so I don't know what the solution is.  But then again, I guess the tradeoff is, you are going to be riding in areas that are generally going to be well lit anyway, so you probably don't need as bright a headlamp.
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Offline rumborak

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #13 on: June 06, 2016, 11:30:46 AM »
LEDs are nice, but I think it's just a question of time until they have to get regulated. I bought a really strong one recently for my bicycle, and frankly it is plain blinding to everybody. I always switch it to the lowest setting for that reason.

That's the difficult thing about having a light on a bike in the first place.  If it is for a bike, you NEED it to be bright and have good distance.  But the tradeoff is that it is blinding for anybody coming at you.  For suburban and trail riding, it isn't much of an issue because, when someone is coming toward you, you just aim it farther down instead of out and cup your hand over the top of it so it doesn't blind the person coming at you.  In a more urban setting like where you are, you constantly have people coming at you, so I don't know what the solution is.  But then again, I guess the tradeoff is, you are going to be riding in areas that are generally going to be well lit anyway, so you probably don't need as bright a headlamp.

I think bike lights just need a regulation similar to car lights: That is, have a high-beam vs regular setting. I remember seeing one bike light like that, but unless it's regulated people will of course just buy the dangerous ones that give them the most visibility.

EDIT: Also, make them asymmetrical like car headlights. That is, if you are just riding straight on a road, you shouldn't be blinding the oncoming traffic.
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Offline bosk1

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #14 on: June 06, 2016, 11:36:01 AM »
Yeah, I think the different settings are a good idea.  The light I have that I linked to above has a low, mid, and high beam setting, which is nice.  I am usually riding just a bit before sunrise or a bit after sunset, and not in full darkness, so even on the trails, I rarely need the high beam.  I can get away with the low or mid.  Or even if I am using the high beam, I can switch to low when there is oncoming traffic.  Plus, being able to use low beam when high is not needed saves battery life.
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Offline Implode

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #15 on: June 06, 2016, 02:02:27 PM »
This thread has made me want to buy a flashlight, but I never even use them.  :lol

Offline Kotowboy

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Re: Flashlight recommendations
« Reply #16 on: June 06, 2016, 05:21:56 PM »
I just use the torch on my iPhone when I need to see in the dark. I do have a torch as well though.