Need help picking a flashlight and headlight. Need lots of help please (im a Newb)

Convoy C8+ ot Sofurn C8T.I’d be looking at.for a torch.
VERY good beam. With spread for not tripping over in the dark.
18650 cells.

Another.
Astrolux S41 they cheap nowadays. 4 x LED one 18650. has 7 levels. top 2 will burn out battery and get hot pretty quick.
I have 2 and work them with plenty of light output on 4 or 5 of the 7 levels.

Buy a $5, In pocket/bag LiitoKala Lii202 charger at same time.
Does 99% of battery’s incl Li-Po.

Headlight. Ask others.
I bought a no name 2 x 18650 rear cell unit yrs ago. Still works,
does ALL I’ll ever want. Have NO idea where I got it from.

Small torches with high output are working on limits. Temperatures.
Battery usability.
Go for something little larger. Working on less max outputs. For longer.
More a cruiser.

and put a little Astrolux AO1, x 2 or 3 in pocket for family members.
Size of adult little finger or less.
Avail for under $8 us. at present on coupons here.
Great close up walkabout find things in bag etc torch. Runs on AAA
or Li-Po
I have a coupla more in mail at present.along with a Mad Max group buy.
Xanes XT03. for around $10US.

Should be a good local walkabout light. fits in a coupla fingers.
Stainless Steel body.

Old school Still avail, for around $17ish AUD.
Sky Ray S R5. Have 2 x. one is over 8 yrs old. still turning on and off.

Better shape, grip, to hold.
Than that S2 water pipe slip out of fingers one.
A VERY nice looking torch in my eyes. and reliable plus.

Now im really confused (in a good way).
Both of you have recommended the Sofirn, but different models. what is the difference between the Sp32A and the C8T?

Completely different lights.

The SP32A is a general purpose light.

The C8T is a very throwy light. Not very useful in most cases compared to the SP32A.

It’s also much bigger with a large head.

Thanks!
are the Convoy T8 and the Astrolux s41 just found on the Chinese sites? (nothing wrong with that, just wanted to purchase from US seller or Amazon if possible)

Right click each one with mouse. then click the Google search that comes up.
Peruse them, reviews etc.
Sofurn. Convoy. Astrolux…Nowadays ARE as reliable
and often BETTER built than some of the Named ones.
Basically the SP32 a tube smaller torch with higher price.

The C8/C8+ are classic. reliable, lower priced torches that work and have done for a looong time.
I have 5 (or 6?) and others on here have waaaaay more than that.
It. and it’s derivatives. Are probably THE most popular. Most reliable torch on this/these forums.

A lot of people seem to go for the Smaller, lighter, is better.
Me. I like bigger. stronger. MORE reliable, usually.
Not working on limits.
The extra coupla ounces these things weigh is ridiculous
when you add to weight of bag.

Bluesword.

He is asking for a Headlight and torch.
To ME. That means a headlight for walkabout. plenty of spread.
with a combination hand torch too.
IE the C8+ gives a lovely Looong throw.
With spread that’s wide enuff to be usable. you can still walk without tripping over things.

The C8T was just another one to compare.

I use.
Walkabout.
My XM-L dual battery headlight. with either a Imalent DN35/70.
One of my Astrolux S41’s. or the Convoy C8+/T.
OR, sometimes. the L2/L6 versions.

There are a zillion lights out there. We all different.
And mainly all happy with each others choices.

Some like tiny lightweight packs. others like larger with more in them packs.
Same goes for Torches. Knives and guns.

The Chinese market. Through the coupla 3 decent dealers
Take 30 days on av, to Aust.
but so far I’ve all but once got what I ordered.
and 99% working. good quality.
US. Aust Markets sell same items at much higher prices.
Or local made at ridiculous rates.

The Chinese (Known good ones) ARE as good and better,
than some others on the market.

Just check lots of reviews. Buy from reputable (Proven) dealers.
and you get the good stuff at fair prices.
I’ve always bought my battery’s from Bangood. Restricts what I can get to Aust.
BUT so far. no imitations.
and Simon has ALWAYS done me right too.
I’ve had over 70 torches. Only 2 faulty but replaced by return. 1 sw. 1 LED.
and ONE shonky dealer. Paypal sorted my return of cash from him.

He’ll find what he wants.
I’m just sticking a coupla more alternatives in there for him.

PS.
AMAZON is good for movies.

Sorry for all the questions! I don’t mean to sound redundant.
You linked to the 32A, but there is also a 31A which, with the description, I cant seem much of a difference…?
Then there is the 33 which is about $10 more, but has about 2x the advertised lumens and takes a different battery 26650 again, I don’t know anything about this battery or how to compare it to the 18650 (which ive at least heard of). Its only a little bit bigger and 2x as powerful for only $10 more….thoughts?

edit to add I just read that the 33 can actually take the 18650 battery with an included adaptor tube (not that I know the difference between the 2 different batteries ). reading some reviews it seems like its about 50% wider and quite a bit heavier then the 32

Thanks so much everyone for you help. I think I’ll pick up a couple of lights based on all of your recommendations!

Can I have some more input regarding some headlamps?

Again, thanks

First question before anything else…

Whaddya gonna do with it?

Like buying a car, gonna race it?, tow/carry crap in it?, ferry a gaggle of kids back’n’forth, commute to/from work, what?

Then, narrow down the choices.

Probably just put in a bug out bag. Maybe take it out and use it for camping and then put it back in the Bob when done

Can you link to the batteries on banggood that you have had good luck with?

Who or what is Simon?
Thanks

A good headlight is the Skilhunt H03, (note there are multiple versions, just get the H03 with the TIR) i have around 30 lights, but only one headlight, and i have to admit, this one is used the most

So just kind of a do-nothing general-purpose light?

Might as well get one that works off ’123 primaries, then.

Simon makes the brand Convoy. He is highly regarded around here as are his flashlights.

If you will leave the flashlight in a bag for long periods of time, you may be better off using lithium primary cells (non-rechargeable batteries with a long standby time). Liion batteries (like 18650 and other sizes) don’t like to be charged up and left to sit (or even worse, run down for a long time, then recharged), whereas with a lithium primary, you can usually count on it being a reliable standby.

Others here will have more educated opinions on “how long is too long?” type questions. If the light is going to be used more frequently, a lithium ion rechargeable is easily a great choice.

Excuse my ignorance, but when you say primary lithium cells, can you explain what type of battery you are referring to? (It just link to an example or two)?
Thanks

1,5V Primary lithium cells in the AA/AAA form factor.

Energizer L91 Lithium, Energizer Ultimate Lithium.

Eg, a CR123A would be a good choice in a 16340 form-factor. Energizer Lithiums are another in 14500/AA.

Btw, 16340 and similar numbers mean 16mm in diameter, and 34mm long.

’123s last pretty much forever, and most cop-shops use them in lights where they supply the batteries. FD, also.

Most importantly, THEY DON’T LEAK. If you get AA lights and leave alkaleaks in ’em, guaranteed when you need it most and try to use it, you’ll find only a salt-block wedged inside the light, and no power.

So… if you’re gonna use a light in a BOB, keep batteries that won’t take a dump in whatever you’ve got them in.

And lights that have any parasitic drain will run down even big Li-ion cells over time.

Now…

A SP32Av2, a MH20/MH20GT, any light that can take one 18650 or a pair of ’123s, would be the best choice. Use the former when you’re actually using the light, or the latter if you’re just keeping it for just-in-case.

KBoater.

As explained above. Simon. Convoy…. 100+% person. dealings.

Any torches I take anywhere. and keep in container/bag, long term.
I just carry torch Empty. and battery’s in their sealed pack
They mostly on a 10 yr storage cycle.
and how long does it take to put battery in torch.

I and everybody I know. (Just about).
carry one of those little flat/round/ press side to activate lights
Size of 2 x 10c coins on top of each other.
On ALL my keyrings. Boat, house. whatever.
with another half a Dozen (whoops. 4 now) in comp desk drawer.
Bloody granddaughters.

They about $5 for a pack of 10 from on here.

Battery’s I’ve got and been happy with on here.

Panasonic 18650B’s.
Samsung 18650 30Q.
Soshine Black 26650. (4400. 4500.5500)
Soshine ICR 14500 9-00 mAh
Soshine AAA/10440 LI-PO cells.
These came in a 4 pack. 2 x cells. 2 x Connectors (Dummy cells).
to take up the space of second battery
as they 3.2v over the 1.5v AAA’s.
IE Cook… Small power torches.

And 2 x BASSEN 26650’s 60a Max pulse current.

Basically ALL from Gearbest or Bangood.
Couple from ?? (can’t remember).
Basically. look around these coupon buys.
They usually have Battery’s. Chargers, and torches.Knives.

They only last a week or so. some less.
So you have to be quick.

Locally. Fine. for supply…
But cost usually 2 to 3 times the cost of these.
Like my 123. $17.50 for 1.
and 18350’s the same. ($15 ea from memory)

There are other Aussie’s here too.
They will have other contacts for their battery’s.

ANYBODY?……….

I’m alright for general questions on what I have/have done.
But brain damage. NO memory. (motorbike accident back in ’90).
I can’t remember finer points. like who, where. and when.
Gets very frustrating. but better than the alternative believe me.

For bugout, I like the new usb rechargeable lights w/solar panel combo. I do keep some 123’s just cuz they’ll last without leaking and aren’t too big an investment. I’d highly recommend jumpin on the BLF lantern group buy, it’s going to be the best emergency all purpose light. I also like getting the short and long tube convoys for easier pocket carry or swapping to longer run time. The astrolux s41 also has lego factor.

Thanks. What is this blf buy you are referencing?