A friend requires a flood light to light up the back of his truck when he loads bikes up. I’m not really sure what to recommend but based on my research so far a few points:
–18650 is good
-under $100 for just the torch
-soupcan/handle design seems to be better than a really long 12xm-l type torch
-a good run time on 3 or 4 batteries
-no PWM stuff on the medium modes, its a bit disorientating
-preferably more than 3000 lumens
-side switch is good
I currently have a TR-3T6 which is ‘good’ but not floody enough for his purposes, and brighter would be better.
“soup/soda can” light are great portability, but use it more than 10 mins its going to be hot to hold.
if you want super flood, 15 XM-L is great, uses 4 batteries but it has a long battery tube though ( no worries about burning your hand )
but probably the best of both world would be this 12 XM-L although the price is $104, you can pm Neal from banggood and I’m sure he can bring the price down to $100
I vote for the BlackShadow Terminator Quad XM-L2 for $99.75(use coupon code: BLFUSER) with free shipping from Illumination Supply. It has a handle, so he will never, ever feel a hint of heat. Plus, to be honest, this light (I have it's clone) feels amazing to carry with the handle. Plus, the Terminator puts out 3500+ lumens. Plus I love the power button battery LED indicator (which my clone does not have). And it has beautiful stainless steel bezels. It just looks amazing! And it's built like a tank!
^ This is a good choice, although it will probably burn your hand after 5 minutes. Make a handle or wear gloves if you want to use it for more than a minute.
I love this forum. You guy don’t get sick of answering similar questions every day, and I don’t get sick of reading your suggestions!
I was really keen on the MTN Mod 2 myself but I don’t like the idea that it will be too hot to hold after 5 minutes.
Thanks demigod, that looks like quite a strong contender - I love the handle design that’s very ergonomic. You stated it puts out 3500 +, is that real lumens because that’s also stated under the specs and we know stated specs can be fluffy!
Can’t seem to find any reviews on the XM-L2 version .
Yes, 3500+ real OTF lumens, with the new XM-L2 version which I linked. I believe people are actually getting more than the stated 3500 lumens though. Also, the Terminator is probably the most comfortable flashlight I have ever held to be honest. Just feels amazing in the hand.
The XML1 version is around 3000 lumens, not sure about the XML2 version.
So maybe a TK75 or BTU Shocker? If they offer just as much flood but more throw then why not. The TK75 and Shocker definitely do not get too hot to hold. The Shocker only just gets warm since it has such a massive head though.
HOWEVER if you want portability don’t get the Shocker, it’s incredibly heavy at I think 1.2kg without batteries so that’s the main downside.
Just remember, 99.6% of the population never see PWM from lights/flashlights. I will be very hard pressed for almost anybody to be dissapointed in the Blackshadow Terminator in the least bit, minus jmpaul320 .
Same light, just older XM-L version he reviewed. The one I linked is newer XM-L2 verison.
And one more thing, this morning, I left my Terminator Clone out on the table, and my fiancee looked at it and said, "Wow, nice beasty little light you got there, compared to all your other lights!" and started to fumble with it. Of course I told her it's not a toy, and immediately took it away from her, and gave her her car keys, which has a nice little Olight i3s on it to play with, lol. She just rolled her eyes at me!
And lastly, is that this is one small, compact, powerful light! Big head, small body! Smaller than what your probably thinking honestly. It's a beast, and it will amaze!
If the 3T6 isn't floody enough then the SRK, M6, and other "soup can" style lights won't be any better. I'm not quite sure why there have been so many recommendations for these lights when the OP specifically states "I currently have a TR-3T6 which is ‘good’ but not floody enough for his purposes." The TK75 and BTU Shocker are even worse choices if the 3T6 isn't floody enough.
How much light do you need? I would maybe even recommend an XM-L headlamp with aspheric lens, it isn't more light but it is light where you need it, hands free.
The Mod 2 will not burn your hand because it steps down from turbo before the light gets that hot.
Remember that you can fairly easily convert a throwy light to a flood with a diffuser.
I have a TK70. Turns out a simple coffee can top has a bit of opacity and fits right over the top perfectly! It makes for an excellent diffuser and turns my TK70 into a great work light with no hotspot at all.
I wouldn’t bother with these 12x XMLs as it is a waste of money to have all those emitters all driven so low. XM-L output is pretty linear up till over 2 amps…so 6 XMLS 2 is about equal to 12XMLS 1amp, with half the emitter cost.
A 4x version is plenty. Make sure it has enough modes. You really dont need 5000 lumens as it will get really hot really fast. A few thousand is probably more than adequate. No need for overkill since on a budget.
A Terminator is a thrower 1st, flooder 2nd. Can't flood as well as the big boys. SRK's style, maybe better for this guy with a handle, like the Yupard - all depends. Obviously he can't hold a flashlight while loading a dirt bike on his truck - thinking temporary or permanent mounting to the back of the truck would be better, but dunno the details enough. If he wants to hold a light while others (maybe kids?) loads them, that's a different story - form factor not as important then.
I've used a J18 to light up a yard, worked well, but I thought the 4 or 5 emitter soup can lights are better flooders than the classic 3 emitter SRK or M6 -- 3 LED SRK's are still good flooders though. Basically the smaller size reflectors will make better flooders, and if you can easily power a few of the small reflector LED's, then more brightness in the flood area. You can go crazy with the LED count, but you may hit diminishing returns, and also drain cells quick. The SRK type is nice because you get 4 18650 cells in a small package - can stuff it in your pocket if need to for example.
All the guy wants is something floody to light up the back of a truck, not a football field!
Grab a Convoy S3 and be happy. Buy two or three for less than a hundred bucks, and you’ll never be in the dark again. Want a headlamp? Grab a Nitecore head band for $9, stick your S3 in it - or two S3s, or three S3s - and off you go. See what you’re doing and keep your melon warm all for the same price.
The search light from an anti-aircraft battery is NOT the answer for every lighting problem.
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