New member here! First forum ever so I’m probably doing this wrong but I’ve been so addicted to this forum since I found it a few weeks ago! I’ve been pouring over this site and doing my best to research things. I’m an electrician by trade so I like compact bright lights. Zoomies seem cool but I like the beam shots from smooth reflectors too. I own both but wondering what you guys think will work for my line of work better. I’m not afraid to solder if you have any cheap lights you’ve modded let me know!
Right now I have a D4 charger and four unprotected 18650 Samsung 2600mah on the way from Amazon. So need advice on affordable throwers US 15-30$. Could I (safely) possibly go for any 2x18650 since that charger shows voltage? I’m trying really hard not too bite on those under 12$ lights on ebay/amazon. But if you know of any trustworthy clone sellers I’m up for it. Also I’m scared to use other websites than those mentioned above (Should I be though?) and like to keep shipping within the states but don’t have to.
I am looking for advice on this - says it has glass lens but then lists xm l2 q5? I’ve not seen a q5 rating for xml’s
Thank you for reading! I don’t want to spend too much (dropped over 40$ for the charger and batteries) but also am worried about fake crees and crappy heat dissipation. I also have a post in the new member area. Love this place already and am grateful for the kind people here.
A C8 is a great place to start for a thrower, but avoid buying from unknown ebay sellers. For a C8, the brands you want to look at are Convoy, Thorfire, or XinTD. These are all quality lights.
A good place to buy is Mtnelectronics.com. They are US based, a member here (username: RMM) , and have great selection and prices
Welcome, and +1 to the advice above. There’s a ton of crap on ebay, and while you might get your money back with paypal protection, it’s often not worth the pain.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you have a great time here.
You may be interested in this group buy that I think is still open. It's a light that incorporates pretty much all the cutting edge stuff we have going on in a very nice 18650 tube light format. Really a great deal, especially if you don't mod your own lights.
Welcome, I like the enthusiasm and would like a few more details on how you would use the light such as duration, distance and area to light to fine tune suggestions. Does it need to be visor friendly(small with good reversible clip) or bite friendly. Run time needed will dictate the balance between size and output. In general, a straight tube light like a Convoy S2 is more pocket friendly but doesn’t throw as tight/far as a bell head like a Convoy C8 or Eagle Eye X6. Even AAA (10440 liion) lights can be plenty bright for cabinet work so AA (14500 liion) represents a compromise between run time and size. An MC0 charger will work from an auto USB and charge a spare 10440 or 14500 cell if small size takes priority over maximum run time but if not then 18650 cells have the best power/size ratio and will give the longest runtime. There is a Group buy going on a pen light with a pocket clip and nice tint(high CRI) led. Lots of different group buys for that matter. Good luck and be sure to ask questions.
Thank you guys! I may get in on that 18650 group buy. Sounds awesome. Where could I get a clip for that light?
Rufusbduck: I’m thinking a c8 style for outdoors long distance (with spill?) runtime intermitent up to an hour.
For work I def would like something 18650 but won’t come to tears if I lose it. 2 hour runtime 15 min cool down 80 - 100ft distance. I guess you’ve got a point however. I need an all around for cabinets and distance in ceilings. It would be awesome if i could clip to my hat. I had a 1AA I used to do this with.
Thank you guys! I may get in on that 18650 group buy. Sounds awesome. Where could I get a clip for that light? . . .
I should have noted that that group buy tube light will not be a thrower. It should have a nice balance of flood and throw. It is a great general purpose light that is compact for the amount of battery power it holds. It will light up a whole attic or crawl space with ease and also whisper moonlight or other low modes for close up work. I recommend the 5A tint for less glare in close up work and better color rendition.
I generally use this clip (link in picture). There is a group buy around here for titanium clips if you want high end.
Please be advised that the A6 will come with a Deep-Carry clip.
*
Final Specs:
XPL emitter in 1A, 3D, and 5A tints
Up to 1600 lumens depending on battery used and spring bypass
Noctigon Copper mcpcb
A17DD-SO8 driver +1 7135 driver(FET for direct drive of upper upper and 7135 for regulation of lower modes)
TK UI made by our own ToyKeeper (see some features) (Click HERE for more operation detail)
User selectable 4 or 7 evenly modes (Moon to High)
Reversing feature
Moon capable
Hidden blinking modes (inlcuding strobe and bike mode)
Hidden battery check
Low voltage protection
User selectable mode memory (always starts on Moon without mode memory but easily reverses to Turbo with a click)
Fast PWM for lower regulated modes
AR Glass
OP reflector
Deep Carry pocket clip
BLF-SE engraving
HAIII Anodizing
Packaged in a gift box
Total Cost $25.00
You may find that these are two different needs. The general purpose BLF Manker A6 will not throw as far as the BLF LuckySun D80-SE, but it might be the better choice as a work light.
It's never too early to develop proper buying habits. Get both!
A headlamp is something else that could be useful for you.
Limit your flashlight purchases to lights that you need .
You will need an EDC ( every day carry ) , a headlamp , a thower and a keychain light .
Don't forget the old adage that ' one is none and two is one ' , so be sure to buy back-up lights in case of the unexpected failure of your primary light .
Careful research will enable you to buy only those lights which are especially suited for the task at hand .
Becoming an expert at choosing great flashlights will enable you to buy lights for your family members and friends .
Good advice this, but once the bug bites you will find it hard to resist going deeper and further than you ever thought you would.
Everyone said you gotta have a ConvoyC8. I couldn’t see where I needed one but understanding the depth of their knowledge here I made the jump. Now I needed 18650 cells and a charger; the good stuff ain’t cheap but decent stuff can be had at reasonable prices. Might as well get some 10440’s while I’m at it. Ok, just do it. Seen objectively I have around $40 in that C8, but it is now my most-used home light and if I go camping etc it’s going along. Might get another for the car. A lot of light for the money- how did I ever manage without it? And now that I have the cells and charger I can reduce the investment by buying other lights which use these cells :bigsmile:
Objectivity goes out the window- self control gets trashed- you’ll get addicted too if you don’t run away NOW!
But then again this is about as practical a kind of good clean fun as there is, and it is indeed lots of fun so forget my words, just jump in and have fun too
That should be pretty easy to achieve. The compact throwers like a C8 get like 300 meters of throw, or about 10 times what you described. Even a cheap SK-68 can do 100 feet pretty easily.
Anyway, Illumn and MtnElectronics should be able to give you all the good stuff, and with fast shipping too.
