Hello all,
I would like to get a compact, zoomable flashlight for $100 or less.
Most high power (1000 lumen or more) units are not zoomable. Why is that?
Which zoomable unit would have high output?
I am looking for something compact if possible…
Thank you for any ideas - or pointers to relevant threads if applicable…
Hey mate welcome to BLF.
Do you have a preferred battery type?
Every one has differing opinions but to me zoomies are mediocre they are okay as all rounders but good at nothing.
I think you would be much better of getting 2 separate lights one thrower and one flooder.
Zoomies are big heavy and fragile that is the main issue. You can get a light that does the same in a smaller package.
Welcome to BLF!
Yeah do you know about li ion safety? Check link in my SIG
If you do for that budget Jaxman Z1 for sure
If you can do with less lumens, the P5r.2 is super compact and has a beam that reaches farther than almost all 1000lm+ reflector flashlights the same size.
It’s only 240lm, but since it uses a TIR it doesn’t lose lumens when zoomed in like regular lens zoomies do.
It also has a round spot with almost no artifacts, unlike aspheric zoomies with a square spot and rings.
TBH 240lm is enough for regular work. The fact that you can run it for 4h on max is also really impressive, since it’s only 240lm.
The P5r.2 @ $110.00 seems a bit of a high price.
Thank you all.
First, thank you for the welcoming words: this sounds like a great community to belong to!
Second, thank you for the good suggestions.
I had a quick look at the Fenix FD 30 and I may get one. ( I was hoping to find a 18650 model )
I am looking forward to learning more from you all as I am (probably) getting a few more cool flashlights (already have an Astrolux S1, two Olight AAA keychain lights and a couple no brand more)
Have you seen any other TIR zooming flashlights with no artifacts that can run for 4 hours on max with a beam distance of 240m and built in magnetic charging?
And in 14500 size at less than 100 grams?
I didn’t find any, so that’s why I paid so much for mine.
If you asked for a zoomie flashlight I assume you want something that can make a concentrated spot with no spill for long distance?
Because the FD30 doesn’t do that at all.
You can adjust the beam between a regular reflector flashlight, or widen it for huge flood.
This is pretty much the opposite of a typical “zoomie” which adjust between regular reflector flashlight sized spill or concentrated beam of only a few degrees divergence.
The FD30 is not a long range light at all, quite the opposite.
Hi Enderman,
thank you for the note.
I probably do not understand - so please be patient.
Are you suggesting that the P5r.2 has longer throw with 270 lumens vs. the FD30 with its 1000?
I am not sure if I understand how that works - is it because of the better focus?
You are absolutely right - I want something that has ok short range use (flood) and which has good concentrated spot.
I will read up more on the P5r.2 as I am probably missing something.
Thank you!
Hey mate no worries if you want a zoomie we can find you a zoomie or maybe have a stroll through the 18650 section here and check out some random reviews.
Yes that’s exactly what I mean.
The FD30 can go from regular (about 60 degrees of light) to super wide (76 degrees)
The p5r.2 and other zoomies go from regular (60 degrees) to super narrow, which is about 5-10 degrees.
The FD30 is great if you want super wide spill, while the P5r.2 and other regular zoomies are good for focused long range.
Since the P5r.2 can focus the light very well, that’s how it gets 240m throw with only 270lumens. The FD30 can only do 200m at 1000 lumens.
This also means than when using the flashlight for maximum distance, the P5r.2 gets 2x the runtime.
Well, in this case you will need to tell us what will you do with this light
270 lumen when on flooding zoom is quite useless(at least for me)
I dont know if you need spill when zooming, i’m not a zoomie fan because of no spill when zoom
Btw, led lenser is not much recommend here, due to its high price, cheap driver( i remember saw a tear down of led lenser, its driver is just only few resitor, and some driver has pwm flicking)
The spill is almost the same brightness as a 700lm+ reflector flashlight.
A reflector light puts most of the lumens into the hotspot.
The hotspot is an inconvenience when working up close because it’s much brighter than the spill.
The spill is an inconvenience when looking at far range because it lights up everything around you and affects your night vision.
The entire point of a zoomable light is to be able to choose between spill and focus, unlike a regular reflector flashlight which does both at the same time, and is not ideal for either.
You said reflector flashlight, but which flashlight
I know there are points in using zoomable flashlight, but, not as many as reflector onr
Btw: i dont believe when on flooding mode the spill of p5r.2 is as bright as 700+lumen relector flashlight, especially the one has OP reflector
Almost all reflector flashlights are the same.
Light comes out at about 60 degrees. The main difference is how concentrated the hotspot is, or what colour temperature it has.
Assuming same lumen output.
You are completely wrong.
Here is the P5r.2 vs the R40, both on max/turbo, fully charged batteries.
As you can see, the spill is almost exactly the same. 240lm vs 1000lm.
Both are ~60 degrees.
The difference is that the R40 has about 3/4 of it’s lumens concentrated in a hotspot, while the P5r.2 has no hotspot.
When working at close range, it is better to not have a super intense hotspot.
When working at long range it is better to not have spill.
These are facts.
that’s what i tried to say, a small reflector will give you more light at spill( led die’s size also affect it)
nitecore R40 is quite throw(SMO, xpl-hi), please do the same test with stock Convoy s2+, the spill is brighter( i bet)
let me correct, nitecore R40 is a Thrower(claimed 520m)
Yes, and throw is something OP wants too, not just spill.
What’s so hard to understand about being able to choose flood or throw is better than no choice?
It’s as if you’re trying to force your personal opinion on people because you prefer reflector flashlights more.
If you like having a bright spot in your face when trying to work up close, then sure, buy yourself a reflector flashlight.
Some people prefer completely uniform flood for up close works and pinpoint spot for long distance, and longer battery life.
Even with an S2+ and the most expensive 18650 you can buy will not get you 4 hours on max power.
And the P5r.2 uses a 14500!
So let me summarize:
-similar flood brightness to 500-1000 lumen reflector lights, with no hotspot in up close work
-more throw than all reflector flashlights of it’s size
-longer runtime on max than those 500-1000lm flashlights
-smaller size than any other flashlight with 240m throw
of course it depends on OP
but reflector one is not bad at both close range and far
some light is quite balance, ex:c8, astrolux s2, vv, many ppl use it for working and no complain
imagine when you need both throw and spill, for ex: you want to see a tree 100m away, if you zoom, you can only see a small part of the tree, not the whole tree
a few post ago, i asked what will op use this light for, and no reply, i’m clueless