Opinions on my first powerful flashlight!

Hello

I’m new to flashlights an I’d like a good flooder for my walks in the nights with my dog. I’d like to buy a powerful torch and that’s why I’ve been reading this forum before posting anything. I have made the choice of buying the TR-J12. I can´t understand why the prices differ so much between stores. I recently read somewhere the one listed in lightmalls is even a fake. So how can I be sure?¿
For example, the difference between DX version and Manafont is almost 20$… I’d like someone who knos why would explain me why the difference and advice me where to buy…

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/tr-j12-cree-xm-l-t6-5-led-4500lm-5-mode-memory-white-light-flashlight-2-x-26650-3-x-18650-112817?item=2

vs

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-trj12-cree-xml-t6-5led-4500lumen-5mode-memory-flashlight-black-aluminum-alloy-finish-326650318650-p-8845

I also plan to buy a decent charger an 4x26650 batteries:

http://www.ebay.es/itm/SYSMAX-Ind-Intellicharge-i4-JETBeam-Nitecore-Li-ion-NiMH-Battery-Charger-Ver-2-/300682981145?\_trksid=p3286.m7&\_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D809219096010957259&\_qi=RTM839190

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/trustfire-protected-tf-26650-37v-5000mah-rechargeable-liion-battery-1pcset-p-9538

What’s your point of view on that?¿

Greetings and thanks in advance!

I think they are both the same light DX or MF. There was one (maybe two) retailers selling slightly altered versions of the TR-J18… but honestly I don’t recall seeing very many altered versions of the TR-J12. For whatever reason the J12 has been pretty consistently the same thing from one vendor to the next. Its pretty much a crap-shoot with these retailers because they do very little (if any) QC inspection. They rely very heavily on their suppliers to do the QC work.

The J12 started out at around $85 in late 2011. It has steadily dropped since then, to its current price of $50 (+/-). I guess its just supply / demand.

Overall a great setup you have packaged there. Just be careful with the J12 +B spring, it can melt with long ON cycles. I had to use copper braid to divert current from the spring, after my +B spring melted.

Good Luck and welcome to BLF!!

Welcome to BLF

You don’t need 4500 lumens, believe me 500 lumens in a pitch dark scene is sufficient, but then again who am i to discourage brightness!

When i was looking for car headlights, the sylvania website says the stock bulb is 900 lumens each, for some perspective.

You have made a good choice picking the j12. Actually that pretty much is a flooder and a thrower since its so pwerful.

Also to bort, the j12 has around 2200 OTF lumens. (out the front)

I just did the math and came up with 2400, so that makes sense, some driver losses

Thanks for your repplies! As you know it’s definitely the same version, I’ll go with DX on this one (basically because of the 20$ difference. I may wait a little longer though :face_with_monocle: ). I’ll order the charger and the 26650 separately from those ebay resellers. The complete package would be well above 100$, so I hope it will be worthy!!

Hang on. Are you only going to have one flashlight? Or do you plan on buyinf more? If you dont plan om buying then go for a HID flashlight that will run you about 135. The 85w ebay generic models will give you about 4700 OTF lymens. Very bright

Enjoy your stay here, oreiarias!

Welcome aboard oreiarias, great setup choice :slight_smile:

I’ve just placed the order of the 3 products… I hope everything will arrive in less than a month and in proper condition… The wait will be tough!! In fact it already is!! :~

welcome to BLF, seems like these are slightly altered versions of the TR-J18. find one on TD’s AU warehouse (http://www.tinydeal.com/4500lumens-5-modes-cree-xml-t6-tr-j12-5-led-flashlight-pxs20j—p-57882.html), I once get my package within 3 days.
Food for thoughts