I happen to stumbled across your nice forum and took the leap and became a member. I am new to high powered flash lights and would like to learn more about them and maybe even build a few of my own.
I got my first high powered flash light from eBay for around $20 or so with a battery and charger. Its nothing special and its probably a clone knock off but I like it all the same.
I’d like to share it with you all and maybe you can recommend your favorites or suggest some modifications.
Welcome to the BLF forums !
I have the same light, and still use it on my Mountain Bike. its taken a beating and still works too. these were tough little lights.
Welcome to the forum. We’re sorta a wierd bunch but friendly nonetheless. Just don’t post news & politics and you’ll be fine. I think we lost a few anti-gun flashlight addicts leave after seeing how some members are so pro-gun. Then there’s the ‘Gotta collect them all’ addicts but that’s about it.
Feel free to ask and there’s never a dumb question. Though, I’d like to add some people here hijack threads and go off tangents. With little disregard to the actual topic. Expect to like buy 50 flashlights before finding the few right ones, Even with all the non-biased reviews. As for me, even with research I found myself buying half a dozen or so unexpectedly.
Zoomies love dedomed emitters. If you can solder, you can do it. Just soak the emitter and base in gasoline until the dome falls off. There is a good thread on it around here. You may want to first buy a XM-L2 U2 1A on copper. Dedome it and then swap it into your light.
Here is a great database for LED's created by RaceR86. The tabs for the different types of emitters are listed across the bottom of the spreadsheet:
I have to admit I’ve been obsessively reading not stop about flashlights since 11pm til about 4am pacific time. I would have to say I’m hooked and look forward to making new friends in the flashlight world.
Let me tell you a little bit more about my preference so far in flashlights. I am a maintenance technician and I work on Rides, Arcade Games, big rooftop commercial A/C units and Restaurant equipment. I mostly spend my time working on Rides and Arcade games as my main duties. I work in cramp tight places and enjoy having a flashlight that is floody when working on games. I also do ride inspection maintenance and enjoy being able to zoom in with my current flashlight to check welds and blots.
I think I kinda know what I want but I am open to many ideas and open to modifications and DIY builds. I would like to have 2 or 3 lights for work one for inspections with a medium to tight focus. The 2nd light would have to have big flood for working inside games also that doesn’t roll if i set it down. The 3rd one that is a compromise on both of the things for all around work.
I like 3 modes low, med, high. I love 26650 batteries and plan on buying some king kong 26650’s. Bright cool white and lots of lumens are good. I like long battery life, my current setup only needs charging every 7-10 days of everyday use for work. For the 18650 lovers I’m leaning towards Convoy C8 Since you guys talk so highly about it.
I like this site because the name caught my eye “Budget” I all ways never pass up a good deal. I hope this introduction further explains my passion for lights and the hobby.
I would like to thank all of you again for the warm welcome.
I am very comfortable with soldering, i do board level repairs all the time at work. I’m a absolute noob when it comes to buying the components separately for these flashlights. Is there any way you can link me a preferred seller for that emitter?
I'm guessing your light can fit a 20mm emitter base. I could only find that particular emitter on 16mm copper bases right now here. They normally have 20mm copper bases, but are out of stock right. 16mm's may work depending if the contact pads for the wires clear that metal looking cover on your pill.
Welcome aboard, say goodbye to your free time and add some extra credit cards to your wallet. This gets addictive!
My favorite 26650 light at the moment is the HD2010. It’s a great modders light, get one and you’ll find out why! It’s got a fantastic big reflector in a smallish overall size, has great throw and you’ll probably have to mod it to get it to work, right out of the box. A great many of us have learned a thing or two on that one, and mine STILL isn’t perfected. It will, however, hit a building over 610 yds away with an XP-G2 at over 4A.
A buddy in maintenance brought one of those lights into work the other day and it is quite the little performer for an XM-L zoomie (they generally aren’t as impressive as their smaller and less powerful - but smaller die - XR-E cousins). I was impressed though.
As always, beware of budget light lumen claims, use the highest quality cells, and research before you buy and you just may keep some green in your wallet!
Here’s a key link for you, the best review testing on batteries and chargers available…by our own HKJ HKJ Testing He has a comparator that allows you to pick from a list of batteries in a given size, an exhaustive list, and compare how they hold up under load. Excellent source to decide which battery will work best for you, save’s you loads of time weeding out the good from the bad and the ugly.
Also the best testing on chargers. Highly recommend you bookmarking that site! I think most of us here rely heavily on it.
