Hey everyone, I’m new around here. I started off looking for reviews and information on some budget lights, but honestly I’m a bit overwhelmed by it all. I started with some recommendations, but those threads seem to get very specific and lean toward modding. I’m not against any diy stuff but I’m just not grasping it.
I’m a light user (if you’ll pardon the pun), but I do need a decent light or few. I have a drawer-full of free Harbor Freight flashlights which are just fine for a lot of around-the-house things. I have a couple more decent lights but they aren’t all that much better. I’m looking for some recommendations, but I don’t think this is the right part of the forum for that. At least, maybe, someone can direct me to the right area to ask my questions?
I’m looking for a budget light (which is obviously what brought me here). My budget is under $30. Honestly, I’d like to get 2 for about that. I’m good with 18650s because I’ve got a few (plus charger) from my e-cig modding anyhow. I also don’t mind things like 3XAA or 3XAAA. I want something small enough to holster on my belt (which is quickly starting to look like Batman’s).
Now some things I don’t understand. What are the main differences between a “zoomy,” “thrower,” and “flood?” How does the “you-build-it” stuff work — you buy the body, the “pill” and…what? How do you know what’s compatible? What are lumens? Why do all the retail sites list something crazy high but measure much lower? How do they relate to things like usable distance or other factors?
Anyhow, though I don’t understand a lot of what’s being thrown around, I do like the general helpful attitude shared here. I think I’ll start to fit in quite nicely here once I get a better grasp.
A thrower is a torch that is designed to throw less light further away (so more of a thinner beam)
A popular thrower is the TN31.
A flooder is a torch that lights the foreground very effectively, but doesn’t get anywhere near the distance as a thrower.
A popular flooder is the Sky Ray King (SRK)
A zoomie is a torch with an adjustable head that slides forward and aft changing the beam pattern from flood to throw. Here is a good example of a zoomie.
GENERALLY, the higher the lumen count, the brighter the light.
I guess I assumed as much, but I’m wondering - is there some kind of middle ground? And can a zoomie be effective as both a thrower and flooder (or at least one or the other)? I think I’m leaning toward a zoomie for the utilitarian nature of it.
Part of my recent dive into this whole thing (besides long wanting some decent lights) is an accident I witnessed last night. I felt completely useless with my tiny keychain light that could barely make out anything past a few feet. It was useful enough in locating a person thrown from one of the vehicles, but there was a lot going on and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t even have at least a Harbor Freight freebie on me. So I really want something I can carry and will be useful for situations like that or others where I need a lot of light NOW.
One more question - is basically everything decent LED now, or are there still some good old-fashioned incandescents worth having as well?
ETA: OK, one more question. There doesn’t seem to be one place that’s generally recommended for purchases. How do you guys know where to get what (like, what’s legit and what’s not)? Is there some list (maybe even unofficial) of generally-approved sellers?
ETA: That example you gave is a good example of what I was asking about too. Their claims sound better than most of the things I’ve read about on here (aside from the $150 stuff), but I know that can’t all be right. How do you know what’s what before you buy? Like, is that actually a good light?
There are quite a few reputable seller, that even if you buy one that is DOA, you know that you`re been looked after.
I`m not sure about US seller, because I`ve never bought anything from them (high shipping cost),
but there are quite a few Chinese seller that are recommended over here.
There is a list of different sellers here on BLF, and you can see what people think about them.
Some Chinese seller like: Intl.Outdoorshop, hkequipment, fasttech, solarforce.sales, etc are recommended.
So far, with my vaping habit, I’ve managed to spend very little money and have some great equipment. I’ll try the same approach here. Basically, I read a lot, get a lot of great information, then take to putting things together myself. That is, once I understand what I’m doing.
As an aside, speaking of the modding, can someone give me an example of the diy building? Like, what body, drop-in unit, and whatever else I need go together? Just a sample build if possible — not necessarily the best thing in the world, just an example of how that works.
A 18650 or AA zoomie might be exactly what you’re after.
Basically everything is now LED or HID, both have advantages and disadvantages over each other.
You can find some excellent reviews of torch sellers here
if you’re under the budget and want some good light , reliable and yet portable…
i can recommend a few favorites one…
this one is one of my first light Ultrafire WF 502B a nice solid feel and decent amount of light for the money.
they also come in colors too now
somewhat decent thrower for the budget Ultrafire C8
my favorite Zoomie SS100 zoomie i like this so much i bought few of them as gifts…
it’s very versatile in usefulness and able to use AAA batteries is a plus