I am looking for opinions on the best “general” light to buy. I already have a smaller 1600LM zoom light for the car, but now I need a light that I can keep in the house or take with me for whatever. This may be camping, late night walk, working outside, searching, etc.
The ideal light would be a portable Hollywood searchlight in my hands that will change into a floodlight. The brighter, the better. You can never have too much power (just switch to low if needed). I am looking for more power - at least 2500LM (actual brightness) all the way up to 4000LM or beyond. Many cheapo lights are “exaggerated” by a factor of 10x - LOL
Ideally the light should be able to switch from a zoom to a spotlight. It needs to be multipurpose. I want to avoid having to have 2 lights.
Waterproof/resistant is nice, but not needed and not a requirement.
As I need to keep this budget on the lower end ($150 and less, no more). I am not looking for the most collectable/expensive make. Name brand, button placement, battery type, etc. is not important to me.
LED is definitely the preference
Multiple modes are not important - my only need is high and low settings. Anything else is nice, but is not a requirement.
I do like the Nitecore TM16GT3600LM and the TM06S but really want the ability for balance with the spot and large area.
Am I hunting a Unicorn here? Anything close? I can adjust my requirements if really needed. What are your recommendations? Thanks
The normal TM16 might do it for your requirements. It doesn't zoom, but has quite a bit of flood and quite reasonable throw at the same time.
2500lm is the tough part. Most zoomable lights are pretty low in output ~1000lm is pretty high for a zoomie. You could have someone mod one for you with an MTG2 emitter, but zoomies aren't ideal for that kind of heat with constant use.
In truth, yes. The high lumens numbers come from multiple emitters and the zoom lights do not come with multiple emitters.
Why don't you get that deal on the TM16GT (it is a deal) and then get yourself something like an X6 or that CPFi Zax or a UF-1504. Note, the X6 does not zoom but it does work well...or I almost forgot...get yourself one of those LS D80's to compliment the TM16GT
Just out of curiosity what is the name of the small zoomie you have that puts out 1600lm? I don’t know much about zoomies but the most powerful zoomie I’ve heard about was the ZeusRay which I don’t think even hit 1600lms. As aforementioned, zoomies are lower in output because you’re stuck with a single emitter, and an XM-L2 or XP-L emitter simply cannot hit 1600lms in a stock light. Additionally, if you accidentally turned on a 1600lm light in your car at night you’d blind yourself temporarily. 1600lms is bright!
I guess what I’m trying to say is, are you sure you know what 1600lms looks like? I apologize in advance if you are an experienced flashaholic and have a good idea how 1600lms look like but my guess is that your zoomie is putting out far, far less than 1600 lms and therefore your need for +2500lms may be based upon an inaccurate understanding of what high lumens numbers really look like. The $30 UniqueFire 1504 and its “only” 1200lm output may be sufficient for your needs.
If you really need a 4000 lumen zoom to throw light then you’re entering unicorn land. However, there are many talented members on the forum who could easily build you a zoomie with a XHP-70 that will honest to goodness hit over 4000 lumens. (Beam pattern might look funny though)
The TM16GT looks like a monster of a light and is probably awesome plus there is a groupbuy going on for the light I think. However, its not what I’d consider a “general” purpose light. I’d suggest experimenting with some cheaper lights first or get some more advice from more knowledgeable members than me before you buy a fantastic light which might be too big for your intended purpose.
I have the Ecogear FX Pro Series TK120X flashlight which is listed for 1600 lumens it uses a T6X2 LED. It may not actually have 1600 lumens, but I have no way to actually tell. It is pretty bright. As for it being too strong, no concerns there, part of my search is to have a “station wagon with the Hemi engine” - there is a substantial novelty factor in my request for a practical yet powerful flashlight. It will not be an everyday flashlight. Thus my only real real request being a high and low mode.
That being said, I can live with lower than optimal, I just want to see the best and brightest light I can get and still have real world usability part time. I am pretty experienced in the ways of the soldering iron 8) , so would have no fear in creating my own ultra powerful zoomie at some point with some direction. I will still need to research the details on what else would need to be changed on the power/regulator circuit to support a new LED.
The LD60 is an honest 2800 lumens with great low and medium, it has become my favorite all round flashlight, and it has the size and weight that is close to a traditional flashlight, and the modes are great for an all round flashlight.
“The LD60 is built to be used in harsh, real-world conditions. Its side-switch is over-sized to be easy to locate with bulky gloves, its body is constructed of rugged aircraft-grade aluminum, and its circuitry allows it to run when even two thirds of its batteries are compromised. That means this light can run off of one, two, or three 18650’s without issue (Or the equivalent, 2, 4, or 6 CR123A’s). ”
Hey Swiss Knight thanks for the info. Since its not an EDC you can go full out monster light!
I don’t know the particular model of light you have but my guess is that all the recommendations given will pleasantly surprise you in their output vs your old light.
I totally forgot but someone actually did put a XHP-70 in a UF-1405.
The beamshots in the thread will give you an idea of the performance you can expect. My guess is if you were to pair that build with high drain batteries that you would see significantly improved performance.
Also is looked like the aforementioned jax z1 comes stock with an XHP-50 as well.
Alternatively, looks like there is groupbuy going on using the Jax z1 which should turn out into a great light.
This looks like a good balance and is a great price. The group buy would be great if it used the XHP50, but since it is half the power, I will definitely consider the stock unit - that is the same price as my 1600 zoomie.
