To start with I’ve tried searching a few times and never really get a result I’m looking for, so I figured I’d sign up and ask away.
Now my father is in need of a new torch for work, and in particular he needs something with a pencil beam, or a very tight spot.
I was thinking maybe an aspheric lens could be the solution but seems a little difficult to find them.
Currently he’s using one of my SolarForce lights with an XPL V5 and while usable, it’s not ideal for him.
I have a smooth reflector on the way from DX to see how much of a difference it will make but I’m not expecting a lot.
So, are there any suggestions for alternatives?
Preferably ones not so expensive if possible.
EDIT: Forgot to mention also, it would be more preferable if it has a smaller size head, it’s unpractical for him to carry a light with a massive head.
He has had a Led Lenser P6, which had a great focusing setup on it, but he disliked using 4x AAA batteries and they proved to be unreliable after a while.
Not as unreliable as an ebay 18650 zoom light though.
He has been using my SolarForce for about a year now I think with no issues.
Welcome to BLF!
My Jacobs A60 has a pencilbeam, bought it from a BLFer.
But I find myself using zoomies when I want to look further and want a pencil beam to avoid lighting things closer by. Being able to flood is always nice and handy as bonus with a zoomie.
JAX Z1… I just built one with a dedomed XPG2 in it and WOW… not much bigger than a C8, but it’ll throw for days. It’s a 26650, but if you compare the dimensions, it screws in to be very short.
I’d like to know a bit more about the use of the light… What range to he intend to use this light at?
I have a modded HS-802, which is an older light, but has a great pencil beam for a reflector-based light. Even with the outdated XR-E, it’s a fantastic light.
That Jax Z1 looks like the same host as the BLF CPF Italia Cometa. Would be interesting to compare beamshots with the XPG2 and the Cometa with the HP-L HI
I would estimate around 250kcd DD XPG2 vs the spec’d 200kcd XPL-HI (assuming all else is the same except the LED). Both would have substantially smaller hotspots than the stock 55kcd XML2.
Have you considered a compact size thrower, something like a XP-L HI C8? It should throw about 4-5 times your P60 solar force with XP-L, without adding much bulk or weight. I don’t know what range you’re after but a fully built C8 can do 100kcd+, enough for most purposes.
The Cometa will indeed have a pencil beam but it will be much heavier and less pocket friendly.
He is a machine operator at a paper mill, and needs to do routine rounds checking the machine, range can be 15-30 meters (50-100’) give or take a little.
Budget, kind of depends on the light itself but around AU$50 would be ideal, AU$100 if required, not after the best of the best, just something that will do the job.
Needs to be 18650, already have a quite a few cells.
I’ll write back later, just looking into the ones already recommended.
Hi and welcome moola. Sounds like your an Aussie guy. If you would like something built up send me a pm. Run time would be helpful in recommending a light also.
Run time wise, he gets around 2x 12 hour shifts out of a single cell, which I think are 2200mah (pulled apart laptop and power tool batteries), with the Solarforce XPL V5 4 mode on either high or max.
Most of what we have are 2200mah, some 1600 and 2600 among them also I think, although I got myself a couple of Panasonic NCR18650B when I first got these lights.
Not sure if the Panasonics are legit though, they’re made in China.
So to answer the runtime question, something capable of doing the same would be great, I’m not 100% sure on exactly how long, time wise, it’s in use, I’d assume around 2+ hours.
My understanding though is something with a more concentrated light wouldn’t need to be as powerful?
Forgot to add, no strobe or other flashing modes are needed.
The Convoy C8 or maybe X6 with XPL HI if something slightly smaller than the C8 is desired. A 3 mode driver with mode memory would give him the run time required. The Brynite B158 would also work if a no spill was wanted. Hot spot size would depend on what led was installed.