I’ve got a specific use for a light, which is working under a vehicle and ideally needs to run for 2-4 hours if possible. Doesn’t need to be hugely bright, would guess 80 lumens or so would be enough, but no PWM.
Light needs to be very rugged as it might get dropped or bashed.
Was thinking flood to throw as I don’t want any light with a hot spot, something with even lighting ability is a must.
Currently using some sk68’s which are ideal but just don’t last long enough on an Eneloop.
What options are out there as longer run time alternatives?
Budget I’m not set on, but cheaper the better really.
Flood to throw and rugged durability are opposite ends of the spectrum. You gotta pick one. Zoomies are pretty delicate creatures.
If you really need the durability you can’t go wrong with a Solarforce L2P. Very tough and well built light. Just get a good module with a good low mode. Sadly it’s hard to find the good nanjg multi-mode driver on P60 modules but you can always just order the driver itself and learn to mod the module.
If you need it to be floody the Fenix HP-20 flip top diffuser works great and is easily installed or removed in case you just want a normal flashlight.
I’d recommend the Spark SX5 sold at goinggear for $60 for run times since it’s so versatile, but it’s a thrower mostly. Putting on a diffuser might work out for you.
In terms of perfect flood with no hotspot, I always think of zebralight. They’re extremely lite lights so they might not handle being thrown around nicely.
I suggest a WF501b 1.4A XML and dcfix diffuser film on both sides of the glass. Sufficiently sturdy; it will get scratches, but at that price they won’t hurt.
I use a q5 c8 in a head strap and I have a keygos m10 and ultrafire jm05 clone (both 26650 xm-l’s) cheap, robust small. I work day to day on refrigerated vehicles and I’ve never run out of light, if I think I’ve given them a heavy workout, I just charge that evening. Pwm is there but not too bad.
Cheers, I think a C8 is a bit bigger than I need, want though. Needs to be easy to hand hold in a single hand while doing stuff with the other. Fitting into smaller places would be an advantage too.
Honestly a 2AA sk68 or an 18650 version putting out the same light would be perfect.
The fact that you don't want PWM pretty much kills all viable budget options. Otherwise your question would have gotten a lot more hits.
For working in tight spots, I use SK68 too, the 3-mode low has acceptable PWM to me (I think it's over 1kHz, probably closer to 2kHz. At any rate, it's definitely much better than BLF Mini). With a 14500, the 100mA draw would last many hours. Probably you'd want to give this a try.
tuff one .. ..It sounds like a 18650 mule on med or a 18650 headlamp ... neither of which would be tough .and a cheap headlamp is going to have bad pwm and a funky tint probably too.
If the hotspot is too bright, you do have medium and low…… Or stipple the reflector/ fit diffuser film behind the lens.
Mine is a q5 driven at 1.7a, its so right, I’ve done nothing other than flame it, it cost less than a tenner off eBay, headstrap is about two quid from machine mart.
As I say I use it very regularly, infact I’ve been using it for the last hour to wire up some air con evaps as dusk rolled in (building has no lighting yet).
Edit :- you could always take out the reflector for a half mule while working, it takes seconds…
So why not a 2AA SK68? I use mine on 2AA all the time. I’ve also tried 3AA briefly just to see if it worked. It did, but I was too chicken to see if it burn up!
Now, this would actually work. A reflector-less C8 gives off a very good even beam, medium will give you 3-4hrs of good light with high PWM (not very noticeable). And at $7 a pop, you can afford a few dings here and there. You do need to glue the lense though (since reflector no longer there to press it).
If you don't want PWM at all, you can bypass the driver and run off with a single resistor for current control (single-mode).
Now that even makes me want to buy one cheap C8 and mod it.
