In that case the Astrolux EA01 is a good answer IMO.
21700 or 26650 battery compatible, which will give you really good runtimes.
The SST-40 with the TIR optic will give you more than enough throw. But it won’t be. Pencil thin beam. You also don’t need to run high amps to get this performance. So it will offer long running stable output. Some other lights offer impressive stats, but only when on a turbo mode. Which might only last for 30 sec or maybe up to 5 mins.
I think there is a discount code you ask in the group buy thread for it.
I use my Sofirn C8A for walking my dog because I like the 2 press to strobe from any level for when some jerk is speeding and swerving on my side of the road. And believe me, it’s happened quite a few times over the 12 years that I’ve been walking my dog 2 miles every day. The C8 is so bright that I never shine it at the cars, only on the ground and that gets their attention every time. Sometimes I use my Olight S1 because of the quick access to strobe also.
Tried headlamp the other night after your suggestion awhile back. The thing that I noticed the most was that in order to see out in the distance, I couldn’t see the ground in front of me well and vice versa. A handheld at waist level covers both.
OP, I would recommend a regulated light like a Convoy M3 C. 2 hours+ of run time on high if needed.
Convoys S21a or S21b would fit the bill and not break the bank. The S21b with osram throws well for its size. Sofirn IF25A is good too, bright floody and lots of options with Anduril.
Oh, I’ve forgotten to mention, in case of skilhunt h04 you can run it as headlamp, handheld or attach to your pocket or bag pack using the clip. You will have to buy a battery, but I think it’s possible to keep the £50 budget.
SP36 might fit the bill because it comes with batteries and has USB charging. I’m digging the Convoy M3’s ability to do high lumens with barely any heat but the warm white options might be wasted on you and sourcing a 26650 could add cost and inconvenience.
Given the torches you’re stepping up from a Convoy S2+ would perform quite well. If you find you need more, then you could look into something different.
Good info, still leaves the field wide open. Sofirn If25a is very pocketable with a huge beam and integrated charging. They have a bunch of lights but another good one is the sc31pro. Same UI but a little slimmer and the 5000k sst40 is very nice.
My first question would be: just looking for a nice (wow)light or for a specific purpose.
Well, you mentioned walking the dog. Having dogs myself, that only widens the question.
What kind of dog. Loyal follower of you ankles, quite “assertive” to all living creatures,
or complete nutter, that only comes back when it is getting tired or cold.
Where do you walk. In a domestic area. With (pssssst) backalleys, or wide avenues, or nice parks.
Or in a rural area. With a wide choice of nice paths, or wading through knee deep growth.
What I would NOT recommend, unless you live in a region of 1 person per sq.mile, is a headlight.
You (and I) have a natural inclination to look around when walking. Imagine that light all over the place!
My suggestion would be, choose a 21700 light, that gives you the opportunity to make longer walks.
It also automatically means a light that sticks out of your hand (fist). Can come in handy, if needed.
Beats a pocket-rocket, that you hold between two fingers, any time.
I would start with a budget 21700 light, like a YooToo SD2. About $10 with coupon.
SST20 emitter and small reflector, meaning a bit on the throwy side and with a nice spill.
If you live in a rural area, I would go for a thrower straight away. Just to track/find your dog.
Remember: it’s the walk of the dog, it’s his/her time off. You keep an eye open for him/her.
At home you can relax, because he/she is standing guard.
Each to their own but i found the 21700 form factor a bit much for dog walking. Much prefer 18650. A lot of this is just personal preference though, i still think buying a few different options and trying them out to see what you like would be a good idea.
If you say two hours ... i’d go with a headlamp for sure because no way I’m carrying around a light for that long . I wear a headlamp with the strap fully loosened around my neck so it’s the owing light out in front of me always but not like people are saying .. jumping around every where i happen to look . Again two hours theres no way I’d want to be wearing a sweaty headband for hours and hours . Like any good flashaholic I’d suggest a second smaller lightin your pocket with an sst 20 nw ir an osram to give you some throw.
How far off distance do you need to spot your dog? (how many meters / yards?)
Is it on or off leash?
Constrained pathway or open area?
Heavily wooded/grassy areas or bare patch?
Members cant possibly make a good recommendation without this information… and even then theres going to be the variable of personal preference.
Depending on what its doing, even a moderate size, docile tempered doggie can very easily out distance some of the lights recommended thus far. When walking my cousins small dog it doesn’t go very far so its more about constant ON thermal stability, overall lumens/watt efficiency, long run times, color rendering. My use only needs to throw ~35 meters. Since dog walking is an active use scenario the low modes can not have PWM, and personally I don’t want disco strobes getting in the way. I use a thorfire TD26. Its an older submersible dive-light, so while no longer a good recommendation here in 2021, it still hits on all the key points since I dont require onboard charging. Turbo is ~1000 stable running emitter lumens from a 5000k cree XPL. It is 26650 size and has enough space to fit unprotected 21700. Not sure about protected 21700.
If you don’t plan on buying another light anytime soon, then I would recommend something more versatile, such as Armytek Elf C2.
You can use it handheld, clipped onto belt / backpack / headband (comes with), or magnetically attached to metal surfaces.
Comes with battery and built-in micro-usb charging so you don’t need to worry about buying separately.
Listed $65 on armytek site, so its with in your budget. Look out for special offers and discounts from Armytek (I have seen as low as $45), which are available multiple times a year. When you register with Armytek, fill in a birthday date in near future, they will give you a discount code that takes $15 off.
FWIW, I always have an SC 31 Pro or a C8 available for big light and off in the distance. However, my dog walking is in the city in a 100 year old neighborhood. I need to see the sidewalks and pick up the goodies… Don’t want to disturb the neighbors and don’t need a wall of light to do what I need while walking the dogs. Hands free is the way to go!
Summer if wearing a hat the Ti3 V2 clipped to the brim is perfect.
Winter I have a parka with a loop that my TH20 is clipped to.
SP40 also works very well if in the mood to wear a headlamp.
