I am looking for some suggestions for a torch. I volunteer for HM Coastguard in the UK and a lot of what we do is looking for missing persons, usually in the dark, along cliff tops, beaches and open fields. The torches we currently have are brightstar lighthawks. To be totally honest, they aren’t the best for searching. They have a very tight hot spot and are only 225 lumens.
I have been looking at the forums for a few weeks but I was hoping to get some suggestions of possible alternative lights for myself to use in these situations.
I think the spec I would be looking for is:
Bright…(probably fairly obvious).
I think more floody than throwy up to maybe 100m ish range. We have a couple of the 1million candle power lights that plug into the car cigarette socket and the flood on these is much more useful for searching than the tight beam on the lighthawks.
Runtime of 3-4 hours. I would carry aa second set of batteries for longer use.
Not really fussed about battery types.
I don’t specifically have a budget in mind but as I would be buying this out of my own pocket, I would prefer as cheaper as possible.
I would be happy with off the shelf or a modded light.
I have a number of 2D maglites which could be used for a host possibly. I was considering a 2D maglites with led and aspheric lens for throw to light up any questionable objects on a beach from the top of the cliff. I would then have a second light for general searching with more flood.
I have been looking at convoy s type mods but not sure what the run time on these would be like with a single cell.
Hello and welcome aboard! I’m not sure about running 3-4 hours on high is possible on a portable handheld light but what are your needed lumens? I have an Acebeam K40M and it has awesome tint and throw!, I have a Maxtoch M24 Sniper on the way. But if you still want to utilise that Maglite, try this! vestureofblood’s online store(a member here)
I think you definitely need to look at multi cell lights. (serial or parallel)
It improves runtime and makes for a bigger light that’s easier to handle.
If your on a budget, I think the best bet would be to go for a Convoy L4, 4 quality 18650s and a charger. Should set you back around $60US.
Other flashlights worth having a look at would be the Yezl Y3, with the extension tubes it should run for 3-4 hours on high. Also the Courui D01 stock should get close to 3 hours. Both the beams are tight, but you will find the flood to be much better then your 225lm flashlight.
I like a Warm White headlamp for navigating up to about 30m and a handheld for spot lighting. Welcome to BLF!
I think you would want something more than an S-series light, especially if you are wanting to illuminate up to 100m. A single-cell 18650 light would not give you the runtime you are looking for unless you are running it at a low level.
I had to look up your Lighthawk, and that looks like an interesting light. Based on the stated 225 lumens, I assume it’s using an XR-E/XP-E style emitter. With the large reflector and small-die emitter, that would be an impressive thrower! 8)
* _ May be cheaper under this GB (link), if still active.
_ May be cheaper by requesting discount codes from affiliates such as M4D M4X, Tatasal, etc.
The beam patterns for all four of the flashlights listed above are roughly similar. They all throw between 650M and 700M. They all have relatively bright, usable side-spill.
Couple of beamshots, to give you some idea of what 4000-5000 lumens output looks like:
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Trees in the target area are approximately 100 yards away.
If these flashlights are beyond your budget, I would suggest that you contact the manufacturers directly and offer to do a review of their product, in exchange for a discounted price. Because you perform Search and Rescue missions, this offers the manufacturers a rather unique opportunity for field testing their product.
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