Which LED Flashlight Do You Use? 147
An anonymous reader asks: "There are now a LOT of LED flashlights on the market. A quick Google turns up 59,000 hits. Some of these flashlights are pretty ballsy. The LightWave 4000 contains 10 LEDs and offers one month of continuous light output. The Photon MicroLight is bright as all getout and goes on your keychain. The EverLED will go in a MagLight or any other high quality existing flashlight. There is even an entire web forum devoted to modifying existing flashlights to use LEDs. What experiences have Slashdot readers had with LED flashlights, and what recommendations would you make to a choosey buyer?"
And more importantly... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:And more importantly... (Score:1)
Well, I put it down in a drawer, so I won't smack it off the table and turn off my lamp. The coolest thing ever happened. My drawer looked like a treasure chest with light pouring out a-la "Zelda 64" when you get a big chest.
Points of this story?
- The iPod makes for a good flashlight.
- Yes, It runs linux [sourceforge.net].
Re:And more importantly... (Score:1)
Well it "supports" Linux (at least in a way). It was one of the free Polaroid style (uses the same flat battery technology Polaroind uses to power their film packs) lights Sun was giving out a Linux conference they were sponsoring.
Re:And more importantly... (Score:2)
Thanks for the tip. I've added this to my sig.
Support OSDN (Score:5, Informative)
If you really wanted a cool flashlight you'd get one of these [thinkgeek.com] from thinkgeek [thinkgeek.com] and support OSDN!
Re:Support OSDN (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Support OSDN (Score:2)
Re:Support OSDN (Score:2, Funny)
Think of it as practice.
Re:Support OSDN (Score:3, Informative)
Linux FreeSWAN Photon Microlight, of course! (Score:2)
So Gilmore and his crew have been giving out lights [freeswan.org] for a couple
Princeton Tec Pulsar (Score:3, Informative)
More info [princetontec.com]
Sucky switches, plus my coattail pick... (Score:4, Informative)
While I'm here riding on the coattails of a +5 ... my pick is the Princeton Tec Aurora [princetontec.com] headband light. Three LED's, three brightness settings, useless blink settings, comfortable headband, and the lamp tilts away from the headband. The absolute best for doing work with line-of-sight light hands-free.
Hey! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey! (Score:3, Funny)
Turtlelite II (Score:4, Informative)
They're a little pricy at $28, but I think it's well worth it. Also, if you have a regular flashlight that you particularly like, they'll sell you a 2 LED "bulb' and a reflector so that you can convert your favorite flashlight...
Re:Turtlelite II (Score:1, Funny)
It has a tiny picture of a hand holding the flashlight, labeled "actual size". Do they mean that it's actually the ~1/2 inch size I see on my screen, or does it mean that they aren't using a stunt double super mega-large hand [geocities.com] to illustrate the size?
Re:Turtlelite II (Score:1)
Re:Turtlelite II (Score:2)
Won't stand toe-to-toe w/ an incandescent for cutting the dark, but it'll sure as hell outlast it.
Smells good, too.
Still on my original batteries, ~18 months in.
Trek 4 (Score:3, Informative)
For all your LED torch info ... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For all your LED torch info ... (Score:3, Informative)
Wow (Score:2)
The content might be just fine, it's just a little hard on the eyes. These pages should have a tag.
Re:For all your LED torch info ... (Score:2)
Specifically, you can find my LED flashlight reviews (newest first) here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com], here [dansdata.com] and here [dansdata.com] :-).
The EverLED ROCKS!! (Score:2, Informative)
I use two... (Score:4, Informative)
For backpacking, I use a Black Diamond Moonlight headlamp, with 4 LEDs. Runs on 4AAAs, supposed to go for 70 hours, and is as bright as the NewBeam.
I like both very much. Probably THE best place for information like this on the web is Candle Power Forums [candlepowerforums.com], and the LED Museum. At CPF you'll find all sorts of user experiences with most everything out there, and some home grown "pill" style ultra bright MagLight dropins. These are guys who collet $100+ flashlights! And LED Museum has a ton of technical information and reviews. [att.net]
Re:I use two... (Score:1)
Eternalight! (Score:3, Interesting)
I also have an Energizer [energizer.com] folding LED light. It's a great booklight and nightlight, but it's fragile and hard on batteries.
Re:Eternalight! (Score:2)
Your loss. My Eternalight gets used on an almost daily basis. In three months, the batteries haven't been noticably drained.
If you're afraid of the link, try Googling for an Eternalight.
Princeton Tec pulsar II (Score:5, Funny)
Pretty cool stuff...
Yup, the EverLED is the bomb (Score:2, Informative)
Various (Score:3, Informative)
For a head lamp I use the Princeton-TEK 3led light (stays in my networking bag for peering behind computers under desks) but if I were to buy today I would get the Zipka since it fits in a tiny space with not in use.
I've kept a white photon micro-light on my keyring for years but there are many acceptable alternative keychain lights now.
Re:Various (Score:2)
I had occasion to use it just last night when we lost power due to Denver's 1 meter (approx.) of snow.
I have a couple (Score:1)
Streamlight Pro Polymer 4AA LED (Score:5, Informative)
1. Lightweight.
2. Very bright, 7 LEDs. (Brighter than my big Mag-Lite.)
3. Soft diffuse glow over an area, good for reading.
4. Runs for 155 hours on 4 AA cells.
5. Waterproof to several meters.
6. Floats in water.
7. Rubber and polycarbonate construction, can easily survive a 2m drop onto solid concrete.
8. Push-button rubber-sealed switch on the end.
9. Available in black or safety yellow.
10. Fits in a coat pocket.
Got it for my significant other after she had a bad experience with a Mag Lite and a puddle in some dark woods.
Apparently Streamlight is the brand of choice for rescue workers.
Re:Streamlight Pro Polymer 4AA LED (Score:2)
Re:Streamlight Pro Polymer 4AA LED (Score:2)
Even if you're an armed guard, you want something for close-in self-defense. A knife can beat a gun if the attacker is within 25 feet or so.
Photon MicroLight (Score:1)
You can find the advantages and disadvantages of all the different coloured LEDs here [photonlight.com].
Re:Photon MicroLight (Score:2)
Re:Photon MicroLight (Score:2, Informative)
After getting them, a handful of friends of mine decided to purchase some, and I don't think any one of us has been at all disappointed. I now keep two in my pocket with me, as well as keeping one in my car, and a couple with my camping gear.
I would highly recommend these to anyone looking fo
I use a Photon on my keychain. (Score:2)
However, if I were to buy a full sized one, I'd go for either: 1) A multi-LED drop-in for my 3 D-cell Mag Lites (any good ones out there?); 2) The Inova [karstsports.com] tactical light (drool!); or 3) the Lightwave linked to in the original post.
Re:I use a Photon on my keychain. (Score:4, Informative)
Driver-based vs. Resistor (Score:4, Informative)
They are pretty hard to find, but if you want the ultimate battery life, look for an LED flashlight with a driver. We're talking about... like 4-10 times the battery life of a resistor run (no-driver) LED here. The EverLED [everled.com] is one such product, but the driver is somehow contained inside the bulb, so it can be used to replace normal incandescent bulbs (it's the same form factor as the normal drop in flashlight bulbs). Pretty cool.
EverLED Flashlight Bulb (Score:1)
I have not bought one for a simple reason. (Score:2)
So, I won't be buying one.
Extended question... (Score:5, Interesting)
My specific use is that I hike the lava fields at night here in hawaii... On moonless or cloudy nights it can be pretty dangerous because of the huge cracks (some of them 30 ft or deeper) and very very uneven ground (you regularly go up and down 15 ft as you clambor over tumulous (lava tubes)).
We use super bright flashlights so we can see distances as well as illuminate the area to find the best paths around obstacles. Since we're 20 miles from any services and any lights (hawaii is VERY dark at night) we often bring 3 or 4 flashlights and plenty of batteries.
We prefer to use flashlights that have a fairly wide field so that it illuminates as much as possible in front of us (and a bit to the sides) without blinding others in the party.
Any recommendations specific to these needs would be GREATLY appreciated since I feel that LED, if bright enough, would be great as it would be lighter and have infinatly better shelf life and battery life.
Anything that is lighter than my 2 million candle power 6 volt rechargable would be a blessing ;))
(btw, before you say it, yes, we do use nightvision too but that is very dangerous to wear and walk at the same time, plus it doesn't do that great a job of showing the cracks in the ground which are often in shadow... though it DOES do great for finding where the flowing lava is ahead of you - the NightOwl M is batteryless and uses squeeze pizeo for power - very neat).
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Underwater Kinetics (UK) makes a Light Cannon [uwkinetics.com] that uses 8 C batteries, lasts about 3-4 hours burn time, and puts out 450 lumens. (Did I mention it's bright?) Uses a HID (high intensity discharge, basically a 15,000V voltage arc) bulb that lasts about 1000 hours. Fixed-focus reflector, but it comes with a wide-angle lens filter to spread
Dive Lites (Score:2)
My recommendation for the type of hiking they are doing is multiple sources of light so you get shadows... a petzel and a torch.
Re:Dive Lites (Score:2)
Yes, that's one reason I like the HID bulbs instead of the "standard" cave-diver 50W halogen bulbs. The HID bulbs dissipate a lot less heat, and, from a heat perspective, have no problem being used out of the water.
That said, the HIDs do put out a lot of UV light, and it is recommended that you not look directly at the bulb for long periods of time when it is out of the water. Und
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Still, I definitely like the Super-6.
Re:Extended question... (Score:2, Informative)
The halogen beam is zoomable, so you can fit it to your needs. The 5 LEDs are reasonable for watching where you are going, but not for seeing far in front of you. Having the battery pack on your belt/pocket makes it very light on your head, and it's built
Re:Extended question... (Score:2)
Re:WTF? (Score:2)
Led Supply's 'EverLED' is pretty sweet. (Score:2, Interesting)
Lightwave 4000 (Score:2)
sPh
Cool LED flashlight mod... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Cool LED flashlight mod... (Score:3, Informative)
What about bikers? (Score:2)
Re:What about bikers? (Score:2)
LEDs CAN be far more efficient and produce light for a much longer time than halogens. The problem is that they need driver circuitry, specifically they need a constant current supply. This isn't that big a deal, the circuits are cheap and simple. The problem is that the cheapo lights usually don't use them. The higher end lights, like the EverLED bulb, usually do.
Again it depends. The newer biking halogens are pretty darn bright. You would have to put several LEDs together to get the sa
Quite happy with this (Score:1)
LightWave 2100 - BAD (Score:3, Informative)
Here are some of the things that bug me about it:
* Light is blue, not white. I was expecting a crisp white light, not a dull blue one.
* No reflector. The LED's are nested in a black plastic dish.
* No lense. Not only can you not focus the beam, but the LED's themselves have no protection.
Ultimately I didn't do my homework when I bought this thing. I hope there are some better ones out there that address some of the shortcomings that I mentioned.
No reflector necessary (Score:1)
A few recommendations (Score:3, Informative)
Note that they use lithium batteries which have an long shelf life - so they are good to leave in the car. The downside is significantly more expensive replacement costs.
I also have a turtlelite II. Also well made, but a different style. Plastic, light, and quite durable. Not as bright, but it uses AA batteries.
Another flashlight was the LED-LENSER V2 Triplex. It is bright, small, and durable. But outclassed by the Inova x5 and turtlelite II.
I also tried some of the adapters for maglights. I was not impressed - the output was significantly lower than the original incandescent bulb.
What I am looking for... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:What I am looking for... (Score:2)
Re:What I am looking for... (Score:2)
Re:What I am looking for... (Score:1)
Shameless EverLED promotion (Score:3, Informative)
Most LED flashlights currently on the market suffer from one or more of these shortcomings
The EverLED addresses all of these issues.
So for the reasons above, plus the fact that the EverLED works with any size flashlight from 1 to 6 cells, pretty much makes it the best LED flashlight solution going. Nobody will touch you with a 6 cell LED Maglight. That's just my $.02
Re:Shameless EverLED promotion (Score:1)
Proud of it are we? Try $9.95 and you might sell a few...
Re:Shameless EverLED promotion (Score:1)
Re:Shameless EverLED promotion (Score:1)
Re:Shameless EverLED promotion (Score:1)
Inova X5 Tactical Floodlight (Score:2)
Check it out here [sharperimage.com].
American Science and Surpuls... (Score:2)
Arc Flashlights (Score:1)
www.arcflashlight.com
The ARC AAA uses one AAA (surprize) and it will be BRIGHT for many hours (it's semiregulated). You can read or hike or do anything at night with one VERY small light (smaller than Mag$ Solitare). Just visit the web site and you'll see what I mean. The small light is of course waterproof; and the head is totally sealed; you can take the light apart under water without any problems. This small light has been freezed inside an ice cube, boiled
the best flashlight: a headlamp (Score:1)
i use a BLACK DIAMOND headlamp. it is light, nicely balanced (batteries in back) and works for a long time (about 70h with 3 aaa cells)!
My LED Flashlight (Score:3, Informative)
My second LED light is an Arc LS LED flashlight. It features a white Luxeon Star 1 watt LED, a DC-DC current regulator, and runs on a lithium 123 cell. It has a hard anodized finish that is extremely durable. It is only 2 3/8" long and is just under an inch in diameter. It has a very bright bluish-white light. It is very easy to carry in your pocket and I find myself using it daily. I bought it as a factory second directly from Arc. I highly recommend this flashlight. Arc sells their flashlights through distributors and from their own webpage at http://store.yahoo.com/flashlight/ [yahoo.com].
My last LED light is an Electro Lumens Blaster II. It also features a white Luxeon Star 1 watt LED, but has a large aluminum body that holds three 1.5 volt D cells. This light is very bright and will run at nearly full brightness for about 24 hours, and at reduced brightness for another 48 hours. It is a very cool flashlight. You can find them for sale at http://www.elektrolumens.com/4_SALE/For_Sale.html [elektrolumens.com]
Why still specialty items?/Fake "LED flashlights" (Score:2)
The other day I was in the supermarket and saw a big display of flashlights from some familiar mass-market name... I'm afraid I forget which one... that said "LED!" on the package in big letters.
It was a traditional flashlight with a regular incandescent bulb--and a flashing red LED on it, allegedly so you could find it easily in the dark. Why? WHY?
Re:Why still specialty items?/Fake "LED flashlight (Score:2)
Re:Why still specialty items?/Fake "LED flashlight (Score:2)
My favorite is the Princeton Tec Attitude Light (Score:1)
Because we sell LED flashlights I'm pretty familiar with what is popular among our customers. The time-tested favorite seems to be the Streamlight Stylus [zbattery.com] penlight.
A great resource for reading about the differences between a lot of LED's is Brock's LED Page. [uwgb.edu]
Bryan Noonan
Zbattery.com [zbattery.com]
800-624-8681
Depends on what size and brightness you want.. (Score:2)
Blue Vs. White LEDs (Score:1)
Re:Blue Vs. White LEDs (Score:1)
Quick experiment: Drive down the street and find a blue lighted sign and a red lighted sign. Best if they are both letters. The blue will appear fuzzier and will probably be hard to focus on. The red is going to be pretty good.
All those crazy kids putting blue lights in their cars are morons. Driving lights should be white, fog lamps should be yellow-ish. None of that
Photon Mini (Score:2, Interesting)
These are the only LED flashlights that I've used.
However, when you want a real flashlight, pony up and buy a SureFire [surefire.com] rechargable. You will not be disappointed.
Arc flashlights (Score:3, Interesting)
Only cons are that they're overpriced, and well, the case could've been titanium rather than aluminum. But still there is no competition, yet.
See also the high-brightness Luxeon Star model [yahoo.com]; but those are beyond what most can afford, and then you have to pay extra to get the AA battery chamber.
The next thing I want to see is a retrofit for my 3-D-cell Maglights, which I still use when a penlight isn't enough.
Princeton Tec Impact (Score:2)
Good place to buy LED flashlights: Botach Tactical [botachtactical.com]
I made my own - but for special needs... (Score:2)
I went to Radio Shack, bought a pack of "Jumbo Red" LEDs, along with some resistors, went to the dollar store and bought a couple AA flashlights, threw out the bulbs and replaced them with the LEDs.
Why? Because you don't want a bright white light at a telescope at night, but red LEDs are perfect - they illuminate the scene without ruining your night vision.
LUXEON!!! (Score:2)
ARGH. (Score:2)
The Arc AAA is an excellent light for those looking for something smaller (and less bright) than the Luxeon.
Re:LUXEON!!! (Score:2)
The trouble with the 5 watt luxeons is that they make so much heat, it's difficult to dissipate it fast enough inside of a flashlight. Something like a maglight with a lot of metal is okay, but put it in a plastic housing and run it at full tilt and it will probably melt.
The EverLED uses a Luxeon...no need to "build" one (Score:1)
Re:How about 110v Light Bulb Replacements? (Score:3, Informative)