LED torches

[Coaster]

When I last looked at rechargeable torches most had halogen lamps. LED models were in their infancy and I avoided them. It seems there's been quite a bit of development since then.

What rechargeable LED torches can the forum recommend?

 

[cliff]

When I last looked at rechargeable torches most had halogen lamps. LED models were in their infancy and I avoided them. It seems there's been quite a bit of development since then.

What rechargeable LED torches can the forum recommend?

Forget LED - they are so 2010 - look for CREE lamps.

 

[sailorman]

lenser T7 with AAA batteries

 

[Stork_III]

LED torches last so long on replaceable batteries, why bother with rechargables.

 

[Coaster]

LED torches last so long on replaceable batteries, why bother with rechargables.

Because I use them daily, for work.

 

[Coaster]

Forget LED - they are so 2010 - look for CREE lamps.

I see from the company website that CREE lamps are LED lamps.

For years I've bought Clulite torches and I see its better LED models have CREE lamps.

 

[Stork_III]

Because I use them daily, for work.

This one should do you then. http://www.amazon.co.uk/INOVA-rechargeable-LED-torch-lumens/dp/B0009TIC8Y

 

[sailorman]

This one should do you then. http://www.amazon.co.uk/INOVA-rechargeable-LED-torch-lumens/dp/B0009TIC8Y

One can buy an awful lot of Duracell AAA batteries from ebay for that price

 

[dmjburrows]

If looking for a good, high power torch, I'd check out some cycling forums. Mountain bikers are mad for the latest brightest LEDs to go riding off road in the evening. It appears clipping a torch to your handlebars is the cheapest way into that market. That one for £150 above is obsolete and expensive. £20 will get you something three times as bright these days. Try ebay or amazon for "900 lumen P7", "1200 lumen torch". You'll need some 18650 rechargeable batteries (single lithium-ion cells) and charger but again ebay/amazon is your friend. £25 all in, maybe £15 from dealextreme or a HK based seller.

 

[cliff]

I see from the company website that CREE lamps are LED lamps.

Yes, CREE are a form of LED but not as the majority of folk recognise or think of when LED torches are mentioned - CREE diodes are a very different animal from the little dome shaped LEDs

 

[pvb]

Lots of "Cree" torches on eBay, I doubt that they use genuine Cree LEDs, but they're not bad. For £15 or less you can get an impressive torch.

 

[nigelmercier]

I can recommend the CREE XRE Q4 LED based Cluson Clu-Briter http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00686N2VY/dolcetto-21

 

[William_H]

Here are a range of Cree LED flashlights from China.
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-L...gn=Slf-au-lf&gclid=CNqLx_b93bgCFcRDpgodeCYAXA
I have bought a few of the smallest (cheapest) (about 4squid) 300Lm using a 14500 or similar rechargeable lithium ion battery. It is very bright and focussable so I can actually use it for finding buoys and so tiny it fits in your pocket. It actually gets warm in use. There are much larger brighter cree for more money.
Mostly you would buy a charger and a few rechargeable lithium batteries rather than recharge the flashlight. Fortunately the lithium batteries when going flat do so reasonably gracefully so giving you plenty of warning by failing light. good luck olewill

 

[machone]

I just bought a Maglight LED from Halfords. It is excellent.

 

[z1ppy]

i bought one of these http://www.ledlenser.com/flashlight/full-size/x7r last year.

It took me a while to get over the price but as soon as it arrived, i knew it was money well spent. used it every day last winter to walk the dogs and was faultless, VERY bright and reassuringly robust for the odd occasion i dropped it!

I also bought a smaller P5 to help me to and from the pub of an evening!

 

[abraxus]

Lots of "Cree" torches on eBay, I doubt that they use genuine Cree LEDs, but they're not bad. For £15 or less you can get an impressive torch.

They're very good. I bought a selection of "Cree" led torches off ebay, mostly for less than a fiver. I have a couple of Lenser's too, which are great, but the cheap one are just as bright.

 

[Anders_P42]

Not the cheapest, but purpose designed for marine life...drop it and it floats.

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/lights-strobes/ocean-safety/exposure-marine-pro-3-sailing-torch.bhtml

Anders

 

[colind3782]

I have got several of the Rolson 9 LED mini torches from Tesco and similar copies from the garage forecourts. I have them scattered around the boat, there's always one to hand and they fit in the palm of the hand. Excellent value and very bright for a fiver or less.

 

[noelex]

There are so many choices it is difficult to advice without an approximate size, or application in mind.

If you want rechargeable one of the torches that uses a lithium battery is best. These are available with lots of choice in models where you remove the batteries the charge, or a more limited (and expensive selection ) of models that will charge without removing the batteries.

A good stating brand is Fenix

Lens Laser and Mag light are not as well regarded as some of the other brands.

 

[Tony Cross]

Further to this I've thought about getting an LED spotlamp type torch but their light output is rated in lumens and that means nothing to me. I did sort of understand candle-power, so what sort of lumens would I need to give the same sort of brightness as a million candle-power and are there any LED spotlight torches that are that bright?