santas searchlight

[pvb]

Well I did buy a Fenix TK40 a while ago, about £75, and whilst it's a very good torch it's no brighter than many I've bought off eBay for a tenner or so, in fact some of the much cheaper ones are actually brighter. So for me it's quite a few Cree torches off eBay on the basis I'm still quids in if one goes kaput, which hasn't yet happened.

Interesting. Do you think the cheapo ones will last as long as the Fenix?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Interesting. Do you think the cheapo ones will last as long as the Fenix?

No idea, so far no failures so only time will tell. And the build quality of the cheapos seem to my untutored eye to be just about as good as the Fenix.

Again no idea about the quality of the LED itself on a technical basis, but for me it's the light they produce that's important. And there seems to be very little difference between cheapo and expensive.

 

[noelex]

I thought exactly the same as you but, being too mean to buy a Fenix, I ordered a cheapo eBay "Cree XM-L" torch. It came the other day and I have to say it is very bright. I wonder just how much better a real one might be? Is something like the Fenix TK35 at £90 really worth 10 times the cheapo ones?

These sort of cheap ebay torches are increadable value for money. They are cheap enough that even with a short life they are probably still good value.
My only concen is that a good torch is important bit of safety equipment ( although very few boats actually carry one). In say a MOB situation at night a good torch can play an important role.

£90 is pretty cheap for a boating bit of equipment and doubt many people if they saw what a good torch will do would consider it poor value.

On the other hand an ebay torch thrown into the dingy could still be a lifesaver and if not concerned about theft, because its cheap, you may be temped to leave there.