Which very powerful torch/flashlight?

[Greenheart]

Not really a boating question although durability in conditions at sea won't make the choice of torch unsuitable for home use.

I want a really powerful one, mostly for illuminating pitch dark corners of near and far neighbouring gardens that are visited by intruders.

I like the look of the 1000+ lumen torches that use LEDs, but there are numerous negative reviews of short-lived components and flickering, and the very high boasted outputs are often refuted by buyers.

I thought of Maglite, but they seem to be quite widely distrusted by people who have had batteries leak inside the metal casing; and I'm supposing that I'll get a more powerful beam from a much wider lens, which isn't the Maglite style.

Is there a brand name to rely on? It needn't be waterproof, lightweight, rechargeable or very cheap, but it needs a long range and a very bright beam.

 

[pvb]

Fenix is a very respected brand of high quality, ultra-bright torches. But the price tags are eye-watering.

I have a couple of eBay cheapies which are pretty good - look for CREE torches running on 4 x 18650 cells. Ignore the lumen ratings, they're all lies!

Edit: This is the sort of thing I bought on eBay - 32000LM SKYRAY 12 x CREE XM-L T6 LED Torch 4 x 18650 Hunting Lamp Flashlight | eBay

 

[GHA]

Youtube will have lots of much more objective & in depth reviews than anyone here....
nitecore seem to be popular. & trunite.

 

[andyc352]

I bought a Draper Cree LED torch for the boat a while back and am very impressed. I don’t like relying on a rechargeable torch onboard but this takes AA batteries. I had a very expensive maglite type but it rolled all over the place when laid down and eventually corrosion killed it.

5W CREE LED Waterproof Torch (3 x AA Batteries) 51754 WPHT5 | Draper Tools

 

[ltcom]

What is budget. Led Lenser make good torches but not cheap. AA eneeloop batteries good too.

 

[wrr]

If you can settle for 700 lm, I have a few of these from Wickes: Wickes 10W Pro Torch Cree XM-L2 LED - 700lm | Wickes.co.uk They have survived on the boat without any problems.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Maglite have a lifetime warranty, so I've stuck with them for well over 30 years and have returned two without quibble.

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks, that's a good range of rapid answers to start me off.

I wonder if it's possible to enclose the batteries in heat-shrink, leaving only the end terminals exposed, so if they leak, they don't ruin the Maglite?

I notice a lot of LED torches work on AA batteries. That's great for a really handy compact torch, but I'm only looking for one that performs so it needn't be small or pocketable - just powerful.

I had a boxy, Chinese-made 'million candlepower' torch from a French supermarket years ago, and despite a seven-inch diameter lens, it was very disappointing. But presumably the right combination of high quality LEDs and meaty batteries, on the same scale by a reputable maker, will give a beam like an LED car headlight.

Regarding budget, I can't justify going over about £80 - particularly if the construction or components are under a short warranty period. I'd prefer an old-school torch on a big scale, with parts that won't go wrong, rather than something new, clever and temperamental...

...but I'm hoping that a big, old-fashioned torch exists, which incorporates robust LEDs that aren't overcooked by the specification in the pursuit of loony-lumen-numbers for sales purposes. I guess the 'approved' names you've mentioned aren't likely to supply short-lived LEDs or other parts.

 

[LiftyK]

Years ago, million candle power and more torches were in fashion and tried to outdo each other. This was pre LED. My experience was that the high brightness caused much light scatter in the area in front of the torch resulting in poor visibility in the distance.

These days I rely on LEDlenser, as already mentioned. Their U.K. support is excellent and warranty is five years standard and another two years if you register.

For the ultimate in weather resistance combined with brightness consider a scuba torch. They are eyewateringly expensive but may meet your needs.

 

[ltcom]

£50 Led lenser dogs whatsits like a headlight. I havent broken it. 4 eneloops. 1.5 volt Aa migjt be brighter......dont know. Works every time. Never gets hot. I cant find it or else i would give model. It will turn up.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Another vote for Maglite, but with the lens you can focus.

 

[earlybird]

Edit: This is the sort of thing I bought on eBay - 32000LM SKYRAY 12 x CREE XM-L T6 LED Torch 4 x 18650 Hunting Lamp Flashlight | eBay

I like that. In particular the "crenelated strike bezel for enhanced self-defence".
That should make short work of the OP's intruders, that is if he's not first arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.

 

[pvb]

I like that. In particular the "crenelated strike bezel for enhanced self-defence".
That should make short work of the OP's intruders, that is if he's not first arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.

Ha! I haven't used the strike bezel yet, but I could be tempted.

But it is a chunky, solid bit of kit which runs for a decent time using the 4 x 18650 cells. It also has a strobe setting which is good for scaring foxes out of the garden at night.

 

[MarkCX]

I have several Fenix torches. All of them excellent. Certainly far better than any of the Maglites I owned previously.

I also have a few Nebo torches. Cheaper than my Fenix ones, but still good quality.

 

[Tamar]

The batteries in my cree headtorch don't seem to last long, maybe a few hours in total. It takes 3 aa's. It's from wicks I believe.

 

[johnalison]

It used to be said that you should have at least one light powered by a boat's battery, since self-contained torches may let you down in an emergency. I dare say that LEDs have made this less critical but I will keep my old lamp. Our chief ship's torch is old technology, so I look forward to chasing up some of the recommendations here.

 

[ltcom]

Found it. Led lenser p7.
4 AAA
It is slightly more powerful and focus-able than my 2 cell led maglight that is also astoundingly bright for the smallest led i have ever seen.
Horses courses.
Maglight big heavy easy to find !!!!!!
Led lenser p7 small bright easy to mislay

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks Itcom, glad you found it.

I hadn't considered the torch's usefulness as a weapon. Actually, I wasn't planning on going further outdoors than inside the living room window (we're on the second floor, so we can see some distance from there), so perhaps, like Johnalison, I should find a spotlight that plugs into the main supply - although the convenience of not being wired up would find plenty more uses for the torches we've been discussing.

The Fenix site is persuasive. Not cheap, but I deserve it. I believe they are cheap compared with Lenser...I must look at those, too.

I don't quite understand the battery recommendations. Admittedly my memory of rechargeable batteries is from the 1980s when nothing much beat Duracells. Are NiMh cells longer-lasting? Does one shell out as much as the torch, on the cells and charger?

 

[DinghyMan]

Cheap and very powerful: Underwater 200M 20000LM 7x XM-L2 LED Scuba Diving Flashlight 3X18650/26650 Torch | eBay

If interested do some searching as they regularly appear at about half the price of the one above

 

[ltcom]

Thanks Itcom, glad you found it.

I hadn't considered the torch's usefulness as a weapon. Actually, I wasn't planning on going further outdoors than inside the living room window (we're on the second floor, so we can see some distance from there), so perhaps, like Johnalison, I should find a spotlight that plugs into the main supply - although the convenience of not being wired up would find plenty more uses for the torches we've been discussing.

The Fenix site is persuasive. Not cheap, but I deserve it. I believe they are cheap compared with Lenser...I must look at those, too.

I don't quite understand the battery recommendations. Admittedly my memory of rechargeable batteries is from the 1980s when nothing much beat Duracells. Are NiMh cells longer-lasting? Does one shell out as much as the torch, on the cells and charger?

I have no expetience with Fenix. Will look them up.
Never EVER buy duracell. They now have the medal for corrosion. Tesco long life abd other supermarket AA batteries all seem fine. Stick some slicone grease in if worried. BUT no such worries with rechargeables. Eneloop are NiMH BUT they dont discharge sitting in torch doing nowt. Only a bit more pricey than ordinary NiMH. Lithium ion 1865 or whatever batteries are different breed. U must buy reputable ones or danger of fire. Pros and cons....... I am a convert to NiMH especially eneloop as they are cheap, safe, charge anf forget and chargers are dirt cheap.