Which very powerful torch/flashlight?

[Rappey]

I had a torch fetish.. Led lenser was by far the best in terms of lasting.. i believe its also used by police and military ?
the charger just magnetically sticks to the end via usb with red and green light.
I would avoid any that use button cells as the cost of replacement is high..
Very cheap chinese ones are quite good whilst they work.

 

[Catalina36]

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.

If you want power not compactness, this is the best one I've found. Runs off a 6 volt battery which last for months and has a tightly focussed long range beam far superior to my £100 12v boat's spotlight.

Spotlight,270 Lumens,ProSeries,SpotLight,A51401,

 

[Greenheart]

So many helpful suggestions, thanks to all. Thanks for the battery advice, Itcom.

Actually I've made a purchase already, which is almost entirely at odds with my original stipulations three hours ago, but like Rappey, I could easily develop a torch fetish with so many recommendations here. Catalina's old-style spotlight is what I had in mind when I started the thread. But I've cheaped-out and gone with wrr's suggestion of the Wickes Cree torch. Looks like a nice combination of hardy, powerful and pretty cheap.

Thanks DinghyMan, that Underwater torch Ebay page is the kind that reminds me of many unacceptably old-fashioned Far-East stereotypes! I bought a solar panel last year whose instructions included a line like 'you can inherit the wind'...it wasn't trying to be clever or cultured, it was just a terrible failure of translation. I'm a little wary of such products when they have no reviews, too.

 

[DinghyMan]

So many helpful suggestions, thanks to all. Thanks for the battery advice, Itcom.

Actually I've made a purchase already, which is almost entirely at odds with my original stipulations three hours ago, but like Rappey, I could easily develop a torch fetish with so many recommendations here. Catalina's old-style spotlight is what I had in mind when I started the thread. But I've cheaped-out and gone with wrr's suggestion of the Wickes Cree torch. Looks like a nice combination of hardy, powerful and pretty cheap.

Thanks DinghyMan, that Underwater torch Ebay page is the kind that reminds me of many unacceptably old-fashioned Far-East stereotypes! I bought a solar panel last year whose instructions included a line like 'you can inherit the wind'...it wasn't trying to be clever or cultured, it was just a terrible failure of translation. I'm a little wary of such products when they have no reviews, too.

Yep, I buy similar to the above ones for bits but quality control and support is non-existent; one will be OK, next one one faulty and then ages sorting out that they will not replace, refund, pay for return postage, etc., depite what eBay say they should do

 

[Greenheart]

I just took another look at that ad, and at another at the foot of the page...some of the boasts are preposterous but very funny...

...yes, this is 99 million lumen, in the palm of your hand for £9.89. Happy days!

 

[DinghyMan]

You can get 240,00 lumen lights: XL Systems - Underwater Video Lighting Products - Portable underwater lighting | Orcalight - real ones made in UK

Chinese lumens seem to be a tad less powerful than real ones... same as their battery capacity, safety claims, location of the products; "UK Seller" seems to mean "will sell to UK", etc. but people buy on price not value

 

[TernVI]

I've got a couple of those focus-able 1AA ebay LED torches.
Very good for their size and I've always got AAs, seem to run out of AAAs more often than not.
I have a 4AA halogen dive torch from about 15 years ago, which lives in my oilie pocket. Effective, reliable, the main trick is to use it often enough that you flatten the batteries before they leak.
Brightness is relative, upping the power often achieves nothing.

 

[Catalina36]

So many helpful suggestions, thanks to all. Thanks for the battery advice, Itcom.

Actually I've made a purchase already, which is almost entirely at odds with my original stipulations three hours ago, but like Rappey, I could easily develop a torch fetish with so many recommendations here. Catalina's old-style spotlight is what I had in mind when I started the thread. But I've cheaped-out and gone with wrr's suggestion of the Wickes Cree torch. Looks like a nice combination of hardy, powerful and pretty cheap.

Thanks DinghyMan, that Underwater torch Ebay page is the kind that reminds me of many unacceptably old-fashioned Far-East stereotypes! I bought a solar panel last year whose instructions included a line like 'you can inherit the wind'...it wasn't trying to be clever or cultured, it was just a terrible failure of translation. I'm a little wary of such products when they have no reviews, too.

Glad you found what you wanted. It was useful from my point of view because it reminded me that I'd intended to order another AP Pro but hadn't got round to it - so I did!

 

[pvb]

But I've cheaped-out and gone with wrr's suggestion of the Wickes Cree torch. Looks like a nice combination of hardy, powerful and pretty cheap.

But it can't use rechargeable batteries which, for me, is a big disadvantage.

 

[Greenheart]

It says it can't use rechargeables, although one review by a buyer says he's used nothing but rechargeables, without a problem.

It's no problem to me anyway - I've scarcely caught on to rechargeable batteries for applications like torches yet, unless they're the permanent-fitted, USB-cable charged type like my bike lights.

 

[sarabande]

What shame no-one has mentioned Clulite. British Co.

A wide range of torches which are farmer proof and farmer prices.

Try this

CLUB-ST Clu-briter Storm Rechargeable - Clulite | Cluson Engineering Ltd.

 

[DoubleEnder]

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.

I have a Fenix , runs on CR 123 batteries and it’s superb. Had it 3 or 4 years. Super bright but quite £££

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

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.

That's almost exactly what I would have written, although I'd never abbreviate 'you' like that... I'd also caution that because rechargeables are a nominal 1.2v, only a torch designed specifically for them will get all of the Amps out of them and you'll be changing them more frequently. If I ruled the world I'd ban dry cells and legislate that all devices must be happy with rechargeables.

 

[lynallbel]

Maglite are pretty poor compared to modern led torches, maglites with led bulbs are still pretty poor compared to modern led torches.

All cheap led torches should be considered toys.

Led Lenser on the other hand are bloody good.
Smallest useful size for long range work is the P/M7R, all the bigger models are of course even better, but very expensive.

 

[Robin]

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?

NOTHING LEAKS LIKE A DURACELL. have ruined cameras, Maglite and headlights all wrecked until seeing the light.

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks again for the battery warnings.
I ordered Energizers with the Wickes torch. Are Energizers as bad?

Is there no possibility of enclosing batteries (other than the outermost terminals) in plastic so no leak will affect the appliance?

I read on a torch-forum last night that battery leaks are usually attributable to mixing cells of differing age or condition, and from different suppliers/manufacturers. The writer said he'd never made this error and never had a problem, while his dear mother systematically destroyed torches, radios, calculators and remote controls by mixing and matching.

 

[Stemar]

A small heresy: I've found Ikea batteries to be good and cheap. Not had one leak yet. Their button cells - 2032 are particularly good value.

 

[GHA]

Well worth thinking about using 18650 batteries, you can get

That's almost exactly what I would have written, although I'd never abbreviate 'you' like that... I'd also caution that because rechargeables are a nominal 1.2v, only a torch designed specifically for them will get all of the Amps out of them and you'll be changing them more frequently. If I ruled the world I'd ban dry cells and legislate that all devices must be happy with rechargeables.

18650's are well worth considering, much more energy. I've had some success from the cheap ex laptop off ebay, the 'tested capacity' was made up , but enough tested better than the sticker so very good deal really.
nitecore charger does 18650, AA & AAA off 12v. Never buy batteries again

 

[fredrussell]

Ignore any torch that doesn’t run on 18650 batteries, and only buy decent 18650 cells such as Samsung or Panasonic. Agree with those above recommending Fenix torches. Expensive but will last a lifetime.

 

[Robin]

have had no problems with Energiser, or even Asda or amazon cheapos.