Which very powerful torch/flashlight?

I was certainly tempted by the £90 Fenix I looked at last night, and on which I found a youtube vid...


...but the advice said I'd be better off with rechargeable batteries (and the charger they'd need) and it was all looking like well over three figures, just so I can look into neighbouring gardens.

If the Wickes torch is good, I'll be sorted, and I can look at higher-powered exotica with some experience.
 
I have many years' experience with LED torches, having purchased and owned several dozen models / makes.

At the high end, you have brands such as Klarus, LED Lenser and Fenix. Some of them e.g. Klarus have patented features e.g. "orange peel" reflector which gives a nice beam distribution, or the shape of the button that allows you to achieve a given state (flashing, tactical, etc) instantly.

However, LED torches are easy and cheap to manufacture - even quality ones. If you go with reputable Chinese brands, you can easily get the same quality as with the brands above.

What you want:

1) Good LED offering the lumens you need. In most cases, the make and model e.g. Cree XHP70 is specified. In this case, I can confirm on the Cree website that this LED will give me 4022 lumen at 150 lumen per Watt.
2) Spring-loaded battery contacts on both sides of the battery. The better ones have a metal contact with the spring inside, whereas the cheaper ones have springs soldered onto the end caps directly. They all work fine but I always feel there is a risk of the spring bending and, worst case, creating a short circuit via the body which can be dangerious when you consider Lithium-based batteries in small, air-tight tubes...
3) Rechargeable Li-Ion 18650 or similar batteries. With built-in short circuit and over temperature protection. Ideally charged using USB rather than needing a stand-alone charger.
4) Waterproof to your requirements, with spare O-rings.
5) Regulated light output. When unregulated, you get a lot of light in the beginning and it grows weaker as the battery gets used up. With regulated, you get a constant light and, when the battery gets low, there will be a clear "step down" in light so you know when to re-charge.

In the past, my favorite "cheap" Torch would be the Ultrafire WF-501 and/or WF-502, although they are not rechargeable. The latest "nice to have" option is a "light peel" on the side of the torch - it works like a lantern rather than a toch. Really useful, especially if the torch has a magnet on one end. Simply stick onto the engine and be able to see the whole engine room, in addition to spotting things hundreds of metres away when using the flashlight. Here is one that I can strongly recommend for everyday use: iToncs Magnetic LED Torch Super Bright COB Flashlight Torches USB Rechargeable for Camping [2 Pack]: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
 
dancrane said:
...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,...
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Unlikely to be enough clearance to wrap a battery, and you couldn't seal the ends anyway. Better to remove batteries from anything you aren't using.

The small print tells you not to mix batteries, I never do. Why wouldn't you replace the whole set?
 
My recommendation for a semi-compact flashlight that easily replaces the boat searchlight (actually 4-5 times brighter than a 100W sealed beam unit) would be for example the HaikeLite MT07S. A pretty good searchlight with moderately wide beam and good illumination of area surrounded by the beam to figure out what you want to take a closer look at. Size is pretty close to a can of beer.
 
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For a little more range (both light and battery range) and more concentrated beam I´d choose the Sofirn SP70. The Haikelite has a less concentrated beam and somewhat more spill which, in many uses is no disadvanteage at all. Have both and am very happy with them as a more convinent alternative to my searchlight.
Both use the Cree XHP70 LED. There are more expensive ones like the flashlights made by Imalent for example, but I think with a price about 60,- to 70,- Euro plus batteries they are both excellent. I´d go for the one that is more practical for your needs considering the size and expected use.

Of course, if you want to spend more money, you might consider the BLF GT90 at 300,- Euros and 2700m range or the
BLF GT70 which is a little less both in price and range . But those are extreme throwers, a sharp beam of light specifically designed for range. You might even be blinded by the "light sabre" without even seeing nothing but the searchlight´s beam when using it at medium range like you typically would on a boat.

I guess the first two ones are extremely good flashlights for typical use aboard and excellent value for the money. However, if you decide to buy one check the web for coupon codes, you might get up to 30% discount on the regular price!
 
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Just received my Wickes £20 700 lumen torch.

Seems just the job...at 40ft away, in broad daylight, it's like looking into the eye of Sauron...a distinct sense of danger.

I wonder if anybody has ever owned or bought (or constructed) something like a soft rubber eye-cup for the business-end of a flashlight, so that it can be held up against a window (and angled) without reflecting back inside the room or cabin?
 
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I have a Fenix TK 21 (bought 9 years ago, still in great shape). It is small and simply excellent - must be seen to be believed at high power! I later bought a smaller penlight sized one too. Expensive purchase, not regretted for a second!
 
Led Lenser do a few different rechargeable (USB) torches for around £60-100. I have one but it's on the boat. Great bit of kit.
 
dancrane said:
Is there no possibility of enclosing batteries (other than the outermost terminals) in plastic so no leak will affect the appliance?
Click to expand...

That's how they come from the factory...

For what it's worth, for over a decade I've bought Duracell's industrial range (originally called Procell, now "Industrial by Duracell") in bulk and never had any sign of leakage or other problems.

Pete
 
Try looking on Heinnie Haynes website. They have some awesome gear. Not just torches. From inexpensive to 2nd mortgage stuff but a good company to do business with
 
Four months on, having used my new torch quite often but very briefly to inspect our dark parking area, I had felt disappointed when it seemed to be growing much less powerful. The batteries had lately been dying, and suddenly lost almost all their power, last night.

I suppose I had used the torch for about 45 seconds, four or five nights per week, for 16 weeks...totalling a little less than 55 minutes.

Now I work it out, it doesn't seem such poor performance. I had bought 4 replacement C-size batteries to be ready for their sudden death.
 
I hAd one that was ‘tactical’ grade. Took 3 AAA and was very powerful for its size and focussing

Cost me $4.95 postage as a promo.

Unfortunately I had a battery leak when I was off long term sick with my knee.

I’d be looking at outdoors type places.

W.
 
Exposure lights every time for me, I have various of their lights and all live up to expectations. They etch the battery life on the side of the device for every mode and the light absolutely hits those numbers easily. I had one go wrong 2 and a bit years into ownership. Sent it back to support who said it might be a few quid to fix and 7 days later it was returned fully working with a thankyou note FOC, I didn't even pay postage. I have a 1000 lumen head torch which can optionally last a day in lower power mode (still brighter than normal torches). I have a bike light that's brigher than two suns which will last several hours on full beam, and I have a few in between. All solid quality and brighter than I can imagine ever needing, made in Britain, great support. They are...pricey...
 
dancrane said:
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.
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I work on the beach as a bait digger and ive tried loads as always in the dark in winter. My favourite is an olight headtorch and theyre great for in the boat as the beam has a good spread.
 
I have a Fenix with 4 of the 18650 cells and it will stun a child at 300 metres... Good quality but at around £200 5 years ago not bargain basement either.

I fancy the UK supplier/ manufacturer and am ordering the 1000 lumen PL-400 Pistol Light 1000 Lumens - Clulite | Cluson Engineering Ltd.

£32.40 delivered, what's not to like.

Really high power torches often result in bounce back from water molecules in the air so bigger isn't always better.

The new torch will plug into my 12 v socket on the helm and be handy for destroying everyone else's night vision on the Hamble......
 
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