I use all Intova lights for my cave diving backup lights, dry caving and UE.

They are all CREE LEDs, self cooled (the casing is the heatsink) and never overheat on me. The output on these things are amazing.

They're built for diving, so they are really tough. I have taken mine dry caving and banged them all up with no issues. I use them for working on the cars at night, usually keep them in the glove box or camera bag when I'm not diving, etc. I love these lights and have bought them for family members as gifts just based on their awesomeness. I have bolt snaps tied to mine so you can easily clip them off to your gear/belt loop/etc. If you want to go a step further, check out the Light Socks, which let you mount them to the back of your hand so you can still use your hand (great for diving, and I've also used them for dry use too...holding a rope, holding a tool under the hood of the car, etc)

I get the ones that take normal batteries though, not the weird ones. This way, no matter where you are, someone or something has batteries that will fit. Also, any convenience store along the way, gas station, etc will almost ALWAYS have normal batteries somewhere. My Ultra Torch has 6 x AA and my Compact Torch has 3 x AAA.

I've used them for hours on end with no dimming, even as emergency lights to light the house up during power outages. Just aim them at the ceiling and set it on a table and they're good for hours of light.

They have multiple modes too: 100%, 30% and strobe.

http://www.intova....ntova-ultra-torch/
http://www.intova....cts/compact-torch/

I did a quick look around in this thread and did not see what I use. Well, obviously I do use my UER clicky LED's

However, I am an enthusiast for lights and have more than I can readily recall as I have grown a collection now.

First, I have become accustomed to light bodies that use the 18650 batteries, or in smaller cases even 123's. Still, I do much prefer the 18650 for the longer use time at higher levels.

Now, as an EDC, I have this but in black with Cree XP-G2 http://www.malkoff...shlight-p-162.html

It is designed as a daily carry with modes of 15/80/400 lumen with excellent spill and throw using the end clicky to rotate modes. It uses a 123 type battery.

For larger dedicated needs, I again turn to Malkoff. I have a few drop in mods for older lights and when I received an email about a special run of neutral LED heads I had to get one. I was not unhappy and bought another. The body and tail are separate to buy with these, but that allows a custom config. I chose a 1 cell 18650 and 2- 2 cell 18650 bodies. They are here, but out of stock. http://www.malkoff...ildcat-p-157.html?

With Cree XP-G2 LED's measured 1100 lumen output at turn on and 900 continuous in a neutral, I cannot be more happy. It is bright, but as a neutral is is not harsh. It enhances color and shows every speck of dust, even casting long shadows from dust. I will have to take some pictures and post em to show what I mean, perhaps compared to an even brighter China one I bought a few years back.

Now Malkoff is not cheap. Not at all. However, they are quality and made here in the US in Alabama. It is one of those niche things for a quality product.

An anecdote. At my work we have a few local police who come in and I will shoot the shit about local stuff with them. The chief came in one day when I first started carrying the EDC variable and I HAD to show him, as last I knew standard issue to local police was at 110 lumen. He was extremely intrigued.

Anyway they offer a comparison of their mods, parts, and whole products here http://www.malkoff...re-flashlights.php

Their story here http://www.malkoff...alkoff-devices.htm

I know, I sound like a shill for Malkoff. I am not. I have found what I believe to be the best maker I have ever found. They also do Mag and Surefire drop ins to improve them.

Now for special purpose low light, I have used the UER LED and similar lights. After reading the night vision low light thread I remembered years ago I used to use a combo of two lights of single LED diode. Low lumen. One red and one white. Both made by Coast and pretty cheap, though they use a lesser abundant 3V lithium battery, a BR435. They are pretty cheap online though.

In reading the Night vision low light thread I was thinking how handy these would be in such a time as the ambient light of the Nike site last April. I did very well with my UER light when accustomed to the dark, but the red would have been better for the times I had some shine back.

You see, in less safe situations, a more covert light and being dark accustomed has been useful to me in the past. When I was in California and doing explores for fun but never really knowing there was a whole community for it, I had myself in some tight spots, but using available and ambient light when others were tethered to brighter lights and smaller vision area due to bright light, I was able to skirt away and be gone.

I will get some pictures to compare these various lights and more detail in a day or few. Thanks for being a great community UER.

I edc my jetbeam bc25 I love bright lights. So I wont use anything less than 100lumens. The nitecore tm11 would be my choice light for something such as draining.

So there's this... bright and can keep the crackheads at bay...

http://www.dytorch...display.asp?id=946

LOL

Posted by corvettejoe So there's this... bright and can keep the crackheads at bay... http://www.dytorch...display.asp?id=946 LOL

only 2,000? lame was hoping more along the lines of this guy

Posted by corvettejoe So there's this... bright and can keep the crackheads at bay... http://www.dytorch...display.asp?id=946 LOL

Since when is 2200mAh "high capacity"?? Especially for something that put's out 2000lm? It's run time is only an HOUR. That's nothing.

You want something bright that can keep the crackheads at bay, you mount a 900lm light on the rail underneath the front of your SIG/HK/Glock/S&W/XD/etc.

I'm looking at picking up a LiPo battery for my custom headlamp setup, it's like 20Ah (20,000mAh). $45

Anyone own Genesis flashlights? It's a Canadian company, very impressed with them so far.

I picked up 3 lights from them on sale, a fusion 180, storm, and patriot.

Paid $44(Reg 89) for the fusion 180
- 2AA 180 lumen
- 3 modes: High low flash... if you're in a mode for more than 3 seconds it
shuts off if you press the switch. You don't have to cycle through to off

Paid 54 (reg 99) for the storm 235L
- XR-E Q4 Cree 2x CR123 235 Lumen
- Battery indicator
- Includes Green, blue, and red filters
- twist switch to select the mode and then a push button for on/off.
- L- Light O- Off (safety off) S- Strobe T- Tactical (momentary only)

Paid 39 (reg 79) for the patriot
- 235 Lumen 2x CR123 XR-E Q4 Cree
- Built in blue, green, red leds
- Modes: High, Low, Strobe, blue, green, red, red SOS
- hold switch to enter colour modes. if youre in a mode for 3 seconds it
shuts off on the next switch press

You bought two 235lm lights, and a 180lm light?

Do you just really like that range of light output?


The built-in color LED's is kinda cool though!!!

I have decided I am going to build my own lights as I can't find any with a reasonable price with the specs I want. One with a large throw and one with a huge flood and maybe one soft one for a portable photography soft box sort of thing.

Posted by Evilbunny I have decided I am going to build my own lights as I can't find any with a reasonable price with the specs I want. One with a large throw and one with a huge flood and maybe one soft one for a portable photography soft box sort of thing.

Have you looked at SolarForce light platforms?

You get the "body" and then you can add to it the dropins, batteries, etc that you want.

Check out:

http://www.sbflash...n-Package-p62.html

You can add the dropin you want, and other feature you want in a light.

The cool part is, when technology upgrades, and dropins get better, you just switch out the dropin and keep the same lightbody/battery/switch/head.

I've been using one for almost 4 years now, and I've set up about 8 friends with the same type of light. They're pretty awesome.

Posted by Therrin Have you looked at SolarForce light platforms? You get the "body" and then you can add to it the dropins, batteries, etc that you want. Check out: http://www.sbflash...n-Package-p62.html You can add the dropin you want, and other feature you want in a light. The cool part is, when technology upgrades, and dropins get better, you just switch out the dropin and keep the same lightbody/battery/switch/head. I've been using one for almost 4 years now, and I've set up about 8 friends with the same type of light. They're pretty awesome.

Yeah not what I had in mind I am going to build it up by it self with an rc car battery pack http://dx.com/p/ss...ht-bulb-4-2v-47961 that as the base.

Posted by Evilbunny Yeah not what I had in mind I am going to build it up by it self with an rc car battery pack http://dx.com/p/ss...ht-bulb-4-2v-47961 that as the base.

Alright well have fun with that, be sure to show us pictures as you go.

SST-90's are pretty fun. Extremely inefficient, but still fun!

I've got an SST-50 that I'm pretty fond of, so I get what you're looking for.


You could still use Lithium-type battery packs to get a much extended run time over they other typical kind of packs.


Also... Keep in mind that with an SST-90, something like 80% of your energy is being bled off as HEAT..... and the other 20% make light.

So make sure whatever light you design has the capability to dissipate that heat accordingly, otherwise you're just gonna fry that LED pill and then you'll be starting over from square one again. It needs some major heatsinking and heat-dissipation fins on it if you plan on running it more than just a couple minutes at a time.

My SST-50 has some pretty sick heat-dissipation fins on it.


**EDIT**

You realize that pill draws NINE AMPS....right??? I just realized after looking at the specs on it. Can your RC car battery pack even deliver 9A??

That's a pretty heavy load.

What kind of driver are you looking at using with it?

Posted by Therrin Alright well have fun with that, be sure to show us pictures as you go. SST-90's are pretty fun. Extremely inefficient, but still fun! I've got an SST-50 that I'm pretty fond of, so I get what you're looking for. You could still use Lithium-type battery packs to get a much extended run time over they other typical kind of packs. Also... Keep in mind that with an SST-90, something like 80% of your energy is being bled off as HEAT..... and the other 20% make light. So make sure whatever light you design has the capability to dissipate that heat accordingly, otherwise you're just gonna fry that LED pill and then you'll be starting over from square one again. It needs some major heatsinking and heat-dissipation fins on it if you plan on running it more than just a couple minutes at a time. My SST-50 has some pretty sick heat-dissipation fins on it. **EDIT** You realize that pill draws NINE AMPS....right??? I just realized after looking at the specs on it. Can your RC car battery pack even deliver 9A?? That's a pretty heavy load. What kind of driver are you looking at using with it?

Yeah thats a bit too heavy I must of skimmed over it thinking it was 900mah a nice heat sink and a small fan would work inless I decide for waterproof. I am still collecting all the parts list to get a cost estimate I am searching for a driver. The battery pack is 8800mah but I am thinking of using double.

Posted by Therrin You bought two 235lm lights, and a 180lm light? Do you just really like that range of light output? The built-in color LED's is kinda cool though!!!

As a matter of fact I do!

For draining I don't like uber bright lights since they're so unneeded and they just screw up my eyes in the dark. Even in abandonment's it's a nice range because I don't need my light to be seen a mile away.

Having redundancy is rarely a bad thing, good for loaners and useful for evenly lighting multiple areas in one image. Not to mention I like having backups in case of failure/dead batteries.

The colour LED's are pretty cool, that's really the only reason I bought that light. The other 2 seem like nicer lights overall.

Ahhh, that's cool

I spend most my time underground and I have poor eyesight, so I usually go for "moar light!!!"

I just have a couple lights that are very dim for more "public" areas.


The nice thing about that output range you prefer is that it'll give you long run times! The ultra-uber-super-mega high output stuff really tends to drain batteries.

I did found a battery that I like though, I want to incorporate it into my custom headlamp system.

http://www.battery...ell-3.6V-10Ah.aspx

3.6V, 10AH
And not that I need to, but you can draw 100A off of it! (10C) Pretty awesome for only $33



I might go with something that's a lower C rate though. Could you imagine if something shorted with this puppy on your head? yipes!

Moar light isnt bad! I have a 500 lumen light but it's 3 or 4 C cells so it usually ends up staying home. I should pick up a decent high output at some point, I'll look into solarforce.

100A !?!?! wow... nice for 33$ What do you do for the headlamp? modify an existing body and harness or come up with your own? What LED are you planning on using?

Posted by Cryptix Moar light isnt bad! I have a 500 lumen light but it's 3 or 4 C cells so it usually ends up staying home. I should pick up a decent high output at some point, I'll look into solarforce. 100A !?!?! wow... nice for 33$ What do you do for the headlamp? modify an existing body and harness or come up with your own? What LED are you planning on using?

100A is at the max drain rate, which would last for 5 seconds or less.

I'd probably run about 2A off it at the max setting, or less. (probably less)

So since it's a 10AH battery I could probably get about 5 hrs out of it if I ran on "high" the entire time, nonstop.

I'm working on designing some custom headlamps, which would run on 3.7v
I'm currently using a custom headlamp that a friend built, which runs on 3.7v
And I've modified some of my Fenix headlamps to plug in my own custom battery packs, which are 3.7v.

So batteries in this range have a very high useability for me, if configured properly.

When I'm not wearing a helmet, I use the Fenix HP11 almost exclusively.

Well this thread looks beat to death but whatever. I used to use a Maglite Pro AA LED that put out 200-some lumens, which was decent and I liked it, especially for $20. But then I decided I wanted something a little better, so I took a small step up to the Fenix TK75.

I haven't had a chance to take it on an exploration yet because it just came in a few days ago but holy hell, this thing is a champ. 2600 lumens OTF is beyond fun just to play around with, especially with the throw that this light is capable of. I chased a bear around with it the other night. If anyone's ever wondered, strobe, even on this monster, doesn't really affect a bear at all. In fact, it just seemed to piss it off haha.

The best part of the TK75 is how compact it is considering its massive output. I'm a decently big guy but I don't think most people would have a problem managing this light. I've already taken it on a few nighttime treks and size hasn't been an issue at all. It fits in the back pocket of my pants just fine when I'm not using it and the grip is nice and comfortable.

I'm gonna be taking a road trip soon to a certain coal breaker that might provide some opportunity to see how the light functions on an expedition. I'll try and report back, for anyone who's interested.

Don't bother posting back.

This thread is "beat to death", remember?

Posted by Therrin Don't bother posting back. This thread is "beat to death", remember?

I'm sorry, did you find that offensive somehow? Lmao

Pretty sure my post was the first in this thread for a few days, and on some forums, people can be pricks about necroing dead threads and about how long it takes for a thread to be considered dead, etc. Therefore I just prefaced my post with that as a sort of "you guys might consider this thread dead, but here I am anyway" message. I'm new here after all, so I don't fully understand the dynamics of the forum and whatnot yet.

I hadn't really intended to get into an argument over how I worded a post I wrote about flashlights, but if it really bothered you that much, then I sincerely apologize. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings after all.