Posted by tribeachpunk Anyone know where I might be able to buy some cheap LED upgrades for my Maglites online? I'd like to do four lights.. $30 at the store won't work..

Actually, check this guy out:
http://www.southern-lights.com.au/

Mag LED upgrades is about all he has left - he's going out of business for a while, because of the Australian dollar's spectacular decline. I bought his last JetBeam light yesterday

I'm not sure how the AUD is travelling against your local currency, and I'm not sure how much shipping will set you back, but more than likely you'll be getting a steal, especially since he's already cut the prices.

Shipping costs are kinda up there, but if I can get my friends with the big 3D lights on board, that site is great!! Thanks!

Posted by Axle http://img.alibaba...t_Glass_Globes.jpg

Do those come in LED versions?

Windup LEDs are my best friend. They're light, compact, suprisingly bright, and you don't have to worry about batteries. They don't handle water or being dropped well though....

http://lib.store.y...-imports/S510g.jpg

Posted by yellow_wallpaper Windup LEDs are my best friend. They're light, compact, suprisingly bright, and you don't have to worry about batteries. They don't handle water or being dropped well though.... http://lib.store.y...-imports/S510g.jpg

Yeah, I've never seen a wind-up light that wasn't cheaply built, which is a bit of a shame.

Posted by yellow_wallpaper Windup LEDs are my best friend. They're light, compact, suprisingly bright, and you don't have to worry about batteries. They don't handle water or being dropped well though.... http://lib.store.y...-imports/S510g.jpg

They don't really stand up to anything well, including regular use.

My perfect combination is a Petzl Tikka plus on my head for flood and an Inova X03 with TIROS optics for throw. In addition to those I carry a X5(which is just about the most reliable light in existence) for backup. The older Inova flashlights beat every light brand as far as reliability goes, and that's including surefire.

i use a pelican MITYLITE. it's a fabulous flashlight that can be dropped, kicked, driven over, submerged, lightly torched, yadda yadda. Pelican makes military grade cases and has used the same technology in this flashlight. made of a super-strong structural foam injection, it's really lightweight too. it's as handy as a leatherman or swiss knife for all those boarded up places.

I found an awesome deal at Costco (Canada) today. Lightmates 3 watt LED aluminum focus beam. It uses a Cree bulb and is rated at 75 lumens. Was $19.99 but is currently $14.99. Oh, and that's for TWO lights. That's right. $7.50 a light.

Posted by rob666 I found an awesome deal at Costco (Canada) today. Lightmates 3 watt LED aluminum focus beam. It uses a Cree bulb and is rated at 75 lumens. Was $19.99 but is currently $14.99. Oh, and that's for TWO lights. That's right. $7.50 a light.

I think I was mistaken about the $5 discount. The two light package is $19.99 - still a great value.

i've always found black diamond or petzl to have great flashlights, but you don't always need to more expensive light. however, i've never had a problem with putting more money in a light, mainly because it's pretty important and something i don't want to mess up when i need it. i'd say stick with a good brand or at least have a few backups handy.

Very, very powerful (5200 lumens), but outrageously expensive (about 2400 usd):

http://www.polario...-polarion-ph50.cfm

Polarion Helios PH50


It is bigger than it appears to be in the picture. It's length is close to 3D Maglite for comparison.

Posted by Hobbes Very, very powerful (5200 lumens), but outrageously expensive (about 2400 usd): http://www.polario...-polarion-ph50.cfm Polarion Helios PH50 http://bp3.blogger...on+Helios+PH50.jpg It is bigger than it appears to be in the picture. It's length is close to 3D Maglite for comparison.

Nice - where can I order the headlamp version?

hopefully it won't explore like the Petzl on yur head

When I started this whole UE thing I was obsessed with expensive flashlights that supposedly would make my life better when using them for exploring. Now that I've been doing this for a few years, I favor cheap lighter models... The kind you could buy at the register in WalMart or Big Lots.
To me the best flashlight is the kind that you are not afraid to lose, to drop or to brake...the kind of light that you might have to ditch...the kind of light that I won't worry about because I've spent huge amount of money on it...
Don't get me wrong...I own my share of pricey light emitting rigs that I use as needed. It's just lately when I'm about to enter a new location, I use one of my
"disposable" flashlights with fresh batteries...No worries, no problems. Travel light, take good photos, get out alive and have fun.

Posted by metawaffle Hmm, I don't know - I won't leave the house without a thrower and a flooding light. And a headlamp. And an emergency keyring light.

You're preaching to the choir my friend. I always have at least 3 lights on me at all times, exploring or not. My every day carries are my Nitecore EX-10, my streamlight Nano on my keychain, and another light that shall not be named.

Posted by Assistance You're preaching to the choir my friend. I always have at least 3 lights on me at all times, exploring or not. My every day carries are my Nitecore EX-10, my streamlight Nano on my keychain, and another light that shall not be named.

Awesome! When society crumbles, we are *set*!

(until the batteries run out)

I have at least 50 CR123A batteries. My EX-10 can run on a single battery on the lowest setting for over a week of constant runtime. I also have several rechargeable CR123A-size lithium batteries that could be recharged by my small solar panel.

I wonder if it would be possible to hook a car headlight to a battery and use that as a light source... If so, that would be my choice.

Posted by Kemper I wonder if it would be possible to hook a car headlight to a battery and use that as a light source... If so, that would be my choice.

yea, It's been done of these forums... I think under draining.