Flashlights... LED or...???

lip277 · 04-20-2008, 01:41 PM

Hey folks...
I need to get a couple more flashlights for keeping in the cars. I have always had good luck with the various Maglites I've had over the years.....
Even though they have been on the higher end of the $$$ scale, I appreciated the solid construction as well as the light output.

Now... The LED types of flashlights have come into their own.
Yes... Maglite has their versions on this style.

But... The $$$ comparison between the Maglite and (what look like) other comparable units had me going in circles the other day at the hardware store.

Question...
What brand and/or model flashlight do you favor (incandescant or LED)? I like the aspects of the lower power draw of LED but the light output is also a major consideration....

Because of the way the LED technology works, there doesn't seem to be the correlation between voltage (# of batteries) and light output that I am used to with traditional flashlights.

Coast Lights is one of the companies I am looking at for LED flashlights... beyond MAG....

dan · 04-20-2008, 02:25 PM

I asked for a cheapie LED flashlight from Lowe's for Christmas a few years ago and got a Task Force model. It was around $25 I think. Better light output (and much whiter) than any MagLite I ever had.

dan · 04-20-2008, 02:27 PM

Here it is

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...03W&lpage=none

I believe SureFire is the preferred higher-end LED flashlight maker.

operknockity · 04-20-2008, 02:49 PM

A while back I got one of these Sears branded LED flashlights on sale plus my Craftsman Club discount. It's been working fine for me.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03493674000P

Quote:

LUXEON® 1 watt LED produces 10 times more lumens than a Nichia® standard 5 mm LED. Triple function L.E.D.s deliver 3 levels of illumination: One 1 watt Luxeon® L.E.D runs up to 24 hours on Level 1, three standard Nichia® L.E.D.s runs up to 54 hours on Level 2, One 1 watt and 3 standard L.E.D.s run up to 20 hours on Level 3 (Using standard alkaline batteries). Stainless steel and rubber construction. Rugged polycarbonate lens and reflector.

rautox · 04-20-2008, 02:56 PM

I have a 3 aa led maglite that is more than enough for the car. It's brighter than my 2 D cell regular xenon maglite by quite a bit.

http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Mag...8717726&sr=8-1

I also got as a gift a stanley led flashlight. The base opens up into a tripod, the head tilts, and it looks fairly ridiculous. But, it works really really well, even after a few drops.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-MaxLif...8717761&sr=1-1

I'd recommend either.

Terri Kennedy · 04-20-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lip277

Hey folks...
What brand and/or model flashlight do you favor (incandescant or LED)? I like the aspects of the lower power draw of LED but the light output is also a major consideration....

I use the Streamlight 51006 flashlight and put 3 Energizer E2 AA batteries in it. Expensive, but no maintenance needed for 15+ years.

FC · 04-20-2008, 10:53 PM

I've seen Maglight LED conversion kits. I may try those.

Optimus Prime · 04-20-2008, 11:03 PM

I have a Coast LED light on the motorcycle. Works great and was about $20 at Radio Shack

lip277 · 04-21-2008, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the info - I appreciate it.

No... I don't know what I'll do yet, but... At least I have some ideas to start with.

Thanks again-

lupinsea · 04-21-2008, 02:07 PM

I have a 4 D-cell Maglight I keep tucked beside the driver's seat in the Jeep. It's nice and bright, though uses a conventional halogen bulb.

I've pretty much stopped using it in favor of a high-quality Petzl head lamp. That headlamp rocks. It's has three elastic head straps, the 4-AA battery pack on the back of the head, and the "light output unit" houses a 5-LED general light and a halogen spotlight with variable beam width for "reaching out there."

The 5-LED is great for general illumination as a flood light. The halogen spot is nearly as bright as my 4 D-cell Maglight.

And the best part . . . hands free.

Where ever you turn your head, there is plenty of light. It's nice and comfy and lets you do whatever work you need without trying to balance or hold a conventional flash light. I'm now packing this in the Jeep, too, and it's the first light I go to grab wherever I am for whatever I need to do.

As for storage these wad up and can be stuffed wherever. They don't get tangled so it's easy to take it out of stowage and slip it over your head. I can do it one-handed. Like putting on a baseball cap.

The one I have is sort of like this. But it's all black, not yellow. It looks like they have 14-LED units, too. Go with one of the higher-end, heavy-duty units. Their light-output is great. On LED use the batteries last a LONG time.

Similar to mine but I had 5-LED
lower light instead of this model's
3-LED lower light. Mine had the
same halogen spotlight, though

The one downside is that you look like a dork wearing one. Doesn't matter, these things are awesome.

Other notes on LED flashlights I've noticed:

Most LED lights I've experienced are better for general illumination close-in. Maybe they were cheaper units or whatever but they didn't seem to focus the light in a beam to concentrate the light and really project it 'out there' the way the traditional Maglights do. The nearest I can describe the LED light is they are like a flourecent light. No real beam, but plenty of flood light. Most also have a cold, bluish cast to the light. So if you're used to the regular incandecent and halogen light "color" it might take some time to get used to and may not seem as bright.

04-20-2008, 01:41 PM	#1
lip277 The old cranky SOB.... Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many.... Location: Near Seattle Posts: 4,798	Flashlights... LED or...??? Hey folks... I need to get a couple more flashlights for keeping in the cars. I have always had good luck with the various Maglites I've had over the years..... Even though they have been on the higher end of the $$$ scale, I appreciated the solid construction as well as the light output. Now... The LED types of flashlights have come into their own. Yes... Maglite has their versions on this style. But... The $$$ comparison between the Maglite and (what look like) other comparable units had me going in circles the other day at the hardware store. Question... What brand and/or model flashlight do you favor (incandescant or LED)? I like the aspects of the lower power draw of LED but the light output is also a major consideration.... Because of the way the LED technology works, there doesn't seem to be the correlation between voltage (# of batteries) and light output that I am used to with traditional flashlights. Coast Lights is one of the companies I am looking at for LED flashlights... beyond MAG.... __________________ *Kevin* 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i

04-20-2008, 11:03 PM	#8
Optimus Prime Carmudgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Golf TDi Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 3,283	I have a Coast LED light on the motorcycle. Works great and was about $20 at Radio Shack __________________ Jason

04-21-2008, 09:42 AM	#9
lip277 The old cranky SOB.... Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many.... Location: Near Seattle Posts: 4,798	Thanks for the info - I appreciate it. No... I don't know what I'll do yet, but... At least I have some ideas to start with. Thanks again- __________________ *Kevin* 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i

04-21-2008, 02:07 PM	#10
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	I have a 4 D-cell Maglight I keep tucked beside the driver's seat in the Jeep. It's nice and bright, though uses a conventional halogen bulb. I've pretty much stopped using it in favor of a high-quality Petzl head lamp. That headlamp rocks. It's has three elastic head straps, the 4-AA battery pack on the back of the head, and the "light output unit" houses a 5-LED general light and a halogen spotlight with variable beam width for "reaching out there." The 5-LED is great for general illumination as a flood light. The halogen spot is nearly as bright as my 4 D-cell Maglight. And the best part . . . hands free. Where ever you turn your head, there is plenty of light. It's nice and comfy and lets you do whatever work you need without trying to balance or hold a conventional flash light. I'm now packing this in the Jeep, too, and it's the first light I go to grab wherever I am for whatever I need to do. As for storage these wad up and can be stuffed wherever. They don't get tangled so it's easy to take it out of stowage and slip it over your head. I can do it one-handed. Like putting on a baseball cap. The one I have is sort of like this. But it's all black, not yellow. It looks like they have 14-LED units, too. Go with one of the higher-end, heavy-duty units. Their light-output is great. On LED use the batteries last a LONG time. Similar to mine but I had 5-LED lower light instead of this model's 3-LED lower light. Mine had the same halogen spotlight, though The one downside is that you look like a dork wearing one. Doesn't matter, these things are awesome. Other notes on LED flashlights I've noticed: Most LED lights I've experienced are better for general illumination close-in. Maybe they were cheaper units or whatever but they didn't seem to focus the light in a beam to concentrate the light and really project it 'out there' the way the traditional Maglights do. The nearest I can describe the LED light is they are like a flourecent light. No real beam, but plenty of flood light. Most also have a cold, bluish cast to the light. So if you're used to the regular incandecent and halogen light "color" it might take some time to get used to and may not seem as bright. __________________ . My website "Jeep is the only true American sports car" - Enzo Ferrari Or something to that effect.

04-20-2008, 02:25 PM	#2
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	I asked for a cheapie LED flashlight from Lowe's for Christmas a few years ago and got a Task Force model. It was around $25 I think. Better light output (and much whiter) than any MagLite I ever had.

04-20-2008, 02:27 PM	#3
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	Here it is http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...03W&lpage=none I believe SureFire is the preferred higher-end LED flashlight maker.

04-20-2008, 02:56 PM	#5
rautox Crotchety Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: Phone book... or two Posts: 792	I have a 3 aa led maglite that is more than enough for the car. It's brighter than my 2 D cell regular xenon maglite by quite a bit. http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Mag...8717726&sr=8-1 I also got as a gift a stanley led flashlight. The base opens up into a tripod, the head tilts, and it looks fairly ridiculous. But, it works really really well, even after a few drops. http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-MaxLif...8717761&sr=1-1 I'd recommend either.

04-20-2008, 10:53 PM	#7
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,263	I've seen Maglight LED conversion kits. I may try those.