RichardPON

Bearing in mind people on here know everything about everything, and there are also a few outdoorsy types, and some mechanics etc....

I need a handheld powerful torch. Not a massive suitcase sized carry handled effort or a 3 LED pen type, but a handheld (probably LED) torch - something quite professional with a reasonable battery life.

This is something most men are quite vocal about, so I guess people will have some good recommendations. Not after a maglite of any description, as I have one already.

Anything recommended?

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

lol some are even head and shoulders above the rest

BM08

Powerful torch? for what exactly?

RichardPON

Producing light without the sun?

Want it for use outside - camping, traipsing down to the servant's quarters at the bottom of the gardens, general use...... but want it as powerful as possible.

It's Czech Mate

Look at cycling stuff

I have an exposure race max.

Really fucking bright, 3 levels of brightness and a get you home flash.......last for 3 hours solid on the high setting...and its fucking bright.

Really lightweight and small. I use it for loads of stuff not just cycling.

You need to follow the charging/discharging instructions carefully or you'll ruin the battery

Was apprx £210.....and worth every penny

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

riiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggghhhhhhhht

It's Czech Mate

http://www.shinybikes.com/product.php?productid=17392

Rolls

iTrader: (2)

Cycling stuff is good (I've got a expo joystick, and it is bloody bright), but its not exactly cheap.. - there are some very good sites about for normal torches, but they are saved on my favorites at home - i'll post them up when I get in this eve...

RichardPON

That's more like it.... although it doesn't need to be £200's worth!

It's Czech Mate

Camping is made for Petzl Headtorches if thats what you need it for the most

Rolls

iTrader: (2)

Here you go - this is raved about in the cycling world, and doesn't break the bank either...:
http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/profess...lenser-p7.html

It's Czech Mate

http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/acata...HEADTORCH.html

Matt

dib dib dib
nob nob nob

BM08

Meaning...................as opposed to a 10-15 quid job from halfords etc which my dad got last week, and is VERY bright.

Now people are chatting about torches for £200

It's Czech Mate

No idea who raves about that. About as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking competition for cycling.

170 lumens and 4aaa batteries..and 120 hours burn time rofl 5days at full power from 4aaa batteries.

Probably half an hour at full chat, which is not that bright either!

neal666

Peli torches are good. we uses them in the fire service. also police use them.

tough as hell, loads of diff types.

http://www.peliproducts.co.uk/index.html

Rolls

iTrader: (2)

Have a read on singletrackworld - think you'll be quite supprised in that case, esp when paired with some rechargables - decent head light for 70 quid or so.... Also, at no point does it say 120 hrs brun time at full wack - says 120 hours in economy mode - would expect full wack to last a couple of hours though - which IMO is perfect for cycling..
I'm not too fussed - got a lupine on the front, and the joystick on my head to ensure I don't have issues in Wales at night whilst we're riding!

It's Czech Mate

I agree if it could be helmet mounted its a good supplementary torch, I couldnt ride offroad with it as my sole light tho

I've got the Racemaxx with a supplementary battery and the Joystick helmet mounted . Amazing performance for something so light and robust

RichardPON

I don't really see myself barelling down a mountain on my bike, so doesn't need to be cycling related.

That Lenser one looks pretty reasonable for £50 - might well have a piece of that....

It's Czech Mate

In fact the Joystick is a decent torch 98grams and 240 Lumens on full burn.

Thats a proper battery not 4 aaa ones.....fuck knows how dull they must be to last 5days duller than listening to Chip and Phil I reckon

It's Czech Mate

Read the Spec of the Joystick Maxx and that Lenser.......it will have really shit battery life on decent beam power.

fish99

I dont know if this is what your looking for, but if you want a decent bright led torch, then get yourself a surefire. We use these on firearms, such as the Glock and MP5.

http://www.nightgear.co.uk/p/613/Sur...source=froogle

RichardPON

Probably, but it's still £140.

Don't need to spend that kind of cash!

It's Czech Mate

No worries.....the others are fine for occasional use but you mentioned camping, which I do quite a lot, either whn i'm climbing or cycling and you come to love your best bits of kit. which is why i'm banging on about it. If you do camp then look at the burn times carefully..if you dont then any of the above will be adequate for light ( excuse the pun ) use!

madmack99

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Liking that.

rocky_robin

I bought a 10 LED one from my local Tescos for about £10.
It's very bright, compared to a single bulb one, but the down side is that it's just slightly smaller than a Magnelite, therefore heavy.

I use this whilst taking my dog along my road (country = very dark!).

The best one though was a torch I got from the Bookpeople, when they dropped in past my work. It's a 8 LED torch, palm sized, so is very light and VERY powerful! It's actually better than the Tesco's one. Pity I have no idea the make, model or where to get it. Only cost a £5 too.
I use that when it's very cold, so I can attach it to my head and keep my hands in my pockets.

For REALLY bright torches, some of the cycling ones as stated above are fantastic (not as bright as a car, but good enough to drive with). Just as shame they cost £££'s!!

If you want to see for 1/4 mile, then I can recommend some good deer hunter torches...........

RichardPON

Quiet today?

B16JUS

i got the red snap on torch about a foot tall and 2" diamiter comes with charger etc really really bright think it was £69

KnoxyGtt

If its for camping then you really want a head torch, sooooooooo much better then a hand torch, i can recommend these two as i use them

First is from a company called alpkit, they have a very very good reputation for high quality low price stuff, and there head torch is the best imo and many many other folk if price Vs performance is your thing

http://www.alpkit.com/gamma/


The next up is the petzl Mayo xp, i use this more then the alpkit now, its amazing without a doubt, iv used it for nite time mountain walking and for working under my car alike, when using it at night its like walking about with a car headlamp on your head, much more powerfull then the alpkit but also much more expensive at 55 quid from most places, but worth it i think

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesProduits?Produit=554

GARETH T

i just noticed the ball bag LOL LOL

tabetha

glowgadgets.co.uk
Speak to the "doc", although a stage hypnotist by trade torches are his passion.
Surefire are good, have them myself but look like candles compared with some other led torches.
Currently CREE have the brightest LED, at 25,800 LUMEN, more than a HID car headlight, but only certain military units have these.
On a more normal level FENIX TK10 TK11, are well worth a look, as is P3DQ5, these are about 4 1/2" to 6 1/2" long.
A more compact one is the fenix P1DCE, and P1DCE Q5, the latter being 180 lumen but less than 3" long, all come with lanyard or metal clip, but smaller ones come with spring clip for keyring etc.
Another make to look at is ROMISEN, RC-F4 in particular, and OLIGHT T25 TACTICAL if you can get them, I have all the above as it is my hobby.
I also bought just for comparison purposes a TESCO 2AA LED TORCH, about £15 but a hell of a torch for the money.
The major advantage of this of course is the use of easy to get batteries, as apart from the OLIGHT and tesco all are CR123, but some can be used with 3.7 LI versions of the battery for extra run time, and some can take the 51650 battery as well, which nearly triples the mah rating of the battery.
The led lenser are german, and are ace, ordering one tonight from glowgadgets, he really is a torch geek, and shows the beams etc on his site and also on youtube.
I have only ever seen 1 of the special CREE military ones, but F**K was it bright, honestly it was over 200 metres away and I could not see anything for at least 2 minutes, nothing at all, but then that is what is is for.
tabetha

nacnac

have a look on here.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/

89xr2

Depends on how much you want to spend but Surefire make amazing torches, super super bright and very good sizes as well.

BM08

A forum for torches?

PhilM

Bright and run time don't go hand in hand

For camping and a general torch that is has good brightness, get a 2D Maglite LED version, batteries last forever.

For an off the shelf really bright torch, buy a Wolfeyes Boxer 20W HID - runtime isnt great but the HID light is a monster

I personally spent £160 on a 1.5D custom Mini-HID 10W HID torch from Mac's Customs a very reputable builder on CandlePowerForums - its a fucking serious torch, absolutely awesome.

boost mad

iTrader: (8)

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/flashlight.html

abit to much to spend for what you want, but nice torches