4 LED flashlight $5.99 and free shipping

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chinkgai

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2001
3,904
0
71
this thread kinda wandered off track...but i like it :D

i want one of those damn surefires now...or that arc ls!
 
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emeraldsky

Banned
Dec 3, 2004
607
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0
Originally posted by: SenorBiggles
I don't like the idea of buying a bunch of disposable lithium batteries for all their other models, but ni-cad isn't much better.
Click to expand...
You can get rechargeable lithium batteries in just about any size. That's definitely the way to go. Lithiums are protected from overcharging and overdischarging, so they should last a long time, unlike NiCd or NiMh which need smart chargers to reach their potential.

If you want to know more about flashlights try candlepowerforums
They have a good search facility, so you can get most of your questions answered without having to ask.

The Arc company is out of business, so it's best to forget about them. They are collectors items now.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,460
9,960
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Originally posted by: emeraldsky
Originally posted by: SenorBiggles
I don't like the idea of buying a bunch of disposable lithium batteries for all their other models, but ni-cad isn't much better.
Click to expand...
You can get rechargeable lithium batteries in just about any size. That's definitely the way to go. Lithiums are protected from overcharging and overdischarging, so they should last a long time, unlike NiCd or NiMh which need smart chargers to reach their potential.
Click to expand...
Rechargable li-ion batteries are definitely smartchargers, more so than ni-cad or nimh. You are correct that rechargeable li-ion batteries are protected from overcharging and overdischarging, and that's one reason they are so expensive. The reason is that an overcharged li-ion battery is very dangerous. They are apt to explode very dangerously. For that reason, they don't only put restricting safety devices in the batteries, but have essentially redundant devices in the chargers. If you are going to go the li-ion rechargable route, note that the batteries will last a lot longer if not fully charged. At maximum charge state, they are much more susceptible to internal degradation. In any case, your rechargable li-ion batteries can't be expected to remain fully viable much more than a year or two, so be aware.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,460
9,960
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Originally posted by:SenorBiggles
The only drawback is the ni-cad battery. I don't like the idea of buying a bunch of disposable lithium batteries for all their other models, but ni-cad isn't much better.
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It seems to me the ni-cads might be the best idea. They probably wouldn't need replacing for quite a few years. They give you two, so you could have one charging or charged while using the other. Over $200 for a flashlight seems like a lot to me, though. I've never spent over $15 for a flashlight of any kind. I do have a lot of them (probably 15 or 20 from single cell AAA's to 4 D cell emergency lights, which are flourescent!)! :)

 
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emeraldsky

Banned
Dec 3, 2004
607
0
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Originally posted by: BurningDog
This Flashlight is supposed to be a good deal for $20 at any walmart.
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It's a good deal in the same way that a cheap Lexmark printer is a good deal until you run out of ink and then reality strikes.

For one thing, it uses incandescent bulbs which can burn out at critical moments, thus it's unreliable. Also, it uses 2 small batteries which will cost you over $5 to replace at Walmart.
But it is a VERY bright flashlight and the initial price is attractive.

You can get Luxeon LED flashlights that run on 1 or 2 CR123s and avoid worrying about burnt out bulbs.

You can get rechargeable CR123s and avoid having to replace expensive batteries.

 
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Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,460
9,960
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My LED flashlight from Surplus Computer just came in the mail (the one in the thread title). I recommend to NOT get this. It uses 3 AA's, but there's no way to focus the beam and the worst thing of all is that the switch mechanism appears to be very badly engineered. I can't figure out how to reliably turn it on and off. It's a POS, IOW. Sorry. :(

Guess I'll try to get them to replace it. It says on the link that it's warranted for 90 days. This is junk, though. Don't buy it! You're supposed to turn it on at the base. The instructions say to push, evidently the soft rubber button at the base. Nothing happens, generally. You look closely at the barrel at the base and you see a vague very-hard-to-read instruction to twist the base-cap (which contradicts the instruction to push on the base!). You do that and sometimes it turns on, sometimes not, sometimes it flashes, very inconsistent. I'm convinced it will turn on by accident and drain the batteries. It's just a matter of time. I guess I'll have to contact them and ask for a replacement.
 
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arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
2,155
2
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Originally posted by: rsales
I wanted an LED like the minimag that focused. I managed to find one but also found a replacement LED lamp for my minimag here: Link to Minimag led replacement
Click to expand...

I'm curious. This uses a 1Watt Luxeon LED. If you assume you're using 2000mah NiMH batteries, it seems like this will give you around 2.4 hours of light per charge. How does this compare to the minimag's incandescant bulb?

 
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emeraldsky

Banned
Dec 3, 2004
607
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Instead of a Maglite upgrade I recommend getting a Streamlight Jr. for about $30 plus shipping. link It has the same form factor as a Mini-Maglite. This is a highly regarded light in it's price range. It has a reliable tail switch, and the light is very white.
 
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aceO07

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2000
4,491
0
76
Originally posted by: emeraldsky
Originally posted by: BurningDog
This Flashlight is supposed to be a good deal for $20 at any walmart.
Click to expand...
It's a good deal in the same way that a cheap Lexmark printer is a good deal until you run out of ink and then reality strikes.

For one thing, it uses incandescent bulbs which can burn out at critical moments, thus it's unreliable. Also, it uses 2 small batteries which will cost you over $5 to replace at Walmart.
But it is a VERY bright flashlight and the initial price is attractive.

You can get Luxeon LED flashlights that run on 1 or 2 CR123s and avoid worrying about burnt out bulbs.

You can get rechargeable CR123s and avoid having to replace expensive batteries.
Click to expand...

It's certainly a bright light for its price AND size. Yes, it is incandescent. I don't know of any 1 or 2 CR123 LED flashlights that bright or size or cheap. It will also drain batteries every hour.

CR123 batteries aren't as expensive as in the store if you buy them online. They are $1 each or $1.50 depending on where you go. http://www.surefire.com has 12 for $15. If you live in an area where you depend on a flashlight often, then rechargable batteries are a good thing. Else, 2 CR123s will last for a while.

I'm still on my first set of batteries that came with my inova xo. It's 4hrs of full brightness and many more hours of dimmer light. Had it since last October. Of course, I barely had to use it while indoors. However I used it for at least 3hours while hiking last year. It's a lifesaver :)
 
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chinkgai

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2001
3,904
0
71
wow this thread has been most educating lol

thanks for the tip on where to buy those batteries aceO07!

btw, i got the inova x5 for my emergency vehicle flashlight...only had to replace one set of batteries for it so far...a whopping 8 or 9 dollars for two!!:Q

im definitely gona buy them from surefire from now on...i wonder if costco has these..

btw, you can get inova stuff from fry's...the inova x5 is only 39.99 at fry's compared to that website venom linked to
 
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hiperco

Member
Feb 25, 2001
33
0
0
I got two of these flashlights, and I think they are fine for the price.

BTW, you turn them on via a 'click' switch on the base (no turning required).

 
SenorBiggles

SenorBiggles

Senior member
Dec 5, 2000
630
0
76
Based on Venomous recommendation (and the fact that I have an Inova light that I like), I have decided on the Inova T4 when it finally comes out. Rechargeable lithium with ac and dc charger, 4 watt, 100 lumen, 2 hour runtime for around $100.

Gonna go scorch some retinas
 
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screw3d

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2001
6,906
1
76
OK I don't know how.. but after reading this thread, one leads to the other, and I ended up ordering a Inova T3 even though I'm not sure what I need it for :confused::eek:

I think I'm a closet flashlight junkie.. :eek:

/strokes my Arc AAA. "my preciousssss"

 
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emeraldsky

Banned
Dec 3, 2004
607
0
0
Originally posted by: screw3d
OK I don't know how.. but after reading this thread, one leads to the other, and I ended up ordering a Inova T3 even though I'm not sure what I need it for :confused::eek:

I think I'm a closet flashlight junkie.. :eek:

/strokes my Arc AAA. "my preciousssss"
Click to expand...
An Arc AAA certainly is precious. I was waiting for the price to come down....
Sold my Arc LSL for $100 more than I paid for it and bought the Q3.

That Inova T3 looks real sweet. You have good taste.

 
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emeraldsky

Banned
Dec 3, 2004
607
0
0
Originally posted by: SenorBiggles
Based on Venomous recommendation (and the fact that I have an Inova light that I like), I have decided on the Inova T4 when it finally comes out. Rechargeable lithium with ac and dc charger, 4 watt, 100 lumen, 2 hour runtime for around $100.

Gonna go scorch some retinas
Click to expand...
Yow! That looks like an awesome light.
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,460
9,960
136
Originally posted by: screw3d
OK I don't know how.. but after reading this thread, one leads to the other, and I ended up ordering a Inova T3 even though I'm not sure what I need it for :confused::eek:

I think I'm a closet flashlight junkie.. :eek:

/strokes my Arc AAA. "my preciousssss"
Click to expand...
I remember the thrill and fun of having a flashlight at summer camp. I must have been 8-9 years old. Just the sight of that beam angling up into the night sky, illuminating all the dust particles was wonderful. :D Honestly, I had no idea there were so many people into great flashlights. It's a revelation to me. Also, didn't know that such great flashlights existed.
 
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abaez

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
7,155
1
81
What do you guys recommend.. the surefire U2 ultra or the Inova T4?

The surefire batteries seem to be alot cheaper.
 
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Devil2U

Senior member
Nov 11, 2004
514
0
0
I have a Coast 3 LED light I picked up from Fry's when it was on sale once... $10, i think....

I really like it...brighter than a mini maglight for sure.
The batteries also last a LONG time...as LEDs use less power than a normal bulb.

Only thing that sucks about this light is that is uses "N" type alkalines, which are speciality.... look around on the internet (use froggle) and you can find then for around $1.25 each.
 
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