Anyone else a fan of LED flashlights?

[tron3]

I have a small collection of LED flashlights. Aside from them using much less electricity, the bulbs tend to last 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Meaning, if you turned one on today it could burn upto 5.7 or 11+ years before it burns out.

I have a LOP pocket light by Fenix. Uses one AAA battery and emits a top 75 lumens. So what does that mean? Your average 2 cell flashlight with traditional bulb emits about 16 lumens. A 3 Cell Maglite emits 24 lumens.

The good lights, like Fenix, have circuit regulators to help keep the light more consistent for the life of the battery. Regular flashlights drop to 50% output within an hour or so!

[AliceT]

They are pretty cool. I have a question though, what exactly do you use yours for, or do you just collect them?

[Ectoplasm]

He tapes them all on the hood and roof of his car and drives around.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by AliceT

They are pretty cool. I have a question though, what exactly do you use yours for, or do you just collect them?

Originally Posted by Ectoplasm

He tapes them all on the hood and roof of his car and drives around.

"Who told you...!" -Mr Burns on being called "The Devil, himself." / Simpsons.

Well, I started to collect because they were just so neat and powerful. Plus I wanted a few good lights. Many of them do 120 lumens and are smaller than size of standard flashlights. The new Fenix T models do 225 lumens!

I stopped collecting because it was getting ridiculous and expensive. The only time I buy now is when I want a new EDC (Every Day Carry). They fit in my pocket and are most practical.

There are plenty of great brands but I am fond of the sexier Fenix models. Built like tanks, they are.

http://www.eliteLED.com is where I buy mine.

[Chevypower]

I bought the Inova T4 a couple of years ago, at the time it was the best one out there I could find. Not sure if there is a better one now. I love it, but I hardly ever use it, so I probably wouldn't upgrade anyway.

[jomari]

i also have a couple (meaning three to four only) of LED flashlights, and just well, keep em.

i used to love my surefire flashlight, and always ended up impressing friends with it. of course, after 10 minutes of blaring it into dark areas, it dies out because of power consumption.

so, where do you buy your LED flashlights?

[camper]

I think LED lights are an awesome invention, and I love 'em. I keep a kinetic one in my car in case of emergencies, and it takes no time to charge it and I get a lot of time out of it when I do.

~Camper

[tron3]

Originally Posted by jomari

... so, where do you buy your LED flashlights?

Originally Posted by tron3

...
http://www.eliteLED.com is where I buy mine.

THERE. Scroll up a few replies.

[Marquoz]

I've been meaning to pick one up for work because some of the product we carry looks the same as others in the dim lighting we have. One of those puppies would easily show me what it is!

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Marquoz

I've been meaning to pick one up for work because some of the product we carry looks the same as others in the dim lighting we have. One of those puppies would easily show me what it is!

Don't wait. I worked for Radio Shack during the east coast blackout of 2003. I am still amazed at the number of people who do not own any kind of flashlight for emergency use.

Cell phone light is inadequate, candles, matches and lighters are dangerous. Traditional flashlights? Ugh, unreliable. Drop it and there is a good chance you break the bulb.

[UlicBelouve]

I have a couple, I find that the 5-led ones work really well for looking inside of equipment (cars, printers, computers). Since they have multiple LEDs, they produce not only a better and whiter light, but the shadows seem to be less of a problem. I keep one in my toolkit with other diagnostic tools. I want a larger one for around-the-house use, but I have 1 in each car and one in my toolbag.

I also use several of the LED lightbulbs, similar to this one:
http://www.eliteled.com/products/lightbulbs.html

They've come a long way, and the old ones that I have are not as bright, but are great in a home theatre room, where you may want more ambient light. The new ones, cannot easily distinguish their light output from a regular bulb, other than the whiter light (instead of a yellow tint) and that it doesn't flicker like the CFL bulbs (which is why I picked these instead of the CFL, I can detect the flicker of Flourescent bulbs).

[rubberghost]

i've been meaning to buy an LED Mag light.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by tron3

THERE. Scroll up a few replies.

uh, thanks tron. i thought others might chip in on other websites.

anyways, its an interesting link btw!

not bad at all!

curses for making me spend again!

i want this one...

http://www.eliteled.com/products/fla...ght-t20-t.html

[My_Two_Cents]

I started with a surefire G2 for my AR-15. From there, I found Coast LED Lensers at Lowes (and subsequently, eBay). I bought one to use in the field for my job, and have since bought a half dozen more. I've got one in each car and several stashed in various places around the house in case of emergencies. I've also got a smaller one for every day cary. I was in Sam's the other day, and they had a 2-pack of 120 lumen LED lights (don't recall the brand) for $29. Almost bought it, but resisted the urge...for now.

[flyfree432]

Love them. When I worked construction they were perfect for looking down vents and in ceilings to find out where we had to set up our equipment to take readings.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by jomari

... i want this one...
http://www.eliteled.com/products/fla...ght-t20-t.html

Nice. While I do have a number of lights which use the CR123 batteries I am beginning to shy away from them because the batteries cost so much. I did spend money on four of the Rechargable R-CR123's, but they hold roughly half the power of primary cells. That was a few years ago. Might be better today.

The new LED bulbs are MUCH brighter than the Luxeons just a few years ago. As we know, they use much less power and give off much less heat.

[Psychonaut]

I have LED Mag lights, one small and one large. I work on large boilers so it's really a necessity. Best investment in a long time and I'll never go back to standard lights.

[Marquoz]

What would you people recommend for having to look at something about 40-50 feet up? I need it still to be a powerful light to get that high, but be able to last a long time so I am not burning through batteries. I keep seeing different lumen settings, and not sure really how that translates into real life.