What is a good torch?

[PAT303]

I have a mag light which rolls away when I put it down,flattens the batteries when not in use and really is no good except it sits well clamped to the dash.I want a good torch that will clamp in it's place,won't flatten it's batteries and has a wide beam for working in an engine bay.Is there a good torch to buy that ticks all the boxes?. Pat

[dmdigital]

You can upgrade the Maglight to LED, saves on batteries a lot. But it will still roll around - I know all to well what you mean :(

The Wolf Eye torches (ad appears at top of this forum sometimes) also look very good. I had a play with a Defender model and another one the other week and was very impressed.

[dobbo]

I have two bicycle headlights the standard clamps have been adapted (cut) and bolted to the outside of the County cubby box, being a 1 luman LED the batteries last for months of regular use, they don't illuminate the same distance as the mag or wolf lights, but they cost next to nothing and do the same job

[Sleepy]

I really like my headlamp type torch. I’ve always thought they were a gimmick but very handy for working - hands free - under the bonnet and camping etc. Mine’s only a cheap Chinese one but I’m thinking of purchasing a better quality version.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

When camping you can't beat headlights. The only downside with them is that if you look at someone to talk to them you shine them in the eyes :p

I've bought a few of them now, and the cheap ones aren't worth it. We have a Petzl one, and it uses less batteries than the cheap ones and is several times brighter.

I also have a LED mag light which sits on my bedside table for cunning stunts but doesn't get much use when camping as the headlights get the use. Having said that the LED maglight was good enough for croc spotting on a recent trip. It wasn't quite as good as a spotlight, but then you didn't have to carry a 12V battery either :)

[Xavie]

I agree aboout headlamps they are good. The more expensive ones are much better. I have been out camping with mine for approx 20 nights now and use it at home and the batteries are still not dead. Biggest prob with l.e.d. is they give no warning when they are going to die. They just do it so I often cary 2 torches in case one does.

As for maglites I bought a sheath and if It is in this sheath when i put it down it is far easier to stabilise. it has like a non-slip surface- almost neoprene like i suppose. And as I carry it on my belt it is always with me anyway.

LED mags are excellent. I recently got one. Haven't used it a lot but batteries are not dead and on my normal mag they would of been by now. If you want to keep the mag I'd go LED. cheap enough to buy in that format or get the conversion kit.

Xav

[BMKal]

I use the multi-LED torches (about 6 inches long) that you can buy in most camping store these days. Can get them cheap down here at Fremantle Markets. Batteries last for ages, and they're ideal size to slide into the Black Widow or Michelles Sacs canvas dash pods.

[Bush65]

I have a large maglite and a small wolf-eyes sniper. The wolf-eyes has unbelievable light (better than the maglite) good battery life between re-charges and small enough to fit in your pocket (but has a pouch that fits on a belt).

[PAT303]

So with the wolf eye's thats the one to buy?.BM Kal when are you in town?. Pat

[Utemad]

What size Maglite do you have?

For the larger ones you can get a rubber thing that slips over the head and it has flat sides (octagonal?) Doesn't roll away then.

Get an LED for it and no more battery troubles.

I've got a 4D Maglite clipped on the floor between the seat base and door of the Disco. Two AA Maglites in the glovebox and a cheapo LED head light.

The head light gets the most use as it frees up both hands.

[Xavie]

The only concern I have about wolf eyes and this is not backed up...Simply just a thought. The LED beams I have seen are not very wide and the first post asked a wide beam. Do wolf eyes have a wide beam?

Xav

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I agree aboout headlamps they are good. The more expensive ones are much better. I have been out camping with mine for approx 20 nights now and use it at home and the batteries are still not dead. Biggest prob with l.e.d. is they give no warning when they are going to die. They just do it so I often cary 2 torches in case one does.

<SNIP>

Xav

The Petzl I have has a flashing tiny led on the side that starts as green, goes orange, and then starts flashing orange as the battery dies. Eventually the main light flashes a couple of times every few minutes. :o

[DeeJay]

I bought this little ripper. It lights up a wall 150m away.
Better than any maglite. The new technology boggles my mind.

5 Watt 7? inch 3AAA Blk Luxeon LED Flashlight Torch 5w - eBay Handheld Torches, Lamps, Torches, Camping, Hiking, Sport. (end time 07-Oct-08 23:47:28 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170268393093)

[fatcat]

Hi all i a sucker for torches but the one i always take is my 10 million candle power touch its great, and you get a fair bit of run time 30-45 min which is plenty of walks downthe beach from the camp anther thing is that much light makess the water boil can see fish in the shellows cheers all

[29dinosaur]

petzl head torches are just great

[VladTepes]

Strongly recommend you look at FENIX brand LED torches. Super high quality at good prices.

[GregTD5]

I have a couple of great torches of which I would recommend.
One is a Narva Rechargeable inspection lamp, this is great under the bonnet for a good broad light. It has 15 LED's, giving good light spread. It is completely sealed, so is waterproof with a belt clip attached. This came with a 240 volt wall charger and a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug for charging.
The other is a LED Lenser, which is a single led torch that uses 3 AAA batteries. This runs for ever, giving a very bright white light over a reasonable distance.
I find both very handy under the bonnet, as one gives a spread and other is a spot of light.
Both of these were sent to me by 4wd Monthly/Action for subscribing, so the torches alone are worth subscription cost.

Greg

[abaddonxi]

Check out Dan's Data, go here-
Dan's Data - Full Index (http://dansdata.com/altindex.html#Reviews)
and scroll down to lighting, he's reviewed many torches.

Cheers
Simon

[PAT303]

So now I can't make up my mind.You blokes are supposed to help. Pat

[VladTepes]

I already told ya !

[rick130]

I've had a Princeton Tec head torch for years , but it's finally due for replacement. They are the US equivalent of Petzl.

SureFire torches are brilliant, (pun intended) a mate in the AFP has used them for years. Not sure what his current favourite is though.

<edit> my old 5 cell maglite wedges firmly down between the drivers seat and cubby.

[rijidij]

I really like my headlamp type torch. I’ve always thought they were a gimmick but very handy for working - hands free - under the bonnet and camping etc. Mine’s only a cheap Chinese one but I’m thinking of purchasing a better quality version.

I thought they were a gimmick too, at first.
I had a cheap Chinese headlamp for years, but when I recently tried a new good quality one I could'nt believe how good they are. LED's have come a long way in a few years. I was reluctant to spend the $89 each, but it was well worth it. The one I have is a Black Diamond 'Spot'. It has a single spot beam or a tripple spread and 3 different brightness levels on each. My wife and I use them heaps when we're camping. We bought them at Anaconda, they have a large range.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/11/766.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/11/767.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/11/768.jpg

[ericpicc]

:)You still can't go past Surefire, I have the Z3 Combat with the l.e.d head, best I've ever had.
Not cheap but ruggered and ahead of anything the Chinese could ever make. ( All I need now is the H&K submachine gun to go with it):twisted::twisted:
And I also have a Petzl For when I need both hands.

[Xavie]

Just on the surefires. I own one. Excellent torch. But Dullbird I think it was has said previously that they found them to be trouble. I can't remember the actual issues, I have a feeling they just stopped working and someone else backed it up. They have found the wolf eyes much better.

[BMKal]

So with the wolf eye's thats the one to buy?.BM Kal when are you in town?. Pat

I'll be up there this weekend Pat - flying up Friday evening and back down here Monday morning. I'll PM you my mobile no. if you want to catch up.

[PAT303]

It looks like a shoot out between wolf eye's,fenix or surefire.At the least I will LED my maglight. Pat

[CraigE]

Pat,
The Maglites are great, but do chew the batteries. The solution to this is to get a 12 rechargeable maglite. Comes with cradle and can be mounted in many places. Recharges when placed in the cradles. About $200 and is now available in LED. They also do hard and soft mounts for these.
A better version is the Pelican 8050 series made in high impact ABS plastic. They make great torches and you can also get intrinsically safe versions which we use for confined space / hazmat etc where explosive atmospheres or contaminants may be present. Have a look at their on line Catalogue. Mercury Fire in Kalgoorlie should be able to get them for you. If not FRSA in Perth will (who we deal with) talk to Dave or Greg and they will help you. Just let them know I refered you (Craig from Ravy). Both have websites.
Haedlamps are also great, the cheap ones suffice but dont last that long. The Petzl and Pelicans are great.
I carry a avriety in the car and usually at least one for each of the family.
Cheers
Craig

[Treads]

I've had a Surefire torch for over ten years now at work, it's been used almost every night of the week for that time. I replaced the standard batteries with the rechargeable one a few years back due to the constant use. Light output is second to none and ruggedness is brilliant. I've dropped mine dozens of times and I've only changed bulbs once, but that was to upgrade from the standard 65 lumen lamp to the optional 120 lumen one :twisted:
I haven't yet upgraded mine to LED, but plan to shortly.

We also use a streamlight ultrastinger rechargeable torch in the work car and it gets abused pretty badly. It puts out a little more light than the standard Surefire but has gone through 3 bulbs ($5 ea) in 4 years. Like I said though, it gets pretty abused and has held up well.

Can certainly vouch for petzl headlamps too, my LED one lasted me a number of fire seasons on my RAFT helmet before I managed to misplace it earlier this year :(

Another torch I can give kudos to is the UKE brand. I use them in the fire brigade, attached to both my structural helmet and bushfire helmet. Intrinsically safe and very easy to use with great light output, mine has survived a few knarly house fires over the years :BigThumb:

[PAT303]

I like the idea about rechargeable batteries,I thought that if I could get one that plugs into the ciggy lighter it would be the best.The quality of the top line ones is brilliant. Pat

[dullbird]

pat i have a sniper and ian has a defender......wolf eye's do other torches as well but they are on the more expensive side...

i can only say how unbelievably happy we are with our torches we have just used them on our 4 week trip also, used every day no problems and last a long time on a RECHARGABLE battery one of the things that drew me to them in the first place. and customer service is second to none

have a look here

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/new-south-wales-act/62787-wolf-eye-torches-ultimate-accessory-defender.html

[EchiDna]

go to DealExtreme: Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - Site-Wide Free Shipping (Page 1) (http://www.dealextreme.com/)

they have everything from LED upgrade kits to DIY components to selling complete torches - including Fenix, wolf eyes and many more....

[Glen]

Hello Pat, I was just googling an online ad we have and came upon this thread. I manage Wolf Eyes in Aus, you have had plenty of good suggestions. To give you some rough ideas a std Mag 4,5 or 6 will probably put out 80 lumens, an LED about 120-130. You can see our figures on our site, pound for pound we would be very comfortable to compare our units with anything mentioned in this thread. Most of our torches have a photo of their beam aimed at a 1.8m man sized target, then compared with a Maglite 6D and Surefire 6P. It should allow you to make some decent comparisons.

Our website is WOLF EYES Tactical Torches, Ph 1300 911 007 (http://www.wolfeyes.com.au)

Hope this helps and thanks to all those who said nice words about our product, we appreciate your trust.
Thanks Glen

[VladTepes]

LED Lenser torches are also good.

Oh, and Glen is very good to deal with (see above post).

Vlad

[Sprint]

umm..... i'm curious why your maglite keeps discharging

i've had 3 different 2xAA maglites for several years, never had problems with batteries discharging by themselves, and each has the rubber collar on it to stop it rolling

ive also got a 6D tucked down beside the seat in the falcon, but its there mostly as an attitude adjuster/panelbeating accessory should the need arise

batteries? ALLWAYS used energiser batteries, but i get mine at a significant discount..... $15 for 24 AA's or $20 for a 12 D's

[feraldisco]

thought I'd resurrect this thread as I've just bought one of the new LED Lenser P7s (200 lumen; 200m range) for $95 from this mob (no affiliation; just good to deal with and guaranteed to be genuine article): LED LENSER P7 200 Lumens 2010 Special Price - eBay Handheld Torches, Lamps, Torches, Camping, Hiking, Sport. (end time 24-Mar-10 09:24:14 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LED-LENSER-P7-200-Lumens-2010-Special-Price_W0QQitemZ200442342748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_S port_Camping_Hiking_Lamps_Torches?hash=item2eab4b6 d5c)

Unbelievable performance from a small torch...and if you're really keen, you can get the one with a 1.5km range...

[THE BOOGER]

Have a led lenser DAVID rechargable $110 exellent torch but I just upgraded to a wolf eyes sniper 260 lumens also rechargeable but very pricey also got gun mount, red lens car charger etc the shock was $332.00:eek: but i use it every night so its worth it:D

[slug_burner]

DealExtreme: $58.72 Fenix TK10 Cree Q5 225-Lumen Water-proof HA-III LED Flashlight (2*CR123A) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13481)

best torch I have had, better than the maglites

[isuzurover]

We have 4 maglites, a head torch, and a home made halogen (bike) helmet light.

All are great for various uses.

[p38arover]

I have a mag light which rolls away when I put it down,

My mag light came with a hexagonal rubber thing that slides over the head and stops it rolling.

[Treads]

thought I'd resurrect this thread as I've just bought one of the new LED Lenser P7s (200 lumen; 200m range) for $95 from this mob (no affiliation; just good to deal with and guaranteed to be genuine article): LED LENSER P7 200 Lumens 2010 Special Price - eBay Handheld Torches, Lamps, Torches, Camping, Hiking, Sport. (end time 24-Mar-10 09:24:14 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LED-LENSER-P7-200-Lumens-2010-Special-Price_W0QQitemZ200442342748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_S port_Camping_Hiking_Lamps_Torches?hash=item2eab4b6 d5c)

Unbelievable performance from a small torch...and if you're really keen, you can get the one with a 1.5km range...

I've got one as well. I use it now for work and have a gun mount on my .22 and my .243 :twisted: I've busted quite a number of foxes out to about 100m in the past couple of months :cool:

[circlework]

I have an Arlec RT400 halogen rechargable, about the same size as a 'Dolphin', but has a sealed lead acid battery. I've had this for around 6 years on the farm without problems and it's had a hard life. Only cost $50. The only cons: it will give out without warning and it isn't shiny. :D


Daz.

[Tombie]

Looksee here... www.ledtorches.com.au (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/www.ledtorches.com.au)

Lots of looking to do :cool:

I run Surefires between me and the wife... She pinched my original unit for work! It was the only torch capable of illuminating certain areas of the plant she works in...

[BMKal]

Watch out who you're buying from in Kal Pat - there's the usual ripping off going on.

Went to the camping store closest to the Exchange a few weeks ago, and he quoted me $75 for the new LED Maglite - special deal just because he got a shipment in at bargain basement prices from a "mate in Perth".

Went around to Freerange and got the same torch off the shelf for just over $60.

Needless to say - there's one camping store in town that I don't frequent.

The LED Maglight is good, by the way. Used it at work for inspecting the inside of gearboxes (big ones on conveyor belts & crushers).

[PAT303]

Freerange is the go,I know Mark well,I buy all my shooting gear off him,I've paid off his morgage I recon.I bought an LED globe of him for my maglight and it made the world of difference,I'm going to get a wolf eye's light but I've spent big money lately on shooting gear,a new minox spotting scope $1100 US so the boss won't let me spend anything at the moment. Pat

[fraser130]

Strongly recommend you look at FENIX brand LED torches. Super high quality at good prices.

I'm with Vlad, I have a TK10 and a little kit of 4 rechargables, can be charged from a car with the included charger, It blows my 6D Maglite out of the water,
and is the size of 2 C cells.
My next torch will be the Fenix TK30 (I found out today I have a job, starting next week, so I'm "spending" the first pay already!!:angel:)

Cheers,
Fraser

[thrower78]

If you have very deep pockets you can get the led lenser x21 produces a massive beam does retail for about $500 bucks though

[adonuff]

Hi
We have the LED mag lite, had it for 3 years now and its still working like new on the origional 3 D cell batteries During this time it has been used extensivly, even as a light in the tent while we read before bed, We still have the spare D cells and I'm wondering if they will be any good when finally required.
Andrew

[THE BOOGER]

was looking at the fenex from led torches in the kit gun mounts etc but then spoke to glen at wolf eyes and got a real good deal so went that way dealing with them direct is also much cheaper the other places Mitchells disposals quoted over $400 for the same deal:)

[extreme]

I might be out of date, but my dolphin torch goes alright.

[THE BOOGER]

If you get a chance put it up against any of the new leds you will be surprised at the difference and batteries last for ages:o

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Coleman have a rechargeable LED spotlight that is pretty impressive. :)

[klappers]

Pelican divers torch. Rated to 500 feet. Very durable wont roll away and batteries last for ages

[d2dave]

I use a Princeton tec headlight. I was at a camping show a few years ago and I was looking for a new headlight. I was shown the Princeton tec in a shed on a bright sunny day with daylight conditions in the shed.

The shed had a roof about seven metres high and the beam was easily seen on the roof in broad daylight. At a $100 it was not cheap but I got it.

At night it has a beam better than a Dolphin torch. It is getting a bit old and the switch is getting dicky and I will soon be looking for a replacement.

I will be looking for the same as I am so happy with it.

EOS | Princeton Tec (http://princetontec.com/?q=node/65)

Dave.

[klappers]

Any torch that is rated to go to Zone 0 is going to give you years of service in the civil department..

[digger]

I have a mag light which rolls away when I put it down,flattens the batteries when not in use and really is no good except it sits well clamped to the dash.I want a good torch that will clamp in it's place,won't flatten it's batteries and has a wide beam for working in an engine bay.Is there a good torch to buy that ticks all the boxes?. Pat

I saw one a few weeks ago that seems good, never seen one rolling about, I doubt it'll ever flatten the batteries, and its been in use over 100 years and still going strong in all conditions, lots of people have used them, on road, in buildings, under water, in airtravel, in space, everywhere, and its visible from 1000s and 1000s of kays away...(well I was a long way away when I saw the light from this one)


i think it was called the OLYMPIC TORCH!!!
some for sale in canada at the moment?

cheers!

[klappers]

hmmm... yes

[THE BOOGER]

Can you hold it in your mouth while fixing dodgy lucus wiring with both hands in the pitch dark:p or would singe your nose hair:D