Blerv wrote:Even the best manufactured lights are subject to problems occasionally. Tight tolerances, delicate components and what-not. Many of the more popular brands are quite reliable. They are cheap too so win-win. :)
Direct-driven lights are very uncommon (Peak is one of the more popular models) but are basically just have a resistor and LED. Often they are single-brightness. Brightness fades along with the voltage but they can be less picky with battery types and have less to go wrong. At least parts list wise.
Some lights are just a bit tougher than others. Take the Surefire 6p/G2 for example or it's various clones. There is enough room to fill the backside of the driver ("potting") with copper to cut down on vibration, heat and moisture. They have beefy switches and can have thicker tubes and protective bezels. Along with custom lights they can be really tough and overengineered depending on who puts together the light engine. If you do burn out the pill or drop-in you can install a new one in seconds and you're back in business.
Water, heat, dirt, voltage mistakes all can do a light in. Many are non-servicable. Lights like Fenix are quite nice; for the price I would probably have a couple around the house.
SUREFIRE!! now you're talking my language BLERV :) I've had at least 4 of the 6P Surefire models in the past and have had great luck overall. However for a light in that size range I've yet to find anything by any manufacturer that beats the newer Surefire E2D Defender ( LED) model. I just got one of the newer ones back in March and I've only went through 3 sets of 123a batteries with it in spite of the fact that I use that light a lot during a normal day. The newer Surefire E2D Defender is truly the flashlight of a warrior. I put that little guy through so much abuse and it takes it unbelievably good.
But I've just had excellent luck with all my Surefire Flashlights over the years. Especially the dependability of their "rechargable" models that I own like the LED L7 and the model 9an. They have both been a GOD-Send.
If you all can convince me of a LED Lantern with that type of dependability I'll be the first in line. JD
Most lanterns are large, too heavy and not waterproof.
Not necessarily "NO FAIR" :) That Eureka lantern is pretty light and easy to manuver. They are starting to make a lot of this equipment lighter than they used to. Because a lot of people who backpack and hike have complained about excess weight over the years. There are 3 of the LED lanterns rated in the "American Survival Guide' magazine that are rated either waterproof or water resistant.
I do like your idea however of the cone attachment for a flashlight and I'm going to check it out. My local dealer who handles Surefire flashlights has all kinds of equipment for several of the Surefire flashlights>> I might even go over there today to see if he has anything like what you've described.
But I will also check out this FENIX line of products too. My interest in the FENIX products is growing.
I can't remember the brand name but I have two led latterns that have integral cranks to charge the internal batteries. about 5-10 minutes of cranking will last about 18 hours (left one on overnight). They are also three stage so you can alter the light output to suit your needs. They are not the most sturdy but to use in a cabin, tent or stable location they are fantastic.
If your looking at voltage per mah it's tough to beat a Cree XML. At least of what's readily available. I believe the top of the line at the moment is cool white and binned at U2. The goal for me would to find a platform that would allow enough modes to really stretch the runtime of each battery. Many regulated lights are quite efficient but IMHO not using more light than you need is the ideal. That means more than 3 or 5 modes.
The diffuser cone shown is a great idea. I was scouring the Surefire site for JD yesterday but no luck . It's probably something you could even make. Potentially a longer tube in a fixed position would be even more efficient. Similar to a florescent tube via LED.
JD, I love my Zebralight H60w. It runs off an 18650 and has almost a month runtime with the lowest setting. I use it every day to take out and put in my contacts, I use it as lighting to take pictures.
I think in a end of world situation, you'd be better off with CR123 primaries since 99% of the population doesn't even know what they are. So maybe a H31 would be better.
-Brian A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
Donut wrote:JD, I love my Zebralight H60w. It runs off an 18650 and has almost a month runtime with the lowest setting. I use it every day to take out and put in my contacts, I use it as lighting to take pictures.
I think in a end of world situation, you'd be better off with CR123 primaries since 99% of the population doesn't even know what they are. So maybe a H31 would be better.
That's really got my attention "Donut" and definitely something to consider because about 3 years ago our local Radio Shack was running a closeout sale on sets of rechargable 123a batteries along with the charger for $13 and change. I nailed down 4 of them but some of the rechargable batteries themselves have given up the ghost. And Radio Shack being the consumer friendly :rolleyes: folks that they are :rolleyes: say they can't even order me any more rechargable 123a batteries. I have the chargers but no rechargable 123a batteries to go with them. Anyone who knows where I can get some more that would work with my charger please PM me and let me know the source for them.
So with that being said I would deeply consider any flashlight or other light source that would work as an LED Lantern that runs on 123a batteries. Because I also have 4 Surefire flashlights that run on 123a batteries as well and that would make my battery problem easy to remedy.
I have that Zebralight H600Fw. Great light for close work. For most of my li-ion battery needs I go here. I also use Redilast 18650's in the Zebralight and EagleTac 18650 batteries in my EagleTac flashlight. Personally I prefer using 18650 batteries if I can over RCR123. That's not to say I don't own and use any 123 flashlights but the only real upside on using 123's in modern flashlights is the smaller diameter.
Before it got stolen I use to have a Fenix camping lampshade. What I liked about it was it's ability to take on the same qualities as my flashlight, i.e. tint, modes, run-time. Looks like other companies are coming up with similar products. I'm not sure if you would use it as your primary lantern but I wasn't in need of anything else since it's small and light. To me a dedicated lantern is not something I would want, unless I could easily take it apart and put a new LED in it. I've come to a point where I find bluish LED's a pain in the eye :)
Single cell 123 lights are about half the length, well, about a third shorter it seems on average. The double cr123 configuration is often slightly better for regulation but worse on capacity and higher in danger. The biggest boon is stockpiling in an "end of days" scenario.
Many Surefire's that take 2x123 cells can be bored to take 1x18650. I would prefer to do that and run primaries in a pinch. It's nice to have extra batteries around and their shelf life is impressive. I prefer Eneloop AA's but have Energizer Max's around the house too...15 year shelf life and crazy runtime.
JD Spydo wrote:Not necessarily "NO FAIR" :) That Eureka lantern is pretty light and easy to manuver. They are starting to make a lot of this equipment lighter than they used to. Because a lot of people who backpack and hike have complained about excess weight over the years. There are 3 of the LED lanterns rated in the "American Survival Guide' magazine that are rated either waterproof or water resistant.
I do like your idea however of the cone attachment for a flashlight and I'm going to check it out. My local dealer who handles Surefire flashlights has all kinds of equipment for several of the Surefire flashlights>> I might even go over there today to see if he has anything like what you've described.
But I will also check out this FENIX line of products too. My interest in the FENIX products is growing.
This is very well suited as a backup flashlight for your Surefire and works great as a lantern:
Came across this on CountComm, specs look pretty darn decent for its size. Definitely thinking about getting one and keeping it handy for hurricanes. http://www.countycomm.com/claruslantern.html
Excuse the junk in the photo but had to try it. With an opaque milk carton it would be much more impressive.
Did you crank it up to 800 lumens? :) I like these kind of ideas where a simple and cheap item can be used for another purpose. I have a plastic white cap that cost almost nothing covering my Mini Quark123 that diffuses it quite nice. Also like what this guy did with just a business card a couple twist ties and some aluminum foil tape. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... -or-Weight
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