Cree, batteries, buying....etc...

[dks]

I am looking for flashlights that are decent enough and better than my usual cheap 5 LED 3AAA flashlights that I have, (though smaller than my 12v/6v floodlights)

Basically I want something:

• Economical
  No fancy variable output modes needed, but not a problem if it has them
  Uses AAA or AA or C etc batteries that I can recharge easily; No fancy batteries or modifications.
  Bright, compared to my 5LED lights (I do not know, lets say over 30 Candela ?)
  Robust.
  Decent running time, but I will not have them on for more than a few hours max.
  To keep in the cars and the house, so small but not necessary tiny.

I may also look at a small 1AAA one too at some point.(e.g. Fenix E01/E05)

I am looking at eBay, some UK sellers found using links here (e.g. flashaholics, Heinnies) and focalprice.

I understand Fenix are considered good, but I see that focalprice sells similar output lights with Cree lightbulbs /systems? For a much lower price: http://www.focalprice.com/categorylist/009001003?attr_flashlight+emitter+=cree

Some brands they have are ultrafire skyray etc.

I am not clear, however, if they need special batteries or whether they work with normal batteries too but at a lower output? What is e.g. 14500?

Searching the forum here has actually confused me more.. 

Any experience with the brands sold on focalprice?

Any other brands that are nearly as good as Fenix but cheaper?

[space cowboy]

The E01 & E05 are hard to beat for EDC. I would suggest the Romisen RC-G2 from Shiningbeam. It runs on one AA cell at around 5 hours at around 100 lumens. I love mine..!

[Mr. Whippy]

Fenix, Maratac, Olight, Lumapower, ITP all make relatively economical high output lights.  There are also rechargeable CR123s (RCR123), if that helps in your decision.

I'm not a huge Flashaholic, but to me, as important as the total number of lumens are runtimes (how long the batteries last), pattern of light (Flood--how much it spreads) and color of light.  A lot of people dislike green or blue tinged lights.

I own lights from all of the above manufacturers and am completely happy with all of them.

[dks]

  Thank you to both.
After looking into your sugestions:
I am looking at a fenix E05, for a small light,  since it appears to be worth the extra compared to the E01 on eBay and a Romisen RC-K4, for a regular light,  from here http://www.focalprice.com/LF012B/Romisen_RCK4_Lumi_P4_Portable_Flashlight_Black.html

They run on normal batteries and are reasonably priced, for me.

any other sugestions especially regarding the focalprice products?

[tattoosteve99]

Just saw this thread. But you could get a solarforce drop in a nice led unit from lighthound. One 18650, charger, and a good led will run you a few bucks but in the long run you will save tons on batteries. Just my 2cents worth.

[dks]

I hear you but I just want something simple, with minimum needed effort to get working.

No new chargers or unusual batteries or modifying. I like flashlights but I am not really into optimising them in any way.

[tattoosteve99]

Well these are add ins. They work very simple. Unscrew, put it, screw shut. Done. I paid for my first two sets of batteries the first time I charged the others.

[Millhouse]

Thank you to both.
After looking into your sugestions:
I am looking at a fenix E05, for a small light,  since it appears to be worth the extra compared to the E01 on eBay and a Romisen RC-K4, for a regular light,  from here http://www.focalprice.com/LF012B/Romisen_RCK4_Lumi_P4_Portable_Flashlight_Black.html

They run on normal batteries and are reasonably priced, for me.

any other sugestions especially regarding the focalprice products?

Not a fan of 3AAA lights such as that Romisen. Much prefer 1 or 2x AA. I would suggest Jetbeam's BA lights, available from www.ledfiretorches.co.uk.

[mvyrmnd]

The current king of the no-fuss big-hitter is the Jetbeam PA40.

You can get it in Cool-white, if you don't mind 6000K, and now neutral white. If you're planning to use it outside a lot, then I reccommend the neutral. It'll do 2.5 hours on full belt (468 lumens) and has four modes. It'll do 150 hours at 2 lumens

Have a look here http://www.batteryjunction.com/jetbeam-pa40-neutral.html

It's a damn good "bump in the night" light.

For a pocket light, or one to have stashed in various places, go for the Fenix E05 or the Olight i1 EOS. Put a primary Lithium AA in there, and it'll still turn on in 10 years.

For something in between, look at the Sunwayman V20A. It's a 2xAA light with an infinitely variable brightness control. Awesome little thing.

These lights are certainly not the cheapest out there, but are bulletproof and will give you years of service. You're better off spending more, and only crying once.

[dks]

Had a look at Jetbeam
the BA20 looks good at $40 though it is double the price of similar Romisen.

the PA40 is about 70

I am actually pretty confused now.... I will buy one of them for sure and some cheap ones for a try.

[mvyrmnd]

There are so many options it's easy to get confused.

Think of it this way:

Define a purpose for the light. Do you want something that will light up your whole backyard if something goes bump? Do you want to go hiking in the bush at night? Do you want it to EDC? Do you want to see something in the distance, or up close? Does it matter is the colours you see are accurate?



Once you know exactly what task you want it to perform, it's easier to narrow down the options.

[dks]

I  have ordered the Romisen and some really cheap Small sun creed lights (just to see...$3 each).

I will also buy the E01 and the BA20.

I just need some OK lights to have in the cars and around the house. I have several, cheap multiple LED and filament bulb lights and just want something better.

I have a floodlight (55w) and spotlights in case I need to light something around or outside the house/garage etc