Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Flashlight Forum => Topic started by: Benner on December 04, 2007, 09:11:26 PM
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Following on from the Maglite 6D topic, I have been looking for a decent, yet cheap, large flashlight to use around the home for use in the loft, in case of a powercut and to whack any burglars that may visit in the night.
The obvious contender is the very well built Maglite and after a lot of measuring and comparing I think the 4C will be my best bet. http://www.maglite.com/product.asp?psc=3CCELL
I am also interested in the Streamlight Twin-task 3C as this again has the benefit of the solid construction, but also the ability to swap between a xenon bulb and LED's. http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=45#tabs
The cost over here is pretty much the same for both so that could be ruled out, but does anyone have any thoughts as to which one is the one to go for?
Cheers
Benner
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Mag lights have the benefit of not only being inexpensive (although you said initial cost isn't an issue) but there's also the benefit of replacement bulbs and other parts, upgrades and hundreds of thousands of user mods available for Mags. It's hard to argue with that kind of support.
Def
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That is very true and I completely agree, but after looking into it, Streamlight offer a lifetime warranty (I believe the warranty on Maglite's in the UK is 10 years?) and they have parts readily available as well. :-\
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That's odd- Mags have a lifetime warranty here. Or at least I think they do...?
DEf
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Apparently they have lifetime warranties in the Western hemisphere and Japan, and 10 year everywhere else. So I'm thinking that's you and not over here. (I was never that good at geography)
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Go with the Streamlight. there's no reason left to use bulbs in anything these days, and Mags ain't that robust anyway. All the Mag upgrades are good (and some are awesome), but it can be an expensive hobby if you let it, and if you were a big enough Jamie to get into all of that you'd buy both anyway! :D Just my tuppence worth, don't y'know :)
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So that's one for each.
Has anyone actually used a Streamlight?
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Mag lights have the benefit of not only being inexpensive (although you said initial cost isn't an issue) but there's also the benefit of replacement bulbs and other parts, upgrades and hundreds of thousands of user mods available for Mags. It's hard to argue with that kind of support.
Def
I would have to agree with Def here.
Besides, if you get a 3 D Cell Mag, you can always get one of these bad boys:
http://elektrolumens.com/DropIn/MonsterThrow.html
Or, this one for a 2,3 or 4 C or D cell
http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=15&zenid=rp71kk6ce3lh1p65o1m0r1u2dsgjlmk7 (http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=15&zenid=rp71kk6ce3lh1p65o1m0r1u2dsgjlmk7)
:drool:
Seriously though... What price range are you looking to land in? I may have another option or two.
EDIT: Nevermind... I see that price isn't a consideration. Lemme see what I can find.
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EDIT: Nevermind... I see that price isn't a consideration. Lemme see what I can find.
Thanks.
Price is quite important, I am ideally looking for around the £25 mark.
To be honest I am open to suggestions. I basically want one that is around 1ft long, really solid and accepts batteries that arent the expensive cr123 type.
After looking even more at Maglites, it seems that the 4D has the same output as the 4C, and the battery life is nearly twice as much. So I would be more attracted to the 4D. It's also quite a bit beefier. >:D
EDIT: Please ignore previous info, specifications were incorrect. ::)
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So that's one for each.
Has anyone actually used a Streamlight?
I have a Streamlight Stylus:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=106 (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=106)
I take it with me wherever I go and use it all the time, it's never let me down. I also own 4 mag's (3D cell, 2xAA & 2xAAA minis, 1xAAA solitare), and I'd say that the build of this is on-par with those. I prefer this one ove rthe smaller mag's as it lasts forever on one set of batteries, and stays brighter indoors for longer. That could be attributed to the LED it uses though.
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So that's one for each.
Has anyone actually used a Streamlight?
I have a Streamlight Stylus:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=106 (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=106)
I take it with me wherever I go and use it all the time, it's never let me down. I also own 4 mag's (3D cell, 2xAA & 2xAAA minis, 1xAAA solitare), and I'd say that the build of this is on-par with those. I prefer this one ove rthe smaller mag's as it lasts forever on one set of batteries, and stays brighter indoors for longer. That could be attributed to the LED it uses though.
Thanks for that Carthas, and welcome to the forum. :)
I have to say that after reading a couple of reviews on flashlightreviews.com I am steering towards the Streamlight atm. I am going xmas shopping today (lucky me ::)) and I am going to try and handle a few Mag's to get the feel of them.
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I actually have a few Streamlights. The Stinger is my favorite. Brighter than any mag lite and is at a good price. They also have a lifetime warranty as long as its not the battery or lamp! I have used the warranty once whent he stinger stoped working
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The Stinger lineup is very nice--there are several named "Stinger", and there is a large price range.
They're strong enough to beat someone over the head with too. :twak:
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The Stinger lineup is very nice--there are several named "Stinger", and there is a large price range.
They're strong enough to beat someone over the head with too. :twak:
Is the Twin-task whackable as well?
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Thanks for that Carthas, and welcome to the forum. :)
I have to say that after reading a couple of reviews on flashlightreviews.com I am steering towards the Streamlight atm. I am going xmas shopping today (lucky me ::)) and I am going to try and handle a few Mag's to get the feel of them.
Cheer mate :cheers:
Hope you find something that you're happy with :)
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Is the Twin-task whackable as well?
I think so. Ask Def--he has one.
An Elektrolumens Blaster III would be Ideal. It's a 3 D cell aluminum (aluminium) LED light with good performance that's built like a TANK. The walls must be at least three times thicker than a Maglite. Alas, they are no longer produced, so we would have to procure one from someone's collection.
Here's a pic of mine. These are all Elektrolumens lights. The Blaster III's are the long ones in the middle (green and black):
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL486/2217790/14369184/286504967.jpg)
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The Stinger lineup is very nice--there are several named "Stinger", and there is a large price range.
They're strong enough to beat someone over the head with too. :twak:
Is the Twin-task whackable as well?
Do you have a big problem with team burgalars then ??? ;) :D
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An Elektrolumens Blaster III would be Ideal. It's a 3 D cell aluminum (aluminium) LED light with good performance that's built like a TANK. The walls must be at least three times thicker than a Maglite. Alas, they are no longer produced, so we would have to procure one from someone's collection.
Can I procure one from your collection? :D :D
I will have a look at them as well.
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Is the Twin-task whackable as well?
I think so. Ask Def--he has one.
Def, can I whack someone with a Twin-task? :)
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It's not a question of if you can, but where ya hit em ;)
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It's not a question of if you can, but where ya hit em ;)
That is true. But if you hit them with something built like a brick as well, it helps. ;)
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Can I procure one from your collection? :D :D
Possibly. That is something I'm considering.
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Here is a good review of the Blaster III:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/elektrolumens_blaster3p.htm
I think I will put a want ad up for one of these on CPF this evening. That will be the easiest place to find one by far.
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The review looks good on flashlightreviews.com. Certainly looks very solid. :)
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Here is a good review of the Blaster III:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/elektrolumens_blaster3p.htm
I think I will put a want ad up for one of these on CPF this evening. That will be the easiest place to find one by far.
LOL. Yes it looks very good.
Cheers! :cheers: The problem is I am in the UK so shipping might be a little steep. ;)
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Is the UK price that different ???
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Is the UK price that different ???
I am having trouble finding one for sale, let alone in this country. :(
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I am in the UK so shipping might be a little steep. ;)
Yeah, I'm a bit concerned about that. I have bought these in the past for $25-30 so, if one can be located, it shouldn't be too price-prohibitive.
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Is the UK price that different ???
I am having trouble finding one for sale, let alone in this country. :(
Hmmm, you could drop heinnies an email, see what they can do, as it's getting close to xmas, the post is gona be all over the show ::)
Btw, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but if you hit someone with a torch, even in your own home it'll still be considered assault with a weapon, especially if it's one of these modern torches, with sharp impact risers all over them ;)
There are better, less obvious weapon, to use.
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I am in the UK so shipping might be a little steep. ;)
Yeah, I'm a bit concerned about that. I have bought these in the past for $25-30 so, if one can be located, it shouldn't be too price-prohibitive.
Well I am looking around the £25 mark, so $50 inc shipping. So it is an option if you can find one for me.
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Is the UK price that different ???
I am having trouble finding one for sale, let alone in this country. :(
Hmmm, you could drop heinnies an email, see what they can do, as it's getting close to xmas, the post is gona be all over the show ::)
Btw, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but if you hit someone with a torch, even in your own home it'll still be considered assault with a weapon, especially if it's one of these modern torches, with sharp impact risers all over them ;)
There are better, less obvious weapon, to use.
Well it ain't just for whacking. :D I do need a decent light as well. But that would just be a bonus. ;)
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I am in the UK so shipping might be a little steep. ;)
Yeah, I'm a bit concerned about that. I have bought these in the past for $25-30 so, if one can be located, it shouldn't be too price-prohibitive.
Well I am looking around the £25 mark, so $50 inc shipping. So it is an option if you can find one for me.
I'm looking :)
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Sorry mate, I failed :(
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Sorry mate, I failed :(
USELESS!!!!!! :D :D
Hopefully NutSAK will have some luck.
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Sorry mate, I failed :(
USELESS!!!!!! :D :D
Hopefully NutSAK will have some luck.
I can go off you, you know :D :D
I think you are gona have more luck that side of the pond, but the postage will be high coz of the size if not the weight :(
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Sorry mate, I failed :(
USELESS!!!!!! :D :D
Hopefully NutSAK will have some luck.
I can go off you, you know :D :D
I think you are gona have more luck that side of the pond, but the postage will be high coz of the size if not the weight :(
:D :D
Yeah, I am just hoping that the low US costs will make up for the postage :-\.
I like the way this post is called Streamlight or Maglite and I am looking at getting an Elecktrolumens. ::)
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Sorry mate, I failed :(
USELESS!!!!!! :D :D
Hopefully NutSAK will have some luck.
I can go off you, you know :D :D
I think you are gona have more luck that side of the pond, but the postage will be high coz of the size if not the weight :(
:D :D
Yeah, I am just hoping that the low US costs will make up for the postage :-\.
I like the way this post is called Streamlight or Maglite and I am looking at getting an Elecktrolumens. ::)
Oh dear, you've become quite the jamie haven't you ::)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-B_FQKHQDYk
:D :D :D
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Ha bloody ha!! :D
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Ha bloody ha!! :D
You KNOW it's true :D :D
Anyway night guys :)
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Ha bloody ha!! :D
You KNOW it's true :D :D
Anyway night guys :)
Night pal!
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a question and a comment for you, Benner...
Are you looking for a particular type of beam from this light? I ask because the Blaster uses an optic, which has less "spill" to the beam than a reflector. It's more of a large, bright spot with a dim spill. In other words, it throws light a great distance, but it isn't very bright in the periphery.
Also, I wouldn't recommend the Blaster if you have small hands--it is thick. I have medium hands, and I don't find it a comfortable light with gloves on.
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a question and a comment for you, Benner...
Are you looking for a particular type of beam from this light? I ask because the Blaster uses an optic, which has less "spill" to the beam than a reflector. It's more of a large, bright spot with a dim spill. In other words, it throws light a great distance, but it isn't very bright in the periphery.
Also, I wouldn't recommend the Blaster if you have small hands--it is thick. I have medium hands, and I don't find it a comfortable light with gloves on.
The beam of light sounds like what I am looking for. Spill is handy, but I have cheap alternatives that would do the job, and I do prefer the LED type due to it's power consumption and the way it can sustain a fall and not break the element.
I have average sized hands but they are very thin and in my experience, I prefer "chunkier" items because of it. I did manage to handle a maglite 3d yesterday and I liked the thickness of that, so I would assume the Blaster would be of a similar thickness?
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It is a bit thicker than a Maglite, just because the walls of the tube are about 3 times as thick. I don't know that you would really notice the difference unless you were comparing them side-by-side though. Oh yeah--it is a HELL of a lot brighter than a stock Mag Lite, and will run much longer on a set of batteries.
I've decided that I will sell my black one to you if we can't find another in a reasonable amount of time. I keep these on hand to whack intruders also, and I have the green one at the front door and that's all I really need.
Besides, I need to whittle down my "collection" from the 35 or so flashlights that I have right now. :o
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It is a bit thicker than a Maglite, just because the walls of the tube are about 3 times as thick. I don't know that you would really notice the difference unless you were comparing them side-by-side though.
I've decided that I will sell my black one to you if we can't find another in a reasonable amount of time. I keep these on hand to whack intruders also, and I have the green one at the front door and that's all I really need.
Besides, I need to whittle down my "collection" from the 35 or so flashlights that I have right now. :o
35! :o Mind you on cpf I expect that is small. :)
Only if you are sure and think that my budget suits you? I don't mind waiting a bit if there's a chance of getting another.
It does look like a good light. I have done a few searches and everyone seems to think they are good. And the battery life seems impressive as well. :)
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Your budget suits me fine if the shipping is reasonable. I don't try to make any profits on my torches, I just buy them, use them a while, modify some of them, and then sell them. I paid $28 for it. I'm the second owner of this one, but it is still in excellent condition. That's the nice thing about LED torches--they basically last forever, so you can buy used ones and get a like-new light for much less $ (or £ as it were ;).
These two have been modified. The original owner sent these back to Wayne Johnson (owner of Elektro Lumens) to have him upgrade them with Luxeon III LEDs. The originals have Luxeon I LEDs, so these are a bit brighter than stock.
One thing to consider is that parts for this light will be hard to come by since it's no longer in production. However, the switch is the only thing I can think of that could possibly go bad (as long as it's not used as a hammer!), and the switch is quite robust. It's likely that your grandkids will be able to use this light when they're your age (assuming D cells are still available then).
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Your budget suits me fine if the shipping is reasonable. I don't try to make any profits on my torches, I just buy them, use them a while, modify some of them, and then sell them. I paid $28 for it. I'm the second owner of this one, but it is still in excellent condition. That's the nice thing about LED torches--they basically last forever, so you can buy used ones and get a like-new light for much less $ (or £ as it were ;).
These two have been modified. The original owner sent these back to Wayne Johnson (owner of Elektro Lumens) to have him upgrade them with Luxeon III LEDs. The originals have Luxeon I LEDs, so these are a bit brighter than stock.
One thing to consider is that parts for this light will be hard to come by since it's no longer in production. However, the switch is the only thing I can think of that could possibly go bad (as long as it's not used as a hammer!), and the switch is quite robust. It's likely that your grandkids will be able to use this light when they're your age (assuming D cells are still available then).
I wouldn't have thought the shipping would be too bad ??? Even if it was around the $30 mark I'd still consider it.
I had thought about spares, so I took at look at their website and I am sure that if anything did happen I could get something from them. But like you said, it is built like a tank so I'm sure it would be fine. And I am also a qualified electronic engineer so fixing these sort of things is not a prob. ;)
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And I am also a qualified electronic engineer so fixing these sort of things is not a prob. ;)
Cool. Me too. 8)
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And I am also a qualified electronic engineer so fixing these sort of things is not a prob. ;)
Cool. Me too. 8)
I'm not a very good one mind. :D But I am qualified. ;)
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Besides, I need to whittle down my "collection" from the 35 or so flashlights that I have right now. :o
Should we keep an eye out in the Sale Forums here? :D
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Besides, I need to whittle down my "collection" from the 35 or so flashlights that I have right now. :o
Should we keep an eye out in the Sale Forums here? :D
If one's a Blaster, it's MINE!! >:D :D
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I'm in the market for a BIG 6 cell Mag Lite.. :D
No one has mentioned Kel Lite yet...I've never handled one, but they looked eerily similar to Mag Lites. Off to google to find out more.. ???
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Streamlight or Maglite? Well IMO the answer is Elektro lumens! :D
Just received the blaster 3 from NutSAK (cheers mate!) and I love this thing.
Will do a bit more of a talk through later, I've got too much to play with tonight. :D
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I love the concrete construction of my SL-20XP I've had for about 6-7 years now. I wouldn't get another rechargeable now, though. I've used my IQ5 Motorola Battery Maintenance System+ to condition the SL20XP's stick but it's on its way out. I'm surprised by this actually because I've had, for instance, portable 2-way radio batteries last longer and were used more. I'd like to get the LED upgrade but haven't gotten around to it. Since I swapped out the incandie bulb in my 3-D Maglite to their LED bulb I've been using that. Since I've ripped apart the Maglite and have seen an SL-20XP gutted I think the Streamlight is slightly better built. Your mileage may vary.