Incandescent lights. Any advantages?

[Benner]

After looking for and purchasing a couple of flashlights, it is clear that the most talked about and recommended ones are LED's.  But are there any advantages of an incan?

[NutSAK]

Color rendition is an advantage.  Even the best tinted LEDs still can't match the very wide bandwidth of light that comes from an incandescent bulb.  This allows for better color rendition of the object and much better depth perception.  Incandescents can also punch though haze, such as fog, much better due to this.

Better "throw" used to be a major advantage of incans, but the newer emitter and reflector combinations are doing a great job of matching the incans.

[Leatherman123]

When I am on duty I use a Streamlight Stinger which is incandescent. The reason we use these lights is because its decently small and it has a strong beam that goes quite far. They are fairly cheap now too. I bought my first one for $150 and now you can find them for about $75.. So basically incan's will project a beam that goes further than any LED light.

[Spoonrobot]

So basically incan's will project a beam that goes further than any LED light.

Certain incans against certain LED lights.

The current crop of Chinese throwers will also outperform most Incans in their size/voltage group.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=181762
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184552

LED now rules the 3 volt and 6 volt areas. Cree emitters in these two areas are brighter and throw further than any incandescent.

Incans do have some advantages:

• More familiar color rendition
• Available in a much greater brightness arc than LED off the shelf

Here's an interesting thread RE: Color rendition LEDs.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=183417

[Benner]

Thanks for the info guys.  I may get a cheapish incan at some point just to give it a go.

[Spoonrobot]

Thanks for the info guys.  I may get a cheapish incan at some point just to give it a go.

A good one would be the Princeton Tec PT40 with a Mag-Lite 4-Cell Xenon bulb.
Link

UnderWater Kinetics also makes a couple good incans that throw far and have decent brightness. Their 4AA rechargeable puts out light equal to a typical 6 volt tactical light and throws a little further. I EDC'd their basic 4AA with a 4AA rechargeable lamp for several months.
Link

And remember the 2AA Maglite is a staple of any flashlight collection. 

[NutSAK]

Regardless of the advantages of incans, I don't own a single one.  I find that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.  I suppose the fact that I'm a techno-geek has something to do with it too.

[WhichDawg]

me myself and I can't wait for incans to go bye bye! I hate just bumping a light and it going out or dropping it lightly (as on the soft grass or carpet).

I understand for the moment incans are superior in big/bazooka type lights (the zillion candle power ones we tim allen guys have) because they can take the power needed to feed em. but their are so many advantages to LEDs. (like not breaking so easily) 

I for one don't see any real future/advantage of incandescent lights/bulbs and can't wait until they're all are! just my 2 cents (is that pences across the pond?)

[Benner]

See one main element that sounds quite attractive is the colour rendition.  Being colourblind, the LED lights that I have can often make things look flat.  I would like to get a decent-ish incan just to see if there is any improvement on this.

[NutSAK]

See one main element that sounds quite attractive is the colour rendition.  Being colourblind, the LED lights that I have can often make things look flat.  I would like to get a decent-ish incan just to see if there is any improvement on this.

When I described the color rendition above, I almost used exactly the same description of LED's rendition--flat.  That describes it well, actually.  I think you'll find that an incan will give you much more relief or "depth" to your view.

[Benner]

These look interesting;
http://www.hellfireusa.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/product.html&setup=1&ida=4&idp=0&his=0&cart_id=8315734.5596

I am struggling to find many incans that aren't the CR123 type. 

[NutSAK]

I am struggling to find many incans that aren't the CR123 type. 

That's because they're inefficient and have to use high-power batteries to compete with LEDs these days.

[Spoonrobot]

These look interesting;
http://www.hellfireusa.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/product.html&setup=1&ida=4&idp=0&his=0&cart_id=8315734.5596

I am struggling to find many incans that aren't the CR123 type. 

Take a look at this page: http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_index_incand.htm

It's slightly outdated but has some good standbys to begin your hunt. Basically good incans that don't run on CR123 batteries are going to come from one of a few companies. PrincetonTec, Pelican and UK are the big names in alkaline powered lights. Most lights that run on alkalines can be run on NiMH batteries and give superior runtime without the fast power loss of alkalines under load.

Are you looking for smaller EDC-type lights or bigger back-ups?

[Benner]

EDC size is what I would like to try.  The Surefire G2 looks quite good.

I will look into those Spoon, thanks.

[Spoonrobot]

EDC size is what I would like to try.  The Surefire G2 looks quite good.

I will look into those Spoon, thanks.

If you want to go the rechargeable route Wolf-Eyes makes an excellent 3.7volt Lamp assembly that runs on 1x18650 Li-Ion cell and has about 1/3 greater brightness than the G2. Startup cost is a little higher because you need a charger but it quickly pays for itself since you aren't buying CR123 cells.

Here's the link: http://www.pts-flashlights.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-3-6-6015

It's slightly larger and heavier than the G2 but has a more powerful lamp.

[Benner]

I would rather not go down the rechargable route.  I much prefer standard type flashlights.

The Tec 40 you said earlier looks pretty good.  Great price too.

[Benner]

Ok after reading a few bits I am quite keen on the SF G2 and the SL Scorpion.  Any thoughts on either of these?

[NutSAK]

I've heard nothing but good things about the G2 Nitrolon.

[Benner]

I've heard nothing but good things about the G2 Nitrolon.

It does seem pretty good.  According to SF's website you can get 120 lumens from the P61 as well.  It will eat batteries though.

[NutSAK]

Another bonus to the G2 is that you can buy LED drop-in modules for it.

[Benner]

Another bonus to the G2 is that you can buy LED drop-in modules for it.

Yes it certainly does sound like a good way to go.  I will have to keep my eyes out for a decent used one.

What is surefires warranty like?

[NutSAK]

What is surefires warranty like?

One of the best.  I've heard that service can be a bit slow at times, however.

Here's the warranty:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/strfnbr/6/pgrfnbr/261

[Benner]

What is surefires warranty like?

One of the best.  I've heard that service can be a bit slow at times, however.

Here's the warranty:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/strfnbr/6/pgrfnbr/261

Sounds good.  I notice that they say the warranty applies to the original owner.  Has anyone ever had any problem returning flashlights that they have bought 2nd hand?

[Spoonrobot]

What is surefires warranty like?

One of the best.  I've heard that service can be a bit slow at times, however.

Here's the warranty:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/strfnbr/6/pgrfnbr/261

Sounds good.  I notice that they say the warranty applies to the original owner.  Has anyone ever had any problem returning flashlights that they have bought 2nd hand?

Nope. In the past I've called them, told them the problem and they've given me an RMA# and resolved the problem in short order even though I was owner #2.

I like the G2 over the Scorpion because it has Surefire's wide catalogue of accessories that are available to it.

Both lights will run for the same amount of time.

The Scorpion can be adjusted from throw to flood and will throw about 10% more than the G2 when dialed in to throw.

The Scorpion has a rubber sleeve around the body that aids grip but tends to snag on clothing.

The G2 takes lamp assemblies and can accept a power ugrade to 120 lumens, the Scorpion take bi-pins bulbs with no upgrades.

G2 comes in different colors.

The G2 now has a Lock-Out-Tailcap, I don't think the Scorpion does.

That's all I can remember from when I owned those two lights. Both are good 2xCR123 examples and are cheap enough to try and resell later.

[Benner]

Thanks for the info guys.  I am certainly thinking the G2 is the way to go.  I'll keep an eye out for one. 

[Benner]

Spoon, any idea what the output of the Tec 40 would be with the 4 cell maglite bulb?  Seems like a damn good light for the price.  Also, does it come with a glass lens fitted?

Thanks pal.

[Leatherman123]

Streamlights warranty is really top notch too. My Stinger got water damage and as long as its not the bulb or battery they will replace it..

[Benner]

Spoon have just read your topic on beamshots and have found the answer to my question.

Cheers. 

[Benner]

I am having a little trouble getting hold of a Tec 40.  Any ideas where I could get one?

[Spoonrobot]

I am having a little trouble getting hold of a Tec 40.  Any ideas where I could get one?

Amazon.UK has one here. That price is pretty high though, I think they average @10$ at retail stores in the U.S.