I need a cheap throwy light for working in a summer camp

[The Baron]

Hey guys, im back. I need a recommendation for an 18650 light for use in absolute darkness in the sierras. I can only spend around twenty dollars, because i need to buy some 18650s and a charger too. Im completely lost looking for a light and i need some recomendations. if you have one that you dont need anymore, id be happy to buy a used one as well! :wave:

 

[Blarg King]

If you don't need it for a couple of weeks, then I would suggest getting one off ebay. Just search "LED Flashlight" and you'll get tons of results. No, they aren't the best things ever, but for the price you can't beat them. I got one for 8$ that runs off an 18650 and lights up my whole backyard.

Hope that helps!

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Some tips with regards to buying based on sellers' pictures alone, on how to pick a throwy flashlight.

A large reflector is a good indication that the light will throw nicely. If all else is the same (same LED outputting same # of lumens), the larger the reflector outside diameter is, the less divergent the light beam will be.

More powerful LEDs often have a higher surface area. This is like comparing a single-mode diode to a multimode one. The end result is more overall "power," but also a harder to collimate beam.

Drive current is important, and cannot be guessed based on pictures. Unless they give a high resolution pic of the driver. And even then, usually you can't tell the current that the LED is driven at.

Lastly, reviews are important, but keep in mind that some of the reviews will be by folks whose other flashlight is an old maglite solitaire keychain incan. A candle probably has more candlepower than the ol' solitaire :can:

 

[Livinloud]

Convoy C8 might be a good choice for sub-$20

 

[The Baron]

Oops, I didn't mean throwy I meant floody. I need to illuminate whole walkway paths versus a single object. I need the light asap and if it is more throwy than floody that's really not the end of the world but I just need one asap

 

[Livinloud]

Illuminationsupply.com is fast and in the USA

Ill take a look at what they have cheap

 

[The Baron]

Ahh illumination supply would be perfect because I could get my 18650s and my charger there too! Only problem is I have zero knowledge of flashlights when it comes to specific models. I only know the basic differences between throw and flood and candlepower versus lumens

 

[The Baron]

How's this? Convoy M1 XM-L2 T6 Neutral White 18650 - Flashlights

I also found this: http://www.illumn.com/flashlights/convoy-s6-xm-l2-t6-cool-white-18650.html

What would be the major difference between these two?

I ended up ordering the http://www.illumn.com/flashlights/convoy/convoy-m2-xm-l2-t6-cool-white-18650.html
I'll let you guys know how she performs when I get her!

 

[Livinloud]

Thats a solid light. Should give good throw with good flood; middle of the road light :beer:

 

[The Baron]

That is fantastic news, thank you for your help!

 

[Livinloud]

Im assuming you've never had a new generation LED flashlight? If all you've ever used is say like a MagLite then you will be blown away by this light.

BTW beware, flashlights may be more addicting that lasers :na: I currently have about $1000 in flashlight

 

[The Baron]

i HAVE had a 1000 lumen light I got on here for $35 in a group buy but it is nowhere to be found. All I remember is that it was brown haha. I wasn't too into lights when I got it but now I really need one and I know nothing about them. Good news is that illuminationsupply is so close to here shipping is overnight!

 

[The Baron]

This light is FANTASTIC! Ahh! I really hope I don't get the urge to go bigger and better haha. I probably won't because I can't really use flashlights where I love normally because there's always lighting in most places

 

[BShanahan14rulz]

Hmm, sure those places might already be lit, but what if the lighting QUALITY isn't as nice as a high-cri LED? :angel::eg:

 

[Livinloud]

Glad it'll work out for you

 

[The Baron]

Yeahhhhh I'm really curious as to what a more powerful flashlight than this will look like. Any recommendations on the next step up?