the latest thinking in great LED flashlights ?

[mrbigstuff]

I'm finally of the mind that I need a real flashlight, one capable of shining a decent spot about 40-50 feet away.

I'm all ears to listen to you LED fanatics on what fulfills this purpose.

[Racer X]

I don't think an LED array can be focused that well that far out. Just get a MagLight, put in a halogen bulb (Radio Shack, about $4), and be done with it. I have had one since the late 80s, and I could light up street signs from the other end of the block with my 4 D cell MagLight.

smaller option is one of the tactical lights using 2 CR123 lithium batteries and about a 200 lumen bulb. Not cheap, but small.

[Mike Johnson]

The Lowes Task Force CREE 2-C jobber sells for $30. I'm not into flashlights, but this is an amazing flashlight. I've bought several to give to friends & family.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/show...d53c1660ec&t=175576

[Racer X]

Jeebus, flashlight geeks?

[davester]

That candlepower forum is about the geekiest forum I've ever seen...flashlight jocks, who woulda thought!? That said, there's an awful lot (too much) of info on that forum regarding all the different types of high end LED lights. Methinks you're a bit behind the flashlight times, Racer X.

[OWC Jamie]

ExtremeGeek would be someone with a LED automotive headlight and a 12 or 24 volt battery in a backpack.

added Extreme to Geek

[AAA]

One of my HS buddies interviewed with CREE. He is an optical engineer. He had good things to say about their technology.

I have been shopping for some cree stuff. But not decided on one yet. Almost did. The one I have been mulling over last week (I sit here with two LED lights with me) is the Streamlight PolyTac. Cheap, good bright light. Nothing fancy. I have over $100 flashlights, too. But decent small size, bright light are better than one feature over another.

http://www.bigplanetgear.com/catalog/pro...?pid=69549&ret_id=1089039

I just want a yellow one right now.



A lot of guys like the fenix stuff, too. I have not tried them out much.

http://www.fenixlight.com/flashlight/fenixp1.htm



Or, just jump to a really pricey one... Surefire 10x dominator...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/51...eable.html

Not LED.

http://www.surefire.com/10x-Dominator

[AAA]

oh.... woot right NOW...

http://www.woot.com/

[blusubaru]

AAA wrote:
oh.... woot right NOW...

http://www.woot.com/

You know, I was going to ask about that one too, but it isn't a Cree. Is Luxeon good too?

[AAA]

Luxeon gets good word of mouth. Likely not substantially different to most people. But I think I read where Luxeons are faked/counterfeited more. I asked my friend how Cree works in this area. He says they are more than willing to supply their tech to other fabricators, and as such they report no real counterfeiting problems.

So, I guess my answer is this. Luxeon is good, but you cannot be assured you have a real Luxeon.

Cree seems to be more likely to not be a cheap China-feit.

And my friend is a very real optics nut/freak/scientist.