Torches!
After reading tw33tiebyrd's post about the power outage, I decided to see how many flashlights I had within easy reach of my person.
Here's a pic:
From left to right: Harbor Freight 35W HID Spotlight, Maglite 3D, Princeton Tec Surge, Fenix L1D, Brinkmann Legend, Princeton Tec Eos, Surefire L4, Underwater Kinetice UKE2L, Surefire G2, Streamlight Scorpion, Thor 130W Spotlight
The big orange spotlight was purchased onlie at Harbor Freight's website. Why so big? Uh, I'm compensating? Yes, compensating for darkness! This baby uses an HID bulb, similar to the lights you see at football or baseball stadiums. Unlike incandescent bulbs, most of the energy put into the bulb goes towards producing light, not heat. This thing will blind you with your eyes closed. In fact, all my lights here will do that. :p
The Maglite 3D is really nothing special nowadays. Incandescent bulbs are superior to LEDs when it comes to throwing light long distances, however, they use up most of their energy in the form of heat (indeed, the filament produces light because it's glowing white hot). Traditional bulbs are also prone to shock damage, and their lifespan is limited. Still, everyone should own at least one Maglite, since it does double duty as a baton.
The Princeton Tec Surge is a diving flashlight; it is fully waterproof to 100m (330 feet). It uses 8 AA batteries in a series/parallel arrangement, yielding 115 lumens for 5 hours.
The Fenix L1D uses just a single AA cell and the little XR-E LED still manages to output up to 90 lumens of light for 1.5 hours. It's digitally controlled, which means I can have low, medium, and high light output, as well as strobe and SOS mode. Great for everyday pocket carry!
The Brinkmann Legend was a run-of-the-mill AA flashlight, but I've replaced the incandescent bulb with a digitally controlled LED so that it outputs a smooth, white, beam of light.
The Princeton Tec Eos has got to be one of my most used lights, just because it's so darned convienient! When working on my vehicles or electronics, it's always nice to have a light pointing to where you're looking, and not having to use up a hand to hold it!
Ah, Surefire. The name is synonymous with tactical lights. Chances are that when you're watching TV and see a light mounted onto a gun, it's a Surefire.
The L4 Digital Lumamax is powered by two 3V lithium batteries, and produces 65 lumens for about an hour. This is the light I grab when I need to check the house after hearing strange noises. Its small size allows me to carry my Glock unhindered. At over $160 retail, it's one of my more expensive lights.
The Underwater Kinetics 2L was one of my first waterproof flashlights. It's a nice little light for playing at the beach or the pool after dark.
The Surefire G2 is much, much less expensive than my above mentioned L4, at only $30 retail. Instead of a 5W LED, it uses a plain 'ol incandescent lamp, which is only good for at most 20 hours of service. However, it puts out quite a bit of light, and throws it further than a LED. Instead of the durable Type III anodizing seen on the L4, the G2 is instead made out of Nitrolon. Advantages is that it feels more comfortable to hold, especially when it's cold out. Puts out an impressive 65 lumens of light.
The little Streamlight Scorpion was my first lithium-powered flashlight. It's been eclipsed by better lights, but this guy still finds a home in my car for emergencies. Handy tip: lithium batteries are a must for any flashlight that is left outside to the elements. They can operate at temperatures below freezing, while alkalines cannot.
Don't let this other 3D Maglite fool you: inside are not 3 D size batteries, but instead, 9 AA size NiMH cells. The standard bulb has been replaced with a 9.6V lamp that outputs over 900 lumens. In fact, the bulb carrier, reflector, and front lens had to be replaced with upgraded parts to handle the blistering heat. This is the light I grab for when I hear strange noises outside.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Thor Cyclops 15 million candlepower spotlight (note: candlepower and lumens are not directly comparable). Uses a regular 100W H4 (read: automobile) bulb. Amazingly cheap at only $30 at Costco! Both this and the HID spot above are bright enough to throw lightsaber-like beams into the sky.
Not pictured are the various Photon lights that are attached to all my sets of keys. So you see, I'm never without some sort of light on my person. In a pinch, even your cellphone screen can aid you in traversing dark garages and hallways.
If you're into lights, make sure you check out CandlePower Forums!
Here's a pic:
From left to right: Harbor Freight 35W HID Spotlight, Maglite 3D, Princeton Tec Surge, Fenix L1D, Brinkmann Legend, Princeton Tec Eos, Surefire L4, Underwater Kinetice UKE2L, Surefire G2, Streamlight Scorpion, Thor 130W Spotlight
The big orange spotlight was purchased onlie at Harbor Freight's website. Why so big? Uh, I'm compensating? Yes, compensating for darkness! This baby uses an HID bulb, similar to the lights you see at football or baseball stadiums. Unlike incandescent bulbs, most of the energy put into the bulb goes towards producing light, not heat. This thing will blind you with your eyes closed. In fact, all my lights here will do that. :p
The Maglite 3D is really nothing special nowadays. Incandescent bulbs are superior to LEDs when it comes to throwing light long distances, however, they use up most of their energy in the form of heat (indeed, the filament produces light because it's glowing white hot). Traditional bulbs are also prone to shock damage, and their lifespan is limited. Still, everyone should own at least one Maglite, since it does double duty as a baton.
The Princeton Tec Surge is a diving flashlight; it is fully waterproof to 100m (330 feet). It uses 8 AA batteries in a series/parallel arrangement, yielding 115 lumens for 5 hours.
The Fenix L1D uses just a single AA cell and the little XR-E LED still manages to output up to 90 lumens of light for 1.5 hours. It's digitally controlled, which means I can have low, medium, and high light output, as well as strobe and SOS mode. Great for everyday pocket carry!
The Brinkmann Legend was a run-of-the-mill AA flashlight, but I've replaced the incandescent bulb with a digitally controlled LED so that it outputs a smooth, white, beam of light.
The Princeton Tec Eos has got to be one of my most used lights, just because it's so darned convienient! When working on my vehicles or electronics, it's always nice to have a light pointing to where you're looking, and not having to use up a hand to hold it!
Ah, Surefire. The name is synonymous with tactical lights. Chances are that when you're watching TV and see a light mounted onto a gun, it's a Surefire.
The L4 Digital Lumamax is powered by two 3V lithium batteries, and produces 65 lumens for about an hour. This is the light I grab when I need to check the house after hearing strange noises. Its small size allows me to carry my Glock unhindered. At over $160 retail, it's one of my more expensive lights.
The Underwater Kinetics 2L was one of my first waterproof flashlights. It's a nice little light for playing at the beach or the pool after dark.
The Surefire G2 is much, much less expensive than my above mentioned L4, at only $30 retail. Instead of a 5W LED, it uses a plain 'ol incandescent lamp, which is only good for at most 20 hours of service. However, it puts out quite a bit of light, and throws it further than a LED. Instead of the durable Type III anodizing seen on the L4, the G2 is instead made out of Nitrolon. Advantages is that it feels more comfortable to hold, especially when it's cold out. Puts out an impressive 65 lumens of light.
The little Streamlight Scorpion was my first lithium-powered flashlight. It's been eclipsed by better lights, but this guy still finds a home in my car for emergencies. Handy tip: lithium batteries are a must for any flashlight that is left outside to the elements. They can operate at temperatures below freezing, while alkalines cannot.
Don't let this other 3D Maglite fool you: inside are not 3 D size batteries, but instead, 9 AA size NiMH cells. The standard bulb has been replaced with a 9.6V lamp that outputs over 900 lumens. In fact, the bulb carrier, reflector, and front lens had to be replaced with upgraded parts to handle the blistering heat. This is the light I grab for when I hear strange noises outside.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Thor Cyclops 15 million candlepower spotlight (note: candlepower and lumens are not directly comparable). Uses a regular 100W H4 (read: automobile) bulb. Amazingly cheap at only $30 at Costco! Both this and the HID spot above are bright enough to throw lightsaber-like beams into the sky.
Not pictured are the various Photon lights that are attached to all my sets of keys. So you see, I'm never without some sort of light on my person. In a pinch, even your cellphone screen can aid you in traversing dark garages and hallways.
If you're into lights, make sure you check out CandlePower Forums!