Got Small Light... Now for Large one??? Choices

I have the following flashlights:
SureFire 6P
Lightwave 4000

Both lights good for close, and semi-close but neither throw a beam far enough to use to spot anything in the distance...

What are some non-rechargable lights reccomended?

I`m looking at the Streamlight SL-20X but it's rechargable :-/

I`m not looking to spend over $150 either... My best bet from what I`ve seen look to be the Streamlight's.. maybe streamlight stinger it's pretty bright yet rechargable as well :-/

Suggestions?

You won't go wrong with either one of the streamlights. Have a couple of stingers and an ancient sl 20. I would recomend the stinger over the sl 20, much smaller, lighter, easier to mount in a vehicle, and much more likely to be with you when you need it. The sl 20 i have had for long time, purchased back in the 80's sometime. It has had the bulb replaced once as well as the lense, the switch once under warrenty, and the battery pack lasts about four years.

You want big? Try the Streamlight "Light Box" or "Vulcan" They are big in more than one way and extremely reliable.

http://www.streamlight.com/litebox_specifications.htm
http://www.streamlight.com/vulcan_specifications.htm

Hey guys, I already have a light the size of the stinger and I don't want something as large as the Light box...

Looking for something BRIGHT, and the size of a 3-4d cell maglight.

TriLight-III retrofit kit for 4D Maglite:
http://www.inretech.net/

Streamlight TL-3

UK Sunlight SL6

-john

All of those lights are still the size of lights I have.

Is there really no need for a larger light such as a 3 C/D sized mag light? The Streamlight TL-3 is tiny but seems to be very bright? How would that TL-3 compare to my SureFire 6P ?

Well, it is hard to say. What uses are you thinking about that 1) your 6P won't handle, and 2) you can't use either a) a larger light or b) a rechargable?

If you are willing to pay more, it is possible to get a smallish light with more power (SF M6 comes to mind - 500 lumens). If you are willing to go big you can also go more powerful (UK Light Cannon = 500 lumens). If you are willing to go rechargable, you can get there (Streamlight SL-35X). If you go big and rechargable then you really have options (Acro HID X990 = 3200 lumens, Big D = 600 lumens). If you are willing to do (or buy) a custom solution, hang out on candlepowerforums.com for a while).

Back to your original parameters:

Your reference is a 6P which, with the stock P60 lamp assembly is rated at 65 lumens. The optional P61 lamp assembly is rated at 120 lumens. If you don't already have a P61, you could simply purchase the higher output lamp assembly.

Dunno, about the TL3 directly, but it is a 3x123A cell light vs your 2x123A cell light. Claims 211 lumens. Brighter, but not hugely.

The other options in this range are similar (at least in output, I'm not familiar with the beam patterns of any of these options):

Note the Inretech TriLight-III goes into a 4D Maglight and produces about 240 lumens, which is about what you can get out of a high output 3x123A light. Note they also have the Helios 6D which gets you to 360 lumens but you have to go to a 6D light.

Sunlight SL6 is rated at 201 lumens.

I'd consider waving some of my requirements and look at the options listed above.

-john

Edit: Also keep in mind that the output of a light (amount of light coming out of it) does not directly translate into "throw". Basically, a brighter light with a wider beam may not "throw" farther than a dimmer light but with a more focused beam. However throw is a double edged sword and it is very easy to have a beam that is too narrow for a given application. Personally, I think "throw" lights have a vary narrow use and even though I have some lights that output quite a bit of light (SF M6, SF 10X @ ~500 lumens each), none of them are considered big "throw" lights. Spotlights tend to be your big throw lights, both in specific product as well as description of use.

Hi John, thanks for your time to reply.

1) Longer distance spotting
2a) Want to fit in kit or "mounts" in vehicle, and less bulk to carry if needed in a backpack
2b) If it's rechargable and I can't recharge it it's useless... non-rechargable w/extra batteries works...
After reviewing lights in my range I`ve looked at the SL-20x and SL-35x that you recocmend as good choices for a rechargable kept in my vehicle while I can use my 6P when away.

The SureFireM6 is INSANE but WAY out of my price range for a flashlight <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I guess I`m picky...

What is the consensus on those maglight 'addons'

The Sunlight SL6 may be a nice addition for myself as it's waterproof, brigther than the 6P I currently have, and not much.

Where can I find the TriLight-III online?

Edit for your edit: I`m looking for throw! My Lightwave produces AWESOME light for the tent, vehicle, and searching localized ground but for checking out the bushes 50ft away it's not to great... I want something that I can use to see 100ft away maglights work but die quickly and are pretty heavy thus I`m on the lookout.. For throw the sl-35x or sl-20x any good? Or the UK you mentioned?

The Maglite add on can be found here:
http://www.inretech.net/

If in vehicle, you have a couple of options.

For example, the UK Light Canon can be put in the trunk or behind the seat, is VERY bright and takes normal cells. However, I wouldn't want to pack it.

The other thing is that most rechargables have chargers which can be wired into the car, or you can simply "plug in" the recharger when you get in the car, and unplug it when you get out. You could also get yourself into a routine where you take the light out of the charger at your home, and place it in the car each day.

Note that the Streamlight 35x lamp module can be installed in the 20x. The 20x is the size that you wanted, so this may be an optimal combo.

Regarding the drop in -- bright, but probably not good for spotting.

-john

20x good for spotting? If so I think I may have found a winner...
Also since it's rechargable is it possible to get the same batteries as non-rechargable? I haven't looked into it much but if it's Sub-C do they make those non-rechargable I forget?

Rechargable only.

I found a couple of posts on CPF (one, two ), but the pictures are no longer valid.

Note the reference to MAGWA01160 in the post is a Maglight customized with the Welch Allen 01160 bulb and I think a custom rechargable battery pack).

Here are the highlights:











So, after you considering rechargables, and me doing a bit of reading, I few more options come to mind:

1) Tigerlight
2) Magcharger

After doing a bit of looking for the WA bulb upgrade, I think #2 is the way to go. More specifically with the the addition of the WA replacement bulb. It sounds like the WA bulb is a direct replacement for the Magcharger and you don't need to upgrade the battery pack unless you want.

-john

So the Mac Charger is simply a rechargable maglight with more powerful batteries, and the addition of the WA Super Bulb makes it very bright for a spotlight... did I read all this correctly?

If so where can I find the mac charger or MAGWA01160 and the WA bulb? I searched google but came up with results that were in other languages or had nothing to do with whawt I want.

Thanks!

Yep. You can find the Magcharger here:

http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.php?Sku=MAGRX1019

I'll try to look for a source for the WA bulb tonight.

-john

Regarding the bulbs, I would try contacting S4MadMan on the CPF Buy Sell Trade Forum

( looks like his email is dan@RMOVEdcautoparts.com )

-john

Rechargeables really work a lot better than non-rechargeables in high powered lights. They can supply much higher current, and (for NiMH anyway) their output voltage is more stable. If you insist on non-rechargeables and high current, that probably means a lithium powered light, which defeats what sounds like your purpose, of being able to pick up spare batteries at the corner 7-11.

I agree with whoever suggested the UK Light Cannon. It's very bright and has a narrow beam for long reach. The UK SL6C is another possibility. Both of these run on C cells. Note that the Light Cannon is a HID light, which means it takes 10 sec or so to come to full brightness after you turn it on. It's no good for surprising assailants, if that's what you had in mind.

See www.ledmuseum.org for reviews of these lights, or candlepowerforums.com for discussion.

Before you look at the MAGWA1160 you might want to look at the MAG951. That's a 951 lumen modded Maglite 3D - 951 true torch lumens is output. The MAGWA1160 using the WA 01160-U bulb will produce about 450 torch lumens and with the Standard 2.5ah Nicad pack it will only burn for 30minutes before needing a charge. You will need to get a set of high current NIMH 1/2 D's at about 3.5 - 4.0ah which will give you about one hour. The MAG951 runs for 40minutes on 9 x AA nimh Titanium high current batteries and puts out an amazing beam - I used mine in Papua New Guinea this year on a mission trip and it was illuminating banana trees 300yds away using a stippled reflector! cost is about $200 but you seriously can't beat it for output - to get more lumens you will need HID which can take up to 30 seconds to light up and cost $$$ for replacement bulbs. To find out more go to the high road forums and look up up Black Bear's post on the mag 951 - he is an ex watchmaker and his product is class leading - in the Surefire quality ranks.
-LT

Missionaryman was talking about the MAG 951 II (the most powerful flashlight in the world)
Recently CONES, of CONES-STUFF and BRITISH BLADES did a review on this rechargeable light.

Here is the link to that review.
http://www.cones-stuff.co.uk/MAG%20951%20II.htm

regards
black bear