Re: LED Flashlight Upgrade
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:27 am
All true and all very good information.DaveK wrote:traveltoad wrote:I am curious Dave... did you consider any of the Surefire lights?
Also, as one of my truck lights (like you I have many) I like the Pelican 7060:
It has a craddle/charger that can be wired into the truck.
Aaron:
I did research the Surefire lights. They make outstanding products and have a great reputation. For my purposes, I decided on a power source that was both economical and easy to find - AA batteries. I don't have the exact numbers, but from all indications, AA batteries are, by far, the most popular battery on earth. From everything that I was able to learn about the Surefire products (in the size range I was looking for), they all rely on the 123 batteries. For the price of a couple of 123s, I can walk out of Costco with a shopping cart full of AA batteries (well, not quite). Chances are also good that someone else in camp will have some AAs if I run out.
The other thing that I have been able to determine is that the AA batteries (especially the lithium ones) seem to last longer. The L2D is no slouch when it comes to lasting power - (with regular alkaline AAs - NOT lithium) 55 hours to 2.5 hours, depending on the power setting. It can also produce 135 lumens of light - enough to pinpoint most retinas. The light output is controlled by a chip, meaning that you will get the same amount of light power for the entire life of the battery. In other words, it won't get dimmer as the batteries drain.
One quick side note: The L2D comes with a belt holster, a lanyard, an extra switch cover and extra o-rings and is about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of a Surefire.
The Pelican light that you have mounted is also a great product. For my belt light, I needed something that would not see a recharger as it is with me from the moment I leave on a trip to the moment I return. I have used Pelican lights and they are very well made and reliable. They are also in Torrance, about a block or two from my office, and I can get repair/replacements instantly as well as new products.
