Advice on a good torch needed

[aim54x]

Hey guys,

I am thinking about getting a good, small torch for my early morning/late evening walks (which are becoming more frequent). It will have to be something small but have the power output and reliability to be used in the national parks, and in the worst case senario, to get me through a night lost in the park.

I have heard a lot of good things about Wolf Eyes, but was wondering what would best fit the bill. I am not too bothered about the brand, but require:
-long battery life
-water resistance
-lightweight
-tough (it will most likely take a beating)
-reliable
-reasonable price (I am a student - although I like to buy once)

and would prefer:
-LED light source (better battery life and bulb life)
-AA battery source (I will always have spare AA's in my camera bag - CR123A's are alright but I wont always have in my bag) BTW I have been eye-ing the Wolf Eyes Defender and have been recommended the Fenix L2D, any opinions?

Thanks guys.

[gstark]

Cameron,

Glen is the Australian importer and distributor for Wolf Eyes. When joins this thread, I am sure he will give you valuable information, and then some.

[Glen]

Thanks Andre for the great user review!

Hi Cameron,

Get ready to be bored! As Andre stated the Angel is a single AA unit and sounds like what you are after. We have 2 versions an Angel LR which has 50 lumens of output for 18 hours on an AA & 180 lumens for an hour on a 14500 (lithium ion in AA size) or an Angel HO which has 120 lumens for 45 mins with AA and 200 lumens with 14500. Both of these obviously can run on both li ion and AA, so you can leave with a 14500 in and change to an AA. These are not much bigger than the AA itself, there are photos in the links. The Fenix is also a good choice. They are identical bar output and both offer 4 modes, high, med and low beam and strobe. The advantages of this size of torch is they are very small and produce good output especially for the size. The disadvantages are they are small, so when run at full power for longer periods have trouble dissipating the heat. We actually have a protective cutout in ours to stop LED damage which is needed with these high outputs. The other disadvantage is the smaller reflector, it reflects less light, so a Defender 170 probably puts as much light on a wall as a 200 lumen Angel.

The Defender 170 is a great unit. It puts out 170 lumens for 2 hrs 20 mins on high, low lasts over 90 hours and the strobe is bright and fast enough to temporarily disorientate. Makes a Mack truck look like it is lightly built. Can crack windows or skulls in a single blow. What more would you want? Uses the same battery as inside the Nikon EN EL4, one of the most energy dense batteries round that size. There is also a Defender 260 which has the same runtimes but 260 lumens. Advantages is that it is near indestructible, huge light output ( see the comparison pics compared to a Mag or Surefire) and can run flat out all day due to it's larger mass making a great heatsink. Disadvantages are it is heavier and the battery size is unusual.

Click on the links and look at the beamshots, should give you a few ideas.

[aim54x]

Thanks Glen.

[radar]

Cameron,

on the painting with light challenge, I won one of the torches from Glen, the Angel-A. It runs on AA or lithium ion batteries, water proof and light weight. It has different power levels so that would extend battery life if you don't need to run it at full strength. It certainly is a great little torch, easy to take anywhere. It is now part of my camera pack.
http://wolfeyes.com.au/wolf-eyes-angel-lr-p-63.html

I also carry a head-torch, one of the small petzl models with LEDs, runs on 2 AAA's. When working with the camera when it's dark, the head torch works great because you have your hands free.

It is good to have the two torches, for me anyway, gives me the option of having more power with the Wolf-Eye and the hands free is nice with the head torch.

I remember seeing some headbands somewhere that could take a small torch so that could be an option for me to use. That way I would have only one torch to carry and I would choose the Angel-A. I'll probably just end up making one of those headbands.

cheers,

André

[Greg B]

Cameron, I purchased the Wolf Eyes Sniper 260 from Glen, and it is an absolute beauty.

It has three brightness settings - RFB (Really Bright), and two others which are like ordinary
torches and will last for a helluva long time on one battery charge. Even RFB lasts a long time.

The torch is really solid, (so not especially lightweight), and a joy to own and use. Quality gear.

[aim54x]

Really liking the Defender, Angel and have stumbled across the Fenix TK-11 which does not sound half bad either.

So now I am looking at either:
Angel Vs L2D - nice AA batteries, small size
Defender Vs TK-11 - funny batteries, extreme power

I am starting to believe that the Fenix must have some flaw in them because they are so cheap. Does anyone use one??

http://www.ledtorches.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=70
http://www.ledtorches.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=92

[DaveB]

An important part of my camera gear is a Petzl Zipka+ head torch. It runs off 3 AAAs, has 4 LEDs, has several output levels (including a flashing mode) and the headband retracts into itself. It's small enough that it's usually in my pocket at any time of day/night. When I come across a dark corner that I need to check out before putting my hand into (e.g. when geocaching), it appears in my hand. When I'm taking the garbage out it appears on my forehead. If I'm at my tripod in the dark (e.g. before dawn) it's usually on my forehead so I've got my hands free. Same if I'm reading a book or servicing my camera gear in my tent at night. If the weather is dodgy and I'm crossing a road at night I sometimes hold it in my hand with the light flashing towards any oncoming traffic.
Every month or two I put a new set of batteries in, but that's because I tend not to use it for long stretches. If I'm reading a book the batteries do run down sooner.

It's not waterproof (although it does withstand light rain) but I highly recommend it! I used to have the Zipka (3 LEDs, simple on/off switch, but otherwise the same) and it served me well for 4 years or so. Unfortunately the case cracked when I dropped it onto a concrete floor, but I was being silly at the time and it probably served me right. If it wasn't for that (a couple of years ago) I would probably still be using it. I replaced it with the Zipka+ (the current model). Bought it via eBay from the US as the savings over local retail were significant.

It's not a high-power torch like the Wolf Eyes, but as André mentioned it has a different application. Whether you need a "normal" torch or not, I recommend you consider a good headtorch like this as part of your kit.

[Glen]

I would second Andre and Dave suggestion of a headlamp.

If you get a Petzl, check it is very new stock in Aus if it is a MYO, a few caught fire. That may not worry you if you prefer the shaved head look http://www.flashlightnews.org/story1669.shtml

The model Dave recommends is not one of the ones with the problem

[radar]

Just had a look at my petzl, it is the tikka plus and it is also 3 AAA, not 2 as I was saying earlier. It is basically the same as Dave's but with an elastic headband.

[Matt. K]

Cameron
The wolfeye sniper from Glen is the only way to go. It will light up a football field yet is small enough to wear on your belt. It can also be used to light things up so that you photograph them. It will also improve your personal security when you are out and about night shooting because it turns your environment into day, attracting attention.

[ATJ]

Probably not what you are looking for, but still relevant....

I use a UK Mini Q40 eLED Plus as a head lamp while I'm diving - it fits nicely on my mask. It puts out 67 lumens and runs for multiple hours. It is waterproof to 150 metres. I use it with rechargeable batteries and use it around the house when I'm not diving. I even made a bracket for it so I can attached it to the camera (via the tripod socket) for taking photos at night.

[robert]

Once you acknowledge that you have to pay more than $50 for a good torch you're halfway there!
The wolf eyes would be the best finished and most reliable of the options already suggested. If you can save for a while do it- you wont regret it.

I have 3 Fenixes and have never had an issue with any of them- they are well made and reliable and they represent great value.
fenix have just updated the L2D you mentioned with the L20D- might be few weeks before they are available.
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_inf ... cts_id=362

I really like the look of the new Nightcore D20- it has infinite brightness settings- ie you can very low or anywhere up to full. They are in a similar price/quality bracket as the Fenix. (4sevens and fenix-store (same guy) is a great store with a very solid reputation). Runtime is less than the Fenix L2/20.
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=550

If you are looking for a budget light that has the same output as some of these check this one out- the build quality is not as good but it is $20 (inc shipping), http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9070
They ship from HK and can take up to 4 weeks but i have got a dozen torches from them without issue. you should check this thread for some peoples thoughts on these. http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202032

The headlamp idea is a good one- i think the best all flood (ie no spot or not good long distance) is the Zebralight H50 (single AA). It just lights up everything in front of you- no matter where you look, and its very light on the head. (I have the CR123A version)
http://www.ledtorches.com.au/index.php? ... oductId=93

If it was me I'd get a Zebralight headlamp and carry a torch for spotting/distance. I like the nightcore but already have too many!!

Robert

[aim54x]

Thanks Robert, for all the info, really nice to see that the budget light stacks up so well against some of the more expensive torches. Do you have one?

I am thinking, wanting, WE right now, but I may pick up the Romisen that you linked due to the price, and save for the WE. But then again there is no huge rush for it, so I may just put the $20 towards the WE.

[Ryzz]

Another vote for the Wolfeye's. I'm in the NSW State Emergency Service and purchased a Defender 260 off Glen back in the June long weekend storms of 2007. These things are rock solid, cope well with being bashed around, and beat the hell out of the crappy dolphin torches we carry on the trucks. Frequently we've made do with just the torch late at night chainsawing a down tree, where previously we would consider cranking up the Generator and putting out flood lights as there just isnt enough light from the Dolphin torches. Do yourself a favour and grab one! they rock!

[aim54x]

First and foremost, I would like to post a big THANK YOU to everyone who has looked at this thread.

I should post an update, I thought most people are sick to death seeing the pictures that I have posted.

Glen helped me out with a WOLF EYES Defender 260 + extra Sniper Bezel + Holster + extra battery. CHAMPION!!!
http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34312
http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34363

I also received a Romisen RC-N3, thanks for the suggestion Robert.
http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34362

I am loving the Defender 260 and the Romisen has really impressed me well worth the $20 odd that I paid for it.

[mozzie]

I am loving the Defender 260 and the Romisen has really impressed me well worth the $20 odd that I paid for it.

still dont get why u need two... must b a boy thing?

*but glad ur enjoying ur new aquisitions*