GOOD QUALITY TORCHES/LIGHTS

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All,

I visited a friend of mine the other day, He had just brought a new torch for his caving activities and seeing how good the torch was I thought I would have a good look around the site, They do helmet mounts and red filters for cycling and I cannot stress how good the quality is have a look http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/ ( By the way I have no connection with this company)

 

[HJ]

If you have a look around you will find there are a few other fans of fenixtorchs on the forum...

 

[Sully]

Hi Brad, Im on the look out at the moment for a light to illuminate a cycle track nr mh home which I plan to use for nocturnal fun, looked at all sorts of lights most costing a fortune (which I aint got after spending a fortune on bike and bits, was the light quite bright then ? no its not easy but roughly how far does the beam extend ? sorry for all the questions, Craig

 

[marinyork]

Already posted by noodley http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11751.0 the FenixL2D is on there, just scroll down the page and look at the picture of the lane.

 

[BentMikey]

Fenix's are great - I have 2 x P3D.

 

[fossyant]

There is a big following of these things for bikes now - I can see why, even just using a basic Tesco torch.

I'll be opting for two Fenix AA battery ones for next winter's commutes.

So...for the experts...what's better orange peel lense or clear, or use one of each ?

 

[dudi]

+1 for the Fenix torches. I went for the L2D model as it uses AA batteries and can be used with rechargables...(they actually fit better than single use ones as they are slightly fatter).
very bright and lasts quite a while too...

 

[downfader]

I bought two tesco 3w cree torches for home use but they're too big to mount on the bike. I think a little later I'll buy a couple of the AA batteried Fenixes and mount them on my forks to dig out potholes and stuff.

I currently use (when I am cycling, havent done so much lately - too scared of the ice ) a cateye 520 front lamp, but it has no flash so added two tesco white oval flashing lights with the 3v "pill" batteries. They're 0.5w I think but the clear plastic makes them REALLY bright and has reasonable side visability.

Fenixes/torches dont have great side vis. perhaps if they produce a shell cover for the lens it will help..

 

[BentMikey]

+1 for the Fenix torches. I went for the L2D model as it uses AA batteries and can be used with rechargables...(they actually fit better than single use ones as they are slightly fatter).
very bright and lasts quite a while too...

I finally got some rechargeable CR123A's a month ago or so for my P3Ds. Before then I was using cheapish disposable ones off eBay.

 

[John the Monkey]

So...for the experts...what's better orange peel lense or clear, or use one of each ?

Hi Fossy, the way I understand it the orange peel gives more "spill" to the beam, so you get more light around the hotspot of the beam. The plain reflector gives a very focused beam with little spill.

Personally, I have a hankering for the Ixon lights (esp. the Ixon Speed, which looks grand). I've an even greater hankering for going the lighter nights though... roll on summer!

 

[fossyant]

Gonna have to look John..... my combination is OK now.....but want to blind the buggers....., but it's going to have to be quick on/off, even with good Uni. secured parking....hoping our BTW scheme comes in by April......

My MTB slicks will wear out by then.....my commuter will be back to proper 'Retro' MTB duties.........(I say retro - it has no suspension..but given the right engine............up hill only).....

 

[Sully]

what du think to the P7's ?

 

[twowheelsgood]

Buy from dealextreme in hong kong. Go for the four core emitters. That is the Seoul semiconductor P7 or the Cree mce.

I have this one and it gives an hours light similar the old 10 watt hids. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16958

The li ion cells are also much better than using aa or aaa

Im buying a P7 based torch for the bars next week as I could do with a bit wider beam. Its brilliant as a helmet torch though

Forget about cateye rubbish and overpriced cycle specific LEDs.

 

[johnnyh]

I have 2 of the L2D's, one orange peel and one normal, lights up the way better than my cars headlights :?:

 

[Origamist]

what du think to the P7's ?

They throw out a wall of flood but with limited throw. I keep my P7 for offroad or country lanes and a single cree R2 emitter for riding in the city.

Torches spill very little if any light to the sides - this is a drawback...