I dont know anything...please help!

[jmoney16]

At the moment what I have in mind is one of the Inova or Fenix small lights, and something bigger, perhaps the rayovac 4 watt I was reading about in another post.

I might also look into one of those 30, 60, or 90 LED work lights too.

 

[jmoney16]

One thing that just came to mind is the fact that I dont want to be replacing the batteries every week...it's a hassle, it gets expensive, etc.

Could anyone point me in the direction of a small, rechargable flashlight?

 

[Marduke]

Use a flashlight that uses AA's, and pick up rechargeable batteries for it. Cheapest and easiest way to go.

 

[Derek Dean]

Ok, I've followed this thread, and it seems to me that you need a really rugged light, with long lasting, easy to change, rechargeable batteries.

The Dereelight I mentioned in my first post, on the low setting (which should be plenty bright for 99% of your needs) will give you about 20 hours of light from each charge. So, let's see, half an hour a day, 6 days a week is 3 hours...... so you should be able to go for 6 weeks between battery charges (let's just say once a month to be safe). Pretty neat.

And, if you ever need it, just twist the front of the light a bit for the high mode, a blinding almost 180 or more lumens of light. Very neat, even if only to impress your friends.

The rear clicky is a momentary, so press a little bit for on, then just unpress for off..... or fully click for on.

From all reviews so far, it appears to be very rugged. Here is the link again to the purchasing page:

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2946

Here is a link to a review with lots of pictures showing how well it fits in the hand, and it has an excellent clip for fitting in a pocket:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=173576

Here are the rechargeable batteries (it needs 1, so get 2):

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1305

Here is the charger:

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2566

Also get 4 primary batteries (just in case the power goes out, it needs 2 of these, so get 4):

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2863

All of those links are to a place called "Lighthound". You can get everything you need there, so just one shipping charge. I would recommend that you call them and tell them that you are a new CPF member, tell them what you are thinking about getting, and see what they can do for you.

Let's see:
Dereelight 2 stage light:.............$70
2x18650 rechargeable batteries:...25
Charger:...................................17
4xprimary batteries:....................9
total:................................... $121

Ok, you can knock off $9 by forgetting the primary batteries. That brings it down to $112, very close to your top limit, and you could knock of another $12 and just get one rechargeable battery... that's $100 even...... for a top quality, versatile, rugged, long running light, including a rechargeable battery and charger. Not bad.

Or...... you could go this way, with a 2xAA light, available at Walmart for about $25:

http://www.rayovac.com/flashlight/se1w2aa-b.shtml

And 4xAA rechargeable batteries and a charger, about $27 including shipping (available at Circuit city for about $30):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IV0REA/?tag=cpf0b6-20

So, about $55 for a good alternative. It's nice to have choices.

 

[glockboy]

I used the Fenix L2D CE, it's bright enough to see where I drop the nut, or tools.

 

[Hodsta]

How important is it that the light can stand on its tail and be used as a candle? There are a lot of good lights recommended here, my recommendation would be the SF G2, but it will not tail stand and that would be a big plus in a work light.

 

[martytoo]

If I were a mchanic this would be my first buy:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/flashlight/tripod-flashlight/

There is also a smaller version of this light available. It isn't very expensive and would be of use in many situations.

For a handheld first light I would hit Target and decide between the Inova offerings and the River Rock AA.

 

[joema]

I used the Fenix L2D CE, it's bright enough to see where I drop the nut, or tools.

That would also be my recommendation. Extremely bright, roughly Mini Mag form factor, uses EITHER alkaline AA, NiMh rechargeable AA, or Eveready lithium AAs: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l1dce-l2dce.htm

 

[PayBack]

Yes and most of the Fenix lights would give enough light on low meaning monthly battery changes rather than weekly

 

[FILIPPO]

I have read the thread and....

another vote for SUREFIRE G2 LED

moments?!

don't worry you've got a surefire...:twothumbs

 

[Monocrom]

Also, I vote against the Inova. The problem is the fact that they are hard to activate. You can either push the stiff and nearly flat button, or twist the tailcap. Working on cars, you wouldn't want to have to use 2 hands just to give a little blast of light into a crevice. Additionally, ALL Inovas are SLIPPERY! Just imagine trying to activate the the stiff little button with greasy hands!

You're only thinking of the X-series. The Inova T-series don't suffer from those problems.

Still, I doubt that 123A lights would be appropriate in this case. I also vote for the Hard Case Pro as mentioned above. Inexpensive, easy to find, easy to replace if lost or stolen, can survive being dropped, and uses LEDs.

 

[jmoney16]

What does "Tbin" and "Rbin" mean?

Is there a good chart someone could point me to that explains and compares different levels of Cree lights? I keep seeing the designations Q5 and Q4 or something along those lines and I'm curious what they mean.

 

[Derek Dean]

What does "Tbin" and "Rbin" mean?

Is there a good chart someone could point me to that explains and compares different levels of Cree lights? I keep seeing the designations Q5 and Q4 or something along those lines and I'm curious what they mean.

Howdy, go to this page:

http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp_docs.asp

XLamp XR-E LEDs
Data SheetBinning and Labeling Click on this line on that page (or you might just be able to click on it here)

That should be just about everything you'd ever want to know about XR-E LEDs, but be prepared to do some reading, and don't expect for it all to make sense all at once.

Just as an observation, notice that the higher the letter in the alphabet (followed by a higher number), the brighter the LED becomes with the same amount of input energy. NEAT.

 

[Gunner12]

Usually, the bin of the LED refers to the efficiency of the LED. Here is a explanation of Luxeon's bin code. A Cree P4(probably the most common Cree XR-E LED) should be equivalent to a higher end W bin, similar to a W bin Luxeon V but at about half the voltage and a smaller die size. A Cree Q2-Q5 should easily be in the X bin if they were using Luxeon's bin codes.

The Cree Q4 evaluation might be a good read if you want to understand how some of the newer LEDs react to different currents.

The White LED Lumen testing thread tests LEDs and their Vf, amperage and lumens at a current.

The links Derek Dean posted are also helpful with understanding Cree's bin code.

 

[jmoney16]

I had a post that listed a bunch of online retailers but I have since lost it.

Could anyone point me in that direction again? I'm trying to figure out the cheapest source for Fenix.

 

[Derek Dean]

I had a post that listed a bunch of online retailers but I have since lost it.

Could anyone point me in that direction again? I'm trying to figure out the cheapest source for Fenix.

Well, if you're buying a Fenix, you might as well buy from this site:

http://www.fenix-store.com/

He's on the east coast, Free shipping, use CPF5 for the discount code when checking out. David is great to do business with, and you can be sure that if there are any problems with your light, that he will do everything possible to take care of the situation.

However, because I like to have choices, here is another great Fenix dealer:

http://www.lighthound.com/

They also carry lots of other neat lights and products too. Just call them and let them know you are a new CPF member.

 

[Gunner12]

...http://www.fenix-store.com/...use CPF5 for the discount code when checking out.http://www.lighthound.com/...

Both are great Dealers. Now there is a "new" code at Fenix Store for 8% off, CPF8 and there were also pre-order codes too I think.

Edit, no problem Derek Dean

 

[Derek Dean]

Both are great Dealers. Now there is a "new" code at Fenix Store for 8% off, CPF8 and there were also pre-order codes too I think.

Ah ha, I double checked that, and you are absolutely correct. I had been under the impression that CPF8 was only for pre-orders, but it appears to be good for all orders. Excellent. Thanks for that clarifcation Gunner12!

 

[jmoney16]

Just stopped by Target to check out the Inova X1 and X5...wasnt very impressed. Could anyone give me an idea of how many lumens those put out...the website only lists wattage.

 

[Marduke]

Which X1 did you try out? Target carries both the 2nd and 3rd generation, which are quite different. Essentially, one is for runtime, one for brightness.