incandescent flashlights

Nichia!

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Hi everyone




A 1000 years ago I used old horrible and terrible mini mag AA/AAA and I hated everything about these little nightmares!

To mention some of the reasons that made me hate these lights are the following

1. Very dim and very weak light output 5/10 Lumens max?!

2. Very bad run time (just keep changing batteries!)


3. Durability (some times I had to change the bulb 4 times in one single day!!)


4. Very bad beam profile filled with donut rings


I like incandescent flashlights but I hate them for all the reasons above..


My question is

I want to buy the best of the best incandescent flashlight with the highest output and throw available


I was browsing the web and I found Lumens factory and Tad customs and both deal with incandescent flashlights

So which one is better? And which one has better quality lights?

Am looking for complete lights and with the highest output and throw available so please advise me.
 

Nichia!

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And I forgot to mention that I want to use li-ion batteries
 

thermal guy

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Not what you asked for but I would find an old but brand new condition SureFire incandescent and get the bulbs from lumens factory. Ex a Surefire M3 or M4
 

id30209

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If you're looking for a flashlight from those mentioned then only LF can help you with Seraph series and M turbo head or D36 head. Tad has only parts for Surefires and Maglites.

My favourite setup is SF C3 with FM P60 G4 drop in and WA1274 bulb (450ish lm). Small and compact, sort of...

Other one is M3 with LF turbohead (much tighter beam than KT4) with Tad's halogen bi-pin adapter and 1185 bulb (1000lm).
Or if i feel undercover then stock M3 with Z46 removed reflector and FM D36 G4 in it is awesome.

Next one is FM1794 flashlight, small and awesome bright (900lm).

There are (maybe) some cheaper hosts but cannot remember any at this moment except Fivemega and LeeF's. FM has a lot of really nice incan hosts.

Maglite is my standard "edc" with AW softstarter and FM1909 bulb (2300lm).

Correction: Tad has some maglites on ebay, just remembered someone posted not so long ago

UPDATE: LF has really nice drop ins but they aren't that bright as claimed. I'm a fan of 1 adapter and different bulbs in it. Much cheaper.
 
Last edited:

Nichia!

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If you're looking for a flashlight from those mentioned then only LF can help you with Seraph series and M turbo head or D36 head. Tad has only parts for Surefires and Maglites.

My favourite setup is SF C3 with FM P60 G4 drop in and WA1274 bulb (450ish lm). Small and compact, sort of...
Other one is M3 with LF turbohead (much tighter beam than KT4) with Tad's halogen bi-pin adapter and 1185 bulb (1000lm).
Next one is FM1794 flashlight, small and awesome bright (900lm).

There are (maybe) some cheaper hosts but cannot remember any at this moment except Fivemega and LeeF's.

Maglite is my standard "edc" with AW softstarter and FM1909 bulb (2300lm).

Correction: Tad has some maglites on ebay, just remembered someone posted not so long ago

UPDATE: LF has really nice drop ins but they aren't that bright as claimed. I'm a fan of 1 adapter and different bulbs in it. Much cheaper.

Maglite and 2300 lm ????
 

bykfixer

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The Tads is an adapter you use for various bi-pin bulbs. Lumens Factory uses SureFire-esque modules. I prefer the LF stuff for lights I may drop or abuse and the Tads for lights with wrist lanyards, which all but prevent dropping.
 
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archimedes

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.... Am looking for complete lights and with the highest output and throw available so please advise me.

With incandescent, "highest output" will require massive currents and generate lots of heat, and "most throw" will involve huge reflectors. If that is truly what you want, you will be looking at large heavy lights with big "turbohead" bezels.

There are a truly enormous number of options, with various tradeoffs in terms of size, cost, availability, etc. Browsing this subforum more extensively may help you narrow your choices somewhat.

Good luck !
 

bykfixer

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IMG-20181229-195910.jpg

1950's light is all metal including bulb fastener and lens. BMG, HIPCO, and others made millions of them.

They can be found at eBay for a few bucks. A pair of 18500's in a 3/4" sleeve of pvc gas pipe and Pelican Big D (low) bulb puts out a few hundred photons.

IMG_20171105_110157.jpg

All of these put out a couple hundred lumens using 18500's or 18650's and Mag 4 cell xenons or KPR bulbs from Bulb Town.

IMG-20181229-195829.jpg

In the old days these threw 150-175 lumens like they were shot from a rifle.
G2x Pro shown for size. Search and rescue folks carried spare batteries on a belt like gunmen in the wild west.

Or

IMG-20181229-195958.jpg

An old favorite called Roar of the Pelican.
A 2C Mag with beefy inerds, upgraded switch and high output (20amp) 18650's using a Pelican bulb that combined puts out 1000+ lumens.

LG, Samsung and Hohm now put out 18650's that can hold a steady 30 amps with as much as 50 amp spikes. So those old mega bulbs can be overdriven even brighter these days.
 
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Nichia!

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Okay guys this turns out a little bit difficult to me..


Let's say I want it in 6p or 9p or 2 D maglite?

I like the 2D mag and I want to use li-ion 🦇s

6p and 9p are welcomed too
 

Nichia!

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IMG-20181229-195910.jpg

1950's light is all metal including bulb fastener and lens. BMG, HIPCO, and others made millions of them.

They can be found at eBay for a few bucks. A pair of 18500's in a 3/4" sleeve of pvc gas pipe and Pelican Big D (low) bulb puts out a few hundred photons.

IMG_20171105_110157.jpg

All of these put out a couple hundred lumens using 18500's or 18650's and Mag 4 cell xenons or KPR bulbs from Bulb Town.

IMG-20181229-195829.jpg

In the old days these threw 150-175 lumens like they were shot from a rifle.
G2x Pro shown for size. Search and rescue folks carried spare batteries on a belt like gunmen in the wild west.

Or

IMG-20181229-195958.jpg

An old favorite called Roar of the Pelican.
A 2C Mag with beefy inerds, upgraded switch and high output (20amp) 18650's using a Pelican bulb that combined puts out 1000+ lumens.

LG, Samsung and Hohm now put out 18650's that can hold a steady 30 amps with as much as 50 amp spikes. So those old mega bulbs can be overdriven even brighter these days.

U have one of the best incandescent flashlights collection ever!
 

Kestrel

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There is something to be said for the classic SF P90 in the 3-cell Surefires; compatibility with both 2x LiIons (17500 or 18500), and 3xCR123 primaries for backup. I always thought that was the best incan compromise.
 

Nichia!

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You know been browsing eBay and found the sportsman! What an awesome looking light, but I doubt anyone can edc it in the front pocket:)
 

fivemega

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I want to buy the best of the best incandescent flashlight with the highest output and throw available.

And I forgot to mention that I want to use li-ion batteries.

If you tell us more, you will get better advise.
1- Total length of flashlight.
2- diameter of head.
3- Diameter of barrel.
4- Brightness range.
5- Run time per charge.
6- Price range.

Keep in mind:
A- More brightness
B- Smaller size
C- Maximum run time

Pick only two.
 

Nichia!

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If you tell us more, you will get better advise.
1- Total length of flashlight.
2- diameter of head.
3- Diameter of barrel.
4- Brightness range.
5- Run time per charge.
6- Price range.

Keep in mind:
A- More brightness
B- Smaller size
C- Maximum run time

Pick only two.

It would be awesome if I can use my 6p or 9p with best brightness and throw

But if that's hard I don't mind using maglite 2D with li-ions
 

id30209

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It would be awesome if I can use my 6p or 9p with best brightness and throw

But if that's hard I don't mind using maglite 2D with li-ions

Only few hours left till Fivemega Christmas sale is over so give it a look on FM1794 in 6P and 9P size. I have both, never regret it[emoji6]
 

DRoc

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I use a bored M2 surefire with p61 on 3400 18650. Works pretty well for me.
 
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