Recommend a flodder, please

[not a fighter]

Hello good people,

I recently bought a Fenix TK21R along with an additional battery, which was quite an investment, but that's fine if it fits my needs. I really love the impeccable built, the fact that I can just put in an USB cable and load it without worrying about an extra charger or buying additional batteries.

Here is what I have to criticize though:

I haven't thought about it much but I do not really want a thrower. Yes, it's my mistake. I am working in security recently and what I need to do is illuminating terrain (construction sites with their many tripping hazards) so I can walk safely at night. I find a thrower is really not the best choice here as the spot is too bright and the spill too dark to see something. So I always go from lowest brightness to second lowest brightness to have more light even for the spill. Seems like a bit of a waste to me though. The throw is nice for checking the surrounding fence though!

Other things I need to do is illuminate certain important spots I need to check, so I can safe walking up to them (here a thrower is good again, but those spots are close by like the space between doors so I can check if the door latch locks the door so I do not need to rattle it). Windows also need to be checked but I do not need a such a focused spot for that either.

In addition to that I feel like the switch is a little long and has a lot of travel. Maybe that is because of technical limitations (electronic switch) but I remember older flashlights not having such long travel. Also there is no tailstand (very minor issue). What really annoys me though is that I cannot find the second button just by feeling for it. it is so unnoticeable it takes more time that it should until I find it.

Sorry for ranting. As I said the flashlight is otherwise fine, in fact it is fantastic. I also have an older Sunwayman D40a and I love that chunky boy (though the UI is way to complex in my opinion). I have a Fenix E12 V2.0 and its longer cousin that uses 2 batteries instead of one (forgot the name) as well.

So what I need would be a high-quality thrower. It should not be too big and expensive like one of those mobile searchlights. Shouldn't weight much more than the TK21R (220g), but should definitely be an upgrade from those smaller pen-lights. USB charging would be nice. Built quality should be as good as it gets. Willing to pay 100-200 Euro I suppose. As far as I see Fenix doesn't offer something like that right now. Shouldn't be unwieldy either with a big "umbrella head" that pokes into my thigh. Also something with a modern, efficient LED would be nice. Would be great if it was from a more popular brand that can be bought here in Europe easily.

Is the Fenix LD45R more than a gimmick? Maybe adjustable throw would be useful. Reviews tell me it's good and I already have two batteries I can use for it. It's slightly less bright than the TK21R but I guess the focusing tech means there is some loss of light. Does it remember the adjustment of the beam? If so that would be great.

Aynway, this is already way too long. Sorry for that. Appreciate any recommendations. Thank you! :-)

 

[PaladinNO]

Greetings!

My mind went immediately to the Emisar D4K or DA1K (single unproteced 21700 - does NOT have USB-charging)

Emisar DA1K 21700 HIGH POWER LED FLASHLIGHT

<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Metal button is glued by deault, if you prefer not to glue it, please send us a request.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #ff0000;">N261S clear optic & Lume X1 driver in

intl-outdoor.com

Emisar D4K 1*21700 High Power Quad EDC Led Flashlight

<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Metal button is glued by deault, if you prefer not to glue it, please send us a request.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">NTG35 LEDs are recommended for good tint, beam pattern, h

intl-outdoor.com

For your use, I'd say something like the 519A 5000K, wide angle / floody optic. And I would recommend the metal button upgrade, if quick activation is important.
The interface can be complicated if you mess with it, but is otherwise out of the box single-click to turn on / off, double-click for Turbo, click and hold to ramp up or down.
But now we're talking custom lights, with unprotected batteries. And if features is the most important thing, I'd get one of those.

If build quality is the primary concern, I'd say something like the Acebeam E75 (single protected 21700 - has USB-C charging, can tail stand).
I got one permanently in my backpack for emergencies.

E75 High-performance Quad-core EDC Flashlight

Acebeam E75 is a high-performance flashlight with a 4500-lumen. Its quad LEDs with a TRI lens offer a smooth beam for close-up or long-range illumination.

www.acebeam.com

Alternatively, the Fenix LR35R (dual protected 21700 - has USB-C charging, CANNOT (reliably) tail stand).
I love the LR35R so much, I got 3 of them around the house (all outlet units, so not retail price). And I want at least one more.

Fenix LR35R Rechargeable Flashlight - 10000 Lumens

The LR35R is an extremely powerful 10000 lumen flashlight that is capable of blasting an incredible amount of light, and is only 5.5” long!

www.fenixlighting.com

Both the LR35R and E75 are, in my opinion, a floody light with medium throw.
The 10.000 Lumen Turbo on the Fenix cannot be denied for power, but the Acebeam got nicer tint and better colour rendering.

All-in-all, I think the Acebeam E75 is something you would be happy with.

 

[Poppy]

It sounds like you want something with a rather large hot spot, but offers a good amount of throw.

Considering that you already have a thrower, you might consider a headlamp for when you are walking around trying to avoid tripping. I currently sport my Sofirn D25L more often than not.

Thread 'I'm liking my Sofirn D25L rechargeable headlamp.'

Apr 30, 2022

I bought a Sofirn D25L 5 months ago. I've only used it a few times, but I am liking it enough, that I just ordered another one, just in case they stop production, and they become unobtainable.

18650, 5000 K, 90 CRI, (5 I think) user selectable outputs, and a nice wide field of view, are some of its features.
One feature, in particular that I like, is that it has a nice large On/Off output selection button that is easy to operate even with gloves on.

• Poppy
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Headlamps

• 

It appears that Fenix lights are available on your side of the pond, so you might consider one of the Fenix TK35 series. They are made with different LEDs with each giving a different amount of spill and throw. Here is a vid of the TK35 UE V2.

 

[cave dave]

Just put some diffusing film on the lens. Over on Budget Light Forum (BLF) Boaz sells small quantities in a regular envelope for cheap. Try the #2 and if that isn't enough switch to the #1. I'll PM you some info.

PS: The switch travel is long on purpose so you can activate momentary without fully clicking on the light

 

[jacobd]

Acebeam E75.

USB-C rechargeable, a large 21700 battery, and 4x Nichia 519a emitters. Heaps of clean, bright flood light and it will continuously sustain close to 1000 lumens for a long time if required.

 

[not a fighter]

So much good advice. Thanks a lot, guys! Regretting a little that I did not go here in the first place. The Acebeam E75 does indeed look excellent for my needs (and in general). The green one is a real looker and using regular batteries is a big plus. Thank you, PaladinNO and jacobd! Trying a headlamp is something worth considering. I will try and borrow one from a colleague and see if I like it. Great suggestion, Poppy. Lastly, diffusing film might also solve my problem. Would have never thought of that. Thanks cave dave. :-)

 

[not a fighter]

Sorry for bringing this thread back up. I couldn't find a proper general discussion thread for modding or chatting about flashlights so I am posting this here.

So far I have used the clip of my TK21R to find the secondary button by feeling (by aligning it where the button is). It works pretty well but the clip moves around eventually. So I am thinking of welding it on the body. Since I can't weld I am planning to ask some car shop to do it. Shouldn't be a problem, right? I will make sure the batteries are out and have some two weld spots on either side of the clip, connecting it to the body. Is there anything I should think of or anything that could go wrong, like different melting points for clip and alu body or something? Otherwise I will give it a go.

Another short question: Since I am committed to their batteries for better or for worse I am thinking of getting a Fenix LD45R just because it seems to be a cool toy (does anyone know, if it remembers the focus settings, or does it start fresh every time you activate it?). Will that flashlight accept the ARB-L21-6000 battery even though it comes with a 5000 battery, so I can use them interchangeably? Thank you so much.

 

[AZPops]

Sorry for bringing this thread back up. I couldn't find a proper general discussion thread for modding or chatting about flashlights so I am posting this here.

So far I have used the clip of my TK21R to find the secondary button by feeling (by aligning it where the button is). It works pretty well but the clip moves around eventually. So I am thinking of welding it on the body. Since I can't weld I am planning to ask some car shop to do it. Shouldn't be a problem, right? I will make sure the batteries are out and have some two weld spots on either side of the clip, connecting it to the body. Is there anything I should think of or anything that could go wrong, like different melting points for clip and alu body or something? Otherwise I will give it a go.

Another short question: Since I am committed to their batteries for better or for worse I am thinking of getting a Fenix LD45R just because it seems to be a cool toy (does anyone know, if it remembers the focus settings, or does it start fresh every time you activate it?). Will that flashlight accept the ARB-L21-6000 battery even though it comes with a 5000 battery, so I can use them interchangeably? Thank you so much.

Might be easier to place a dab, or along the entire underside of the clip with some super strong glue, then use one or two clamps overnight (to ensure good adhesion). IMO, it's worth a shot before taking a torch to it.