LED flashlights
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Ace Hardware in my town has 17 LED flashlights that run on 3 AAA's batteries grouped together. One inch body by 4" long with 1 3/8" head, this things bright compared to other LED lights I have. Cost was $19.95, fixed focus with the switch on the end. The rubber switch plug can be pulled out so I wouldn't give it any water test. No name must be China.
I had to buy one, glad I did.
The 6 LED light looks like a AA Mag Light made of aluminum with a press button switch on the body. Made by LEDTRONICS, INC. www.ledtronics.com
It takes special N series E90 batteries with a spacer or two AA batteries with lower output.
Seems there is a rice grain size current limiting resistor that can be changed if only AA batteries are used to get the full brightness of E90 batteries.
I had to buy one, glad I did.
The 6 LED light looks like a AA Mag Light made of aluminum with a press button switch on the body. Made by LEDTRONICS, INC. www.ledtronics.com
It takes special N series E90 batteries with a spacer or two AA batteries with lower output.
Seems there is a rice grain size current limiting resistor that can be changed if only AA batteries are used to get the full brightness of E90 batteries.
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Oct 24, 2006 at 03:15 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 0
From: Salmon Arm
Originally Posted by preppypyro
Gotta get one of those ones that ya shake up the keep it going haha.
ive got one of those as more of a novelty than a useful tool, there may be higher quality versions, but i know the ones i have seen, if they get dropped they go kaputt. all broken.....
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by pitrow
first off, let me disclose my dog in this fight: I'm a distributor for Coast brand LED flashlights.
The thing with LEDs, if you want distance do your research. The problem with most LED flashlights is that they use cheap LEDs with an unfocused beam. The typical pattern on an LED is about 20 degrees or so. Its a pretty diffuse pattern that works good for close up work, but doesn't have the power to throw the beam out a good distance. Adding more LEDs to the head doesn't get you any more distance, just more light up close. Also the cheap LEDs that you find in the $10 lights don't have the optical quality to get good distance. I don't know about other brands, but the LEDs Coast uses in it's upper end lights cost around $25 or more just for one LED itself.
I don't know how the MAG stuff does with respect to distance, but I'm looking forward to checking it out. I will tell you that Coast's lights do a pretty good job of getting light out because they use a lens system on some of their lights that focuses the beam to get distance. From personal experience I can light up my shop good enough to see it in pitch black night from my front porch, probably a distance of 300 feet or so. And that's with a 3W tactical light that fits in the palm of my hand.
The thing with LEDs, if you want distance do your research. The problem with most LED flashlights is that they use cheap LEDs with an unfocused beam. The typical pattern on an LED is about 20 degrees or so. Its a pretty diffuse pattern that works good for close up work, but doesn't have the power to throw the beam out a good distance. Adding more LEDs to the head doesn't get you any more distance, just more light up close. Also the cheap LEDs that you find in the $10 lights don't have the optical quality to get good distance. I don't know about other brands, but the LEDs Coast uses in it's upper end lights cost around $25 or more just for one LED itself.
I don't know how the MAG stuff does with respect to distance, but I'm looking forward to checking it out. I will tell you that Coast's lights do a pretty good job of getting light out because they use a lens system on some of their lights that focuses the beam to get distance. From personal experience I can light up my shop good enough to see it in pitch black night from my front porch, probably a distance of 300 feet or so. And that's with a 3W tactical light that fits in the palm of my hand.
Good stuff Mike...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
there is a adaptor bulb avail at walmart for the mini mag 2AA version i bought for about 6 bucks in nov 05, I am very happy with this setup I have only put 2 batterys in it since last NOV.
I use this light every day
I use this light every day
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
Standing in the checkout line at Costco tonight and realized this package of LED flashlights was in my hand... said 'Oh well' and put it on the conveyor...
They are Lumilite, made in China, of solid aluminum - with rubber grip. There is a 2 AA and a 2 D, AND they came with Duracells for both. The 2D had 5 LED's and is fixed focus, one switch - either on or off, no switching number of bulbs on. The 2AA has one bulb and fixed focus. The 2D feels very sturdy, like you could knock out an elephant with it... if you had to. The 2AA is about 1/4" longer than a 2AA mini Maglite and slightly fatter.
I did a beam comparison with the two new ones and the Mini Mag. I pulled the AA batteries and used the same ones on both lights for fairness and the Mag bulb is not very old; they don't last very long, so that is a given.
They are Lumilite, made in China, of solid aluminum - with rubber grip. There is a 2 AA and a 2 D, AND they came with Duracells for both. The 2D had 5 LED's and is fixed focus, one switch - either on or off, no switching number of bulbs on. The 2AA has one bulb and fixed focus. The 2D feels very sturdy, like you could knock out an elephant with it... if you had to. The 2AA is about 1/4" longer than a 2AA mini Maglite and slightly fatter.
I did a beam comparison with the two new ones and the Mini Mag. I pulled the AA batteries and used the same ones on both lights for fairness and the Mag bulb is not very old; they don't last very long, so that is a given.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
Thanks!
I erred slightly; didn't take the cam off 'auto' and realized that the pics weren't shot in the same settings so I fixed that and it should all be good.
I erred slightly; didn't take the cam off 'auto' and realized that the pics weren't shot in the same settings so I fixed that and it should all be good.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
That 2AA version beam looks similar to my River Rock but reversed. The center in the RR is bright and there is a blueish ring around it.
Nice find and review! The 2AA looks shorter than the minimag in the picture tho.
The River Rock I have is the same as a Aurora ALJ-012AA
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev..._alj-012aa.htm
http://store.advancedmart.com/au15wajuniwh1.html
Unfortunately they do not seem to be available anymore.
Nice find and review! The 2AA looks shorter than the minimag in the picture tho.
The River Rock I have is the same as a Aurora ALJ-012AA
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev..._alj-012aa.htm
http://store.advancedmart.com/au15wajuniwh1.html
Unfortunately they do not seem to be available anymore.
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