Need a torch

Advise her it’s dark and nobody can see her,
I use one a lot, it’s like going out in daylight, also has a red filter for when I don’t want to broadcast my presence.
It's more the problem that it will mess up her hair 👸.
 
I’ve just bought a nebo mycro from screwfix - it can be used with a band as a head torch but also has a strong clip to attach it to clothing etc It is ideal to clip onto a baseball cap peak (also likely to mess hair up :-) )

Some good brands mentioned so far - most I recognise from EDC youtube vids. Some can be very expensive and for me its getting the balance of light output, lasting more than 2 weeks (quality!!) and not being too annoyed if I lose it! The Nebo is a replacement for the petzl lost to sons tool kit!
IMG_6590.webp
 
The likes of fenix, olight and led lenser all make excellent torches but are pricey. On the other end of the scale there are endless cheap offerings on amazon which quote lumen specs with an arbitrary number of zeros on the end. If you want something in the middle, I’d go for something like a sofirn which are fairly well known for making decent budget lights.

Pick whether you want a certain kind of battery or plug-in rechargeable, choose a size you’re happy to carry to narrow it down and go from there.

Pretty much any modern torch throws out a staggering amount of light compared to the pre-led maglite era.
 
I have a couple of these, small enoght to leave in our dog bag. Can hold it or clip it on. Very bright on the highest setting.
Rechargeable too and last well from a charge. Not available at the moment but plenty of simular ones on Amazon
Screenshot_20251017-084308.webp
 
I've previously bought Ebay specials with a million quoted lumen output 😊
Other thing I've fallen foul of is putting cheap crap batteries in ....which leak and kill the torch 🤦‍♂️
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
I’ve been using the same Duracell rechargeable AA batteries for years in my LED Lenser, I use it to full discharge at least twice a week, no issues.
The torch I have is well over 10 years old, I’ve needed to replace the elastic strap several times but that’s it.
It has a strobe function which effectively lets you see what you are doing but doubles the battery life.
Also has an SOS function if you are in trouble or just an attention seeking victim.
 
Reylight are good quality and small - I have the aluminium LANapple with a nice warm nichia LED. They do some exotic materials at crazy prices. The LANapple often goes out of stock in the ‘basic’ aluminium versions though.
Given are surprisingly decent for the price.
Nitecore are have good performance but always a fairly cold tint to help maximum brightness figures.
Loop Gear have a nice 14500 (same as an AA battery in size but over double the voltage and higher current rating) light, the SK03.
Cheap as chips option but still pretty well thought of are Sofirn.

14500 battery is a good format that all the above offer. The torches tend to still work on any AA size/chemistry so you’ll never be short of battery choice. They are a tad dimmer on the 1.5v but only compared to the insane brightness they have at 3.7v. Nice compact form too. Just make sure you get one where the battery can be charged via an inbuilt USB-c socket (either in the battery itself or the torch, although that adds size and can reduce waterproof rating), otherwise you need a dedicated charger.
If it’s mainly close up work then the warmer tint LEDs are best - nichia typically, as they render colours better so you can tell your dog poo from a twig. If you need throw the colder tints fair better but you’re not going to spot a dog poo vs a twig if you stand that far away.
 
It's maybe gonna be also tasked with lighting the way home from the pub once and a while.
One lane we walk has sleeping policemen that like to trip an (ever so slightly) tipsy jumpship up in the dark .
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
It's maybe gonna be also tasked with lighting the way home from the pub once and a while.
One lane we walk has sleeping policemen that like to trip an (ever so slightly) tipsy jumpship up in the dark .
Personally I find the warm or neutral tints best for walking dark roads - the shadows of bumps/holes seem to have a bit more contrast. A flood beam will suit better than a spot too. The cold lights are brighter so can wash the detail out depending on kelvin colour and beam pattern/reflector type.
Depending how long your walk is a bigger battery (like 18650) might be better. Still pocketable.
Lumintop W1 is on sale at the moment.
Or you could get a Sofirn SC13 for £12 something if you use the discount code on the product page…Here
 
I have one of those, very bright. Not a bad torch. Don’t trust leaving it on charge though
You can get fireproof bags for charging gadgets. I bought a fairly big one for when I charge the jump starter/air pump device I have. They close with a zip and Velcro and suggest they are ‘explosion proof’ too! It’s thick material but I would use it as a blanket between me and a landmine. For small batteries I think it would contain the action should the worst happen.

I tend to use nitecore batteries bought either direct or from Flashaholics (return5 is a discount code for 5% off) or another recognised brand from Ampsplus (Samsung/LG etc). Cheap high capacity batteries with no branding scare me. Especially if you use the unprotected cells that absolute beasts of a flashlight tend to do best on.
 
Everything must have 2 uses. We used a bike headlight as a dog torch and also it slips in a pocket in the van now.
 
Ok looks like Sofirn fit the bill nicely .
Will place an order over the weekend :thumbsup: .
Gonna get a couple to try (His and hers).

Thanks for all your help guys , very much appreciated.
 
Back
Top