LED vs Bulbs in Torches

Hi all,
I'm due to buy a couple of torches.
I need to replace my crappy Blackspur (I eventually learned) 1000000 candle with normal bulb.
Also a smallish 'pocket' torch & something mid-size.
I know this isn't right, but when we see torches on films etc, they are terrrrific.
As the title, nowadays, which are brighter; LED's or 'others' ?
cheers guys

certainly an LED. Bigger lanterns have a reflector designed to fit them (the LED may not be replaceable). The batteries will last very much longer. My big lamp for the car has 4 big torch batteries in it, and also four AAs as a reserve. A clever idea. The light lasts much longer than the rechargeable SLA car lantern I used before, and is lighter and less trouble. If you have a "standby" torch for emergencies, that will not be used much, consider lithium batteries. They cost more, but the "unused" shelf life is ridiculously long, something like 20 years.

You can get "torch bulbs" with an LED in them to retrofit to old torches, but I find the beam is not very good for shape and evenness.

You will never get a torch to throw as much light around as they seem to do in films. When somebody uses a torch in a film the director signals for stage lights to be switched on. Have you ever wondered about the phenomenol amount of light a mere candle emits when one is lit in a film.

I have a couple of Big Larry torches.

Because it's not a focused beam it lights up a much bigger area. Magnetic too so great for working on DBs with the power off

http://theflashlightforum.com/

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php


For ordinary torches, I've always liked Maglites - got a 3D LED one and it's jolly good. They do a range of different sizes.

If you've got an old lantern there is fun to be had converting it to a Li-ion powered HID device. If you can wait a bit you might start to see bargains on eBay as people try to flog off the conversion kit they put in their car which has just caused an automatic MOT failure....

Pete 50: Yep, I knew that, but even in factual programs, say inside a a cave, the beams are so much better than i've ever seen.

Ban-all-sheds: thanks for the links - they will certainly help.

The old lantern packed up in the end. Well, the battery went. New ones (if you can find 'em), are dearer than a new lantern. It might be fun to convert, if I can, and when I know more.

off topic: I also have a Blackspur Engine/battery booster with the same problem. The battery's gone. Again, too dear to replace. I do realise they are lab's, and maintain them accordingly.

JohnD: Some food for thought there mate - thanks. I can now get an idea of where to look, and what to look for.

Been looking on ebay, but didn't know what I was looking at. Now I'll look again - not that it's my only choice of supplier.

Many thanks to all

I am a member of RAYNET the amateur radio emergency network, some members have spent a fortune on torches, and yes they are better than mine, however the bike headlight torch I bought from Lidi does me fine, it has two outputs, so you can save on batteries, and uses 4 x AA cells, it clips onto bike but also easy to carry in ones hand. The beam is narrow enough to span a good distance.

I have used miners head lamps, there were two bulbs, one large and one small and a cable to lead acid battery held by your webbing waist belt, the could clip into the hard hat clip, but most of the time they were dangling over our shoulder, yes a good light, but also heavy battery, instant dismissal if found below ground without one, however those batteries were heavy, it would not be my lamp of choice.

I will admit some look good but when you come to use them not as good as they look, I got a rechargeable lamp from Asda, auto switches on with power failure and movement when in the holder, seemed great, however the light is rather to widely spread. Lidi did two versions the next week and again beam too wide. Great emergency light, specially as it auto switches on so you can find it, about same size as bike light, but no where near as good to see something at a distance.

For a small, bright, light with a good beam, I would look at bike lights, it's not how many lumen, it is how narrow the beam is that counts, if you want it really bright, then car head light is likely the best, but I don't think that is sporting.

Maglights are used a lot in tv. Add in some smoke or haze to accentuate the beams and they look great on film, even if the haze actually bounces the light about

I have a snap-on head torch that is fantastic
£20 from Costco I think

Furkin said:

I also have a Blackspur Engine/battery booster with the same problem. The battery's gone. Again, too dear to replace.

Click to expand...

About £30 when I did mine and so vastly superior to the original battery it's better than a brand new cheap booster. Mine will now start an old V8 Rover with a dead battery.

Tigercubrider said:

Maglights are used a lot in tv. Add in some smoke or haze to accentuate the beams and they look great on film, even if the haze actually bounces the light about

Click to expand...

The 6D ones also double as a weapon.

Thanks guys,
a lot to consider there.
B-A-S: Yep - I did like the look of the baton one - ideal for keeping in the car etc.
DaveHerns: Where did you find the battery for this item ? Mine is the big yellow one, with inverter etc. Is your replacement the exact same physical size and Ah. or better ?
I do have a headlight, but it dosn't work - the 3xAAA battery holder seems to be faulty. I thought I was clever enough to sort out this 'simple' thing, but I just can't fathom it. It has 6 led's, and I can't remember where I got it, or the quality ?!