I've recently gone down the way of appreciating flashlights as a must have rider accessory.

I used to carry around those wiennie maglights, the ones that use AAA batteries. Once you drop them, Ka-put.

I got into the habit of carrying a flashlight with me a year after I started riding and it has helped me out of jams that needed lighting. I decided to go down the way of specialized flashlights, the ones that cost thousands of pesos and worth every centavo. It's amazing with what those small lights can do these days.

I bought a SUREFIRE G2 NITROLON & a Chinese made 12 bulb LED light.

http://www.surefire.com/surefire/content/g2black_full.jpg

Jake>>

How much do they cost?

I took this shot with my digital camera at 1600 ASA.

I had to shrink the image to upload it, but the colors are as they look.

Nitrolon G2 - P2,200

LED - P1,100-1,200


the pics are in the order of dim light - LED - Zenon

I never had the chance to use flashlights at night, but Ive been looking forward to buy one of those lights that recharge by shaking it.

I bought a StreamLight Jr Luxeon about 4 months ago online. This thing is BRIGHT, driven by a 1-Watt Luxeon LED. I always bring it along in my bag as I've proved it very handy for both at work and during emergencies.

Pictures 1 and 2 below shows how it compares with my unmodified 2AA Mini-Mag.

I'm now waiting for the TerraLUX Ministar2 LED (Picture 3) in the mail. This is a bulb replacement upgrade for the Mini-Mag. This too, contains a 1-Watt Luxeon LED that pops right onto the Mini-Mag bulb receptacle.

Next year, I'll be proving (or disporving) the feasibility of using Luxeons as replacement scooter headlamps. But that is another topic altogether. ;)

There's this flash light called stream light i think it's used by law enforces in the U.S. I tried them they're bright even the small one about 6-8 inches long.

Got myself a 3 LED pocket torch at The Landmark for just P150.00. Runs on just a single AAA battery. Lasts 4-5 hours on just that one AAA. Have dropped it several times and still works. Made of aluminum. Its not as bright as a surefire or Maglite but its enough for my needs. Besides, the batteries on those things (CR123) costs P180.00 per piece. The Surefire needs 2 and it only lasts for about an hour. Also got a keychain torch with a single LED. Runs on a single watch battery that costs P40.00 to replace. The keychain cost me P60.00 at The Landmark. Had it since September and it still works. For a keychain light, it sure is bright. About 1/3 the power of a mini maglite.

So for those on a budget. I highly recommend these as replacement for Surefire, Maglite and Lightstreams.

OJ

Can u fix my mini-mag? It seems to have a contact point problem. I'll show it to you na lang.

Oj88,

The Luxeon lamps are very bright too, I was torn between that and the Surefire. Wish I could have had both.



Rebel250,

Would you be interested in Toshiba CR123s for P85.00 a piece? Thats the only reason I got my Surefire... because it was affordable.

Oj88,

The Luxeon lamps are very bright too, I was torn between that and the Surefire. Wish I could have had both.

Tell me about it. A co-worker of mine did the mistake of looking directly at the beam..... of course he eventually regained his eyesight after half an hour or so. :D

My StreamLight JR Luxeon only uses a 1-Watt Luxeon. I can't imagine how bright the 5-Watt variety would be.... dang! Not to mention, expensive. 5-watt Luxeon Star LEDs would set you back about US$45 a pop. And that's just the LED, you still need to purchase the optics and regulator circuit separately for better results.

No wonder flashlights using Luxeon V (5W) LEDs costs over US$100.

OJ

Can u fix my mini-mag? It seems to have a contact point problem. I'll show it to you na lang.

No problem. Just bring it over anytime. Leave it with my wife if I'm not around. :)

Oj88,

The Luxeon lamps are very bright too, I was torn between that and the Surefire. Wish I could have had both.



Rebel250,

Would you be interested in Toshiba CR123s for P85.00 a piece? Thats the only reason I got my Surefire... because it was affordable.

jake,
i need a couple, where do i get it. i also have a 1 watter led flashlight.

Got myself a 3 LED pocket torch at The Landmark for just P150.00. Runs on just a single AAA battery. Lasts 4-5 hours on just that one AAA. Have dropped it several times and still works. Made of aluminum. Its not as bright as a surefire or Maglite but its enough for my needs.

:) hmm interesting.
:) interested.
:) think i'll drop by handyman this lunch time.

I have one of those flash lights without batteries, you shake them for about 30 seconds and they provide light for 5-10 minutes, the light is also a bluish white and is very bright.

someone gave me this keychain light for Christmas.
very useful, ive used it already :) :)

some of the LED flashlights i use: Left to right :
- KYK 3LED, 3AA batt, cheap batteries and affordable flashlight, you can lend to your kids during brownouts as they tend to leave the switch ON all night, plastic case.
- Hahn Manila 5LED, 3AAA batt, bright but batteries will not last that long, aluminum case.
- Ultra Bright 3LED, 3AAA batt, very handy and can clip to cap or wherever, i usually bring during rides, plastic case.
- Xgen key light, 1LED, kinda tricky to change batteries, will not work when not re-assembled well, :o mine doesn't work anymore...... maybe soon :)

The TerraLUX Ministar2 LED finally arrived in the mail. Pic 1 shows the little critter. Installing it only means replacing the OEM bulb on the Mini-Maglite with this one. The package also comes with a replacement reflector (not shown).

Pic 2. (L-R) Beamshot of modified Mini-Mag, 3 D-Cell MagLite (with Xenon bulb upgrade), and StreamLight JR LUXEON.

Pic 3. My collection: (L-R) 3 D-Cell Mag, Mini-Mag, SL JR LUXEON, and an 8-LED 1 AA-Cell flashlight.

oj88, how much is the LED kit for the 3 D cell mag? is it 1 watt? your pic shows pat. pending at the back, seems like the item is really "new". the beam of your streamlight JR luxeon seems brighter. is it also 1 watt?

oj88, how much is the LED kit for the 3 D cell mag? is it 1 watt? your pic shows pat. pending at the back, seems like the item is really "new". the beam of your streamlight JR luxeon seems brighter. is it also 1 watt?

The TerraLUX MiniStar2 is only designed for the 2AA Mini-Mag. The 3D-Cell Mag that I have uses a Xenon bulb. To upgrade a 3D or C-cell Mag, you'll need the TerraLUX MaxStar2 (http://terralux.biz/products/). It has 2 x 1-Watt Luxeons in a back-to-back configuration. The price is on the link (around 40USD). Factor in the shipping charges and you'll have one heck of an expensive flashlight. :D Suddenly, I'm satisfied with the Php 245.00 Xenon bulb upgrade.

Both the SL and the TerraLUX uses 1-Watt Luxeon LEDs. However, the Luxeon on the SL is slightly overdriven and uses specialized optics made specifically for the Luxeon. Therefore, it's slightly brighter than the TerraLUX which only uses a traditional reflector.

I have one of those flash lights without batteries, you shake them for about 30 seconds and they provide light for 5-10 minutes, the light is also a bluish white and is very bright.
got one too...at least i don't have batteries to worry about when I need it. coz I'll never know when I'll need it.

the small keychain light with 3 LEDs is also very bright. runs on 3 cell batteries. bought 1 from divisoria for 150pesos.

I just bring along a AAA flashlight. But with those flashlights that you all have shown in this post, I sure need to buy one of those. Kinda expensive, but I think will save me from troubles some day.

This headlight light helped me alot of times already. Actually helped me help alot of riding buddies when they're in trouble at night:D.

Awfully bright, adjustable angle, two hands available when working and water proof (tested it when I had a night swim at the beach:D).