Cree 5W LED torch at Aldi · AditNow Community

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TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Firstly, Happy New year everyone.

Don't know whether any of you have caught up with one of Mr Aldi's latest offerings? I saw the ad and went for a look-see. I saw and bought... Not cheap at £24.99 but appears well made with a fairly solid aluminium case which I'm told is 'waterproof' but don't know to what depth. It takes 3 x C batteries (the old 'U2') and the light output is terrific. It zooms from wide angle to narrow beam. They reckon that with a brand new set of alkaline batteries, it should burn for 8hrs.

The only weak point that I can see is the thin cord that attaches torch to wrist strap so I'll beef that cord up before I go into dark places. (The fixing point in the ali case looks OK - just the cord) I'm yet to give it a whirl but it looks a good bit of kit to shine about you to see things out of reach of your cap lamp.

Cheers

Clive

Explorans ad inferos

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Scatts
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Happy new year 🙂 Thanks for the heads up! Sounds interesting, could be a good secondary light for painting from a photography perspective. Certainly no harm in having a look. What's the power output and range like if you don't mind me asking.

Mole

tomh
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

I also smeer a little vaseline around the threads to protect further, is it waterproof or submersible?

Trewillan
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

U2 battery size is a "D" isn't it?

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

My recommendation for back up/emergency lighting.
Without doubt the outstandingly powerful for its size and spec the Fenix E11
Tiny and only takes a single AA battery but small and light enough to cable tie to your Oldham or Fellows lamp battery cord on the side of the helmet.
Off thread but worth a mention.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

Paul Marvin
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

For diving our back ups are mini Q 40,s they are really good and are waterproof to 90m if you get the non LED version they are really cheap if you shop round on Ebay LED ones are brighter but cost twice as much.

"I Dont Know Where I am Going, But When I Get There I will Know Where I am"

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"Paul Marvin" wrote:
For diving our back ups are mini Q 40,s they are really good and are waterproof to 90m if you get the non LED version they are really cheap if you shop round on Ebay LED ones are brighter but cost twice as much.

I've been using the same Q40 as my back up light for around fifteen years - absolutely cracking bit of kit. If and when it dies I will replace it with the same. Highly recommended.

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Sorry All, 'Senior Moment'.., Size C battery = old U11... 😢

Explorans ad inferos

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Hi Scatts

Let's put it this way, shining it down our dark, wet lane, on narrow beam, it showed up trees and hedges clearly at c. 150-200m away.

The claim is 5W power Cree LED - not sure which Cree designation.

Ideal spare light and I'd say excellent for light painting photos (which is what I have in mind)

Clive

Explorans ad inferos

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

#10

Hi Tomb

There is already some lube on the threads and zoom head. Totally agree about a bit of vaseline too, if only to stop galling of the threads as well as a bit of extra waterproofing.

It didn't say submersible, only waterproof. By its construction, I'd say it could be dropped into a metre or so for a minute or two without suffering harm.

Cheers

Clive

Explorans ad inferos

TheBogieman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

#11

Thanks for that advice Roy. Only recently found your website - looks like I'll have to start saving some pennies for one of your excellent cap lamps. I'm short of a decent one.

I always take at least 2 spare lights plus batteries in my bag as I'm sure everyone does.

Clive

Explorans ad inferos

Wormster
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#12

Mr Biff does excellent led conversions for Q40 lamps:

http://www.customduo.co.uk/Pages/FlippinTec.aspx

Better to regret something you have done - than to regret something you have not done.

Paul Marvin
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#13

Nice One.

"I Dont Know Where I am Going, But When I Get There I will Know Where I am"

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

11 years ago

#14

I'm with Roy on this most definitely. Fenix all the way. They *are* more expensive than most handheld flashlights, but:

- the quoted lumens are measured lumens, not theoretical maximum
- the build quality is fantastic

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Willy Eckerslyke
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#15

Almost hesitate to say this, but I'm still impressed with my JetBeam DDR26. Illumination compares well with slightly dearer Fenix, but has built in charger that plugs into a USB port on your computer. Seems very well built, but time will tell...

"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"

Dean Allison
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#16

"SimonRL" wrote:
I'm with Roy on this most definitely. Fenix all the way. They *are* more expensive than most handheld flashlights, but:

- the quoted lumens are measured lumens, not theoretical maximum
- the build quality is fantastic

Totally agree. I have used Fenix torches for years and I would not buy anything else. Mine have even been put inadvertently in the washing machine. I use them in mines and for all other manner of night time stuff, bike riding on forest trails in the dark etc. The build quality is heavy duty.

What I love about them is that the light is proper white. Some cheaper Chinese torches I have used have an awful blue hue which really shows up in photographs. Fenix all the time for me!

Andy Mears
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#17

Hi, just been down to our local Aldi and they've reduced these to £14.99. They say 10w and 490Lm with protection at IP65
(so total dust, water jets, but not submersible).
Very bright - I'm quite impressed.

Scatts
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#18

150-200m is still a good range for what you're paying for. I have to work on a titght budget so use what I can find. Mainly though it's more for light painting rather than visibility.

Mole

grahami
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#19

Hmmm.... don't seem to be reduced in my local Aldis - we've got three of them round here! Other wise I might be tempted.

Grahami

The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.

ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#20

Ditto

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!