Travel torch advice

[DaveE]

I need to get a new torch for travel/everyday use

Some things I think I'd like (but open to advice)

- circa 4-5" long
- waterproof
- usb c rechargeable
- not too heavy
- rugged/able to take some knocks

Budget is £40 +/-

What should I be looking at?

[V8Granite]

Nebo Davinci 1000, by far the best value for money flashlights.



I use the small one every day at work, the head torch, the Davinci 2000 while dog walking and all have been good quality and bomb proof.

The small Davinci 1000 I had to watch go round a washing machine, while turned on a hot watch, while lit up for an hour and it still works perfectly.

Out of my 40 flashlights/ lights, Nebo are my favourites.

Dave!

[mik]

I bought a ShadowHawk X800 a few years back - see discussion HERE. Still very impressed, but I don't have a range of others to compare it to, so bow to Dave's greater experience here. @Mito Man also seems to make a lot of purchases on these things.....

X800 has a separate charger for the removable battery (which is USB-C if that helps), which means you need to carry that with you, but also means you can easily replace the 26650 cell if it gets tired (and I had to get a new one last year - about £6 from memory). I think the biggest concern is getting a genuine one - I gave details of my purchase to a mate who received one that is similar but different.... no idea if his is fake, mine is fake, both fake, both genuine etc etc. (Concerns avoided if you buy from the Shadowhawk Store I guess.

[Sundayjumper]

Interesting, I'd not heard of the brand. I have a LED Lenser that I've found a bit underwhelming.

One factor that makes me weird though is that I prefer a torch with plastic body. For messing about with cars it gives me some peace of mind that I'm not going to accidentally short out any electrics.

[V8Granite]

The lumen levels for those shadowhawks is utter fantasy.

Dave!

[Gavster]

There have a good reputation for when you’re away from the missus

[V8Granite]

It’s no cunt in a can.

Dave!

[DaveE]

Thanks for the suggestions so far

The Nebo looks good, but micro-USB just seems 'cheap' these days

[Beany]

Possibly useful - a youtube playlist of various lights, torches and lamps, with output testing, output over time, charge time, and how well they survive being punted at the ground from the top of a stepladder.

[DaveE]

Possibly useful - a youtube playlist of various lights, torches and lamps, with output testing, output over time, charge time, and how well they survive being punted at the ground from the top of a stepladder.

Thank you, some interesting stuff in there

I've just realised we've got a Nebo light already (a present from the in-laws) bit it's not a torch

I see from their site though that they do make a model that's USB-C, I'll have a look into that one

[McSwede]

Nebo Davinci 1000, by far the best value for money flashlights.



I use the small one every day at work, the head torch, the Davinci 2000 while dog walking and all have been good quality and bomb proof.

The small Davinci 1000 I had to watch go round a washing machine, while turned on a hot watch, while lit up for an hour and it still works perfectly.

Out of my 40 flashlights/ lights, Nebo are my favourites.

Dave!

I have 2 Nebo head torches and they're great. Just remember to charge the battery with the correct usb-c lead as they won't charge off just any.

[DaveE]

That Nebo is appealing, but I just know at some point there will be a faster charging USB-C version and if I buy now I'm sure to regret it when that arrives

Everything else I own and use is USB-C and I begrudge having to use a way older charging technology

[V8Granite]

I use mine every single day at work, need to charge it for a few hours a week but C, magnetic or micro USB make absolutely no difference. It must be on for hours a day.

When I use it for dog walks it gets charged a bit every couple of weeks.

Dave!

[Beany]

Yeah, just because it's got usb-c doesn't mean it'll charge faster, just that it's got a usb-c on it.

There's only so fast you want to regularly charge the kind of cells in torches, too so the faster power delivery usb-c can do...kinda doesn't matter.

As everything else goes to usb-c, it is more convenient, though.

[teacherboy]

Spend some more and get an olight baton 3 with the funky charging case - small, very lightweight, handy pocket clip and has a top switch rather than a tail switch. 5 brightness levels and flashing distress mode.
Meets your USB-C charging criteria as well.

https://www.olightstore.uk/baton-3-prem ... torch.html

Wife got me one for crimbo and can confirm it is the awesome!

[DaveE]

Just wanted to follow up and thank people for their advice

I decided to get that Nebo Davinci 1000

I had it in by Amazon basket for a while and saw an 'as new' one from Amazon for £20 so took the punt that seemed like a really good price

[mik]

Have you got it? Is it all Of teh brights?

[DaveE]

Have you got it? Is it all Of teh brights?

It's not arrived yet (I was silly and accidently picked my Amazon Day for delivery so won't get it until next Friday)

[DaveE]

Torch arrived today

Lovely piece of kit

Feels and looks great, works really well (lovely and bright)

Great recommendation!