What torch do you carry ?

iana · Guru

What torch do you carry ?

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Carry a couple of re-chargable LED torches, and also a 3 battery Maglight (that I have had for over 20 years) which I have rejuvenated by putting in a replacement LED globe bought on EBay. You wouldn't believe the change in the torches brightness! Also I have a LED torch in the toolbox which has an extendable shaft with a magnet in the torch head. Great for finding and picking up that dropped nut or bolt.

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Friday 24th of January 2020 09:23:46 AM

sandsmere · Guru

Ryobi . . . . . . . Bunnings of course.

Has had a lot of use. Covers plenty of area and distance.

Battery last a long time and then charges in around 20 mins .

Nevd · Senior Member

This is what I use mostly.

https://www.ebay.com.au/i/323958617160?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=323958617160&targetid=834617018291&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9069206&poi=&campaignid=6472073998&mkgroupid=77265351786&rlsatarget=aud-497372010363:pla-834617018291&abcId=1141716&merchantid=7364522&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw7Cr5-ia5wIVSo6PCh0_vQ-vEAkYDSABEgI81fD_BwE

Got it from Bunnings but they don't seem to stock it anymore. Great beam, and you can see a long way even on the lower power setting. Has a general LED lantern, and flashing red warning light as well. Lasts a long time, and recharges via a USB cable. It's very light to carry too.

-- Edited by Nevd on Friday 24th of January 2020 10:02:11 AM

-- Edited by Nevd on Friday 24th of January 2020 10:03:00 AM

Whenarewethere · Guru

The ones we use the most is the very small Olight (warm white, get the warm white over the cool white, much nicer light) 600 lumen head light from Olight, goes forever & USB charging.

The R40 is great but no longer available (R50 replacement).

The old Jetbeam x 2 on accessories rail (custom modification) are still brilliant for throw but they are prehistoric & chew through batteries, 3 x 18650 each, much quicker than latest generation of LED torches.

The single cell Olight 18650 it also good but slow to charge. A nice compact torch with 18650 legs so to speak, & super low lumen setting which is surprising useful.

All I would buy now is USB charging, & start with a warm white head light which can be removed for hand holding, not quite ideal at 90 degree beam, but bearable.

All the torches we mostly use on a low lumen setting as they have plenty of light. So don't be brainwashed into buying a massive number of lumens.

A very low 1 lumen setting is very useful for finding your way to the toilet at night!

Possum3 · Guru

We each have a LED Headlamp and carry six (6) Small torch www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-9-led-watchman-metal-torch-with-batteries_p4410346 along with Two (2) LED Lanterns www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-9-led-watchman-metal-torch-with-batteries_p4410346 Two Work torch www.gearbest.com/led-accessories/pp_3006373816262968.html in caravan. Additionally Two (2) dolphin torch and One (1) penlight torch LED with magnetic base in Patrol.
Have two (2) external LED strip lights fitted under awning of van and one LED proximity sensor light fitted to van.

We free camp a lot and like to be able to see around camp.

Brownie 64 · Veteran Member

Whatever type of torch you carry or for that matter whatever else you carry that takes batteries, DO NOT fill it with Varta batteries, they totally destroyed my 5 cell maglite & TV remote from leakage to the point where I needed to use a piece of timber dowel to knock the swollen & split batteries out of the torch tube & the insides of the TV remote just turned into green slimy mess, the TV was in a prior caravan (12V) & I could not get a replacement , had to buy new TV. You have been warned.

PetenSue · Veteran Member

Good old dolphin torches. One each on the floor each side of the bed in the caravan. One in each of our vehicles. A couple in the house and shed. Cheap. They work. Been using them for longer than I can remember. Not as stylish or hi tech as some people use but good enough for us. Regards Pete

Greg 1 · Guru

I have an Arlec rechargeable LED torch from Bunnings. Brilliant little torch. Also have a headlight torch by Duracell that I carry in the car and use for setting up if we get in after dark.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

I carry my trusty dolphin and makita led torch. It made sense as l carry the drill and battery anyway.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Maglite 4 x d cell with drop in LED module from the states. Had torch since first donning the uniform 35 years ago. Still going strong. And knockometer too (if you get my drift).

Mike Harding · Guru

A headlight is a must.

Torches: I suggest you do *not* buy a rechargeable torch. When the batteries go flat in my torch it is a matter of moments to put new ones in, a rechargeable takes some time to recharge... assuming you have a power source available.

I have a few torches; one $50 Everyready from Bunnings which can see for hundreds of metres and a few smaller (Aldi and Ebay) for around camp. Generally one only wants to see a few metres distance around camp so the Everyready gets little use.

Try to buy torches which all use the same type of battery (AA is good).

Radar · Guru

I would be totally embarrassed If I was asked to show my torch at a camp fire.

1 only 3 AAA led, $10 special from some shed. It works a treat, has a little magnet on it. Very useful.

Carry a bag of Varta batteries, AAA & AA the best batteries I have used. Great performance in my radio controlled sailing boats and radios. Yes we have 2 AAA fail in a remote once, stupid us never use the second tv at home, one night I went in to find I could not get it to work and the remote was in a mess, probably after year or so of non use.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Ian,
I have a few torches in the car & van - all LED.

I bought a 3 D-cell mag light some 5 years ago, perhaps more. I paid $65 for it at the King of Knives at Stockland Shopping Centre in Townsville. I'm on the second set of batteries even though it gets a fair amount of use! It is an amazing light with a long beam & we use it as a spotlight while bird watching amongst other tasks.

The only disadvantage - it is heavy. Pat complains after holding it out of the car window for 1/2 an hour!
There are other torches that give equivalent beams & are lighter but they are more expensive (by many times) & often the rechargeable batteries in them, pack it in.

This torch has outlived several other smaller LED lights - they seem to suffer from switch failure very quickly. I also use a small LedLenser head torch mainly for night spotting - it too is good (much lighter) but it still hasn't the range of the Maglite.

I've just bought another LED head torch from BCF - mainly for its red lamp - required when one becomes a stargazer.

Cupie · Guru

PetenSue wrote:
Good old dolphin torches. One each on the floor each side of the bed in the caravan. One in each of our vehicles. A couple in the house and shed. Cheap. They work. Been using them for longer than I can remember. Not as stylish or hi tech as some people use but good enough for us. Regards Pete

Me too. But only have one & a couple of cheapie head lamps.

Bobdown · Guru

Another vote for the trusty old 9 v Dolphin, good handle and nice wide beam, battery lasts for ages.

I also have rechargeable LED lantern, good for sitting on a table or a rock, or can be hung from the awning of the van.

Mike, we always plug the rechargeable devices in to charge while we are driving or during the day when at camp, the lantern lasts for days and have never had a flat battery.

Cheers Bob