Lumens and Candlepower comparison

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deputydawg

Lieutenant Commander
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Aug 29, 2004
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1,607
I am thinking of ordering a new flashlight. The ones I have found are LED, so are rated in Lumens. I am trying to find out if they will be bright enough for my use. I know about how bright Candlepower is because I can compare to my mag light, but have no clue if the lumens I am looking at are bright enough. One I found was rated at 46 Lumens. My surefire I have now is rated at around 25,000 Candlepower (I think). The surefire burns to many batteries. <br /><br />Before I spend $75 on a flashlight I would like to know if it will suit my needs.
 
O

ob

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Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

Before you drop $75 on a flashlight,I just bought a cordless drill combo kit made by Kawasaki that came with a flashlight that takes the same 19.2 volt rechargeable battery.Flashlight puts out as much light as the 100 watt par bulb in the backyard.Handy on/off trigger switch.Drill ,battery,flashlight with swivel head,small set of drill bits and driver adapters,all for 49 bucks in a decent carrying case.Bought mine at Pep Boys.Other places may carry similar deals.Thought this light might be adequate for your needs since you mentioned having a mag light.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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May 19, 2001
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Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

I have found LED flashlights are a differant type of light. They don't provide the distance and are hard to read with.<br />I have a full size rechargable (both 12V and household current) mag light which works great but it's battery life is limited and it is big and heavy.<br />For hunting / fishing I use a small mag light or a led light for walking. For around the house my rechargable is tough to beat. It took a 3 story plunge off the roof and still works fine. For defense work I used a surefire but not as a constant light.... easy to hold/shoot with.
 
JB

JB

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45,907
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

I got a small LED light for Christmas.<br /><br />A bit smaller than a pencil and about 6" long. Great for finding my keys or reading text in the dark. No range. Expect to get several years use from the tiny NiMh batteries, which I can then recharge.<br /><br />The lightsources in a multi-LED are too large for classic flashlight optics to focus a narrow beam like they can with a filament bulb, so you wont be able to "reach out" very far, but you will have looooong battery life and white light as opposed to the mostly yellow/red light from a filament bulb.<br /><br />(205)
 
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BoatBuoy

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May 29, 2004
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Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

Got one of these for Christmas. I didn't think I'd like it, but I love it.
 
C

cajun555

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Dec 20, 2003
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483
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

You say your familiar with Mag lights; is that the ones you put batteries in or the rechargeble one? I use a rechargeble Mag, it has a halogen bulb, 5 cell. I perfer it over my spot light on the boat. Cost is around 100.00. <br /><br />The first one I had for 4 years and still using the original battery. The bulbs are a little pricey, around 6 bucks.<br /><br />If you need alot of light thats the way to go is with the recharable mag. I've got a led and good for around the house.
 
Z

ZmOz

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Aug 13, 2003
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3,949
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

Lumens do not compare to candlepower, because candlepower is a made up number. There is no standard for measuring, and all the manufacturers use their own method, which is completely different than the next manufacturer. Then they usually just add a bunch to that number, because nobody will ever know.<br /><br />The only LED lights that will be very bright are those with 3 watt or 5 watt Luxeon stars. If it has one the package will tell you. A 3 watt Luxeon star is brighter than a standard 6D Mag lite. 5 watt stars are obviously even brighter, but the light doesn't throw as far, it's more of a flood. I have a 2D Mag that I've modified with rechargeable lithium ion batteries and an overdriven 3 watt star...MASSIVE amounts of light, and about 7 hours run time from a tiny 2D. <br /><br />Watch out for the cheap chinese knockoffs...they are everywhere, and while they claim to use luxeon stars, they actually use POS chinese counterfeits, which give you bad colors and uneven light. They also burn out pretty quick even though the package claims they "never" burn out.
 
K

KRS

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May 15, 2004
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2,383
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

Surefire lights are rated in lumens, not candlepower.<br /><br />The 6P is 65 lumens, if it has the correct bulb/reflector.<br /><br />The average 3D maglight is 30 lumens (anyone else know different?).<br /><br />The surefire LED's don't penetrate the dark as well as the other bulbs.<br /><br />What are you looking at buying?<br /><br />If it's the rechargeable Stinger XT/HP, then go for it.<br /><br />Let me know.... I was very close to becoming a surefire dealer 2 years ago, and I have an obscene flashlight addiction.
 
D

deputydawg

Lieutenant Commander
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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
1,607
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

I too have a flashlight fetish!<br /><br />My mag light is the rechargable one, I have had for 15 years. Replaced batteries, bulbs, and switch covers but has been great.<br /><br />I got my surefire when they first came out, not and LED. At that time the catalogue I ordered out of advertised it in candlepower. <br /><br />Now I am looking for something small enough to carry on my belt, hold in my off hand when shooting, but bright enough to work with. <br /><br />I don't use it as my primary light. I use it when I get into dark basements without my mag light, when searching under seats of cars, and when on the boat to find things easy. I want it bright enough to use when my mag goes dead, and a decent beam.<br /><br />My surefire is great but batteries don't last. If run for extended periods of time the bulbs go too. Have one buolt into the forestock of my shotgun that works great, but again batteries don't last. <br /><br />What about the new LED I heard about. Was told the new LED lights have the bulb facing back toward the reflector. Supposed to close the beam down and give more distance.<br /><br />It is a department order so anything up to $100.
 
K

KRS

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Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

The streamlight Stinger XT/HP (gotta be the xt/hp) is an excellent light, slim design except for the reflector which is wide.... but still worth it.<br /><br />It is rechargeable and provides an excellent beam in the nighttime.<br /><br />Taillight switch.<br /><br />If you need a slimmer overall profile, then the surefire is hard to beat. I would purchase the Aviator ($189) because it has the bright regular bulb, and is surrounded by three LED's for lower light needs (read: longer battery life), and the LED's are available in white, red, blue, and infrared (LO only).<br /><br />Read about the aviator and see what you think. The surefire website should discuss the battery life in each mode of use.
 
B

BR549

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
87
Re: Lumens and Candlepower comparison

I used to think I had a flashlight fetish until I stumbled across this site http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/index.php? <br /><br />More info than I ever imagined about various types of flashlights. A wealth of info and modifications to make the most of what you have.
 
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