TORCH!!

[POMMReg]

NOT Morris Minor related, but....

Can anyone PLEASE recommend a robust LED torch that lasts LONGER than 2 months?

Was bought an Energiser £15 metal one for Xmas - to check vehicle at night before heading off - few spots of rain a few days ago & the blasted thing stopped working...

Any suggestions greatly appreciated - Thanks

[svenedin]

They're rather expensive but I have always used Maglite torches. I got my first one 35 years ago by saving up coupons that I got buying engine oil and it still works perfectly. Robust, waterproof and all the parts can be replaced. It helped that my Minor was always leaking oil. I used to wonder whether I spent more money on oil than petrol.

Stephen

[geoberni]

I've got one of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/nebo-inspect ... 50lm/830jp

It's a rechargeable, but the same manufacturer have a range of LED lamps starting from £10.
This one for example scores 4.8/5, from 170+ reviews:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/nebo-lil-lar ... 50lm/9107v

I'd probably get the £10 if I was to be buying one now.

[Chief]

This is what I have, though the battery has finally given out in it and winding the dynamo does nothing- though I've had it since late 2011 so it did well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/POWER-plus-Bar ... B007HMP9FK

I also have a couple of cheap eBay dynamo torches

[olonas]

I would second Maglite. One of them must be over 30 years old and still going strong. Dropped them many times! I have three of varying sizes. Fitted them with l.e.d. lamps which improve the light output considerably.

[Chief]

I don't know how true or not it is, but I do remember people saying modern Maglites aren't quite so durable as they used to be - pretty sure they're made by the same company as the swiss army knife mind.

[Mr Spigot]

I found Maglites very heavy, unreliable and outclassed by more modern LED torches. I have had a Lenser for a few years and while not cheap, it gives a very powerful light and is strong and durable.

[neilmorey]

LED Lenser are very good. I now have 3.
The first one had a Duracell battery leak, my fault for not replacing it when flat,I asked about buying a replacement end cap that had been damaged by the battery and they said they would replace the torch for free. Ridiculously good service. A bit of cleaning up in vinegar got the original working again too.

[Mick Lynch]

If you want an old quality ‘proper mans’ torch get a FULTON MX991 right angle (also known as NATO torch) with a LED conversion kit.

Stands on its heel, side flat, side 45 deg, back straight up, clip in pocket or hangs perfectly perpendicular by a hook, dosent roll away, waterproof o-rings and switch, and battery cage, bulb and reflector are sprung. Shock absorbers in a torch!

Made is USA since 1963, still made in Ohio. Was made under licence in the UK and Germany but don’t know by whom or when.

Takes the big fat chunky last forever HP2 cells. Feels just the right weight in your hand.

This is mine. It was my grandfathers. This one made 1976, still regularly used and with the LED bulb is blinding.

[MikeNash]

I GOT ONE OF THOSE!!!! Can you tell, Mick, about the LED conversion and where to get it?
Regards from MikeN.

[POMMReg]

Had TWO of these - light too dim & metal switch fell off - settled for a couple of those stubby things most supermarkets stock

[geoberni]

I GOT ONE OF THOSE!!!! Can you tell, Mick, about the LED conversion and where to get it?
Regards from MikeN.

Nothing special, Fleabay has plenty of places offering LED replacement lamps to fit torches. Just look up the type you need, typically E10 for screw in lamp and the ones with no thread, but a flange around the top and held in by the screw up back, are called PR2/P13.

Just search 'Torch Replacement LED Bulbs' or similar wording.

[Bill_qaz]

Had one of these for over a year, very versatile torch and worklight combination.Seems well made and durable for the price and not too bulky.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386319749406 ... media=COPY

[geoberni]

Not really relevant to the question about what to recommend now, but I used to have one of these that I brought in the USA around 2008/9. Unfortunately It's defunct now after some battery leakage. I still have 2 remaining sections that work, just serving as separate torches.
They no longer make it, but it was a pretty awesome lamp in it's day, a tripod stand and 3 separately angled heads.
When together in the frame, any of the 3 buttons turned all 3 on/off at once.

Stanley 95-155 3-in-1 Tripod LED Flashlight https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-95-155 ... B001DV7PBW

[Chief]

Looks like USA could still buy it up till 2021, closest Stanley torch now is this:
https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-SAT3S-Re ... B014ITIW76

Which can be yours incl. all import duties, postage etc. paid at checkout to the UK for $45.11 (£35.63) from Amazon USA (which may add on additional taxes at checkout).

[svenedin]

I know it's not a torch or an inspection lamp but we seem to have included "work lights".

I found this. It's cheap and I think it will be useful in my garage. Mains powered so no flat batteries.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-led-main ... 240v/440kf

[MikeNash]

Mick Lynch,
Thanks for your advice on LED bulbs (inc the pm) for the military type torch. Mine was my father-in-law's, standard issue to postmen in the 70's.
Sven,
I've got a couple of those big LED lamps (both from Lidl) and am well pleased with them. They're of course quite cool which means you can have them close to you when under the car without scalding yourself, and there's no smoke or ominous fizzing when a drip of oil or fuel falls on them.

[neilmorey]

Having said how good Lenser are, I went to use my torch the other day it wouldn't switch on, broken push button.
I contacted them to check if the spare part listed was correct for my torch. They said no, mine was an older model but they had switch that should work, which they would send to me FoC
Arrived today and torch working again.
I know their products cost more than others, but with this level of customer care you can't argue

[Chief]

Ship of Theseus / Triggers' Broom.
At this rate, will it still be the same torch neilmorey?

[POMMReg]

Same sort of thing as Snap-on tools.

Bought 2 of those metal stubby torches from Tesco for the time being.

Will investigate the Lenser ones over the w/e, thanks.

The Gloucester torch destroyer