LED bulbs are vastly more efficient than traditional bulbs , consuming between 75 and 90% less energy, while also lasting a lot longer. The Ledlenser MT14 will work well – and in most weather conditions, too. The beam is nice and bright, though not as far-reaching or bright as some others we’ve seen. The battery life and charge times are both superb and options such as a customisable energy saving mode are excellent additions. Now, this definitely can be useful, because it means that the torch can still be in play even as your spare batteries are charging, but it also means that you’re more likely to need to buy extra batteries. As a result, this is far from the most cost-effective choice out there. A good Torch can last for an extremely long time, perhaps as much as 5-6 years. Of course, this does not factor in accidental damage or carelessness on the part of the user.

In terms of battery life, most torches are battery powered, taking batteries comparable to the size of the torch itself. The larger models tend to run on ‘D’ batteries (commonly referred to as ‘flashlight batteries’). These will be discussed in greater detail later on in this feature. British radio researcher (and assistant to Marconi) Henry Joseph Round first discovered electroluminescence (the production of light by the flow of electrons) in 1907. A decade or so later, another radio researcher – this time Russian – named Oleg Vladimirovich Losev documented the electroluminescence that was coming from the diodes in his radio set. The Ah rating is really only used to compare products, however. It is not a reliable measurement in most other circumstances as every device is different. On the negative side, the torch’s long, thin design does not make it particularly compact or easy to store, in fact, it has a tendency to get in the way. This torch also features 5 distinct modes of use, an anti-slip feature and a run-time of up to 64 hours. The light is bright and clear, making it excellent for outdoor use. It features a great balance of throw and flood, making it also versatile as well as high quality. You can even mount it to a gun, if you’re so inclined.Our 1500-5000 lumen torches, depending on the model, offer a very powerful beam, good battery run time, long beam distance, protection from the impact of water and dust, several power modes to regulate the brightness, light functions for signalling and position marking, RGB and red light colours for improved nighttime vision in the dark and many other signature features that makes these devices market-leading lighting gadgets. Years later, in 1999, the first high-powered LED torches became available. The Lumileds Corporation of San Jose, California designed and built these early LED pioneers. LEDs or Regular Bulbs, Which is Better? Light beam patterns differ from torch to torch , both in terms of brightness and beam size. There are informal, but somewhat apt names for these different kinds of beam patterns. Each type is, of course, suited to a different activity, so it pays to have at least a passing familiarity with them all. There are a lot of different types of LED torches in use today. These include rechargeable models, where rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries replace traditional batteries. Smaller LED torches, of course, will use smaller batteries (with AA and AAA being the most popular). However, we will be focussing mainly on D batteries for this section.

Ultimately, all alkaline batteries can potentially leak and there is no way to be 100% secure against battery leakage. However, the methods listed here will greatly minimize the chances of this occurring, Then, in the early 1960’s, Losev’s observations inspired Americans Robert Byrd and Gary Pittman to create the first LED (an infrared version not visible to the naked eye) as a by-product of their search for an LED laser. Additionally, the light from an LED bulb disappears almost as soon as you switch an LED light off, while other bulbs can dim slowly and then take a while to completely shut off. When LED bulbs are reactivated, the light comes on instantly. Zoomy ‘ beams are well known to users of Maglites. Zoomable light beams purport to offer the best of both worlds. The reality, perhaps sadly, is somewhat different. Zoomies don’t illuminate as broadly as floodies and don’t focus as keenly as throwies, so, whilst they are convenient in certain situations, zoomies tend to underperform when it comes to specialist usage. However, this is a minor quibble as opposed to a complaint, mainly because the included battery is so good. The whole battery and charge mechanism is so well designed, in fact, that this torch even has a battery indicator that is colour-coded to let you know when it is time to recharge.There is good news, however, as the T62 does feature an extendable tube that can hold an extra battery, thus increasing the torch’s overall battery life. It’s a smart and innovative feature – and we like it a lot. This light can appear in a wide variety of different colours, but white light (the kind we’re focussing on in this feature) is accomplished either via the use of multiple semiconductors, or a layer of light-emitting phosphor contained within the device itself. The switch , which can be located almost anywhere on the device, is the element that completes the transfer of energy from the batteries to the bulb. In terms of outer design, there are small, portable models such as penlights, clip and keychain torches. There are also right angle torches (which are often adjustable and used for hands-free work), flexible torches (which are good for a variety of uses and positions) and body or head-mounted torches. Although some high-end LED torches can be fashioned from plastic, many torches are made from aluminium , the same material from which drinks cans, tin foil and bike frames are made.

In the case of any technology you plan to use outside or near to water, it is worth examining the IP (or ‘ingress protection’) rating. In simplest terms, an IP rating explains how water or dust-proof the device in question actually is. Apart from that, this torch is very solid and well made. It feels like it would be enormously difficult to break. It isn’t particularly waterproof, however, though it will work in the rain. The MT14 comes with a carry case that, like the torch it’s designed for, is exceptionally hardwearing and well designed. British inventor David Misell invented the first torch (or ‘flashlight’ to our American cousins) in 1898. One year later, he received the patent. Prior to this, potentially dangerous items such as wax candles and kerosene lamps had been used to provide light. You should also avoid mixing battery brands if possible and never use batteries that appear to be misshapen or dented. You might also consider switching over to rechargeable NiMH batteries, which are far less likely to leak.

An IP rating features two numbers from 1 – 6 (‘0′ or ‘X’ means that it has no score and offers no protection). The first number describes the device’s ability to resist dust, dirt or small objects. This torch is lightweight, yet strong and (reasonably) weatherproof to boot. The runtime is pretty great, with power lasting up to 130 minutes on ‘Turbo’ mode. The bulb (or ‘lamp’) is the area at the front of the torch that emits light. This can be a tungsten filament bulb or an LED bulb. The shiny area around the bulb is usually called the reflector . The reflector is fashioned from plastic and coated with a shiny layer of aluminium that directs the light rays forward to create a steady beam. Misell’s invention would not have been possible without the prior invention of the first dry cell battery (by the German Carl Gassner in 1888), so the inventions of both the battery and the torch go hand in hand.

The batteries most commonly used in LED torches are ‘D’ batteries. In fact, D batteries are so closely associated with torches that they are sometimes known as ‘flashlight batteries’. In front of the bulb is a layer of clear plastic referred to as the lens . The main job of the lens is to protect the bulb, which is usually fashioned from thin glass. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that involves adding a finish of anodic oxide to nonferrous metals such as aluminium, titanium and magnesium. This makes the metal much more durable as well as far more able to resist corrosion or damage.

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Overall, it is definitely fair to say that LED torches are significantly better than most, if not all, other options. How Long do the best Torches Last? The brightness of zoomies can also dim considerably when the light beam is at maximum zoom in either direction. Zoomies are also at a greater risk of water ingress, since the head adjusts like a camera lens. Feature a design well suited to the tasks for which it will be used (i.e. body mounts or portability). Battery life may vary from torch to torch, but the LEDs are still the longest lasting form of man-made illumination there is. A good torch should, if well kept and looked after, last for many years. The Components of a Torch