Are there any advantagesof buying the illuminated version of this finder? I'm wondering whether or not it's worth$40more dollars to get the illuminate
1699050
I don't know for certain, since I haven't used the illuminated version. But I would check the reviews of that particular model very carefully, and make sure that you can adjust the brightness all the way down. A common complaint with illuminated gear is that the brightness may be adjustable, but that even a the lowest setting it is still too bright. I can tell you that I've never been tempted by the illuminated version because I've never had a problem seeing the crosshairs on the regular version, and I've used it everywhere from city center sidewalk astronomy to radically dark skies deep in the Mojave desert. It seems to me that for bright stuff you don't need illlumination, and that for dim stuff the illumination might compete with the faint light from the target, BUT take that with a huge grain of salt since I am basically speaking from ignorance.
1699051
If you live in light polluted skies, you won't need the illuminated crosshairs because the background light will let you see the crosshairs. In dark sky viewing, you may not be able to see the crosshairs unless you see them go over a star or the crosshairs cover your target.
1583675
This one is OK but it doesn't have deep reflectors that are needed for distance. The furthest throwing lights I know of are the Nitecore TM36 at 1.1Km and the Olight SR95 at 1 Km. Another nice light is the Niwalker Vostro BK-FA01. It is 755m and is much cheaper than the other two I suggested. Wait for sales on these lights as MSRP prices are high. Going Gear has good deals sometimes but wait for the sales unless you need it now. This Trustfire light is more floody but has some distance. 750m is probably beyond this lights range. It isn't designed for throw but does put out at least 2K lumens. 11K is way over rated. Good luck. This one is OK but it doesn't have deep reflectors that are needed for distance. The furthest throwing lights I know of are the Nitecore TM36 at 1.1Km and the Olight SR95 at 1 Km. Another nice light is the Niwalker Vostro BK-FA01. It is 755m and is much cheaper than the other two I suggested. Wait for sales on these lights as MSRP prices are high. Going Gear has good deals sometimes but wait for the sales unless you need it now. This Trustfire light is more floody but has some distance. 750m is probably beyond this lights range. It isn't designed for throw but does put out at least 2K... » Read More This one is OK but it doesn't have deep reflectors that are needed for distance. The furthest throwing lights I know of are the Nitecore TM36 at 1.1Km and the Olight SR95 at 1 Km. Another nice light is the Niwalker Vostro BK-FA01. It is 755m and is much cheaper than the other two I suggested. Wait for sales on these lights as MSRP prices are high. Going Gear has good deals sometimes but wait for the sales unless you need it now. This Trustfire light is more floody but has some distance. 750m is probably beyond this lights range. It isn't designed for throw but does put out at least 2K lumens. 11K is way over rated. Good luck. « Show Less
605916
Excellent questions. It will illuminate reflective street signs to a point, but I found I really needed two lights, one aimed ahead, for signs, pedestrians, etc. and one aimed down, for potholes and debris. In fact, I did buy two of these lights. I mounted the straight-ahead one on my handlebars and got a handy device to be able mount the downward one on my front fork, at wheel-level.As for illuminating an unlit path, this light is good if you ride at a slow, leisurely pace. You will "outrun" the light if riding im dark conditions at 10-15 MPH, though.In thd end, I settled on a 600-lumen NiteRider (lots of other, similar choices are commonly available now) to provide a single light for signs and surfaces. Excellent questions. It will illuminate reflective street signs to a point, but I found I really needed two lights, one aimed ahead, for signs, pedestrians, etc. and one aimed down, for potholes and debris. In fact, I did buy two of these lights. I mounted the straight-ahead one on my handlebars and got a handy device to be able mount the downward one on my front fork, at wheel-level.As for illuminating an unlit path, this light is good if you ride at a slow, leisurely pace. You will "outrun" the light if riding im dark conditions at 10-15 MPH, though.In... » Read More Excellent questions. It will illuminate reflective street signs to a point, but I found I really needed two lights, one aimed ahead, for signs, pedestrians, etc. and one aimed down, for potholes and debris. In fact, I did buy two of these lights. I mounted the straight-ahead one on my handlebars and got a handy device to be able mount the downward one on my front fork, at wheel-level.As for illuminating an unlit path, this light is good if you ride at a slow, leisurely pace. You will "outrun" the light if riding im dark conditions at 10-15 MPH, though.In thd end, I settled on a 600-lumen NiteRider (lots of other, similar choices are commonly available now) to provide a single light for signs and surfaces. « Show Less
769782
I am fairly sure the nightlight function will allow the run time to last longer. Maybe you can look into another product if you need a flashlight for longer than two hours, but for my needs, that time frame of usage is perfect.
512627
The cost difference is that for a professional mechanic, or anyone else, the black color is the least desirable. I've lost several black flashlights in the interior of a customer's car. A black tool laying on black carpeting is invisible. Also, I believe it is more expensive to Anodize [electro-chemical process used to color the aluminum case] colors other than black. My advice to pick a bright color that you like and pay the extra money. It's worth the few dollars more.
1823600
I like the Uncle Milton Star Theatre Pro, except the light is a little bit weak. This is "ok" for my wife and I sitting around in our living room listening to music, looking up at the planets. But for a really serious domed black surface, you need something that is brighter, in my opinion. Last year a lighting engineer (who owns the company that makes slides at http://www.microstru.com) emailed me and offered to make a brighter light if he got at least 500 orders. I emailed him that I was interested, but I don't think he every got enough order. You may want to email that company about getting a brighter light. It may cost you a premium, but I'm sure he can sup-up a brighter light. There are also other cool projectors that you can get, in addition to the Uncle Milton. For example, there are cool laser show type things which I'm considering myself.
1222379
You might want to take a chance on the Nook with Glowlight. It's not that expensive and it's a nice little device. The light makes a tremendous difference. I know there have been some negative reviews, but I have one and love it. It's much better than the clip on lights that are sold for unlighted e-readers. I just wanted a simple e-reader as well and I got one with a light. So I'm happy. The big difference is that you will need to buy books from B and N now, not Amazon. Remember, there will always be bad reviews when someone is dissatisfied; satisfied customers don't review as frequently. The worst that can happen is that you try it for the period that B and N allows for returns and don't like it: return it. Hope you find something you like.
1382157
It depends on the particular platform you want to use it on. Surefire obviously makes a good light, but do ask a lot of money for them! Mag light also is good. You will find that quality over quantity will win in this, because if you go cheap, you'll pay in the end.
1126995
Hi Mike,I would really go for the viewfinder. I just bought a new camera with no view finder and I dropped it after 3 months (eeek!) and now it still takes pictures but I can't see what I am taking! Also, it is difficult in the sun with no view finder or in the dark. Hope this helps. I need buy a new camera and it will have a viewfinder!
973067
The Stanley spotlights are terrible for battery life. If u don't NEED A battery powered light, don't get it. Get one with a chord.
418340
I am not a flashlight expert, I use them while hunting, under my truck, under car, just basic stuff. My friend spent 10 times more on his light and his is no brighter than mine. I am very impressed with value/quality, but I have no way of verifying the 250 L's.
912824
I had the same problem and I realized you pay for what you get. The flash light is small comes with a handy magnet but just doesn't have the brightest bulb.I suggest you go to ebay type "Cree 1800" pick a light at half the cost with 5x the power.
616835
Nothing impressive to be honest I'm really unhappy with my purchase I mean the light was visible during the day but I reccomend not buying this I ended up buying a Beltec and have been blown away with it ever since I first bought it I can honestly say it has saved me from a lot of tickets (used with stryker laser jammer) good luck with your choice.
334391
I just bought 2 of each, the UK SL4 eLED and the XM-L2 LED as these dive lights are in my price range. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in the brightness of the lights. The UK SL4 eLED is about 5 times the brightness of the XM-L2 LED. I put the same batteries in all four purchased just to make sure one wasn't a dudd or the batteries were dead. I did not take either one out diving, so I can't say how it handles at depth. Got to love Amazon Prime as the XM-L2s went back to UPS today.
736620
The chinese cree xml 1200 lumens is brighter but not by much. Those claimed 1200 lumens are rubbish although it is still very bright, its closer to 700 lumens and the optics are way superior con the cygolite. The cygolite is more trustworthy, realiability on those generic chinese lights is a crapshoot, especially with the battery. I have both.
887808
The tradeoff for super bright output is lessened run time...On a full charge, and if use continously you get less than an hour and the unit gets pretty warm...I always keep a spare battery with my if I amusing on project survey or such...
1878289
The one advertised here is 600 Lumens. The XM L2 version is 820 Lumens. I find this one has just a slightly tighter beam than the more powerful one. Both are great and in real-life the difference is negligible. For $66.82, I'd rather have the newer version though. Now, there is a third version still rated at 820 Lumens which has a modified tail switch called a 'hard switch.' You can also buy just the new tail switch. It has improved accessibility to the secondary (strobe and mode) switch by having a flat lever over it which can be easier to get to with gloves on, etc. You can also buy a more aggressive strike bezel which should fit them all. The one advertised here is 600 Lumens. The XM L2 version is 820 Lumens. I find this one has just a slightly tighter beam than the more powerful one. Both are great and in real-life the difference is negligible. For $66.82, I'd rather have the newer version though. Now, there is a third version still rated at 820 Lumens which has a modified tail switch called a 'hard switch.' You can also buy just the new tail switch. It has improved accessibility to the secondary (strobe and mode) switch by having a flat lever over it which can be easier to get to with gloves on, etc. You can also buy a... » Read More The one advertised here is 600 Lumens. The XM L2 version is 820 Lumens. I find this one has just a slightly tighter beam than the more powerful one. Both are great and in real-life the difference is negligible. For $66.82, I'd rather have the newer version though. Now, there is a third version still rated at 820 Lumens which has a modified tail switch called a 'hard switch.' You can also buy just the new tail switch. It has improved accessibility to the secondary (strobe and mode) switch by having a flat lever over it which can be easier to get to with gloves on, etc. You can also buy a more aggressive strike bezel which should fit them all. « Show Less