All I want is a torch

[WD Forte]

Getting really pissed off looking so will ask here

All I want is a simple torch
Smallish but more pocket than keyring sized.
led not blub and USB rechargeable so I can charge it at home or car/bike
Squarish not round so it wont roll off a car wing or bike seat would be my preference

I do NOT want to have keep pressing buttons to cycle it off like my present one, just a simple on/off switch but
a second switch for say lower power mode might be acceptable.
I do not want/need magnets
I do NOT want UV mode or red/blue flashing lights
or SOS, or my gender pronouns flashed out in Morse fucking code.
It doesn't need to illuminate the sea of tranquilty on the moon or be 'tactical' whatever the fuck that is

I just want simple, practical pocket torch FFS

This type of thing come to mind.
I had one similar to it years ago but a modern led/rechargeable version would be ideal.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2Fae%2Fd0%2F22%2Faed0224f1cdad7762c3a1dfbdff58000.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=a38848bf7cc2805def7da7fde4e740c7a865537d25f6bcc687eba14a0310e438&ipo=images
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bikers smell of wee

[to v or not to v]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225693842449?
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Islander]

Have a look at the LED Lenser range. Amazon stock them and so do most decent outdoor and hardware stores.

I have three, two hand torches and a head torch. They're very bright, focusable and haven't missed a beat in the 8+ years I've owned them.

[CaNsA]

I bought these a few months back for wild camping n shit.
https://amzn.eu/d/3hRrAAw

Lightweight and decent.

[MCN]

Ali Express will have a factory that makes them.
Or will set one up just to make a sale.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Easy-X]

This is what I have in my pocket right now:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004775534582.html

Fails: not USB chargeable but you could cover that with one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354636597901

...and obviously it's round. However if you leave the belt clip on it won't roll away.

Plus points: very bright for it's size, so much so you need to turn it down some times. What most torches do is have you cycle through modes with the power switch which gets very tiresome but the Trustfire has a concealed switch. Rotate the case (as if to open it and fish out the battery) a quarter turn and the button then does different things. It also drops to reduced output mode automatically when the battery is almost flat meaning you can rinse a bit more use in a pinch.

Note: 14500 lithium ion batteries are the identical size to classic AA to give you an idea of the overall size of the torch.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Freddyfruitba...]

I hear you. I have one like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078KDBHPW/
(should stress that this isn't the actual item I bought, but looks identical)

Has an on-off push-button, and the lens focuses at will. Powered by a single AA battery which lasts for years, and this thing is INCREDIBLY bright. Had it 10 years now. Unbeatable
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Ring* seem to make good stuff and I’ve got this simple, 9cm long, metal case, rechargeable LED torch which I’ve been happy with. The USB port is under the screw-on end cap. The blurb says the cap is magnetic, which I hadn’t noticed, but you could leave the cap off if it bothered you. It has a simple on/off switch without the aforementioned, annoying yet unavoidable strobe action you get with some torches. The pocket clip will stop it rolling. The adjustable focus beam isn’t as white as some (hint of blue) and it won’t light up a forest or bring down a plane but, y’know.

https://www.toolstation.com/ring-led-rechargeable-zoom-torch/p69072?store=M3&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dc&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6d_ZqY22gAMVlYBQBh35NAn7EAQYByABEgIksvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

* Sorry it’s not Pifco.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

I know the thing you're talking about, in my old BMW 540i, there was a rechargable torch that plugged into it's own little port in the glovebox you could pull it out and use then push back in and it would charge automatically again.

It was one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126016241547?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749392&toolid=20006&customid=GB_131090_126016241547.143601850715~1869887762826-g_CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5gn0vs7UUKJqAAQLf9jxSCgLcvmu2JsjpSQ6veh4J-33ctMOvm2ILRoC6_0QAvD_BwE

You're just looking for the modern version of that thing right?

EDIT:

Here you go, easy toggle and push button on-off, LED and rechargable through magnetic USB at base of unit:

https://www.olightstore.uk/arkfeld-uv-365nm-light-led-torch-rechargeable.html
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[Polarbear]

[stinkwheel]

Not USB rechargeable or rectangular but you get LED bulb inserts for old maglites. They'll run an LED bulb off an AA battery for a fuck of a long time.

I found this, it does have a magnet but it looks like the bottom unscrews so you could probably remove it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-LED500SB-Aluminium-Mini-Torch/dp/B09BFFWJM6
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I've put a led in my 6 D cell maglight. It's brighter than the sun and the batteries have lasted for ages.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[WD Forte]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm reviewing the torches I have and
listing the pros and cons and likes, dislikes of each.

Basically, I need a moderate sized 'finding' and 'working on stuff often in confined areas' light for cars, bikes, indoors.
I've found an intense focussed beam does not help because it creates hot spots, but a bright but diffused light source is better.

I did order one of those cheap wee £2.99 COB keychain things if only to remove the COB element for another project
I doubt it has much of a battery life.

Probably being old fashioned, irrational and subjective but I'd like to avoid UV,flashes,magnets and menus as much as possible.

Considering making my own conversion job too
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bikers smell of wee

[stinkwheel]

It sounds to me like you need to get busy with an altoids tin, some potting compound and the guts of some disposable vapes.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

What about a Flash Light?
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[WD Forte]

The Arkfeld looks nice but at 80 quid it aint cheap and I'd be buying a function I don't want and I see those models come with either a UV or laser option.
If they offered a cheaper base model with a simple on/off and maybe the thumb wheel used for selecting power. I'd consider it.

The Sealey looks pretty good and affordable, I may get one and force the autist part of my brain to cope with a side light output click through menu.

Edit:
Just ordered one, its only £15 had good reviews and looks a handy wee thing to have in your pocket.
Lets see how I get on with it

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51naYeOrREL._AC_SL1200_.jpg
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bikers smell of wee

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[to v or not to v]

i use a headband torch when working on the bike these days
____________________
current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

Well the £2.99 keychain torch arrived and it didn't feckin work!
For £2.99 its not worth the time and money to return it
so I took it apart.
A poor soldering job on the COB negative lead was to blame
99% flux 1% solder so resoldered that.

https://imgur.com/d7vBcQ4.jpg
I has quick look inside and see a couple of transistors or mosfets and and 8 pin micro processor mainly.


https://imgur.com/T1s5HwV.jpg
A quick test before glueing it back together


https://imgur.com/5qXieCa.jpg
It's now working, its pretty bright and I'd say it's worth three quid as an occaisional short term pocket worklight.

6W at 3.7 volts is about 1.6 amps and the 500maH battery would probably only last around 15-20 minutes at that rate.
I noticed that it started to gradually step down the intensity after a couple of minutes to its lowest 'eco' setting.
Presumably this is to extend run time but I reckon it's also to keep the COB cool as it doesn't have a heatsink and unrestrained
could also overheat the wee battery which is in close proximity.
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bikers smell of wee

[recman]

Coincidentally, I just bought a 2 pack of these little things from pingpongland for under a tenner.
Remarkably bright on the highest setting, USB C charging so I can just use the phone set up, magnetic magnety magnet, a little pop out stand thingy, a spring loaded clip on doo dah and a bottle opener for the Doombar I bought earlier.
Time will of course tell on durability/battery life, they'll get a decent test at work.

https://i.postimg.cc/fbPFT173/20230801-141630.jpg

P.S., almost forgot about the seizure inducing strobe function.

[recman]

[WD Forte]

I have also resurrected an old project
I experimented with 3 white leds in the stock bulb base and 2 rechargeable nimh
C cells on this old torch
2 nimh's is only 2.4V and it was crap, so got shelved

I had another of the same type of torch which used a poundshop USB phone charger power pack and a variable output DC-DC convertor run a 12 MR11 led

This worked pretty well as rechargeable led torch for a couple of years until it got FUBAR 'd
I kept the power pack and DC-DC convertor pcb and have ordered a wee 3W dimmable cob led that will fit(force) in place of the 3 leds.

The MR11 was a bit big fierce and too white
(damn whiteys!)
I hope I can adjust the warm white G4 Cob thingy to
a useful but bearable yet efficient level

dis fing

It has a mini usb in for charging and I diverted the 5V USB power out to the blue DC-DC convertor to power the 12v led
the 18650 li-ion cell can be replaced/upgraded ditto the led.

https://imgur.com/5aN4fRk.jpg
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bikers smell of wee

[WD Forte]

[WD Forte]

OK so just got the green torch mod working.

laid the parts out with temp wiring to test the circuit works.
DC to DC convertor working, 3.7V in, 12.4V out
https://imgur.com/l3OE3pF.jpg
Got the led set to the best height for a nice spread beam
from the reflector
https://imgur.com/j263cv5.jpg
I got a warm white LED instead of cool white but atm I kinda like it as the 'orangey' light is kind of retro and looks like it did originally with new batteries but it's probably brighter than it was with original P13.5S bulbs they came with running on 3v.

https://imgur.com/wbxph7G.jpg

Here it is compared to the keyring torch with cool white LED in half power mode ( 3W-ish)

https://imgur.com/NVOWB0l.jpg

it's working but will leave it be to see how efficient it is re runtime, then tweak the bulb holder a bit after as its jammed in with small O rings atm.
I had difficulty reading how much current it was using then realised
the dc-dc convertor is probably putting out a high frequency
pwm -ish pulse which looks like DC
Powering the led from a small 12 battery it read around 200mA
so the 2500mah battery indicates a nominal 12.5 hours
but allowing for losses it should hopefully give a good 10 hours
before recharging but half that wouldn't upset me.

It does at least satisfy my requirements for a simple on/off rechargeable LED torch though.

Edit:
I also discovered a cock up I'd made in the previous experiment where it seemed to need charging more often than I felt it should.
I realised I had been switching the output side so even when turned off, the oscillator kept running night and day sometimes for weeks at a time!.
This had to have an effect on battery charge so this time
I'm switching the DC-DC convertor ON/OFF instead and this should gives it a longer runtime between charges.
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bikers smell of wee