I was in Tesco earlier and they had a couple of "1Watt LED torches" one that uses 2x C size batteries and the other used 2x AA the AA seemed light enough to possibly use as a helmet light trouble is I couldn't really gauge how bright the thing actually is, I'm sure I remember them doing a "3W torch" in the past... anyone know anything about either??
Bike Forum
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Tesco LED torches?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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They're alright for replacing a Maglight or such like for around the house, in the car, or walking the dog etc... They're nowhere near good enough for a Helmet light or the like though IMO.
I've got a Cree R2 torch, rated at 250 Lumens (same LED as an Exposure Joystick) and on its lowest power setting it's still brighter than the Tesco torch with fresh batteries. I'd say something like 50-60 Lumens is what the Tesco Torch is kicking out. I use mine as a general around the house torch, and for that it's great, but otherwise don't bother.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I use the double AA one on the beat. Its a cracking torch for very little money but I wouldn;t want it for ridin with!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Funnily enough I found one 3 watt tesco torch okay for night riding (helmet mounted). Not exceptional, not brilliant, not night into day but still adequate for getting me round my local trails at night. And for 8 quid!.....
Posted 2 years ago # -
I use 2 1watt tesco torches on my bike. They are ok till you get on to stuff a little narrower and steeper. I wouldnt want to ride a trail I didnt know well. Perfect when you consider the cost as I cant find the ammo for a proper bike light.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'll leave it then, I was considering a helmet mounted torch to supplement a Bar mounted DX light, I think I'll just get a DX P7 torch…
Posted 2 years ago # -
There are some 250lumen torches for $18 on deal extreme, run on 2 x AA. I use one on my helmet to complement the P7 on the bars.
Posted 2 years ago # -
They (tescos) used to be 3W...but now 1W only....
Posted 2 years ago # -
They (tescos) used to be 3W...but now 1W only....
Because they never were 3W. I measured the current drain on the two I purchased earlier this year to be 0.6A @ 2.4 volts = 1.44W and that's going into the boost converter which is unlikely to be that efficent.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I use one as a helmet light to supplement my main lights. Great for looking around corners and fixing punctures.
Posted 2 years ago # -
i use one as a spot helmet light to supplement bar lights.
very good.
Posted 2 years ago # -
SV - 250 lumen torches on DX that run on 2xAA? Any chance of a link or model details?
Ta
WikseyPosted 2 years ago # -
I got sucked up in the tesco lights fad of 2008 too
They were good enough if you want to ride very cautiously, which some people do, but if you want to ride anything like you would with daylight they're just too weak. I had 3 at one point, at which point they're no longer cheap, and they still didn't make enough light- a single Dealextreme P7 torch gave better battery life and far more light, and barely cost any more. Once you factor in the ridiculous amount of AA batteries you need to get, the "cheap" option becomes quite expensive.
Posted 2 years ago # -
cookeaa ^^^ got the linky right. 230lumens sorry!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hey what’s 20lumens between friends… Or strangers.
You reckon that’ll do the job then coupled with a Bar mounted DX P7?
Doesn’t need to be as bright as the bar mounted light, just give a “line of sight spot” for totally dark single track….
2xAA compatibility sounds handy too, what’s the run time like?Posted 2 years ago # -
They're nowhere near good enough for a Helmet light or the like though IMO.
Last year I tested one agains an original Exposure Joystick. I used to have some beam pics, but take it from they were virtually indistinguishable. The Tesco torch had a slightly more even spread, but that's it.
I used to use mine with a bodged bar mount for commuting (I use some very dark unlit lanes in places) and it was fine for that, and also as a helmet light. It was fine for that too.
I dropped it and broke it though....
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tesco's also had some Duracell re chargeables with loads of mah for fiver when I bought myself a replacement tesco torch..
Run a similar time to a p7 on 1 battery.There is only about 25g difference between the tesco and a p7 so I am going to try it around the other way and have the best light on the lid and the tesco for the pootling along bits on the bars.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The torch is pretty powerful and will give a good spot much further ahead than the spill from the P7. It also gives a bigger brighter spot than the Tesco jobbie. I find that if I set the torch right on my helmet it helps me keep my head up and looking ahead on the trail. IMO its more than enough when used with the P7. I switch it on and of when needed so for me run times are measured in number of rides out. I just top up the AAs (2900s) every so often.
Edit: Should also add I didnt have any clearance issues in terms of battery size, I did have with the Tesco one.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tinsy wrote, "Tesco's also had some Duracell re chargeables with loads of mah for fiver when I bought myself a replacement tesco torch.. Run a similar time to a p7 on 1 battery."
Yup, but remember most AA rechargables are only 1.2V so you're losing brightness immediately, and they tend to drop in use as well. You can't really compare run time with a P7 since it'll be kicking out several times more light, but my P7 torches on low throw more light than my Tesco torch can, and the run time on low is about 4 hours.
Posted 2 years ago # -
P7 torch gave better battery life and far more light, and barely cost any more
Which P7 is that? I'm sure they are about 3 times the price. (if the Tescos are still £10)
Posted 2 years ago # -
I also use one on my helmet, to supplement the bar HID - works, plus I carry spare AA's as a 'get-me-home'
Posted 2 years ago # -
DezB, if you read my post I was comparing 1 P7 light with 3 Tescos- one tesco being completely hopeless for anything but tiptoing or road use. 3 gives a barely adequate light but by that point they make no sense. All in all they're a horrible choice for riding with.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Depends what you want. I have compared a Tesco AA along side a Fenix and a Joy stick. The Fenix burnt a hole through the joystick and the Tesco through both of them. however the brighter the beam the narrower it is. I am going to chop my C cell to leave the LEd on my head and the cell in a pocket to save weight. Maybe there is something that does the same job but not at 10 quid. the C cell is a much wider spread than the Joystick and as bright. Well mine is.
Posted 2 years ago # -
cookeaa/sv - Thanks for the link. I'd not realised that UltraFire had upped the WF-606A to 230 lumens. If it's owt like the RC-N3 the quoted figure is related to the higher powered battery.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I found it was fine as an additional helmet light to supplement the bar mounted one.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I carry a tesco torch with a bar mount in my camelback for emergency use ( I used to use it as a helmet light). Either in case of a mechanical or just being out later than planned. I think as an emergency light for £10 it's great value.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you have a mini maglite that needs upgrading, check this lot out- http://www.thetorchsite.co.uk/AA_LED_Upgrades.html
Posted 2 years ago #
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