I’m after a new torch, something powerful with good range & lense adjustment.

Ideally a good reliable brand should I need a warrenty.

Size wise it’s to replace an old school 3d cell maglite, so something large is ok.

Budget approx £50?

Any suggestions or recommendations???

£50?! you must be mad!
Loads for about a tenner on Ebay.

Yes I’ve had them, I want something better

For £50 knock yourself out…..

http://www.flashaholics.co.uk

Or if you want to keep some of your cash in your pocket I just got one of these…..

http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/flashlightheadlamp/cb-seen-cree-xm-l-t6-900.html

Seems good for the money. So far only tried it with 3xAAA should be brighter on an 18650

As a starting point think about what your usage pattern will be and which batteries will best suit, and work from there.

Examples:

ttp://r.ebay.com/ooKtU7

http://r.ebay.com/XsP3gK – had one of these for a couple of years, great quality

http://r.ebay.com/ESiuHZ – zoomable

Oh sorry, you think you’ll get better by wasting money. Beg pardon.

I’ve been happy/impressed with my Solarforce L2P. I bought direct, but they’re on flashaholics linked above

Can’t help you with lens adjustment but torchy is good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/big_f_d_d

Do you want throw or spread? Modes?

http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/flashlightheadlamp/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l.html

Amazing for the money, Edit … just Amazing.

Is it also for hitting people with? Just curious like, if so you really want at least ‘C’ batteries in it.

Might be best to list some features you would like? And typical usage? For that much moolah you can buy a compact torch that will make a subsonic almost inaudible boom as it blitzes the landscape ahead in a retina-peeling pure white light. But you might want something with a focus ring, or speed focus, or less light, or warmer light, or warmer grip, multimode, uses regular batteries, morse code etc…

If I was changing from a Maglite, would be tempted by a http://www.fenixtorch.co.uk/Shop/Fenix-Torches/E-Series/12924-Fenix-E20-Shake-Flashlight.html

Go to edcforums

Fill out their flashlight questionaire

Set aside a month to go through the answers

Buy a Fenix (nb, do not buy a Pheonix, due to risks involved, Royal Mail may confiscate it)

I’ve had a couple of ultrafire torches

Then I got a fenix, and also a 4 sevens

4 sevens is nice, but I still prefer the fenix, it’s just nicer to use and feels a little bit better quality

something like this: http://www.foursevens.com/product_info.php?products_id=3302
Frankly, I have tiny little flashlights that use 14500 (same size as AA) which are as bright as any Maglite I’ve owned, I’d never buy another.
I’ve got one of these, http://www.dx.com/p/tb-d7-cree-xm-l-t6-8000k-900lm-5-mode-white-led-flashlight-1-x-18650-110262#.VInsa0aQGJI
Cheap as, very bright centre spot, large outer halo, uses 18650 Li-ion, good pocketable size.

Went out and took some, admittedly fairly shonk beamshots, first one is from my old 4D-cell Maglight with LED conversion. The conversion is a few years old now, and the batteries fairly old but it hasn’t been used in ages.
Second is the DX flashlight I linked to above, third is one of my TrustFire R5-A3 lights I recommended in the ‘small torch’ thread, shining on the bottom of the garden, about thirty feet away.

[/url] Untitled by CountZero1, on Flickr[/img]
[/url] Untitled by CountZero1, on Flickr[/img]
[/url] Untitled by CountZero1, on Flickr[/img]

XML-2 501b… Great little torches and well under £10, though you do need cells (free from old laptops) and a charger.

though you do need cells (free from old laptops)

<thread hijack>

I may be about to decommission a raft of old laptops. Anyone know of a reliable way of testing the cells for fitness / have the means to do so and want my own bodyweight in batteries in exchange for sending me a handful of cells back?

</thread hijack>

I do a load of battery recycling for the shooting lights i cell [sic]

Can provide instructions or do it for you. Just have some sand at the ready

Well, I’m reassured. (-: Feel free to email me.