I bought a UFO LED (from Wilkinsons) light to check it out (lots of UKCS members rated them).
The current taken from the 3 AA Cells worried me. I'd be spending a lot on replacing them.
Rechargeable cells (to save money) did not produce the same light intensity, due to the lower voltage (1.2 compared to 1.5)
I bought another 2, and wired them to work off my 12 volt car battery. Works a treat.
I'll take a look at the Lidl ones when they appear, and see what they're like.
Regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
Hi James.
run time is not so good, like with most Cree LED's, the Mountain Bike folk are going for the P7 Cree which gives 900 lumen, super bright single led light, but run time is only about 3 hours, and that's on a lump of a rechargeable ion battery pack, still good value at £60 compared to the branded equivelents like Hope etc, which for the same light output will cost you £200!.
The Lidl light on full brightness mode says 4 hours run time, personaly I would make my own 4.5v re-chargeable battery pack using 4 AA cells, like you say at 1.2v per cell that would give 4.8v.
Picked up one of the Torch Cree LED lights to-day, what can I say, this torch does not use a regular LED, it's beam comes from the next generation of Cree LED's, for a torch of it's diminutive size the beam is awesome.
The torch as sold in Lidl is a Livarno Lux using a single Cree LED giving 150 Lumen, so I guess 3watt of power type Cree LED.
For £9.99 it's an absolute bargain, the torch is made by Mellert SLT of Germany, and the nearest model I can find is the TL380 Master HPL Focus-Lite although brighter at 200 Lumen selling for around 45Euro.
I guess the Lidl model, is the old version of the TL380 so no doubt Lidl have bought a job lot.
Grab this torch whilst it still available. it's just too good to miss.
Cree technology in Europe is quite some way behind the Asian market. I have just bought a Q5 cree 500 lumens off ebay for £6 including postage. The quality is nowhere near as good as something like a Lenser and I'm not sure how long they will last but as Andy says a pair of these on the front of my bike keeps me seen by motorists. The zoomable versions are fantastic and to be honest its difficult to see the difference between these and my L7 and P7 Lensers. Have to say that Ebay is a good source if you are looking for cheap cree torches.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
Hi Nigel.
I don't think most folk, have discovered Cree LED's just yet, they are fairly new to me also.
I have seen the P7 Bike Lights from Magicshine etc single Cree LED giving 900 Lumen for around £50 available from Hong Kong etc.
Whilst the nearest equivelent like the Exposure Toro Mk2 or Hope Vision is close on £300!. available from your LBS of course, rip of Britain in action again me thinks.
Having seen how good the 150 Lumen Aldi Torch is, I will be getting one of the Magicshine lights for my bike, sometime soon.
Seems like you know a bit about these Cree LED's so thanks for your comments, I need to do a bit more research to see how bright these things are becoming, and there's me thinking HiD was the best of the best for portable lights, how wrong I am.
Just an update.
Have tried the Lidl Cree-LED Torch with some Lidl rechargeable "AAA" (900mha) batteries, and despite the 0.9v voltage drop, the Torch performs just as well, as with Alkaline batteries, and run time is about the same, so happy days, I am very pleased with the results.
Another update, Lidl are doing a CREE LED torch again, not like the puny £4.99 unit they did last month, although for the money that was still a bargain.
They are doing a 3w model again, similiar to the one they did back in February, although this time it looks as though it may take "AA" and not "AAA" batteries like the February one. so longer run time. £14.99 for this latest offering, the February one was £9.99
For those that don't know, CREE LED are super bright, almost halogen or HID like, MTB nightime riders know all about CREE, not to be confused with regular LED lights.
Also Lidl are doing some nice camping lanterns, using a 7w tube, so again nice and bright for £19.99
Other camping stuff includes a double Self Inflating Matt at £27.99 size is 110cm x 188cm x 5cm thick.
Can't find the info on the website, but according to the leaflet I picked up to-day, all is due in store Thursday 16th June.
Oh nearly forgot 4 person tent for £84.99 looks like it has a SiG. size up is 5m x 3m x 1.9m height.
Have bought a few off eBay. Most average £15 with postage. My last one came with rechargeable battery and charger. 250 lumen. Fab torch, fab quality. Biggest problem is stopping my 6year lad from 'borrowing' it!!
Simon
------------- I've seen my dream tent and i've bought it!!!!
Those Cree torch's certainley put my trusty MagLite 2 "C" cell torch in the dark, so I need to get round to fitting a Cree upgrade to that, if they do one, seen them for the 3/4 cell MagLite's but not for mine yet.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Lidl CREE Torch
