Brand new forum member here, I have been looking through posts for the past couple of days looking for the best light to use for walking the dog.
I bought a couple of Quarks last week and already feel the addiction taking hold.
I am looking for any suggestions and thoughts on my list of potential lights for my dog walking chore.
The features I think are well suited to my task, somewhat in order of importance:
Floody Beam (though I would not mind decent throw being available)
Bright 500+ Lumens (due to light being lost with floody beam).
Accepts rechargeable cells (light used every day up to an hour).
As light weight as possible
Short is better than long (so I can fit in coat pocket)
Neutral color (my Quarks are neutral and I like the color)
Of course, reliability is very important as well.
My short list (based on manufacturer's info and all the reviews I could find in the forums):
EagleTac M3C4 XP-G R5
EagleTac M3C4 SST-50 Neutral
Sunwayman 40C
Sunwayman 40A
ITP Light A6 Polestar
Fenix TK45
Olight M30
A couple of the lights on my list have a diffuser available. I have seen an indoor/outdoor beam tests of M2C4 with the diffuser and it looks like it would provide enough of a nice flood for walking, with the option of using the light without the diffuser for other uses (or if the dog runs off). Does anyone have any experience with how usable a diffuser on the M3C4/M2C4, or the M30 would be for outside walking?
I am prepared to go either AA or 18650 rechargables. Since I have a couple of 2 cell CR123Quarks, so I am tempted to go the 18650 route and use them in the Quarks as well.
Here is what I consider to be pros and cons of each light. Please offer and opinions/advice/experience you may have with the lights (not that the Lumen rating is based on the manufacturer, may not be accurate):
EagleTac M3C4
XP-G R5 - 1000 Lumen
2 x 18650
16.5 oz (estimated with cells)
6.2 Inches long
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and good throw options.
Brightest light on list
Cons
If diffuser is not a viable option, may have too much throw
I understand that this light is not compatible with flat top 18650 cells (can this be modded?)
Quality issues with EagleTac??
Not neutral
Heavier light
EagleTac M3C4
SST-50 Neutral - 1000 Lumen
2 x 18650
16.5 oz (estimated with cells)
6.2 Inches long
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and ok throw options.
Neutral beam
Cons
Not sure is this light is currently available
Seems to be a question on the boards if this light produces anywhere near rated output
I understand that this light is not compatible with flat top 18650 cells (can this be modded?)
Quality issues with EagleTac??
Heavy light
Sunwayman 40C
MC-E - 630 Lumens
2 x 18650
12.7 oz (estimated with cells)
6.1 Inches long
Pros
Very good build quality.
Good combination of flood and throw?
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Sunwayman 40A
MC-E - 500 Lumens
4 x AA
12.2 oz (estimated with cells)
5.7 Inches long
Pros
Very good build quality.
Good combination of flood and throw?
Shortest physical length
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Not as bright as others
Shortest run time
ITP Light A6 Polestar
MC-E - 700 Lumens
6 x AA
13.1 oz (estimated with cells)
6.9 Inches long
Pros
Good combination of flood and throw?
Least expensive
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Long physical length
Fenix TK45
XP-G LED R5 - 760 Lumens
8 x AA
19 oz (estimated with cells)
8" length
Pros
Good combination of flood and throw?
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Heaviest light
Long physical length
Olight M30
MC-E - 700 Lumens
2 x 18500
8.2 oz (estimated with cells)
7.0 Inches length (no extender)
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and good throw options.
Lightest
Can use extender and 18650 cells for more run time
Cons
If diffuser is not a viable option, not enough flood
Long physical length
Not neutral
Are there any other lights I should be considering?
I think my decision comes down to whether a diffuser can give me the combination I want. If so, I am leaning toward the M3C4 XP-G R5 assuming that I can get AW 18650 cells to work in the battery holder and EagleTac is making a quality light.
Thanks in advance for any advice you have.
I bought a couple of Quarks last week and already feel the addiction taking hold.
I am looking for any suggestions and thoughts on my list of potential lights for my dog walking chore.
The features I think are well suited to my task, somewhat in order of importance:
Floody Beam (though I would not mind decent throw being available)
Bright 500+ Lumens (due to light being lost with floody beam).
Accepts rechargeable cells (light used every day up to an hour).
As light weight as possible
Short is better than long (so I can fit in coat pocket)
Neutral color (my Quarks are neutral and I like the color)
Of course, reliability is very important as well.
My short list (based on manufacturer's info and all the reviews I could find in the forums):
EagleTac M3C4 XP-G R5
EagleTac M3C4 SST-50 Neutral
Sunwayman 40C
Sunwayman 40A
ITP Light A6 Polestar
Fenix TK45
Olight M30
A couple of the lights on my list have a diffuser available. I have seen an indoor/outdoor beam tests of M2C4 with the diffuser and it looks like it would provide enough of a nice flood for walking, with the option of using the light without the diffuser for other uses (or if the dog runs off). Does anyone have any experience with how usable a diffuser on the M3C4/M2C4, or the M30 would be for outside walking?
I am prepared to go either AA or 18650 rechargables. Since I have a couple of 2 cell CR123Quarks, so I am tempted to go the 18650 route and use them in the Quarks as well.
Here is what I consider to be pros and cons of each light. Please offer and opinions/advice/experience you may have with the lights (not that the Lumen rating is based on the manufacturer, may not be accurate):
EagleTac M3C4
XP-G R5 - 1000 Lumen
2 x 18650
16.5 oz (estimated with cells)
6.2 Inches long
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and good throw options.
Brightest light on list
Cons
If diffuser is not a viable option, may have too much throw
I understand that this light is not compatible with flat top 18650 cells (can this be modded?)
Quality issues with EagleTac??
Not neutral
Heavier light
EagleTac M3C4
SST-50 Neutral - 1000 Lumen
2 x 18650
16.5 oz (estimated with cells)
6.2 Inches long
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and ok throw options.
Neutral beam
Cons
Not sure is this light is currently available
Seems to be a question on the boards if this light produces anywhere near rated output
I understand that this light is not compatible with flat top 18650 cells (can this be modded?)
Quality issues with EagleTac??
Heavy light
Sunwayman 40C
MC-E - 630 Lumens
2 x 18650
12.7 oz (estimated with cells)
6.1 Inches long
Pros
Very good build quality.
Good combination of flood and throw?
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Sunwayman 40A
MC-E - 500 Lumens
4 x AA
12.2 oz (estimated with cells)
5.7 Inches long
Pros
Very good build quality.
Good combination of flood and throw?
Shortest physical length
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Not as bright as others
Shortest run time
ITP Light A6 Polestar
MC-E - 700 Lumens
6 x AA
13.1 oz (estimated with cells)
6.9 Inches long
Pros
Good combination of flood and throw?
Least expensive
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Long physical length
Fenix TK45
XP-G LED R5 - 760 Lumens
8 x AA
19 oz (estimated with cells)
8" length
Pros
Good combination of flood and throw?
Cons
No diffuser
Not neutral
Heaviest light
Long physical length
Olight M30
MC-E - 700 Lumens
2 x 18500
8.2 oz (estimated with cells)
7.0 Inches length (no extender)
Pros
If diffuser acceptable for flood walking use, combines flood and good throw options.
Lightest
Can use extender and 18650 cells for more run time
Cons
If diffuser is not a viable option, not enough flood
Long physical length
Not neutral
Are there any other lights I should be considering?
I think my decision comes down to whether a diffuser can give me the combination I want. If so, I am leaning toward the M3C4 XP-G R5 assuming that I can get AW 18650 cells to work in the battery holder and EagleTac is making a quality light.
Thanks in advance for any advice you have.
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