Decent Thrower for camping and general use

[schmart]

Hello,

I've been more of a lurker for about 2 years. Based on discussions I've followed in the forums, I've used the AKoray K106 and K109 as edc lights until they failed and now carry the ITP A3 EOS. My personality is more of a do it yourselfer, so I have have primarily been following the modification and home built threads, but finally came to the conclusion that I will be better off simply purchasing something I will be happy with instead of spending $1500 on a lathe, plus time and material learning to use it.

So, I've been reading quite a bit about various lights and have decided I like a light similar to the Klarus XT11, but I'm not crazy about the user interface with buttons on the tailcap. Can't really use it one handed when camping and carrying something. The size is good (although smaller is usually better), I don't mind the CR123 or 18650 batteries, but not hung up on them. I love the concept of 600 Lumen and have watched some demos on youtube and like the throw distance as well as the flood it gives. I really like the ring interface with many brightness (or infinite) levels on the jetbeam, but it looks like their comparable light (RRT-2 Raptor) is only about 75% the lumens. I've also been looking at the new Nitecore TM11 and that switch position is not bad either (obviously it is in a different class of illumination).

Primary uses will be:
1. Camping with boy scouts where both low level (say 10 lumen, less is OK) at the campsite plus a spotlight to "light up the world" when somebody yells is very nice.
2. Lighting up my back yard looking for the dog. About 100 yards to the back of my property, but the farmer's corn field goes on for miles.
3. Wow factor to my non-enlightened friends (although the RRT-3 or the Nitecore TM11 would be awesome for that).

Price, I'll probably start squirming at about $125 but could be convinced to go slightly higher if it is the perfect light.

So am I missing something in the Jetbeam lineup? Is there another quality maker I should be looking at? I'm staying away from DealExtreme and their like.

I appreciate the help and recommendations.
--Rick

[Gregozedobe]

Dereelight DBS with smooth reflector head (not the aspheric) and a P60 drop-in with properly low Lo and Med settings will do the job. Depending on how much runtime you want on Hi I'd go for a single 18650 battery and a lower voltage (4.2v) drop-in to suit. This will be a huge improvement on the AKOray and ITP lights you've had. This also gives you the flexibility to try out different drop-ins later if you want to experiment a bit (one of the big advantages of the P60 style lights).

Buy decent quality 18650 batteries (eg AW) and a USB charger from Cottonpickers (over at the CPF Marketplace) and you're away.

The unenlightened (pun itended) seem to much more impressed with a throwy light rather than a wall of floody light.

[varmint]

I have this exact setup of the DBS, you will really like it, its just a good solid feeling light that you can modify to your needs at any time very easy, with a AW2900 18650 a charge lasts me over 2 weeks using it every night.

[angelofwar]

Surefire LX2!!! Nice balance of low and high, and the best UI in flashlight existence...you can pick up a used one for around that. Or an A2L white if you want a mix of flood/throw...

[schmart]

Looking at photos of the DBS, it seems that the head is about 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter which would make it harder to pocket that the 1.25" diameter of the XT11 or RRT-2. Am I correct in this observation? I've tried going to the dereelight site but it is currently unavailable and I haven't found dimensions elsewhere.
Thanks
--Rick

[BLUE LED]

An alternative would the smaller brother to the DBS. The CL1H with a choice of different emitters.

If you can go a little bigger, the Armytek Predator isn't too shabby.

[Gregozedobe]

Yes, the DBS head is just under 50mm in diameter, and is a bit large for many pockets compared with the more compact lights.

Dereelights are also available from flashlightconnection.com as well as dereelight.com (site is up at the moment). Remember to always look on the CPF Marketplace for a CPF coupon for a discount).

I suggested the DBS because you said you wanted good throw. All lights with good throw will have larger heads to accommodate a large reflector or aspheric lens. All else being equal, SMO(oth) reflectors usually give better throw than Orange Peel reflectors, while LEDs with a smaller die size (eg XR-E) give better throw than larger dies (eg XM-L). Lux is the measure of throw (not lumens).

If compact size is more important to you than throw look at the Dereelight CL1H, it has 34mm diam head. If you later decide you do want more throw the DBS reflector and aspheric heads will fit the CL1H body.

Solarforce also make good 1x18650 lights that take various P60 dropins.

Keep doing your research, you are much more likely to be happy with your eventual purchase than if you just rush in.

Edit: While I was busy typing BLUE LED made the same suggestion re CL1H