My first quality flashlights were MiniMags. These served admirably for a long time but consumed lots of alkaline batteries and bulbs. Sometimes the bulbs died at inconvenient times and places but there was a spare in the tail. You could change it if you weren't wet, cold and in the dark. Then I discoverd CPF, bought a Surefire 6P, and a whole new world was exposed. It had throw and lumens but the bulbs still burnt out and the batteries were a bit more expensive than alkalines. Just about this time the first wave of LED technology hit.
The runtime and reliability were tempting. I bought 3x5mm conversions for the Mags which turned out to be "angry blue", useful but not nice. The next wave hit and I bought an inexpensive dropin for the 6P. Very bright with lots of throw and OK runtime but ice cold color. I bought some Fenix and Zebra lights. Still pretty cool in tint but steadily improving. The Rebel 80 L1Tv2 was particularly nice. Then the next wave hit, neutral and warm LEDs. I bought HDS, Surefire/Malkoffs, Quarks and Zebras. I tried the warms but found the neutrals appealed to me the most. Meanwhile the unused flashlights box was getting pretty full. Off to CPFMP.
I've still have a few Surefire and MiniMag incan bulbs, just for history. I have one "angry blue", my Photon Freedoms. Some day someone will make a quality, neutral coin cell light.... I have a few cool white lights; MiniMags now with Luxeon 1 upgrades, Leatherman Serac S2 AAA, and Photon Proton. The MiniMags have too much history and are great kid's toys and loaners. I haven't focused on finding alternatives in neutral for the MiniMags or the Seracs. The Proton is for variable output red, I never use the white. The rest of my lights are neutral; Quark, Zebra, HDS, and Surefire/Malkoff.
So what's left? Thankfully there are ever increasing lumens to chase. I'm a sucker for an improved UI. I've only dabbled in mods. I don't have any customs or titanium lights yet. There remains lots of headroom for refinement. How's your journey?
The runtime and reliability were tempting. I bought 3x5mm conversions for the Mags which turned out to be "angry blue", useful but not nice. The next wave hit and I bought an inexpensive dropin for the 6P. Very bright with lots of throw and OK runtime but ice cold color. I bought some Fenix and Zebra lights. Still pretty cool in tint but steadily improving. The Rebel 80 L1Tv2 was particularly nice. Then the next wave hit, neutral and warm LEDs. I bought HDS, Surefire/Malkoffs, Quarks and Zebras. I tried the warms but found the neutrals appealed to me the most. Meanwhile the unused flashlights box was getting pretty full. Off to CPFMP.
I've still have a few Surefire and MiniMag incan bulbs, just for history. I have one "angry blue", my Photon Freedoms. Some day someone will make a quality, neutral coin cell light.... I have a few cool white lights; MiniMags now with Luxeon 1 upgrades, Leatherman Serac S2 AAA, and Photon Proton. The MiniMags have too much history and are great kid's toys and loaners. I haven't focused on finding alternatives in neutral for the MiniMags or the Seracs. The Proton is for variable output red, I never use the white. The rest of my lights are neutral; Quark, Zebra, HDS, and Surefire/Malkoff.
So what's left? Thankfully there are ever increasing lumens to chase. I'm a sucker for an improved UI. I've only dabbled in mods. I don't have any customs or titanium lights yet. There remains lots of headroom for refinement. How's your journey?
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