Which manufacturer has the nicest overall design

[Bigpal]

Of course, reliability, functionality and many other factors make up the ideal light. But, strictly from a design standpoint, which manufacturer do you think puts out the most aesthetically pleasing products?

I think I am partial to Jetbeam. I really like the RRT3:


As well as the BC40. I can see how many might not like this look - it is one of my favorites:


The little Ti and the M1X are 2 more very nice ones:


And aside from this hiccup:


I think I kinda like the whole JB lineup. I understand that these are opinions and some will hate JB and love the PA40, but I am really curious to see what manufacturer you think is putting out the eye catchers.

[Novan3]

Looks like the RRT2 & M1X took a page out of Surefire's design book.

[shelm]

jb is okay i guess

[RobertM]

SureFire and McGizmo

[nbp]

McGizmo, hands down. Mac's stuff is really nice too.

[Torchaddict]

+1 for McGizmo!

[fishndad]

McGizmo, hands down. Mac's stuff is really nice too.

Yea well thats a very sweet sentiment.
But i cant imagine the OP was hoping to have his post crushed by a Custom Craftsman the likes McGizmo.
Of course i guess you could trivialize McGizmo to say they fall into the Manufacturers Catigory.

Anyway i vote for Jetbeam.

[Bigpal]

McGizmo, hands down. Mac's stuff is really nice too.

I really hate to say this. I haven't seen any of their stuff. I've heard of them, and know they are well respected on the board, but never had an opportunity to look at their lights; I only had the larger companies in mind.

Is there a thread that highlights some of the offerings from these guys? I'll search around in the meantime.

[biglights]

I would hope that they are awesome, because from the prices that I have saw for one. You could get about the whole Jetbeam lineup. No disrespect just saying!

The only Jetbeam that I have is the TCR1, which is very nice. I also like the look and feel of the Olights.

[fishndad]

Dont bother comparing. They are custom Machinist's who create beautifull lights from the best materials.
Its borderline insulting to have even mentioned McGizmo in the same post as Jet and Fenix.
But they just wanted to make sure you knew they own 1 or more.

[jabe1]

Of what I own, Peak makes the most aesthetically pleasing lights.

I'm a form follows function type.

I do like the look of McGizmos too, but I'm not sure I'd consider him a "manufacturer".

[Bigpal]

I suppose they would qualify if they meet the CPF definition:

Manufacturer: A member who sells products through a storefront or website that they themself manufacture. If you make the product, sell the product and have to pay taxes on the product you sell, you are a manufacturer.

Either way, I'm sure he'd be proud of all the mentions.

[skyfire]

some of jetbeams older designs were very nice looking. such as the RRT series, and jet-M. their newer stuff looks similar too most other manufacturers stuff.

surefire with so many models has some really great looking designs. my admiration goes out to many M, E, and L-series lights. the LX2 might be one of the sexiest lights ever. the C2/C3 also looks great.
im not too keen on some of their more recent designs though.

McGizmo's were mentioned, and i must agree.

sunwayman has some nice looking lights too.

of course aesthetics differs from one perspective to another. these are just my opinions of attractive looking lights.

[nfetterly]

I've picked up a few of the 4-sevens AAA Preon lights- VERY nice for a "pen-light" - also nice you can go from AAA to 2xAAA. Well thought out.

Picked up my first Peak last week. Night Patrol - in stainless steel. Well made. Keeper.

[nbp]

I really hate to say this. I haven't seen any of their stuff. I've heard of them, and know they are well respected on the board, but never had an opportunity to look at their lights; I only had the larger companies in mind.

Is there a thread that highlights some of the offerings from these guys? I'll search around in the meantime.

They both have subforum here, which contain lots of good info and pics.

Dont bother comparing. They are custom Machinist's who create beautifull lights from the best materials.
Its borderline insulting to have even mentioned McGizmo in the same post as Jet and Fenix.
But they just wanted to make sure you knew they own 1 or more.

Sorry, I guess I didn't see the rules in the first post that disqualified small manufacturers....

Anyways, if you want something that comes out of a "factory", I find HDS lights to have a ruggedly handsome appearance I appreciate. Some find them ugly, but I like them.

[ABTOMAT]

I like Surefire circa late-90s. The old black knurled lights with the short-rim Turboheads are really sharp as far as I'm concerned.

[fishndad]

i like the 2D mags as a form as well as anyother.
The Jetbeam RRT01 for EDC

[rjr104]

Think I'll have to cast my vote (s) for old school surefires, HDS, and the always reliable tank, Maglite.

[Lou Minescence]

I think the Jetbeams RRT series is another winner. Fit, finish, feel, and beam quality are good.

[TweakMDS]

Jetbeam lights are quite nice to look at, even with an AA extender (the RRT-0).
I also really like the look of most of the Sunwayman CR123 lights, although the V11R isn't as good as some of the earlier models.
The EagleTac D25C Ti clicky is one of the best looking lights in my opinion.

[M@elstrom]

Aesthetics is a subjective topic, personally I think the PA40 looks way better than the rather ugly BC40


I prefer the look/design of my older Surefire and Streamlight lights (even dare I say Cabella's Alaskan Guide) to many on offer currently, each to his own I suppose... speaking of which!

[JohnnyBravo]

This LUX-RC looks like the nicest overall design to me:

[Kevinkw1]

Omg! That looks like some alien teleport beacon!

[Lou Minescence]

M@elstrom,
In your earlier post you mention the Cabelas Alaskan guide, I have the led version of it and love the interface and the looks are good also. I hardly use it because the 3 small led bulbs have too much of a blue tint. If I ever mod a flashlight, my Alaskan Guide will have those 3 LEDs replaced with something of better tint quality.

[M@elstrom]

M@elstrom,
In your earlier post you mention the Cabelas Alaskan guide, I have the led version of it and love the interface and the looks are good also. I hardly use it because the 3 small led bulbs have too much of a blue tint. If I ever mod a flashlight, my Alaskan Guide will have those 3 LEDs replaced with something of better tint quality.

I'm not familiar with the internals of the LED version but my red LED/Xenon light is one of my favourites, as such items are not available locally I rely on the internet (and CPF market place) to acquire them...


As it's not a commonly modified light you'll have to do all the process R&D yourself however good luck with your proposed modification, I'll look forward to seeing a write-up should it eventuate


Another subjectively pleasing to the eye flashlight IMHO is the Ultrastinger



And not to be outdone Surefire's traditionally beautiful A2 incandescent

[Bigpal]

This LUX-RC looks like the nicest overall design to me:

That is different, that's for sure. And they have the FL-33, which is equally impressive:

[dd61999]

Not the best light, but the minimaglite design is clean and timeless

[CamoNinja]

Prometheus Alpha

[Bigpal]

Aesthetics is a subjective topic, personally I think the PA40 looks way better than the rather ugly BC40

This is exactly why I wanted to have this discussion. It's interesting how people can look at the exact same thing and think the exact opposite.

I actually just ordered the BC40 from Shiningbeam, and you probably would never think of it.

[LGT]

The cylindrical look with as little as possible variation in thickness from lens to tailcap is what appeals to me. So, because it's shape hasn't varied througout the years, I really like the design of HDS lights. Some have said "out dated." But it's just a matter of opion. I also like the simple, IMO,design of many of the Surefires.