liteningbug
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2014
- Messages
- 28
Looking for a powerful EDC (600 lumens minimum, the more the merrier, mostly throw-based; high candela desired) that I can pocket carry (so 6" max, ideally under 5") under $150, ideally under $100. Any kind of battery is fine. Will be using this in conjunction with a carry handgun for training in night shooting (and with any luck, never use it in self defense), so I want a simple momentary-only UI as the main tail switch--anything beyond that is fine so long as it can't get accidentally activated when doing momentary-only. 1" wide body is nice because then I can use it with a Switchback 2.0, but by no means required. I have a Fenix E12 for basic EDC light tasks, this one will just be self defense in conjunction with handgun or if some major brightness is needed.
Thank you!
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
__X__Up to $100.
3) Format:
_X___I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
__X__TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__X__SMALL - Every day carry (4-6 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
__X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
__X__I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
__X__I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
__X__I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
__X__I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
__X__Any of the above are acceptable.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
__X__I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
__X__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
__X__I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
__X__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
__X__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
__X__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__X__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
__X__Any size switch will do.
__X__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
__X__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
Primary light option should be high brightness with momentary only; if another option like twisting for a different mode exists, that is fine.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__X__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
Momentary on-off only from the tail switch is desired; a secondary option activated by twisting or otherwise not easy to accidentally trigger is totally fine.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
__X__I don't care.
15) Water resistance
__X__IPX4 (Splash resistant)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
__X__Pocket/belt clip
Thank you!
==================Flashlight Recommendation Checklist================
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
__X__This will be mail-order or Online (location doesn't matter).
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
__X__Up to $100.
3) Format:
_X___I want a flashlight (hand held/self contained).
4) Size:
__X__TINY - Every day carry (2-4 inches).
__X__SMALL - Every day carry (4-6 inches).
5) Emitter/Light source:
__X__LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
6) Manufacturer:
__X__I want to buy a light from a large/traditional manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
__X__I would like a light from a specialty manufacturer (Possibly limited run/Custom).
__X__I am interested in assembling my own components. (for example a "host" or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a "drop-in" emitter from another source).
7) What power source do you want to use?
__X__I intend to use "Primary"/Disposable Lithium batteries based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D and CR123 sized cells common to most stores (often a cold weather or long storage choice).
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells (NiMH or NiCD) based on the usual AAA/AA/C/D sized cells common to most stores.
__X__I intend to use Rechargeable cells based on less common formats (18500 or 18650 Li-Ion, RCR123, et-al).
__X__I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery pack.
__X__Any of the above are acceptable.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
__X__I don't care
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is not a happy experience).
__X__I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
__X__I want search and rescue type illumination (800+ lumens).
__X__SPECIAL NOTE: Burst/Turbo mode Category - There are several lights that will run at a super bright maximum for a very limited period (usually 5-10 minutes) and then will "step-down" to a lower level for thermal control. Check here if this is acceptable.
9) Flood vs Throw: Flood covers an area, Throw reaches out to a distance.
__X__Wide Throw: I want a beam with a noticeable hot-center for distance throw and a significant amount of "side-spill". Good for rough trail hiking, search and rescue, and general distance work.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
__X__5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
__X__30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum continuous output).
__X__Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
__X__30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase "you get what you pay for" is very accurate for flashlights.
__X__Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
__X__Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
__X__Any size switch will do.
__X__I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
__X__I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today's high end lights).
Primary light option should be high brightness with momentary only; if another option like twisting for a different mode exists, that is fine.
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
__X__A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
__X__I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
Momentary on-off only from the tail switch is desired; a secondary option activated by twisting or otherwise not easy to accidentally trigger is totally fine.
14)Material/Finish/Coating
__X__I don't care.
15) Water resistance
__X__IPX4 (Splash resistant)
17) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any/all below.
__X__Pocket/belt clip
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