Best small RED led

[scottaw]

Ok, been camping a few times, reading "less is more threads" and it's time for a new light. (Gotta justify it in my head somehow) What im looking for is a red led light, im not sure how many lumens i need b/c i've never owned a red light before. I would like it to run on 1x123A, just because that's the battery i always carry with me. Gerber Ultra M looks like a nice light, but it's 1xAA.

So what do you think? Whats your favorite red lights and why. How many lumens are good for red? Do i need multi stages?

The light will be for camping just to get around at night, or use around the house not to disturb anyone else sleeping.

Im also open to a beamcover to fit my P2D, but it would have to be easy to switch from red to white. Flip-up maybe?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Right now my favorite red light is my newest light, the Photon Proton. It combines 6 white and 1 red LED, has variable output for both plus flash and SOS modes. It is a single AA, however. But, for low lighting needs it would be tough to beat. It might not have a bright enough red for hiking.

Geoff

 

[souptree]

My red SureFire L1 is bright enough to hike with and runs 90 hours on low.

I definitely do not advise a red filter over a white LED. There is very little red light in the beam to begin with, and by stripping out all the other wavelengths you will notice a drastic reduction in lumens. Stick with a red LED. My U2 on high through a red filter is not bright enough to hike with, even though it's probably 5 times the lumens of an L1 without the filter.

 

[Marduke]

Many of the headlamps in the stores these days combine 1-2 red LED's for night use. Also, for you 1 x CR123 preference, you may want to consider the Inova 24/7. It has 2 red, 2 yellow, and 4 white.

 

[who]

Maybe Peak McKinley? It will take CR123 or RCR123. 3 or 5 red LED.

 

[redledz]

Perhaps the Inova X5. Runs on 1 cr123 and has a pretty narrow beam which might be good not disturbing others. On a fresh cell it is rather bright imo, but I put the lowest power cell from G2 in it and it is just right for me. The only other 123 light in red I can think of would be a Peak Mckinley. oop theres also the Streamlight Night com which has both Xenon and red.

 

[greenlight]

red pal lights are nice *safelite*

 

[paulr]

I'm pretty sure the Inova X5 runs on two 123's but runtime is ridiculously long.

Peak McKinley is another possibility, as a couple people mentioned.

Another idea is to fit a Tekna Splashlite with a red led bulb replacement. I used to want to do that.

These days I'm happy with a red-led CMG Infinity so I never carried out the Splashlite mod. Yes it's powered by an AA cell, but its runtime is more than plenty for just about any camping trip.

I do have some #222 screwbase bulb bases suitable for modding with an LED (kindly supplied by Scott at Tektite for the purpose of a related Splashlite mod that I also didn't pursue) so I can send you one if you want. You'd just solder in a resistor and led.

Presumably since you want a red led in order to not disturb people, you DON'T want it very bright. A single 5mm red led is enough to walk around in the dark with.

 

[scottaw]

I think im liking that peak. Any red CREE options. Not for brightness, just for runtime and efficiency?

 

[Pistolero]

I'm pretty sure the Inova X5 runs on two 123's but runtime is ridiculously long.

I think BattJunction (Matt?) said that the RED X5 runs on 1 123 and has a non-removable spacer in there.

 

[BB]

I am very tempted by the StreamLight Sidewinder... A 1/2 watt white LED, plus one each small green, blue, and red LEDs (IR LED option available that replaces green LED)--all adjustable power from 5%-100% (plus strobe--only one LED can be on at a time). 2AA with a swivel head. Not cheap ($50-$70 retail).

2xAA (any 1.5 volt chemistry) with clip--in Tan or Green, designed military use. 7-100+ hours on battery (depends on light setting).

-Bill

 

[luigi]

I think BattJunction (Matt?) said that the RED X5 runs on 1 123 and has a non-removable spacer in there.

Confirmed the red X5 uses a single 123 battery. It is very floody and runtime is really long.

Luigi

 

[StainlessSteel]

Whats your favorite red lights and why. How many lumens are good for red? Do i need multi stages?

The light will be for camping just to get around at night, or use around the house not to disturb anyone else sleeping.

I am a HUGE red light fan.

INOVA X5 RED I own one, it runs on ONE 123a Battery It is hands down, the most used light I own. It is robust. I have throw it, over hand, as hard as i could, through the woods, (while on, to prove a point) and it didn't break.

I can't recommend it enough. I can just say, "get one, and you will understand."

9 feet, white wall, circle is a clay pigeon:

 

[ns66]

i wonder why not put a red filter in front of white cree? yeah you lost a bit of light but no need to buy something just for color

 

[BB]

i wonder why not put a red filter in front of white cree? yeah you lost a bit of light but no need to buy something just for color

Only reason is you get a not very bright and horribly inefficient red LED flashlight... Makes some sense for a filament bulb--but white LED's have very little red in them... And red LED's are themselves, already very efficient.

-Bill

 

[lightinsky]

I'd go with the multi mode Inova 24/7. This is a compact yet mult use led light that only uses one 123 battery.

 

[scottaw]

StainlessSteel, i checked battery junction, and it has the X5 listed as 2x123, is there a different option, where did you get yours? That beamshot looks great and i like the look of the light itself.

 

[luigi]

StainlessSteel, i checked battery junction, and it has the X5 listed as 2x123, is there a different option, where did you get yours? That beamshot looks great and i like the look of the light itself.

It is wrong, it has the size of 2x123 but only uses one 123. They are all the same no X5 red uses 2 batteries.

Luigi

 

[Marduke]

StainlessSteel, i checked battery junction, and it has the X5 listed as 2x123, is there a different option, where did you get yours? That beamshot looks great and i like the look of the light itself.

The white, UV, and blue uses 2 cells. The red uses only 1 cell and a spacer.

 

[Bogie]

I have a 1st Gen SF L1 in Red that I use for hunting thats a great light