2008 flashlight of the year

[mossyoak]

2008 Flashlight of the Year:

+1 for the unlocked Novatac 120E/120T.

that's not a new light. It's been around before '08

 

[naked2]

that's not a new light. It's been around before '08

This is in the OP:

i don't think this flashlight should be limited by only being released in 08'

 

[BigBoy]

Bitz (Aluminum) - Smooth floody beam. Beautiful machining. Titanium bezel. This light is a work of art. I am told that a small 2nd run is in the works.

 

[Art Vandelay]

that's not a new light. It's been around before '08

What year did the HDS come out? It was way ahead of its time. I can't believe we are still finding Henry's Easter Eggs after all this time. It has increased the buzz on this light again. I don't mean to say the HDS is an old light. It has been updated in the meantime, but maybe not this year.

 

[1984]

OLIGHT m20 warrior!(I dont know what the the hell Im talking about,but I ordered one should be here thursday):twothumbs

 

[TECENG]

Nitecore EX-10/D-10/D-20.

A VERY close second is the EO1. I think the Nitecore wins though due to it's ingenuity and design effort.

 

[mossyoak]

More specifically the EX10

 

[BabyDoc]

That's a rough decision - so many great lights lately. Henry's designs are at the top of the list - Novatac 120P and now the 120T or 120E have become even better values since it was found how to essentially make them a 120P. And the Ra Clicky looks great but still hard to get. Nitecore EX10 and D10 are great lights. But one light -- the Liteflux LF3XT -- is looking really really good right now. Flawless in anodizing and appearance, programmable with more features than any other light AFAIK, it can be virtually setup to be just about like a Nitecore EX10 or even close to a Novatac/HDS. It can be a 1,2,3,4 or 5 mode light - and that's just one of it's UI's - the other compact UI just about takes care of most things without any programming needed to set it up. Smoothest switch on the planet IMO -- and no rubber to wear out. Perfect tint (I've got 2 of 'em and from what I've heard they are all close to the same neutral white). High quality throughout and it looks it too. And yet an awesome price. I think the lightreviews web site lists it as the highest rating on their 'Value' scale. Built in battery voltmeter. One of the only lights to have a perfect 'ringless' flawless beam pattern with the rugged Cree LED (I say rugged because the other next most popular LED seems to have some slight issues that tend to make it less tolerant of certain conditions). I haven't even checked the list of features in the sales thread on CPFM so I'm sure I'm missing some but that should cover it for now 🙂

+1 with everything said. However, I don't think the LF3XT is revolutionary. To be the light of the year, shouldn't it be? Still, the LF3xt copies the best from the EX10/D10 lights and improves upon it. It also copies from the p120 and from the previously released LF5XT and does it better. What is special about the light is it that combines so much into a single package at a very affordable price. Because it bases so much of what it does on older designs, it is evolutionary and not revolutionary.

As much as I love the LF3XT (it is my favorite now), if I were to vote for a light that has made more of an revolutionary impact this year, it would be the D10/E10. 4Sevens designed no frills, affordable EDC lights that are easy to operate, easy to carry (even has a great clip option), broad choice of light brightness with ramping, in an extremely compact format, and nice build/finish. It does have its problems for some with its finicky PD system, non-retainable memory after shortcut modes, but still most people love it. If it weren't for the D10/Ex10, I don't think we would be seeing the LF3xt as it is today.

 

[curlyfry562]

I think if the G2L had a whiter tint instead of blue it wouldn't be my loaner light.

Or my gifting light for Christmas

 

[naked2]

Or my gifting light for Christmas

 

[Moka]

I'd vote for the E1B. I love mine but haven't ever held or shone a Nitecore, Jetbeam or a few of the others. I think my E1B has saved me money because my light purchases seriously slowed down after that aquisition.

Ditto to that...
I'd have to vote for the E1B. Small, bright, Love the TIR, and the clip is damn cool too.. =D
Henry's RA lights either the Clicky or Twisty would have to be a close 2nd/3rd... =P

Can the OP start a poll with all the lights litsted thus far and perhaps we can get some kind of (un)official result...

 

[Thermionic]

My vote is for the Nitecore D10.
I liked the look of it and bought one, retired my ARC LSH-P and have EDC'd the D10 for 4 month now with no regrets.

 

[DimmerD]

EX10

 

[jumpstat]

SF L1

 

[Hellz]

Nitecore D10 was my favourite purchase of 2008 (out of everything!)

Patrick

 

[JSG]

I believe the LiteFlux LF3 XT will be the light of the year. It has something for almost everyone, though I've heard some complaints about it not having a pocket clip and the instructions for the UI are lacking. However, these things notwithstanding, it is, in my opinion, a very capable EDC light, with a lot of potential. Its newer, and better, PD switching system will probably become the standard very shortly. Nitecore helped bring this type of switching to the forefront, but theirs is slightly lacking in operatability.

 

[Art Vandelay]

NiteCore in collaboration with 4sevens licensed the PD system from McGizmo. The LiteFlux does not have a PD (Piston Drive). The LiteFlux switch is more like a cellphone button.

I believe the LiteFlux LF3 XT will be the light of the year. It has something for almost everyone, though I've heard some complaints about it not having a pocket clip and the instructions for the UI are lacking. However, these things notwithstanding, it is, in my opinion, a very capable EDC light, with a lot of potential. Its newer, and better, PD switching system will probably become the standard very shortly. Nitecore helped bring this type of switching to the forefront, but theirs is slightly lacking in operatability.

 

[BabyDoc]

I believe the LiteFlux LF3 XT will be the light of the year. It has something for almost everyone, though I've heard some complaints about it not having a pocket clip and the instructions for the UI are lacking. However, these things notwithstanding, it is, in my opinion, a very capable EDC light, with a lot of potential. Its newer, and better, PD switching system will probably become the standard very shortly. Nitecore helped bring this type of switching to the forefront, but theirs is slightly lacking in operatability.

The LF3XT is a great light, but it does not have a PD switching system, though its switch looks similar in some respects to the PD. The PD switch is a mechanical metal piston that when moved forward by pressing the end of it, makes an electrical contact as the front end of the piston touches a contact ring attached to the circuit board in the head opf the light. There is considerable tension on this moving piston inside of which is the battery and battery spring. There is little to wear out in this type of switch. McGizmo who invented this switch and NiteCore who pays a royalty to use it claim it will outlast any electrical/mechanical switch.

In contrast, the LF3XT has is a short throw electrical switch that connects electrically to the circuit board via a inner metal sleeve that also holds the battery. This sleeve does not move when the switch is operated. Rather, it remains in constant contact with the circuit board in the head of the light, as long as the head is tightened. All the switching is done within the switch itself with its own electrical contacts. The short throw of the LF3XT switch requires little effort since it is working against just a tiny spring in the switch itself, and not agains the tension of the spring inside a moving battery tube (piston). While this switch may be more prone to wear than the PD system, it looks like LiteFlux doesn't expect problems. Unlike most switches which are easily removed and replaced, the LF3XT switch doesn't look like it is user accessible. There is no retaining ring, and the inner metal sleeve is not easily removed like with the LF5XT or with NiteCore PD lights.

 

[crocodilo]

My list of nominees:

1. Nitecore EX10, for the PD system and an all-round great performer
2. Surefire E2DL, blinding usefulness
3. Surefire E1B, great EDC
4. Fenix E01, squeezing AAAs to the last drop
5. Anything Malkoff, but especially the M60L (best drop-in ever, IMHO)

 

[youreacrab]

1) Ra Clicky
2) Malkoff M60L (in a SF G2 of course)
3) SF E2DL (or KX2C)
4) Fenix LD01SS