Another help pick out a light thread, lol.... gift.

[mdocod]

Ok, so I am getting married on Sept 1st, and need to pick out some gifts for groomsmen between now and then. I have some time, but I wanted to start looking at my options now. I am planning on some nice little EDC style LED flashlights for my buddies (who would expect nothing less from a weirdo flashaholic like myself, right?) ehhe.. anyways...

I've been browsing, looked at fenix, and ultrafire clones, and lumapower, and various new stuff, but I haven't found what I am looking for...

requirements: keeping in mind, this is for NON-CPFers who can't be bothered with confusing batteries. I want simplicity, something they would be likely to make part of their EDC. One of my groomsmen is a volunteer fire fighter, the other travels the world and works on various equipment on big towers, and they could really USE a good EDC flashlight ... so functionality and quality are reasonably important.

1. Cree/Seoul, want this thing to be surprisingly bright, something that really stands out, some wow factor is important IMO.
2. 2AA size. Must operate on alkalines OR lithium primary in AA size. no fancy li-ion stuff. I've decided on the 2AA size, because from what it seems, in 1 AA size, the only way to get "scorching" bright is to run on a 14500 li-ion, which aint going to happen. The 2AA form seems to gain a lot of runtime and brightness over 1AA form.
3. SIMPLE switch. I really just want ON and OFF, ON should be WOW, OFF should be OFF, nothing in-between. 10,000 levels of brightness and 17 emergency flashing modes with 28 programmable patterns is completely useless for this application, and would only increase the likelihood that the light ends up in a drawer somewhere, rather than in a pocket where it belongs.
4. tailcap CLICKy preferred. 1 hand operation. doesn't matter if it's a regular or reverse, but prefer a clicky.
5. Smallest size possible, no big honkin turbo heads or aggressive tail-sections with fins and crenellated heads/tails, I'd like it to look innocent going on an aircraft.



Picky enough for ya? lol...

the Fenix L2D CE meets many of the requirements, but really falls short with all the modes, if I would get L2Ds with ON and OFF and that's it, that would probably be THE LIGHT.

 

[tekka0417]

The L2D in turbo mode? Only WOW and strobe (which is sort of wow of you're not expecting it I guess) on turbo. Thats how I usually end up using my L1D and don't ever give a second thought about switching levels. But that just may be me, and I can see how for a layperson reading the instructions about several levels might be daunting. (Like me trying to understand the LF2 UI).

But if you do have your heart set against the L2D, how about modded lights? Would you prefer just giving them factory stock lights or would you mind maybe getting something like an L2T and dropping in an SSC P4? Simpler UI but maybe not quite up to L2D performance.

Another option might be just the typical MiniMag 2AA with a Terralux SSC P4 Drop-In. While to us CPFers it might not be jaw dropping performance, I'm sure it will be quite impressive to non CPFers. With the minimag dropin route, you could decide to upgrade the reflectors for a bit better performance. I'm sure everyone's seen a minimag so using one shouldnt be a Huge leap for non CPFers.

Thats about all I can come up with off teh top of my head =/. maybe others will have some better ideas.

 

[selfbuilt]

the Fenix L2D CE meets many of the requirements, but really falls short with all the modes, if I would get L2Ds with ON and OFF and that's it, that would probably be THE LIGHT.

You can use the L2DCE this way - press ONCE for on, press once again for off. Switch between lowest low and the highest hi mode by simply turning the head.

That's it - you never need to soft-press for any other modes. Single press for on-off, and twist for hi-low.

Frankly, that's about the only light I can think of around that works this simply and meets your criteria.

 

[Gunner12]

I'm not sure there is any non modded light that will suit your requirements. I would also like to say that any two AA light is a little too long for the pocket, unless it is in parallel (My opinion).
By September, there might be Luxeon Rebel powered lights that will throw a substantial distance. Or Luxeon Gen X LED powered lights (fingers crossed). I have a list of single AA lights that I can post but none of then are crazy bright.

The Ultrafire C5 seems to suit all your requirements except for the brightness (questionable) and clickie (twistie). And it might not be very tough.

The L2/1D-CE might be the ticket. Not too many modes and relatively tough. But QC is a little iffy.

What about the Inova Bolt Series and then modded with an SSC. Momentary on and twist for constant on.

 

[moon lander]

congrats!
i kinda doubt there is such a light, at least not right now. there just arent many 2AA cree lights out right now. i think the L2Dce is the way to go , even tho it has too many modes. then you may want to consider the dexlight since Kyle has said he will offer the 2AA extension tube at a great price (crossing fingers, considering its just a threaded metal tube and its dx, they will probably be 10 for $2), but that too has too many modes. the dexlight w/ 2AA tube advantage would be the option to use just 1 AA for edc, or eventually getting 14500 lithium-ions if any of them become flashaholics.

 

[VidPro]

i wouldnt get them 2 AA lights, you know what that will look like in a rented TUX polyester pants, i would far rather get "stuck" with a light that fits in my pocet extreemly well, and had ENOUGH ohhhahhh, then to get them one that sits around somewhere where it gets used less.
good friends just like good lights are around all the time, not parked on a shelf because they dont fit in

 

[mdocod]

thanks for the ideas so far, it's looking like if I had to buy now, the L2D CE would pretty much be my best choice atm. I didn't realize that the mode function and on/off function was separated nicely (between pushing and twisting).

I think I'll wait till around july before I make the final judgment, at which point, maybe there will be more options. Oh yea... forgot to mention... I guess, since this is "formal" gift, it'll need to be something that is not only functional, but kinda "handsome" looking.. any of the cosmetically nice metal bodied lights are going to be fine, but a typical mag or plastic light is out of the question here, hehe...

 

[mdocod]

well... the performance of 1AA lights isn't that impressive atm. so I'm really thinking I'm going to stick to the 2AA form- but if something that runs on a single AA comes out that packs an honest ~hundred lumens, i might change my mind, I routinely carry lights with 100-130mm of battery length within in pockets...

 

[Gointothelight]

It does not have a clicky, BUT, if you want an AA that would make an excellent gift and is a solid performer with a Seoul LED, I'd have to say get a Peak Kino Bay in Brass or Stainless... it will be a gift to remember, is affordable, has a good light BUT is a twisty.

 

[Minjin]

The only light size I would recommend for this kind of gift would be a AAA keychain carry. Any light that we think of as a carry or task light will probably just end up on a box somewhere. If you get them a keychain light, they WILL put it on their keychain, and they WILL use it, and they WILL appreciate it.

I'd go with Fenix L0DCE or similar.

 

[9volt]

]get a Peak Kino Bay in Brass or Stainless... it will be a gift to remember, is affordable, has a good light BUT is a twisty.

I was going to saw Fenix but I agree that a Peak SSC in brass or stainless would be alot more interesting, even if it's AA or AAA. I'd prefer a cool light made out of a nice metal like brass or ti as a gift.

 

[LEDninja]

Firemen has special requirements for lights. They mut be 'explosion proof'. Look at streamlights and UK. The light must be rated Class 1 Division 1 or Class 1 Division 2. Special features of these lights:
Catalyst pellet to neutralise any hydrogen gas leaking from the batteries.
One way vent to remove pressure buildup from gas inside the flashlight.
Concentrated beam to cut through smoke.
Must not cause a spark if dropped on the floor - no meal flashlights please - that means NO FENIX.

Streamlight Fire/Rescue:
http://www.streamlight.com/market/market.aspx?mkid=2
underwaterkinetics INDUSTRIAL, FIRE & SAFETY: (note their industrial lights are not fire rated. You will have to check the specs. For example the UK 2AAA Mini Pocket Light has the UL or CENELEC EEx (ATEX) ratings while the identical looking UK 2AAA eLED® Mini Pocket Light does not.)
http://www.underwaterkineticscanada.com/products/other/

 

[mdocod]

interesting thoughts, A "fire-ready" flashlight, is something that I would have to give as a separate gift, I just can't see giving a bright red hunk-o-plastic as a gift in a semi-formal setting. come to think of it, in full gear, there's no way you could even use a small flashlight like that, with gloves and all, would need to be bulky with a big grip and big button.... But he does live out in the middle of no-where, plenty of dark acres to light up with a personal EDC type light.

 

[riffraff]

[...]Must not cause a spark if dropped on the floor - no meal flashlights please - that means NO FENIX.[...]

I don't believe you're going to get a spark out of dropping an aluminum flashlight. Perhaps you meant no ferrous meal flashlights (what is a "meal flashlight, anyway?)?

 

[paulr]

I think 2AA is too large for this purpose and if you look at the runtime graphs, the L2D CE doesn't really work all that well on alkaline batteries anyway. It really wants rechargeables or lithiums, both of which I think impose unreasonable requirements on non-flashaholics. Plus there are the 17 million modes getting in the way, as you mention.

My suggestion is a good old L1P or L1T along with the two-cell Eneloop charger that comes with two AA Eneloop cells. Those lights are compact, have no confusing modes, and the Eneloop kit takes care of the battery requirements with easy replacement cells (generic NiMH if necessary) available widely. The Eneloop 2-cell charger is unusual in being ultra-compact while having two independent charging channels, so it can charge one cell at a time, just the right thing for a 1-cell light. Yes the L1P isn't as bright as the Cree models but it's still pretty impressive for those not used to the latest LED advances.

If cost is no object, the ultimate would be Spy 005/007 with a box of 123a's.

 

[selfbuilt]

My suggestion is a good old L1P or L1T along with the two-cell Eneloop charger that comes with two AA Eneloop cells.

I'd have to respectfully disagree with this suggestion. The L1DCE on medium is brighter and runs a lot longer on rechargeables than a L1P, or L1T on Hi

Here's a link to Chevro's runtime comparison of the L1DCE on Medium compared to L1P v2.5 on NiMH:L1DCE Medium vs. L1P v2.5

And of course, Hi is always available for more even light on the L1DCE. Honestly, the interface isn't that complicated - it's quite easy to use in practice.

 

[Gunner12]

What about the Lumapower M3? It has about 100 lumen of output on 2 AA or 1 CR123, I'm not sure though. A little costly IMO but it might work.

I think a small metal flashlight is not really suited for firefighting. But of course, he can carry the light as a back-up and use it for EDC.

I'd say wait for a month or two, I'm hoping Luxeon Rebel or Gen X Lights come out by that time. But knowing them, Luxeon might have many delays.

 

[GeorgePaul]

mdocod--

What is your price range?

And congratulations on your marriage.

 

[mdocod]

the lumapower looks nice, a little pricier than I was looking for, but I may move that one higher on the list...

I was hoping to keep the cost under or around $50 each.

I think they are both familiar with lithium primary AA cells because they use them in their cameras and would be likely to use them if told the benefits in a nice flashlight. I'll probably pre-load them with lithium AAs regardless. I'm just trying to stay away from CR123s because they're so overpriced in retail stores, the lithium AAs aren't too bad price wise for their performance level in retail stores.