ARRRGH - Another help me choose request!

[w0mbatinoz]

Hi All,

Sorry to ask, but I need your help/advice please. Have been reading for days in lunch break but getting confused for the most part.

After 4 new flashlights.

1) single RCR123A unit. Small for EDC. Does not have to be the brightest thing going. 3 modes with a nice low setting preferred. Was about to buy the Fenix PD20, but it's primary cells only?

2) Have kinda decided on getting EagleTac P20C2 MKII XP-E Neutral White, as I have a bunch of 18650s around. Is the XP-E the right PIL to be getting with that host?

3) Your current favorite 1xAA (NiMH) unit

4) Most compact 18650 host. For EDC. Runtime over brightness with a couple of modes.


Thanks for reading, and recommendations if you have them.

--w0mbat

 

[LightWalker]

1) single RCR123A unit - I like the 4Sevens 123 light.
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1626

If you want a light built like a tank and don't mind spending the extra money you can get an RA light.
http://ralights.com/?id=Products


3) Your current favorite 1xAA (NiMH) unit - I like the 4Sevens AA light. The Fenix AA light is nice as well.
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1597

The 4Sevens Minis are nice too but are twisties - no clickie and have less features.
http://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=297_355

 

[skyfire]

HDS clicky for your 1 x rcr123
or 4sevens quark 123 tactical or regular interface would me my suggestions. both these lights have a really low mode option. im talking less than half of a lumen low.

my favorite single AA lights are zebralights. H501, H51, SC50, or SC51 (200 lumens from an eneloop!). most and hopefully soon all will have neutral tint options.

smallest 18650 is probably the Zebralight SC61 or SC60. cant quite remember the exact model right now. its 4 inches long, and puts out a max of 270 OTF lumens using an XP-G emitter. does not support cr123, or rcr123. 18650 only. although, im sure a 17670 will work too.

 

[Belstaff1464]

1) HDS Clicky - 4 programmable outputs, bombproof, ultra-reliable, low = 0.07, very long run times, works on RCR123 and 17670 with optional tube, and 2 x AA compatibility under development (very imminent), and great no nonsense customer service.

2)

3) Zebralight H51 - 200 lumens, cheap, 3 outputs each with 2 sub-levels, can be used as a handheld light or as diretional headlamp, small, and supports NiMH, lithium and alkaline

4) Malkoff MD2 with hi/lo ring - bombproof, gorgeous beam, 260lumen hi, 40 lumen low, 350ft throw, easily upgradeable, accepts a wide range of battery configurations including 18650 and 2 x CR123, 2 x RCR123, longer bodies available for more batt config and even longer runtimes, and great customer service.


p.s. Check out CoolTorches.com for the HDS and Malkoff products. James is a great guy and he's the official Australian dealer.

 

[Ishango]

1) I really like my Olight T10 for this. 5 modes from 180 lumen to very low (< 10 lumen).

3) I like my Fenix L1T. The LD10 might also be nice.

These are some of the lights I currently like a lot. Am not too experienced yet

 

[B0wz3r]

1) Dereelight C2H.

The Quarks are a good value for the money, and the Ra's are fantastic from everything I've read about them, but I simply won't buy any light that won't run on an ordinary alkaline AA cell.

The C2H runs on primary 123's, RCR123's, and with the included AA extender, regular AA's or 14500s.

3) Zebralight SC50w+.

Easily my new favorite EDC light. I used to EDC both a Quark AA and an EZAAw; the SC50w+ has replaced both of them and I only carry it at all times any more. When I know I'm going to need another light, or that it will be important to have a back up if necessary, I carry my QAA Q3/5A neutral white as it has more throw and is a good compliment to the floodiness of the SC50w+.

3) Zebralight SC60.

Not much bigger than a QAA, 270 lumens out the front, 2 hours run time on max. I'm waiting for the neutral white version of this before I buy one.

 

[tre]

1) quark 123 neutral - must buy the head separate.

2) that neutral emitter is fine but it is not interchangeable. You are stuck with what you get - so it is not a pill

3) Zebralight sc50 neutral or sc51 neutral when it comes out.

4) Zebralight sc60 - I like the cool but would rather have neutral when it comes out.

 

[entoptics]

2) I do not think the P20C2 will run on 18650. The T20C2 MKII will.

 

[CarpentryHero]

1) quark123 reg r5
3) quarkaa or Nitecore D10 or D11
4) Solarforce L2M can run one or two cr123 or
18650. Pick a drop-in that suits your preference.
The drop-in will dictate the voltage needed.
Start off with a three mode, then if you get board of it, buy a dif p60 dropin.

 

[CarpentryHero]

My 4 light combo is;
Nitecore D10 camo(on it's way)
Surefire 6p defender with a nailnbender sst-50
Fenix PD10 Titan
Solarforce L2M with an xpg dropin


The 5th cycles to what ever is newest.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

I say HDS (Ra lights) or 4sevens (Quark lights). Really can't go wrong with either brand.

 

[flatline]

1) single RCR123A unit. Small for EDC. Does not have to be the brightest thing going. 3 modes with a nice low setting preferred. Was about to buy the Fenix PD20, but it's primary cells only?

If you want the best value for your money, the Ra Clicky from HDS is the cream of the crop, I think. But it's pricey (depending on which emitter you choose, it's base cost ranges from $99 to $179). The light is indestructible and customer service is top notch, but it's entirely up to you to decide if it's enough better than the lights available at half the price to justify the purchase of one. I love mine

The Quark 123 is also an excellent light for RCR123. I think the Quark Mini 123 also handles RCR123s just fine (but it gets hot fast, I've heard).

2) Have kinda decided on getting EagleTac P20C2 MKII XP-E Neutral White, as I have a bunch of 18650s around. Is the XP-E the right PIL to be getting with that host?

If you're looking for the best possible throw, then the XP-E is probably your best bet.

3) Your current favorite 1xAA (NiMH) unit

Look at either the Quark AA or one of the Zebralights (H51, H501 (pure flood), SC51 or SC50w).

4) Most compact 18650 host. For EDC. Runtime over brightness with a couple of modes.

MG L-mini II and the Zebralight SC60 are the smallest 18650 hosts I'm aware of. I love the L-mini. I have no experience with the Zebralight. The Zebralight can go both lower and higher than the L-mini (if that matters to you), but it's also more expensive. It also looks like the L-mini is currently out of stock.

--flatline

 

[Notsure Fire]

Good responses so far.

 

[w0mbatinoz]

Wow, awesome feedback guys. Really appreciate your input. There are some options there I had not even considered.

Such a depth of knowledge.

Right, more reading!!

 

[tre]

2) I do not think the P20C2 will run on 18650. The T20C2 MKII will.

You are 100% correct. With the T20C2 you can swap drop-ins (only EagleTac dropins though).

 

[w0mbatinoz]

You are 100% correct. With the T20C2 you can swap drop-ins (only EagleTac dropins though).

Is the emitter that it comes with, the best? I assume the options are just for colour rendition not so much performance?

Thanks

 

[chanjyj]

Hi All,

Sorry to ask, but I need your help/advice please. Have been reading for days in lunch break but getting confused for the most part.

After 4 new flashlights.

1) single RCR123A unit. Small for EDC. Does not have to be the brightest thing going. 3 modes with a nice low setting preferred. Was about to buy the Fenix PD20, but it's primary cells only?

Fenix PD10 or PD20, using LiFePo4 RCR123A @ 3.0V
or
HDS EDC 140/170 (Expensive option)


2) Have kinda decided on getting EagleTac P20C2 MKII XP-E Neutral White, as I have a bunch of 18650s around. Is the XP-E the right PIL to be getting with that host?

3) Your current favorite 1xAA (NiMH) unit

Fenix LD10

4) Most compact 18650 host. For EDC. Runtime over brightness with a couple of modes.

Zebralight SC60
Fenix TK11 R2. Acceptable runtime and size for me. Bombproof. Waterproof.
Fenix TA21. May be too large to stuff in a pocket, but holster carry is ok. Crazy amount of modes.


Thanks for reading, and recommendations if you have them.

--w0mbat

 

[tre]

Is the emitter that it comes with, the best? I assume the options are just for colour rendition not so much performance?

Thanks

The T20C2 MKII has more than color rensition drop-ins

T20C2 MKII drop-ins:

XP-G R5 - cool white with donut hole beam - pretty floody
XR-E R2 - cool white with some ringy beam - great throw
Q4 5a - neutral LED - I have not tried yet
Osram IR - for night vision
Red, green, blue, and royal blue color drop-ins - somebody would have to tell me what thay are for because I have no idea.

You can buy the light with any of the first three dropins I listed already installed (so it comes with any of those - there is no "standard" emitter any more). It is up to you which you choose. They are easy to swap out with out any tools if you want to buy an extra drop-in.

 

[jsr]

1) Dereelight C2H - 3 levels, all useable and well separated. Well made and one of my favorite lights ever. Runs on AA, NiMH, 14500, 123, or R123.

2) P20C2 does not fit 18650s. You need T20C2 (or T100C2 if you want lower priced)

3) Dereelight C2H again because I don't need 2 lights, just the C2H thanks to it's great versatility and flexability.

4) MG L-mini II or the Zebralight SC60 are the smallest I believe. MG has more throw, SC60 is floody

 

[w0mbatinoz]

1) Dereelight C2H - 3 levels, all useable and well separated. Well made and one of my favorite lights ever. Runs on AA, NiMH, 14500, 123, or R123.

2) P20C2 does not fit 18650s. You need T20C2 (or T100C2 if you want lower priced)

C2H Will have a close look at this, Thanks. And My mistake. I did mean the T20C2.