Best Balanced 1x18650 light under $90; TK10, CL1H, WE Sniper, Others??

[RichS]

I need your help. First of all, I am idiot. I have sold virtually all of my single 18650 all-around lights (including 2 of the 3 listed) and now find myself needing one to mount on my bike for night rides. I still have my DBS (will never part with it) but with pretty much pure throw, it is not a balanced light.



Here are my needs/considerations:

• Under $90
• Run on 1x18650
• Good multi-purpose (good spill, just throw)
• OP reflector (for good spill)
• Not a "thrower" (bike rides will be a major use)
• Regulated output
• Solid, durable light with HAIII finish
• At least 2 modes

I've had the CL1H and Sniper, both very nice lights. I didn't like the maintenance required on the V3 CL1H with the unanodized threads, but otherwise it was a great light. The V4 may be a good option. The Sniper was nice but seemed relatively dimmer than the other lights in it's class.

I love Fenix lights, and the TK10 really interests me, but I don't know how it has stood up or how satisfied it's owners are. I would assume the TK11 is out because it has a SMO reflector and optimized for throw.

Any others I should consider? I was thinking about a Jetbeam, but I tend to stear away from lights with unanodized threads, and they seem to be more of a throwy light rather than an all-around balanced beam.

I really appreciate your help here. $90 is a lot of money for me, and I want to get the best light for the buck. Thanks in advance!

-Rich


UPDATE:

Thanks for all the great suggestions!! There were several I didn't think of or hadn't even seen yet.

So, here is a comprehensive list of all the suggested lights in this category, including the ones that didn't quite meet all the criteria, in no particular order:

• EagleTack T10L
• EagleTack P10C2
• Jetbeam Jet-III-M (unregulated)
• Jetbeam Jet-III ST
• JetBeam Jet-III Pro
• L-Mini
• CL1H
• Malkoff M60 / M60F in 18650 Host
• MTE P7
• TK11 (SMO, unregulated)
• Olight M20 (unregulated)
• Wolf-Eyes Fox 1X (single mode)

So what did I go with?? (drumroll please...)

CL1H v4!

The reason I went with the CL1H over all of the other lights is that in the end it had one major thing going for it over the others - total flexibility. I already had experience with the beam pattern and know it is a great balanced beam with lots of spill and decent throw, but it also has the following things going for it. After reading some of your suggestions I realized this and ended up pulling the trigger on the CL1H.

• Upgradeable
• P60 host
• Multiple emitter options - Q5 WC, Warm Q2 5A, etc.
• Multiple electronics options - 3SD, 3SM, 1S
• Already have Q5 WC CL1H module I've been using for my SF C2
• Can use my M60F - though unregulated should give me awesome near-lighting w/ lots of runtime
• Comes with SMO and OP reflectors
• It's a Dereelight!

Thanks again for all your great suggestions and info! CPF rocks!!:rock:

 

[EngrPaul]

One for the list: EagleTack T10L. I have the P102C, and feel the beam is very useful, not too throwy. The price is nice for the quality you get.

http://www.eagletac-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=103&products_id=612

Also consider Jetbeam Jet-III-M with OP reflector. I found it to be slightly tuned toward throw, but the spill isn't bad either. The got mine for just under $90 shipped USPS priority. What you get over the eagletac is programmable low brighness setting and 2xCR123 or 2xRCR123 as additional battery choices.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=183314

 

[ViReN]

+1 for JetBeam Jet III IBS (either M or Pro will do) Very good sidespill.

 

[Gunner12]

I'm thinking a smaller head might be good for this, something like the Jetbeam Jet-III ST or the L-Mini at shiningbeam.

 

[ViReN]

And you can also add a diffuser to spread the light beam.

 

[phantom23]

Fenix TK10 won't fit 18650, Jet-III M runs with no regulation (brightness drops gradually).
Jetbeam Jet-III Pro or ST, Eagle Tac T10L are my types. They're great, high quality lights.

 

[Wattnot]

Hi Rich. I'm the one who now owns Rich's CL1H. Hey . . . you never said anything about any MAINTENANCE!! I want a REFUND!:naughty:

Here is a beamshot of the Jetbeam III IBS (left) and the CL1H, great 18650 lights, at 50 feet.

Here is a beamshot of the new P10C2 recommended above, also at 50 feet (but shot with a different camera that was zoomed in much more).

The spill doesn't seem that usable on any of them, especially the P10C2, which can only take RCR123's or CR123's and on 800ma with RCR123's, we're talking a short bike ride. Maybe an M60 (or even an M60F) in your Huntlight could make a good setup. However, I tried a 17670 vs. 2x cr123's on my M60F and noticed it was a little dimmer. There are night bike riding experts on this site so I would go with what they suggest. Take a browse in the bike section.

 

[phantom23]

T10L is only a little bit bigger than P10C2, takes 18650, runs 110 minutes and has quite strong spill.

 

[RichS]

One for the list: EagleTack T10L. I have the P102C, and feel the beam is very useful, not too throwy. The price is nice for the quality you get.

http://www.eagletac-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=103&products_id=612

Also consider Jetbeam Jet-III-M with OP reflector. I found it to be slightly tuned toward throw, but the spill isn't bad either. The got mine for just under $90 shipped USPS priority. What you get over the eagletac is programmable low brighness setting and 2xCR123 or 2xRCR123 as additional battery choices.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=183314

That Jet III-M looks awesome! I hadn't seen this one before. Are we sure it isn't regulated? Is there a runtime graph that shows the decline in brightness? I'm still not too sure about this light though as an all-around balanced light since I read the review from Self-Built and he mentions that the Jet II and III are thrower lights.

 

[bcool]

I use a P7 and would recomend one, lots of spill. I use a cheap mte torch, I don't know if there is a nice p7 in your price rage but I find it the best for night mountain bike riding.

 

[EngrPaul]

I don't know where the "unregulated" comes from. Maybe phantom23 can substantiate his claim.

I haven't seen any runtime graphs yet. If it's using 18650's, it won't really fall off that much anyway.

The beam is very tight, even with the OP. It's a very solid light, easy to press the tail button, easy to disassemble and clean (both stainless ends unscrew).

What sort of bike mount do you have? I can give you dimensions if needed.

 

[RichS]

Hi Rich. I'm the one who now owns Rich's CL1H. Hey . . . you never said anything about any MAINTENANCE!! I want a REFUND!:naughty:

Here is a beamshot of the Jetbeam III IBS (left) and the CL1H, great 18650 lights, at 50 feet.

Here is a beamshot of the new P10C2 recommended above, also at 50 feet (but shot with a different camera that was zoomed in much more).

The spill doesn't seem that usable on any of them, especially the P10C2, which can only take RCR123's or CR123's and on 800ma with RCR123's, we're talking a short bike ride. Maybe an M60 (or even an M60F) in your Huntlight could make a good setup. However, I tried a 17670 vs. 2x cr123's on my M60F and noticed it was a little dimmer. There are night bike riding experts on this site so I would go with what they suggest. Take a browse in the bike section.

Glenn - ummm, you weren't supposed to see that...

You brought up a great idea I didn't think of - using my M60F that's been sitting in a drawer without a host...I don't have a Huntlight like you mentioned, but I would almost be willing to get another CL1H as a host for this. This would be perfect lighting for up close as long as I had a second light on the other side of the handlebars that would reach out further. The CL1H is of course a great all-around 18650 light, and would make an awesome host for the M60F. I only wish the M60F had a couple of levels in case I needed to conserve some power. But a great option none the less!

 

[Wattnot]

I edited it out of my post before hitting send because I realized it blew out your stated budget . . . but if it were me riding at night, I was going to say I'd try an M60F AND an M60 (or any of those throwers suggested above) on as well !!

 

[RichS]

I use a P7 and would recomend one, lots of spill. I use a cheap mte torch, I don't know if there is a nice p7 in your price rage but I find it the best for night mountain bike riding.

Great suggestion, and it just so happens that I have a Wolf-Eyes P7 Sniper! The only reason I'm not counting on this one for night rides is the low runtime. I love the light and the huge bright spill, but I'm looking for a Cree Q5 light for the brighness and efficiency combo. This is definitely a great light for short rides though.

 

[RichS]

I edited it out of my post before hitting send because I realized it blew out your stated budget . . . but if it were me riding at night, I was going to say I'd try an M60F AND an M60 (or any of those throwers suggested above) on as well !!

Wait a minute - I just read that the M60F is meant to run on 3.8-9v. Does this mean it will cause a problem running it on an 18650?

 

[StandardBattery]

Wait a minute - I just read that the M60F is meant to run on 3.8-9v. Does this mean it will cause a problem running it on an 18650?

I'm afraid the the M60/M60F are not designed for single cell 18650. You should pick up a Solarforce host for the M60F though so it is not sitting around. You can ask Gene to make you an M30F (it would be for single cell), but a straight M30 would probably be better, I think it would have enough spill (they are not listed on website, apparantly by special request)... BIG PROBLEM not easy to get a nice single cell P60/D26 host... you could get a Deerelight again though as you mentioned.

A TK11 might be pretty good for biking, it would be better with OP reflector though. The cree rings anoy me alot in the near field. Other samples may be better though. Otherwise it is a very nice light.

The non-regulated JB III-M information comes from comments in the sales thread about regulation, and the answer apparantly came from JB. It probably falls off like the TK11, but that might not be too bad for biking... yes wait for the review if you can...

JB does have the best selection of 18650 lights right now, but so much confusion on the model names and the varing effciency of the different models in the different modes... my head is spinning.

HEY NEW IDEA Now I love 18650... the Best.... but if you can't find the right light how about a 2AA light like a TK20 or NC D20? Use eneloop. The TK20 is kind of throw, but it has enough spill for biking I'm sure, and the tint might help. Not sure about the D20 yet, we need reviews, but worth watching if they have educated the so called 'smart' PD system.

If AA is a no-go see if you can get a look at a TK11, I'm thinking it might work just great.

 

[parkschr]

CL1H V4 - Deree makes great products and Alan always makes working with him very easy!

 

[cernobila]

As mentioned above, the Solarforce L2 (the new one that takes the 18650) and a M30 would be a good choice even though it is one level, but I understand that it has a nice balanced beam.

 

[RichS]

I'm thinking a smaller head might be good for this, something like the Jetbeam Jet-III ST or the L-Mini at shiningbeam.

I also looked at the Jet III ST review, and it looked promising as well. Very nice light with not too much throw but excellent output and regulation. The only downside is the lack of anodizing on the threads. I try to avoid lights without anodizing to keep the necessary maintenance low, but I do have a couple (DBS for one). This is light is still a great option though.

 

[RichS]

As mentioned above, the Solarforce L2 (the new one that takes the 18650) and a M30 would be a good choice even though it is one level, but I understand that it has a nice balanced beam.

Yep, that would be a good option. I kind of hate to have to pay for another identical Malkoff drop-in though just because I want to run a single li-ion.