Best single cr123 light ?
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hkenawy
Newly Enlightened
i have the fenix pd22 and the olight s10 baton which haven't failed me yet
but then again my collection isn't big im pretty sure others would have better options
but then again my collection isn't big im pretty sure others would have better options
mesa232323
Enlightened
Hds systems edc
Kilovolt
Flashlight Enthusiast
Currently Jetbeam RRT01
donn_
Flashaholic
Oveready TL34 with Surefire bezel and RPM clicky. Inside is a Malkoff M361N LMH.
Swedpat
Flashlight Enthusiast
According to my experience so far I can just tell from my own collection. Then it will be Surefire E1L Outdoorsman. Not the brightest, neither any moon mode. Just two modes, simple and very tough construction. So beautiful design and machining. I don't want to get rid of this great little light!
Last edited:
tonkem
Flashlight Enthusiast
Agree 100%. Love the look of this awesome light. Surefire has a simple interface, and more than sufficient output for such a small light. Perfect with the 2 way pocket clip. And with the new higher output model, with longer runtime, it is even better. :)
How do you define best? Longest runtime? Brightest output? Most intelligent UI? Cheapest? Most elegant? Toughest? Surely there is no way a flashlight is going to have all these.
My definition of best would be the McGizmo Haiku with XM-L. In fact it is my favorite, not one of the favorite, but favorite. Because it has a reasonably floody beam with a reasonably long runtime, toughest body ever constructed, most comfortable ergonomics, most elegant looking, and best clicky switch feel, and yet it looses out in some areas to lights like HDS with the superb UI.
My definition of best would be the McGizmo Haiku with XM-L. In fact it is my favorite, not one of the favorite, but favorite. Because it has a reasonably floody beam with a reasonably long runtime, toughest body ever constructed, most comfortable ergonomics, most elegant looking, and best clicky switch feel, and yet it looses out in some areas to lights like HDS with the superb UI.
How do you define best?
Pretty much what everyone is doing letting me know what you have and why it's your favorite single cr123 light.
The only one's I have are Fenix PD22's and am in the market for more so I need the help of you all :)
Thanks
Pretty much what everyone is doing letting me know what you have and why it's your favorite single cr123 light.
The only one's I have are Fenix PD22's and am in the market for more so I need the help of you all :)
Thanks
Since many others have already mentioned SureFire, Malkoff, McGizmo, HDS ... I guess I'll add Peak to the list :)
It's allready been said but there is really no ONE best light - however this is my recommendations.
I own the following 123 lights: Novatac 120T(P), Eagletac D25C, SWM V11r, Jetbeam RRT0, HDS Twisty and HDS Clicky. They are all excellent built and appears to be of good quality. I have not had trouble with any of them, and I am not afraid of dropping either of them in the concrete if so should happen (knock on wood it doesn't). All of them gives enough light for my day-to-day purposes, even though their lumen ratings differ from 85 on the HDS Twisty to around 500 on the ET and SWM (with rechargeables). As I see it all new lights give out enough light, and they all have decent run times on lower modes since the LEDs are getting incredible effective these days. If I were to buy a new 123 light now I would start with the following considerations:
UI:
I have found that for my needs nothing comes close to HDS when it comes to User Interface. To programmable levels at hands from off, and two more just a few clicks away is great. I also love that you can turn on / off both momentary, button lock and last mode memory among other things - this flexibility is great. It does however make the lights more complicated and several of my friends prefer either the 4seven tactical UI or the adjustable control ring of the SWM.
So if I where to choose a new light I would start with which UI I think would suit me best.
Tint:
Almost all vendors produce their lights with almost the same LEDs so you should be able to find the tint you like almost independent of which UI you like (and if not there are several people here who can help you). Personally I like the warmer lights with more yellow then blue, but this is a personal preference. I find it easier on my eyes, and especially if I am looking for something beneath a couch or something I find that cool lights sometimes doesn't help as much as warmer lights. So I would recommend something a little warmer.
Material:
The same goes for material as for LEDs, you can have almost any light in both HA and at least Titanium. I only have one Ti light (the ET), but I wish they all where. I reccomend that you buy a Titanium light. It is lighter and the small dings you will get if you actually use your lights doesn't ruin the appearance as much as dings on anodized aluminum.
My dreamlight (and hence my recommendation) would be a Titanium HDS Rotary High CRI, and if there are no Titanium made I would recommend finding a normal one (buy used if you want the light now and not within a year or so).
Allthough price is not everything I think you normally get what you pay for. In this I mean that a pricier light gives you another feeling then a cheaper light, although they probably do their task (which is producing light, not being locked away in a safe) more or less equally good. I dream of a McGizmo although I can't justify it to my wife :tsk:
Since you want the best light you are probably wanting to look into the higher ends of flashlights, but if not I think you should start with how you will use the light and what UI that is best for you. That may not be a McGizmo...
I own the following 123 lights: Novatac 120T(P), Eagletac D25C, SWM V11r, Jetbeam RRT0, HDS Twisty and HDS Clicky. They are all excellent built and appears to be of good quality. I have not had trouble with any of them, and I am not afraid of dropping either of them in the concrete if so should happen (knock on wood it doesn't). All of them gives enough light for my day-to-day purposes, even though their lumen ratings differ from 85 on the HDS Twisty to around 500 on the ET and SWM (with rechargeables). As I see it all new lights give out enough light, and they all have decent run times on lower modes since the LEDs are getting incredible effective these days. If I were to buy a new 123 light now I would start with the following considerations:
UI:
I have found that for my needs nothing comes close to HDS when it comes to User Interface. To programmable levels at hands from off, and two more just a few clicks away is great. I also love that you can turn on / off both momentary, button lock and last mode memory among other things - this flexibility is great. It does however make the lights more complicated and several of my friends prefer either the 4seven tactical UI or the adjustable control ring of the SWM.
So if I where to choose a new light I would start with which UI I think would suit me best.
Tint:
Almost all vendors produce their lights with almost the same LEDs so you should be able to find the tint you like almost independent of which UI you like (and if not there are several people here who can help you). Personally I like the warmer lights with more yellow then blue, but this is a personal preference. I find it easier on my eyes, and especially if I am looking for something beneath a couch or something I find that cool lights sometimes doesn't help as much as warmer lights. So I would recommend something a little warmer.
Material:
The same goes for material as for LEDs, you can have almost any light in both HA and at least Titanium. I only have one Ti light (the ET), but I wish they all where. I reccomend that you buy a Titanium light. It is lighter and the small dings you will get if you actually use your lights doesn't ruin the appearance as much as dings on anodized aluminum.
My dreamlight (and hence my recommendation) would be a Titanium HDS Rotary High CRI, and if there are no Titanium made I would recommend finding a normal one (buy used if you want the light now and not within a year or so).
Allthough price is not everything I think you normally get what you pay for. In this I mean that a pricier light gives you another feeling then a cheaper light, although they probably do their task (which is producing light, not being locked away in a safe) more or less equally good. I dream of a McGizmo although I can't justify it to my wife :tsk:
Since you want the best light you are probably wanting to look into the higher ends of flashlights, but if not I think you should start with how you will use the light and what UI that is best for you. That may not be a McGizmo...
Random Dan
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,415
Definitely an HDS EDC. I miss mine so much.
Best is totally subjective, please define your "best".
I always do this and I enjoy doing it, so let me enjoy tempting you in the direction of HDS rotary for the superb and unbeatable UI and toughness, or the McGizmo for its elegance and simplicity. LOL!
WilsonCQB1911
Enlightened
HDS EDC for me. Haven't tried the rotary, but love the clicky.
I'm also becoming a huge fan of the SRT3. Great UI and modes and incredibly flexible battery choices. I'm currently running it with an RCR123A to see what I think about that, but was previously running it on a 14500 and enjoyed the extra length for holding onto. It can also use AA alkaline, nimh, or lithium, and of course, CR123 primaries. If it has a downside, and I'm being picky here, is that it's thick for a single-cell light. But the HDS is also quite thick and heavy for a single-cell as well, and no one will fault it.
I'm also becoming a huge fan of the SRT3. Great UI and modes and incredibly flexible battery choices. I'm currently running it with an RCR123A to see what I think about that, but was previously running it on a 14500 and enjoyed the extra length for holding onto. It can also use AA alkaline, nimh, or lithium, and of course, CR123 primaries. If it has a downside, and I'm being picky here, is that it's thick for a single-cell light. But the HDS is also quite thick and heavy for a single-cell as well, and no one will fault it.
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