College Student Flashlight

[Dean N]

I know this has come up before, but the most recent thread was from 2008, and technology changes. I have a daughter going to college in Southern California and need to get her an appropriate defensive and utility flashlight, preferably all-in-one. FWIW she has a little Fenix EO5 R2 for her key-chain, so there is a few hours of low-lumen lighting available there, but perhaps too bright for reading. I started looking, and dang there is a LOT to sift through, so I'm looking for some guidance/suggestions. Here are my priorities:

AA or AAA Batteries. In any multiple, alkaline and rechargeable NiMH. That will keep the size "purse-able" to no more than ~6" or so. My reason for AA & AAA is that although I am pretty much all Eneloop at home, alkalines would be readily available when she needs a refill at school and I'm not convinced she would remember to recharge a depleted set let of Eneloops until they were ALL depleted! :) I am not opposed to, and in fact would prefer, something that would accept lithium batteries as well, though.

High reliability and durability. "Nuff said.

High output & multi-mode. As this might be used for defense, I want disorienting power at close range (200lm minimum within 10M), but it needs to have a low enough mode for reading. No need for SOS or strobe, but if it comes with it, so be it.

Highest possible run time. I understand this is relative to power and batteries, but black outs are possible, and in fact happened recently, so it maybe the only light for up to 6 hours, though not at the maximum setting. I saw some awesome run times at low output on some lights.

Price is not really a concern... well, relatively. I'm not going to buy an unobtanium based, engraved, gold accented, diamond encrusted anything even if it meets all of the other criteria! I guess a couple hundred, though I would be happier at far less. :)

I'm not sure if I can hit all this with one light. Might be best to go to two.

Dean

 

[OfficerSheepDog]

Sc51w Zebralight

 

[jmcfargee]

The Maglite XL 200 is one and the Zebralight SC600

 

[Robin24k]

I agree, the Maglite XL200 is a good choice (although you'll need to have an independent channel NiMH charger, since the light uses 3 AAA). The low mode will run for 200+ hours, and she may find the Nite Lite mode useful too (click my sig pic to read my review of it).

 

[robostudent5000]

i would advise against 3xAAA lights. i think the simpler the better for your daughter and AA are easier to deal with. if you send her off to school with a 4 pack of Eneloops and a simple charger and a 1XAA flashlight, she'll have 1 battery in the light and 3 spare batteries. if you send her away with a 3xAAA flashlight, she'll need 12 AAA batteries, not including the ones she uses for the E05, to match the spare battery capacity that she can have with just a AA 4 pack. 12 AAA batteries are a lot to keep track of.

i think almost any multi-mode 1xAA flashlight from the $25 Olight i2 to the $64 Zebralight SC51 would work in this situation. i personally have a Xeno E03 XML and like it a lot - it ha a low that is good for reading, a medium that is good for walking around, the high is bright enough to temporarily dazzle someone at close range, and the UI is very simple to use.

 

[jayy42]

Let me preface this by saying I don't know your daughter, obviously. If she's into gear like us, then disregard this. If she's anything like the college girls I know, then:

I don't know many college girls that will cary anything as tactical or large as a Maglite XL. The last thing you want is for her to leave it in her dorm room when she goes out because it's too big or complicated to use when she really needs it. If you want to get her a high end light, get something with a magnetic control ring - by far the simplest UI plus immediate acces to any amount of light. Look at Sunwayman, Jetbeam, and Nitecore.

To be honest though, the best solution is the one she actually has with her. It won't do her any good unless she really carries it consistently. I would recommend the keychain light she already has, or maybe a Quark Mini AA if she needs a little more light. The best self defense tool is a cell phone with her campus's pd on speed dial and good quality pepper spray.

 

[Animalmother]

I think you should stick with AA. As a college student myself I use a 2AA(P100A2). I really liked my Zebralight SC51w that should be a good consideration. Someone on here did a torture test on on the ZebraLight and it did great.

 

[TyJo]

I agree with the 1xAA format, very simple and nice for pocket or purse carry. My girlfriend has the 4sevens Quark AA tactical in her purse next to her mace, I have it programmed head tight=High, head loose=low, and she knows how to program it just in case. Here is the link for the regular version since I feel this might be more appropriate. Head tight is max, head loose is moonlight and the modes can be cycled by clicking the switch. Description of UI from website:

The two most commonly used modes are Max and Moonlight, the highest and lowest modes. To access Max, you simply tighten the bezel. To access Moonlight, you just loosen the bezel a half-turn. That's it.

You can also cycle through the Quark's other modes just as easily. Lightly depress the button momentarily (you don't need to 'click' it off) and the output will switch to the next mode. The mode sequence is determined by whether the bezel is tightened or loosened:

Loosened Bezel: Moonlight -> Low -> Medium -> High -> SOS -> Beacon
Tightened Bezel: Max -> Strobe

EDIT: If you go this route and tail-standing is important the regular has the flush tail cap that will tailstand. If you want a protruding switch that most find easier to activate then you can order a tactical switch for 9 bucks (I gifted a tactical once and they felt the flush switch was easier to activate so I switched out the switch).

 

[manoloco]

Peak Logan:

A little bit more specific,
Peak Logan QTC with 17500 body and momentary switch

a little explanation:
Peaks are one of the most dependable lights out there (i have a Peak Kili from some years ago that runs as great as new), The logan in that body is a tough but slim body that is easy to carry and easy to grip, the Peak Logan QTC is an infinitely variable light wich means that can go from 0 to around 300 lumens (top figure with rechargeables) with the same push of the momentary button, you just push more the more light you want.

You can also have a constant variable light by simply turning the head like you turn the dial of an sound system. like what you do to turn on a mini maglite, only that you get variable output the more you turn more light you get.

It doesnt get more simple than that if you want a multioutput light, in an emergency case you will not be able to switch through modes by pressing a button multiple times or by doing multiple twists.

A few days ago i had some luck as an unleashed dog came to attack me, the dog was a medium sized one but i dont like hitting animals ( i really like them) so i turned my Xm-L 800 lumens drop in light right at it, but was lucky it was on high mode!, i usually have it on low, if that had been the case i would have had to kick the poor dog or get bitten.

Lucky for me it stopped right on its tracks, i mean was lucky because of 2 factors:

1. Some animals dont stop when you flash them (although i assume 800 lumens are more effective)

2. the light had its memory on High mode.

You dont want to take chances definitely so go with a light that can go easily to high in any situation, here is BigChelis video and review about it:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ogan-QTC-with-momentary-on-off-Pictures-Video

One more thing, that model can use many types of batteries right of the bat:

Any AA (alkalines, rechargeable NiMH, Lithium, rechargeable lithums aka as 14500)
and 17500 rechargeable batteries that have a lot more energy, and theres a battery adapter pack coming soon that will let it run cr123, RCR123 and any AAA battery.

all that in one of the most reliable bodies and brand with a VERY portable size

 

[deadrx7conv]

You need more than 170lm for protection in a spotty flashlight. This rules out many lights and the entire range of 1xaaa or 1xaa lights.
It might be time to invest in some RCR123's, 18650's, and a 2xCR123 or single 18650 flashlight. You limit your flashlight output to size ratio with AA's.

BTW, the XL200 is no way too big for any of the purses of the women that I know, lived with, work with.... If you've ever seen them empty out a purse on a table, a flashlight would disappear quickly! But, I don't believe that any <200lm light to be effective as a blinding weapon at 10m.

The SC600 that was mentioned is a good choice but make sure they won't have an issue with the switch. Consider a clicky Surefire(or clone) and a drop-in that gives you the modes that you're looking for.

I think that the 1st thing that you should do is find out what she is willing to carry in her purses/bags/pocket, and go from there.

If she likes the 2xAA and 3xAAA flashlights but doesn't need it to be blinding, try the Solarforce L2r or L2i, Quark Preon, Quark Mini 2aa....and any of the XL Maglites.

 

[cland72]

Check out the Fenix E21. It has two modes, basic interface, and is 2xAA. Only negative is it doesn't have a super low output option. 2 hours on high (150 lumens) or 11 hours on low (48 lumens). Around $35 shipped.

 

[Dean N]

Thanks, folks. I'm looking through the suggestions now.

Robin24k, you mention the low mode will run for 200+ hours. I see Normal, Strobe, Nite Light, Signal (don't quite know what that means, really), and SOS.

robostudent5000, no, she is not into gear, but I think she expects it from me. Before she left for college last year she went on a trip to Guatemala with a "charity" group. Before they left I enrolled her and the other girls in the group in a 1-day Women's Defensive Training class, and then we reviewed some other tactics, like what common items can be used as a weapon, like keys, pens, fire extinguishers (squirt them with the white stuff, then beat them with the red can, as a smarter man than I once said), etc. I sent her off last year to live in her dorm with a Kimber Pepper Blaster and a new "tactical" folder. If it were legal, I would have sent her off with some other Kimber product as well. ;) Cell phones are great, but when seconds count, having the police just minutes away is insufficient. I have experienced such scenarios, and have become a bit more proactive since being recently involved with an incident at a local high school, and she understands after that day that though unlikely, bad things really can happen at any time, anywhere.

I had never even heard the term "magnetic control ring" before, so I'll look into that... OK, the only thing I don't like with the Sunwayman (besides the name) is that the first notch is low rather than high, but I agree on the easy UI. The Jetbeam is very intriguing with the infinitely variable brightness, as is the Nitecore, but the alkaline AA performance is comparatively low in the ones that looked feasible. I'm going to look at those further, though, if not for her, for myself, for my light search & rescue operation bags. The Quark AA² Tactical is intriguing as well.

TyJo, I can go either way, multi-AA or AAA. AAA would be fine as many remotes in their apartment operate off of them, so there would be a supply. BTW, the Quark AA² Tactical is intriguing as well. As to tail standing, though handy, that is low on my list. Heck, wedge it in between stuff. :)

Thanks again folks,

Dean

 

[red02]

I'd suggest 1xAAA, or 1xAA if this light is expected to see dark of night in its service life. Something like the preon would be ideal due to its size, long battery life and low profile (realistically, I get the sense that a larger light might be left in the dorm if doesn't match the shoes). Any 1xAA/1xAAA light with a keychain attachment is would be good. A keychain light is ideal because it will actually be EDCed, which makes more sense than a 200lm light back at home.

 

[Robin24k]

One thing I'm going to throw out here is to go with a name brand. A long warranty is a sign of how much confidence a company has in its products, so I would stay away from enthusiast brands.

Since you're open to lithium batteries, here's a couple more: SureFire E1B or Streamlight ProTac 1L. Sometimes smaller is better, but do keep in mind that a small flashlight is easy to lose and hard to find!

Robin24k, you mention the low mode will run for 200+ hours. I see Normal, Strobe, Nite Light, Signal (don't quite know what that means, really), and SOS.

Using the normal mode, brightness can be adjusted using the accelerometer (press and hold button, then rotate the light). When it's down to 8%, you'll get 200 hours of runtime.

 

[BIGLOU]

I recommed the Jetbeam RRT-0 (can use CR123s, RCR123s, AAs and Rechargable AAs with AA adapter) or the E3P (AA or rechargables).

E3P with Nitecore D10 clip

RRT-0 with Nitecore D10 clip without the AA adapter

 

[tophery]

I'm a freshman college student at UC Davis and I brought along my Jetbeam E3P modded with a R5 led iirc. All I have to say about this light is.. its awesome! For most of the tasks I have to complete in college, the E3P is sufficient. Its also fairly stylish so I'm sure your daughter wont object to bringing it along. But, since the light only has 2 modes, the light may be a bit too bright for reading. All in all, its a great light and I'm glad I brought it with me to college. :)

P.S. The easily obtainable AA battery is also a plus!

 

[Gregozedobe]

As mentioned by others, first find out what size light she will actually carry with her all the time. It doesn't matter how good a light is if she doesn't have it with her when she needs it.

 

[jamesmtl514]

I agree with the people saying that you need to make sure she will actually carry the light.
I know my fair share of girls and I'd say 25-30% won't want to/remember to carry a light. There are exceptions though. I gifted a Surefire E2DL to my gf, she walks to her car late at night. We both know that light will pack a punch when needed.

Also don't worry so much about batteries. I don't know any girls that would use a flashlight before their dim cell phone light. They aren't likely to run through the batteries. With lithium they will last 10 years and wont leak. Send her a handful of spares anyways.

 

[davidt1]

Hi Dean N,

A Zebralight H51F meets all of your requirements for a small all-in-one utility light.

1. Reading: A flood beam is best for reading, and she doesn't have to hold the light while using it.

2. Defensive: a flood beam at 200lm is very disorienting for someone looking at it; because the beam is wide, she doesn't have to aim it precisely; the UI lets her instantly turns the light on high or low.

3. Size: at 3.2'' it is one the smallest AA lights on the market.

4. Runtime and brightness: from a blinding 200lm to a moonlight mode that can last many days.

5. Blackout: this light was made for blackouts

How useful is this light? Let's take a look.

My H51W is used here. Except for the beam profile, it is identical to the H51F.

It's a small light at 3.2''. Here I have a lanyard/headband wrapped around it.

Because of its small size and angled beam, she can carry and use it in many different ways.

200lm one-click will blind anyone in front of it.

Made for blackout uses
As overhead light

As shower light

A student has to be able to read hand-free anywhere: at her desk; in the hall; in the car, etc.

If there was ever a light made for students, a flood angle ZL light is that light. Give it a try.

 

[jayy42]

Peak Logan:

A little bit more specific,
Peak Logan QTC with 17500 body and momentary switch

a little explanation:
Peaks are one of the most dependable lights out there (i have a Peak Kili from some years ago that runs as great as new), The logan in that body is a tough but slim body that is easy to carry and easy to grip, the Peak Logan QTC is an infinitely variable light wich means that can go from 0 to around 300 lumens (top figure with rechargeables) with the same push of the momentary button, you just push more the more light you want.

I've actually heard that QTC lights, specifically Peak's, can be finicky. Not sure if this is a one-off or if the whole QTC concept needs a bit of refining in how it is implemented.

Experiences may vary, but after a couple battery cycles on mine it became harder and harder to have control over light level and keep it there once you got the level you want, keeps ramping up slightly. Now mine is quite difficult to run in lower levels. I am quite frustrated with my QTC Peak...

Here's the thread I happened to see it on.