College Student Flashlight

[Dean N]

The problem with a zebralight is that if someone were in a panic to turn it on, you might hold the switch too long and put it into moonlight mode! Forward clicky with momentary would be best...

That is an excellent point that took a while for me to process. I wholeheartedly agree, which is why I keep a Surefire 9P with my first accessible hand gun. Under stress, simple functions can become difficult, and there is a tendency for the hand to clasp tightly whatever it is holding, including a switch.

I think I am rather convinced on getting her a couple lights. The H51F for general purpose, and a good single mode "tactical" light, and I think I am comfortable with the tactical light being a 2xCR123. Actually, I suppose multi mode is fine, but one positive click at a time, and that first click has to be max every time.

Edit: Hm.. I'm flopping back to single mode, like my SF6P & 9P.

 

[Dean N]

Can a Quark be programmed to Max/Max?

 

[LEDninja]

Can a Quark be programmed to Max/Max?

Quark Tactical or Turbo yes. Quark Regular no.

 

[Dean N]

Thanks!

 

[papageorgio]

Get a 6p incandescent and get a malkoff m61 for it. Bulletproof. Give her a small pelican case with cr123s and get an h51 or sc51. if you are going to go with 123's I would get both lights in the same format. A dozen cr123s would probably last a couple of years depending on use. I got my malkoff from battery junction along with the cool pelican cASE. surefire I got on eBay,but lapg might still have them on clearance. About 40 for the light and 60 for the dropin. What a great light.

 

[jake25]

When I was in college all I got was an Inova X5. It woulda been nice to have something more than 30 lumens!

 

[Dean N]

manoloco, I'm taking another look at the Peak QTC (with both bodies, BTW, to maximize battery options) and was wanted to know how much pressure is required on the momentary switch to achieve ANY output? I ask because I am concerned that without a shrouded switch it would be inadvertently activated. Also, how much pressure is required achieve maximum output? No problem for a person with "average" hand strength (whatever that is)?

I checked out a video on YouTube (XKY5A03q-Vs) that showed the QTC in use, though I don't entirely understand one vendor's description of the momentary switch. I understand "tighten to activate, continue to tighten for full output, loosen to reduce output". I don't get "continue to loosen to deactivate plus press for quick ramping or burst of output to all levels, with quick return to off plus tighten for low/medium, then press for full/burst, release for auto return to low/medium". Can you help with that?

 

[Poker88]

On the flip side, I talked to her this afternoon and she said she is definitely good for carrying a light up to 6" or so in length if that will give a worthy power increase, as long as it isn't excessive diameter (2"). Turns out her new apartment mate is a campus Community Service Officer (CSO), and discussions have already occurred regarding personal safety. Her CSO roommate really liked the 2.5# fire extinguisher defense tactic, BTW. :)

I agree with everyone that has said you need to get a light that she'll want to carry. With that in mind, the best thing you've done so far is talk to her and get her opinion on what she wants. Has she seen this thread? Maybe show her some of the recommendations here that meet your requirements and find out what features / functionality / look appeals to her. That will make her more likely to keep the light with her so that she has it when she needs it.

 

[Dean N]

I sent her an email last night with my recommendations and why, with video links showing the UI. At the moment the front runners are the H51F to keep nearby the bed for general use (and urgent use if need be), and the Peak QTC for every day carry... and to keep near the bed at night. :)

What has me most sold on the QTC is it can be in use at a lower output level, and then if the need arises, one can mash the button and go to full power immediately. It would be loaded with 123s, though I would also send along an AA tube for maximum versatility. I am still trying to find out how much pressure is required on the momentary switch for full power, though.

Dean

 

[Lightwriter]

I bought a Nebo Luma 35 at Fry's Electronics on sale for $4.99 though the regular price is $9.99. It uses a single AA battery. It has a Surefire style "strike bezel", and a glow in the dark button and rubber grip around the barrel, as well as a pocket clip.

It's "pursable", though I wouldn't carry it in a pocket since the strike bezel could rip the inside of pockets.

http://www.frys.com/product/6389341

 

[Sway]

QTC for a non-flashaholic :huh: I would have went with a more proven and straight foward interface but let us know how it turns out :)

 

[Sway]

Sorry double post :o

 

[manoloco]

manoloco, I'm taking another look at the Peak QTC (with both bodies, BTW, to maximize battery options) and was wanted to know how much pressure is required on the momentary switch to achieve ANY output? I ask because I am concerned that without a shrouded switch it would be inadvertently activated. Also, how much pressure is required achieve maximum output? No problem for a person with "average" hand strength (whatever that is)?

I checked out a video on YouTube (XKY5A03q-Vs) that showed the QTC in use, though I don't entirely understand one vendor's description of the momentary switch. I understand "tighten to activate, continue to tighten for full output, loosen to reduce output". I don't get "continue to loosen to deactivate plus press for quick ramping or burst of output to all levels, with quick return to off plus tighten for low/medium, then press for full/burst, release for auto return to low/medium". Can you help with that?

I have handed the light to my girlfriend and a friend (a girl from university) who happens to be very thin and doesnt like sports or working out, both can operate the light to full, but at full they felt it was stiff to push, i asked if they would feel comfortable pushing it to full in an emergency situation and the answer was yes, i did see they had to really push it hard to get there, however theres a good reason for you to try it first, although i can assure that you will be tempted to keep it, you can order from Oveready they have a good return guarantee so you can try it, they also have the BEST service i have experienced online.

About the momentary switch: what means is that you get momentary with the push button, push and depending on how hard you push you get more output, you let go and it turns off, you get constant light by twisting.

the more you twist it more output you get same with the momentary switch but if you let go light goes off

Also you can use the twist and lets say you leave it on on a low level, you can also use the momentary switch while the light is on the level you left it with the twist. so from that low you can push the button and get more output if you want.

 

[Dean N]

Manoloco, thanks, got it.

Sway, yep, QTC, DUE to the straightforward interface! It doesn't get much simpler than mashing the button at any time when you want full output.

For the moment I am ordering a QTC to try out for a bit and sending her my Surefire 6p to carry and the ZL H51F to keep in her room. I urged her to keep both within reach of her bed. I'll carry and use the QTC as much as possible, and if I am convinced is suits, we will swap 6P/QTC at Thanksgiving.

Dean

 

[davidt1]

Dean N,

There is a saying around here that goes like this: the only useful tool is the one you have with you when you need it. To have it with you, it has to be on your person. Most headlamps, unfortunately, are too bulky to carry in the pocket. As small as the H51F is, it is still too bulky to carry both the headband and light in the pocket. But a few simple mods can turn it into an all-in-one pocket light that you saw in the previous page. I don't think I explained this when I posted those pictures. I hope you don't expect to be able use it like that straight out of the box. The mods are super simple really. All you need are a shoelace or cord for the lanyard headband and a few magnets.

The lanyard headband is significantly smaller than a regular headband and makes pocket EDC possible. Note that the clip is attached to light.

It is the swiveling clip coupled with a few magnets that turn this light into a handy hand-free light. In the previous pictures the light was shown attached to various objects at the tail cap. I have since discovered that attaching magnets to the rotating clip is a better way to use it.

There simply isn't another light that lets you go from pocket to headlamp to handheld to desk lamp to overhead light. Please...please....please do these simple mods so you can take full advantage of this amazing light.

 

[run4jc]

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.

I agree with the recommendation for the ZL SC51 or 51W. I am the one that did the torture test HERE and the SC30W came through wonderfully and I'm still carrying it to this day.....surely the SC51 would fare just as well.

Good luck! My 16 year old daughter just loves to run batteries completely dead then say, "Daddy......" My 20 year old college boy son probably can't even find his 4 lights I gave him!

 

[roadkill1109]

Well, to be honest, if run time is to be considered and low lumens for reading with the capability of defensive strobe, i think you can look no further than the Quark AA2 Regular. There are two flavors, the R5 (59 bucks) and the XML version for ten bucks more. Difference being in the output of the light.

The AA version is are smaller, but runtimes are not as long. (the 2AA's can run up to 30 days on moonlight)

Oh yeah, speaking of engrave, there's a blank flat surface on the tube of the Quark where you can have her name engraved on so it's personally hers.

Ten-year warranty and maybe the BEST customer service out there, pre sales and after sales.

The XML's here:

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_429&products_id=2689

and the R5's here:

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1620

I'd get my own daughter one too, but she's still in preschool :)

 

[Frankiarmz]

I sent my two daughter to college with cheap AAA flashlights smalll enough to carry in a purse and not a big deal when they are lost, which they most certainly will be! Three D cell maglite with terralux or other LED upgrade because run time is great, flashlight is so big it is not easily misplaced and useful as a weapon. Frank

 

[Dean N]

davidt1 and run4jc, I am totally sold on the usefulness of the H51FW and have it here for her. Actually, I ordered two, and one has been my EDC light for the last week. Love it. I intend to send her a few extra things to go with it, using suggestions from this BB. Just waiting on a couple more things to arrive and a care package will be sent out. On a related side note, our neighbors were over with their daughter, who just started college up in Portland OR, and the daughter was happy to get the extra Wind Storm safety whistle I had that our entire family has now. She quite liked the light, too, so I am going to give her mine when she leaves, so I'll order more.

roadkill1109, I quite like the Quark, though in a panic situation I don't want any option of what happens when you hit the switch (low, med, whatever it may have been last set on). For her defensive tool I want it on and bright with one movement, no fumbling with anything. K.I.S.S. That is why I am sending her the two lights, the H51FW as a tool and my Surefire 6P as a "weapon", so to speak. I do have two Quark AA2Ts on the way to me for other purposes, though.

Frankiarmz, she does have a little AA on her key chain, and actually has put it to use several times already. That is what convinced her that lights are a good thing to have. On the Mag... I'm waiting on my Amazon shipment which has a few more TerraLUX TLE-6EXB MiniStar5 LEDs , and a spare 2D mag is right here to be part of her care package. :)

 

[AIRASSAULT18B]

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

Also 14500 lithium ion with the AA extension installed.