desert camping light?

[kjk66ss]

Hey everyone,

I live in southern california. i do a lot of trailer camping in my trailer. i have been wanting to get a nice LED flash light that i can keep with me as a multi purpose light such as keep in the house,or in the truck but mostly for when i go camping and arrive late at night and need a light to get set up of when out in the dark desert in general. i dont want something thats all flood light i want some throw to it.

I have been looking at the 'NITECORE' MH25,MH2c and the EA4. i like this line up cause they are in the 800 range of Lumens and if set on low they last for quite a few hours and can be charged in the truck or trailer while camping. i also like that they are small enough to keep in my pocket while sitting by the camp fire at night.

While these 3 are in the 800 lumen range the EA4 had the highest candelas output.

if some of the more experienced members here can give me some insight to help make my decision, i know nothing really about LED flashlights. i am open to other brands or models of lights i just listed the 3 above to make it a little easier to show what im after.

Thanks everyone.

 

[kjk66ss]

can anyone offer any help?

 

[dj:litestick]

I'll try to shed some light on your situation.
What I got out of this is, you want a light that is:
-multi-purpose
-not all throw and not all flood
-around 800 lumen range
-small enough to be pocketable and comfortable
-to keep in house, AND in truck and especially desert camping purposes

Well the three you mentioned I believe there are too many downsides to each and every one of them. First of all, both the MH25 and MH2C are tail clicky switches and unless you really enjoy carrying the lights in an overhand hold position while out camping, then try sticking to a more natural comfortable underhand hold/carry light. Also both those are either nearly 6" or more, and to me that's getting close to uncomfortable long to be pocketing. Then the EA4 takes 4xAA, in which making carrying spares and changing out batteries a more of a hassle, especially if you're out and away from your campsite and arriving late at night on your hike.

In recommendation, I'd go with something like the EC25W. The light has enough throw with a generous spill, for the environment and purposes you're going to be using it for. Also the plus side is if you're going to keep it in your truck at some point of time, you can load it up with CR123A primaries, for the extreme temperature changes.
Get two 18650's. A primary and a backup. Then when you do go out in the desert, insert one of the 18650 in for primary use with the extra 18650 as backup and two primaries for last resort emergency use. That should last you throughout your journey in the desert if you so decide you want to stay up all night lighting up the desert.