Gatsby
Enlightened
I've tried some lights and found my drawer a bit too full so I've consolidated a bit with the thought of perhaps a bit more consolidation and buying maybe one new light to fill a gap or explore some new territory.
The problem I've been having, however, is figuring out what new light to purchase. As background:
I've acquired a 120P to replace my 85P (and having seen the difference I'm not sure I'd do it again but it's already done) as I love the overall beam and functionality of the Novatac lights, although they are a bit large for everyday EDC. I also pimped it out with a trit bezel which I've wanted for some time (which was rather difficult given the volume of red loctite applied to the stock bezel - that odyssey is memorialized elsewhere but it was nearly my Waterloo). I also have a 17670 tube for days of runtime should I need it.
I have a LF3XT which is a smaller alternative to the 120P - which I like quite a bit.
I have a Dereelight CL1Hv3 with a couple pills and reflectors which give me a Q2 5A 3SD warm option, a 2SM muti cell option and a Q5 3SD option, which with 18650s and either the smooth or OP reflector give me a good range of options in a solidly built (albeit subject to battery rattle) package.
And I have a Liteflux LF2 on my key ring - although I keep pondering going back to a Photon.
Even with these lights I have most of my bases covered. But like many I have a few other lights that are useful for particular situations - a couple Mag D cell lights with LED upgrades that, in hurricane and ice storm country, are nice long runtime emergency lights that put out a good bit of light and are easy to pass to the wife/kids who can operate them easily. A few MiniMags with NiteIze and Arcmania drop ins for kitchen drawer and kids use. And a few remaining odds and ends - several Peak lights which I use from time to time - a red McKinley that is a nice tent light - a Pacific with a few battery options that is a nice runtime backup and sometimes pocket light. Two McKinleys as battery vampires.
As another background piece I have been thinking about a move to all US made lights ... between Novatac, Arc, Peak and Surefire I ought to be able to meet my needs, but realistically while I like US made lights I'm not sure I really want to sell the Dereelight or Liteflux since there is nothing really wrong with them...
So ... I was initially thinking about a 6P style light to use as a host for one of the extra Dereelight pills - it would make say the Q2 5A more accessible than having to swap it out anytime I wanted to use it. Plus it opens the whole world of C series lego stuff to me which I haven't really explored.
My only Surefire, and it was really nice, was an E2e prior to Surefire really diving into the LED market, and I just didn't use it as I hated burning up 123s at the time (replaced it with a Strion that I used for a very long time).... but I did like the form factor and the build quality was excellent. Then I saw an E1e and always thought Surefires were too big (the L1 being an example) but the E1e was compact and thinner than my Novatac ... so I thought hmmmm ... maybe the E series legoes are the way to go with some nice LED and incandescent (lumens factory) options - perhaps an E1 and E2 body with LED and incandescent options (since I no longer have a hotwire of any kind and there are times they are useful). But I like multi stage and rechargeables, and it appears the best 1 and 2 cell head is the old KL1 which is single stage and the McE2S switches have gone the way of the dodo bird (not by their choice...). So maybe just a E1 setup would be nice since I do enjoy pocket lights...
Then I thought - I've got plenty of pocket lights realistically - maybe another 2 cell light would be useful. The Surefire U2a Ultra looks really appealling - lots of light and a really low low (which I like a lot) - it can run on 17670s as well as primaries and it has both a very nice high and a very useful low and a unique UI with tons of runtime. Given power outages are my highest disaster threat (other than a housefire) this might be the perfect light... even if it is a bit bigger than I really like...
But I keep waivering on that ... all of which leads me to one of a few conclusions - either I am going through typical flashaholic fever when you've consolidated in anticipation of a purchase but just can't decide what to buy (and the only prescription is... more lumens!
)
or ... maybe ... just maybe ... I have all the lights I really need and this indecision is a sign that I am actually ... well ... content. Is it really possible? :candle:
The problem I've been having, however, is figuring out what new light to purchase. As background:
I've acquired a 120P to replace my 85P (and having seen the difference I'm not sure I'd do it again but it's already done) as I love the overall beam and functionality of the Novatac lights, although they are a bit large for everyday EDC. I also pimped it out with a trit bezel which I've wanted for some time (which was rather difficult given the volume of red loctite applied to the stock bezel - that odyssey is memorialized elsewhere but it was nearly my Waterloo). I also have a 17670 tube for days of runtime should I need it.
I have a LF3XT which is a smaller alternative to the 120P - which I like quite a bit.
I have a Dereelight CL1Hv3 with a couple pills and reflectors which give me a Q2 5A 3SD warm option, a 2SM muti cell option and a Q5 3SD option, which with 18650s and either the smooth or OP reflector give me a good range of options in a solidly built (albeit subject to battery rattle) package.
And I have a Liteflux LF2 on my key ring - although I keep pondering going back to a Photon.
Even with these lights I have most of my bases covered. But like many I have a few other lights that are useful for particular situations - a couple Mag D cell lights with LED upgrades that, in hurricane and ice storm country, are nice long runtime emergency lights that put out a good bit of light and are easy to pass to the wife/kids who can operate them easily. A few MiniMags with NiteIze and Arcmania drop ins for kitchen drawer and kids use. And a few remaining odds and ends - several Peak lights which I use from time to time - a red McKinley that is a nice tent light - a Pacific with a few battery options that is a nice runtime backup and sometimes pocket light. Two McKinleys as battery vampires.
As another background piece I have been thinking about a move to all US made lights ... between Novatac, Arc, Peak and Surefire I ought to be able to meet my needs, but realistically while I like US made lights I'm not sure I really want to sell the Dereelight or Liteflux since there is nothing really wrong with them...
So ... I was initially thinking about a 6P style light to use as a host for one of the extra Dereelight pills - it would make say the Q2 5A more accessible than having to swap it out anytime I wanted to use it. Plus it opens the whole world of C series lego stuff to me which I haven't really explored.
My only Surefire, and it was really nice, was an E2e prior to Surefire really diving into the LED market, and I just didn't use it as I hated burning up 123s at the time (replaced it with a Strion that I used for a very long time).... but I did like the form factor and the build quality was excellent. Then I saw an E1e and always thought Surefires were too big (the L1 being an example) but the E1e was compact and thinner than my Novatac ... so I thought hmmmm ... maybe the E series legoes are the way to go with some nice LED and incandescent (lumens factory) options - perhaps an E1 and E2 body with LED and incandescent options (since I no longer have a hotwire of any kind and there are times they are useful). But I like multi stage and rechargeables, and it appears the best 1 and 2 cell head is the old KL1 which is single stage and the McE2S switches have gone the way of the dodo bird (not by their choice...). So maybe just a E1 setup would be nice since I do enjoy pocket lights...
Then I thought - I've got plenty of pocket lights realistically - maybe another 2 cell light would be useful. The Surefire U2a Ultra looks really appealling - lots of light and a really low low (which I like a lot) - it can run on 17670s as well as primaries and it has both a very nice high and a very useful low and a unique UI with tons of runtime. Given power outages are my highest disaster threat (other than a housefire) this might be the perfect light... even if it is a bit bigger than I really like...
But I keep waivering on that ... all of which leads me to one of a few conclusions - either I am going through typical flashaholic fever when you've consolidated in anticipation of a purchase but just can't decide what to buy (and the only prescription is... more lumens!
) or ... maybe ... just maybe ... I have all the lights I really need and this indecision is a sign that I am actually ... well ... content. Is it really possible?
:candle:
