EDC specifics - AKOray, NiteCore D10, others?

[entoptics]

First of all, I must give a huge shout out to all the amazing info on CPF. Been researching and lurking for awhile now, and I must say this place is astonishing.

I'm fairly new to LED tech and "serious" flashlights. I currently have an EagleTac T20C2 (~$50 shipped due to a liquidation event I read about here a few months back), and I bought my wife an EOS A3. Other than some quality control issues and snail like customer service with the T20, both units have truly shocked me in terms of just how great modern flashlights can. I was a maglight type of fellow until 8 months ago and I naively thought my rechargeable maglight was the be-all-end-all of the flashlight world.

Anyway, now I want something between the iTP and the EagleTac for pocket carry. I'm EXTREMELY poor, but I also know the value in paying extra for quality when it comes to durable goods. Currently, my two main contenders are...

1) NiteCore D10 Tribute from batteryjunction.com at ~$65 shipped. Up until today I was completely sold on the D10 (despite my budget), and the only reason I'm posting this thread is because I just found info on my #2 choice.

2) AKOray K-106

3) Other ideas? I've ruled out other major brands (Surefire, Fenix, O-light, EagleTac, etc) but since I missed the AKOray, I'm open to other cheap or "sleeper" suggestions.

So here's my questions...

1) Besides the obvious descriptions, what is the technical difference between this "5 mode 230 lumen" K-106 and this "6 mode 200 lumen" K-106, and why the 45% price difference?

2) Is the customer experience when buying from DX scary enough to worry me? Are there any other places to buy? I don't mind waiting a little extra time for a good product at a good price, but I don't want to enter into a nexus of interweb commerce hell.

3) In terms of practical use, what might justify me paying 3x more for the D10 over the AKOray. I'm relatively hard on all my equipment, and have never owned a "garage queen" of any form. I use stuff hard till it's broken and then buy a new one. The D10 would receive no special treatment due to it's price, so if the AKOray would function similarly, it would have to wear out more than 3 times faster than the D10 for me to consider $65 a worthwhile expenditure.

Basically, the lengthy post above can be condensed into "Will I regret buying the AKOray because of quality, buying experience, or features, and end up buying a D10 anyway?"

I know that $20 seems trivial, but to me it's a fair chunk of change to waste on an unknown (and $45 is a BIG waste if can get the same thing without the "chic" label).

Thanks again for the AWESOME resources here at CPF. You guys rock.

 

[^Gurthang]

What about the ITP A2 or Romisen RC-29 from Shining Beam? Both are 1X AA, in your price range, and have gotten good reviews from fellow CPF members.

 

[joe1512]

I guess I don't follow.

You have a decent keychain light, and you have a 380ish lumen good quality light.

Is the EagleTac too big for your pocket?

If so, there are several good choices that won't break the bank. Heres my list of suggestions:

1) Get yourself a keychain flashlight. Specifically the itp A2 or itp A1. I carry an A1 with a rechargable CR123 and it can hit 3,30, and 200ish lumens. This is plenty of light for pocket carry! Its 32 bucks for the stainless steel, 24 for the alum.
The A2 can run just as well if you prefer the longer/skinnier profile. The trick is that you need a protected 14500 battery to really get the output desired. Either way will require a special charger, though the CR123 one can use standard CR123 batteries (non rechargable) and still have great output.

2) Here are a whole host of itp non-keychain models that take a CR123 or AA. This is one of the best places to just see all the itp lights in one place. (several links have videos).
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14_19

Their C and S series are 40 bucks each and have some neat features.


Honestly, I have loved having a keychain light and Id recommend it. I simply wouldnt EDC a seperate light in my pocket due to lack of need at work. But on a keychain, I won't forget it and it has plenty of power when I need it.


I would avoid brands other than itp and Romisen simply on the premise that you get 90% of the quality at 30% of the price, relative to Olight, etc.

I would avoid DX lights too, as they tend to have a lot of problems. Stuff just doesn't work or doesnt work for long. As a newbie, you don't want to have to keep messing with your lights and try to fix them. Especially since what you are asking for is NOT all that pricy to get a name brand.

 

[RepProdigious]

1) Besides the obvious descriptions, what is the technical difference between this "5 mode 230 lumen" K-106 and this "6 mode 200 lumen" K-106, and why the 45% price difference?

Those two lights are worlds apart! Chek out my review, most of the things i say about the 109 also apply to the 106!

If you order it at KD, prepare to wait... oh say a month maybe two before you actually get your light. But KD will deliver!

 

[entoptics]

Thanks for the quick replies. I did forget to mention that I'm set on a 1 x AA powered light (14500 capable), and I already have a Li-ion charger for running 18650 cells in the EagleTac.

I actually bought a couple of EOS A2 for gifts this X-mas, and think it's a superb little light, and it would fall securely at my #3 choice (or #2 if the AKOray/DX gets poor support in this thread).

I have essentially ruled out twisty UIs though, so I had decided to go with the D10 because of the tail switch and considerably higher output. I'd also read that the EOS was probably too small to be safe with a 14500.

 

[sol92258]

I'm in the same boat as you, trying to decide between several excellent choices for a pocket/keychain light.
I've narrowed down my field (at least, for the time being) to the ITP A1, and the Quark Mini 123. I'm okay with going with the 123A batteries, since I'll need to keep stock up for my two Surefires. If I didn't have those I'd probably go with the AA model ITP A3.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm going with the ITP A1, just giving myself a few days to deliberate.....


EDIT: Nevermind, you posted while I was, AA is what you're set on...

 

[entoptics]

Yeah, I don't have anything that needs 123 size batteries (EagleTac could of course, but I have two 18650 cells that are just peachy for now) and I have millions of devices that run AA, as well as a car charger for them.

The EOS lights seem to be pretty awesome for the price, and I'm sure you'll be happy with the A1. I may purchase an A2 for myself at some later point as a backup light for my pickup. The simplicity, efficiency, and size to power ratio on the A3 and A2 seems pretty good for the money. If they would tail stand and had a clicky switch, I would not be having the internal debate going on in this thread.

 

[gcbryan]

I'd get the K-106 programmable 3 mode. I have both the programmable and non-programmable K-109 and the programmable version is much, much better.

You will need to get it from KD as DX doesn't carry the programmable version. Other than the wait there's no downside (for me).

 

[hyperloop]

does anyone have runtime figures on the K106? havent been able to locate that.

 

[Helstar]

Grab an ITP C7 if you want AA, then buy the 2Xaa tube for an extra 8 bucks. Great light. I have the C7 Tactical I think it is simple great. If you were willing to go with a CR123 then the ITP C9 I think is even better. I think ITP are great for the money. I believe they are made by Olight. I like them

 

[march.brown]

Yeah, I don't have anything that needs 123 size batteries (EagleTac could of course, but I have two 18650 cells that are just peachy for now) and I have millions of devices that run AA, as well as a car charger for them.

The EOS lights seem to be pretty awesome for the price, and I'm sure you'll be happy with the A1. I may purchase an A2 for myself at some later point as a backup light for my pickup. The simplicity, efficiency, and size to power ratio on the A3 and A2 seems pretty good for the money. If they would tail stand and had a clicky switch, I would not be having the internal debate going on in this thread.

If you don't need a keyring attatchment , the bottom can easily be machined or filed flat on the iTPs to make them tailstand.

If the iTPs had a clicky switch , they would be longer ... I love my A2 and it is so easy to clip in the pocket ... I personally prefer the low , medium , high sequence on the A1 and A2 to the medium , low , high on the A3.
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