There's nowhere to go because virus so I'm drinking beer and shopping online. I'm freshening up my Go-Bag, ordering some Maxpedition pouches and bits n bobs to enhance it 'cuz I got the time. I have a lot of great flashlights but haven't looked at the lighting in my BoB in a while. It needs upgrading. I like CR123 for this purpose for long shelf life, good capacity, and excellent resistance to temperature swings. Looking around at the current crop of CR123 lights,,, dang, everything is ugly and boring! I've been mostly into small run/modded/custom stuff for years and didn't realize how all the production stuff is so uninteresting right now. Sure they're bright and have a lot of fancy UIs but nothing catches my eye at all. True, it's going to get stashed and not used much so one could argue it doesn't matter if it's "cool" and that's true, but scouring the webs for 1xCR123 lights and finding basically nothing in the ~$50 range that I think is cool is pretty sad. I shouldn't have to spend $150+ every time I want something neat. Gahhhh. Remember when Fenix and Nitecore and Jetbeam made good looking and innovative stuff? It's a real turd fest out there right now.
Everything Is Ugly
- Thread starter nbp
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Johnbeck180
Enlightened
Lol! I hear ya. I gave in and went with HDS many years ago. Yeah its quite a bit of cash to fork over for a light but if something goes wrong with it or you have a question, you can call them and you'll get to talk to the Henry, the owner and maker of the light. You don't find that to much anymore and thats worth a bit extra in my book....super nice guy as well![emoji106]
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Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk
thermal guy
Flashaholic
The problem is $50 doesn't really buy a lot today. Certainly not a top quality "cool looking " light. But I hear you.
I have plenty of multi-hundred dollar lights that I am very happy with. You can check my list of lights in my sigline to see what I am into. HDS, McGizmo, Muyshondt, Oveready, Okluma, etc. I know where to get top shelf beautiful lights.
My point was just that in years past there was often things well under $100 that were very Interesting. As the price of components has gone down it should be easier than ever to get great stuff at a good price. And performance wise that's true. But there's no artistry in design, IMO. I'd be happy with a couple 3 mode 300 lumen lights to toss in my BOB but man, it's a sea of boringness. Haha.
My point was just that in years past there was often things well under $100 that were very Interesting. As the price of components has gone down it should be easier than ever to get great stuff at a good price. And performance wise that's true. But there's no artistry in design, IMO. I'd be happy with a couple 3 mode 300 lumen lights to toss in my BOB but man, it's a sea of boringness. Haha.
Cree XHP 70 LED
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2020
- Messages
- 166
I paid around 90 for the Malkoff MDC SHO I carry after the discount.
It is boring, but that is one reason I like it. One output, user serviceable switch and lens and potted. also great for using up my cells that come out of my WML's and the P3X, P2X and the Elzetta Charlie.
I am not a fan of customs so that saves me a ton of cash.
It is boring, but that is one reason I like it. One output, user serviceable switch and lens and potted. also great for using up my cells that come out of my WML's and the P3X, P2X and the Elzetta Charlie.
I am not a fan of customs so that saves me a ton of cash.
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archimedes
Flashaholic
I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but think it is worth bringing up (and I'll have a more practical reply afterwards) ....
One thing that this crisis has pointed out to me, is that any day where I find myself relying on my "emergency supplies" is a reeeeal bad day.
I'd like to have high quality gear available in those circumstances. For day-to-day use, though, cheap and cheerful is fine.
About a year or two ago, I went through several of my kits, and actually swapped in some of my better flashlights to replace less expensive "backups"
Ok, now for the recommendation .... I like the Peak Logan (CR123A or 17500) for what you describe
One thing that this crisis has pointed out to me, is that any day where I find myself relying on my "emergency supplies" is a reeeeal bad day.
I'd like to have high quality gear available in those circumstances. For day-to-day use, though, cheap and cheerful is fine.
About a year or two ago, I went through several of my kits, and actually swapped in some of my better flashlights to replace less expensive "backups"
Ok, now for the recommendation .... I like the Peak Logan (CR123A or 17500) for what you describe
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ven
Flashaholic
i think the best light for 100 bucks or less is back a decade or so. 6p and an m61(219 if possible but far from critical in a BOB). Bullet proof, simple, cr123x2 or 16650 fed. For a single , most now with the higher outputs struggle on cr123 cells.
However for a fun light with rotary UI check the little jetbeam RRT-01 V2 out, can run 16340 or CR123 (output drops to 420lm) Heck can even run 18350 for more flexibility .
Vinh does a nice mod with the W1 , for extra punch!
How about the old novatac lights? These are fun and can be found minty for under $100 to, LED swap can bring it up to 2020.
Just thoughts.
Modern lights have held little to no interest for me to. Much prefer US made stuff like HDS and surefire of yester decade by a long way.
However for a fun light with rotary UI check the little jetbeam RRT-01 V2 out, can run 16340 or CR123 (output drops to 420lm) Heck can even run 18350 for more flexibility .
Vinh does a nice mod with the W1 , for extra punch!
How about the old novatac lights? These are fun and can be found minty for under $100 to, LED swap can bring it up to 2020.
Just thoughts.
Modern lights have held little to no interest for me to. Much prefer US made stuff like HDS and surefire of yester decade by a long way.
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I've been cool with a Surefire G2 and a spare battery carrier with a spare P60 lamp assembly for over 15 years in my glove box. I change the batteries out with newer ones every few years. I never took a liking to Fenix, Jetbeam, or Nightcore because they are garbage for the money. The last innovative thing Fenix did was the L2T and then it just went to crap from there. But the L2T wasn't super innovative, it was just uncommon to have a light with those features where the head twist determined the brightness. The reverse clicky was pretty cheap too. I have an old Surefire U2 from that time frame and it throws better than the L2T, and is MUCH higher quality. And it cost about the same money back then, but it held its value and the L2T is not worth anything these days.
scout24
Flashaholic
I think we're generally spoiled. Why buy a light that can "only" make 250ish lumens on a single primary? I can get 2000 lumens out of a $50 triple that runs on an 18350 with ramping and disco modes? Simple and bombproof are not the watchwords today for a lot of the buying public. My last purchase (not from here) was a McLux III PD making 150lm or so from the XP-G that had been swapped in. A dear friend from the forums here just bought a SF L1. There's still market, but it seems to be more (but not exclusively) the "old timers" who seek it out. As ampdude mentioned, the G2 is still pretty cool. Chop one down to a G1, add a Malkoff M31NL maybe? It's a fun project... If you do find something modern, keep us posted!
thermal guy
Flashaholic
Hit the nail on the head there. Your right for 50 bucks you can get a really cool light that puts out 4000 lumens and with the larger battery tube And nasa level UI could probably walk your dog for you. There cool in fact looking to get one myself but would never dream of putting that in my GHB. Not saying the OP said he would I'm sure he agrees with me there but to get something that's built,reliable,and with decent output for 50 bucks or so is not as possible as it was say even 5 year ago. It is kinda sad.
I should perhaps specify what was in there to begin with. I had two E01s with Energizer lithiums, for low output and long runtime and simple operation. Then I had two SF G2Ls for the "high output" lights. (I assembled this a long time ago.) I still like G2Ls but they are big, heavy, not that bright anymore, and power hungry for what you do get. So I thought Oh, I should get two different, simple, multimode single cell lights to put in here. The likelyhood is that if I have to leave my house in a hurry I will stuff a few of my favorite high quality lights like BOSSs and HDSs in my pockets anyways, but I want a couple simple to use, more efficient, higher output lights (than what I had) in there for just in case, perhaps for sharing with others who need to borrow one. Thus the reason I don't want them to be super expensive - I don't know who might use them or how they'll treat them or what they know about battery safety etc.
Don't get me wrong there's a bunch of lights that would work out there. And they are going in a bag, so really that's all that matters. That they work. I guess I am just lamenting that it's hard to find something $50-75 that will work AND I am actually excited about. So many lights are just blah.
I did like the RRTO, one of the only rotary lights in that price I could find. And I was sorta interested in the EC11. That one has a red secondary which is novel and different from the rest. Anything else out there in the 1x123 that is actually cool and Interesting in that price range? It's just going in bag so ultimately as long as it lights up it's fine but is it too much to ask to actually "like" the light? Hahaha
Don't get me wrong there's a bunch of lights that would work out there. And they are going in a bag, so really that's all that matters. That they work. I guess I am just lamenting that it's hard to find something $50-75 that will work AND I am actually excited about. So many lights are just blah.
I did like the RRTO, one of the only rotary lights in that price I could find. And I was sorta interested in the EC11. That one has a red secondary which is novel and different from the rest. Anything else out there in the 1x123 that is actually cool and Interesting in that price range? It's just going in bag so ultimately as long as it lights up it's fine but is it too much to ask to actually "like" the light? Hahaha
thermal guy
Flashaholic
Oh I do agree with you 100 percent. And of course I know that you know your lights and I get what your saying.I admit I have always had a problem with putting really good lights in my bag! I shouldn't because if something goes that bad and you are relying on the contents of your bag it had better be good stuff you have in there. But as you say to dump a 500-1000 light in a bag that in all honesty you will probably never use sounds crazy.I myself use Malkoff's in my bag. I used to use other brands but felt for my situation they were just better. I to looked at that EC11. Not a bad option imo
peter yetman
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hey Arch, how about you and scout open your bob's and give us some guidance. I was in the coast guard and a cop, and I've never had a use for a bag more than 24 hours.
Dave D
Flashlight Enthusiast
A website called AliExpress has E clones for less than $24 inc delivery.
It would be interesting to compare their quality with Lumens Factory and to find out if they can be upgraded with SF or LF parts or even Malkoff heads.
E2 version is also available.
It would be interesting to compare their quality with Lumens Factory and to find out if they can be upgraded with SF or LF parts or even Malkoff heads.
E2 version is also available.
JimIslander
Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2012
- Messages
- 683
Yep. Uuuuugly!
There was a time...long, long ago, when beauty and innovation blossomed in Flashoholic Land...
There was a time...long, long ago, when beauty and innovation blossomed in Flashoholic Land...
thermal guy
Flashaholic
I think it's more for IF you Ever need it. Most an I'm including myself here have never needed to use there bag " thank god" and I have also never really needed a light that goes for 10 days on a set of batteries. But it's nice to know I have it if needed.In all honesty we here are massively over prepared for stuff like that.
@nbp, did you get the CR2s from Robyn yet? Should have had her send a Logan 17500. I have one coming next week. Kinda sounds like what you might be looking for. Lotsa options to play with. Tried to get one many months ago but it didn't work out.
Same here. I've always ended up somewhere I could grab what I need when i got into position. Always had 2 guns and 2 lights and that was it. Also a second pair of socks. I traveled fast and light, but now I'm slower and make frequent stops. I value the flashaholics input to the bag foremost
No, not yet. Comms with Peak are slooooow. Haha. But after you and Archimedes have mentioned Peak I might have to also look at their CR123 offerings.
I know my thoughts are a bit wandering in this thread, so I appreciate the varied responses and don't mind if they wander too.
I guess I am sort of attacking two topics. One, what do I put in the BOB? The answers to this are many and varied, and lots of things will work just fine for this purpose. I have more than enough flashlights I really like, so whatever I stash in there will likely never be used.
Two, the real crux of it, is why are the flashlights so boring and ugly?
Partly I think I have been out of the production game for a while and have been spoiled by the cool boutique stuff few outside of CPF are even aware of. So to look at mass production lights for some "loaner lights" leaves me a bit bored. Also partly, design aesthetic seems to have changed in a way that doesn't suit me since I came here. Late 2000s, I loved the look of many of the $40-75 lights. I had Fenix P1, P2D, P3D, LD01 SS, Nitecore EX10, early FourSevens lights. In art and industrial design I like very clean lines, simple no frills looks, classy and elegant while functional. I think the Tacticool revolution has given us lots of bumpy finned ribbed crenellated look a like lights. And there is no HA-NAT lights anymore, they're all HA-BK!! I'm not crazy about the look. This is just my personal opinion of course. If Fenix came out with an HA-NAT P2D reissue with an updated emitter I'd be jazzed out of my mind.
