Extreme durability EDC

[Knight_Light]

I'm having a hard time with the Armytek lights, Viking 2.5 vs Viking 2.5 PRO. Contrary to the name it seems the non-pro is a better light? The PRO is 850 lumens/270yd/FULL Stabil and the non-PRO is a 1010 lumens/330yd/STEP Stabil ?? How is that?

The Pro version is a much better light, it allows you to totally customize almost anything you can imagine. Visual you will not be able to tell the difference between 850 lm and 1010. It also has a 2nd electronic circuit that will work should the primary circuit fail. Did you notice that fact? I would suggest you download the manuals for both of them and read them carefully.

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

The Pro version is a much better light, it allows you to totally customize almost anything you can imagine. Visual you will not be able to tell the difference between 850 lm and 1010. It also has a 2nd electronic circuit that will work should the primary circuit fail. Did you notice that fact? I would suggest you download the manuals for both of them and read them carefully.

Yeah one of the things I just noticed is that the PRO says that it will work if the primary circuit is damaged. I like that a lot. That being said will I know when that primary circuit fails? What if I am running around on that secondary circuit without even knowing it, and then that one goes bad?

 

[Knight_Light]

Yeah one of the things I just noticed is that the PRO says that it will work if the primary circuit is damaged. I like that a lot. That being said will I know when that primary circuit fails? What if I am running around on that secondary circuit without even knowing it, and then that one goes bad?

You will know if it fails because the light will only work in the lower levels. How much experience you have with lights if I may ask?

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

You will know if it fails because the light will only work in the lower levels. How much experience you have with lights if I may ask?

Good to know, and to answer your second question very honestly about 2 weeks. *shy*

 

[Knight_Light]

Good to know, and to answer your second question very honestly about 2 weeks. *shy*

The reason I ask is because with experience you will be able to better identify what you need and what your preferences are for different things. Once you know those things then you can ask people to help you find a flashlight with those particular characteristics.

For now what I would do is figure out how you're going to use your EDC most of the time in a realistic capacity and then have people that have experience with those particular scenarios give you their preferences and then you can use your own common sense to fine-tune your choices .

So before you spend a lot of money on a really high end custom light that you may be totally unhappy with find some high-quality mass-produced lights and try them out. This will give you some hands-on experience. Then you can use your experience to make better choices. For example if you had a light that had a 1010 lm level and a 850 lm you would soon realize that visually you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. You could tell that one was slightly brighter then the other if you switch back and forth but if somebody switched on the light randomly for you and asked you to identify which is which you wouldn’t be able to do so consistently.

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

I totally agree and have been doing nothing but reading on the different batteries, leds, functions, etc. That viking light looks like exactly what i need&want though. Between that, the RC40, my batterypack HID, and my 3-Dcell LED conversion Maglite, i should have everything i "need"....for the time being :D

That viking light is rated to a 33ft drop and a 50yd waterproof! Thats crazy! And much deeper than i think i would ever need. Thanks a ton for leading me to that light. As you can imagine as a true raw beginner the number of lights out there is rather overwhelming.


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[Knight_Light]

I totally agree and have been doing nothing but reading on the different batteries, leds, functions, etc. That viking light looks like exactly what i need&want though. Between that, the RC40, my batterypack HID, and my 3-Dcell LED conversion Maglite, i should have everything i "need"....for the time being :D

That viking light is rated to a 33ft drop and a 50yd waterproof! Thats crazy! And much deeper than i think i would ever need. Thanks a ton for leading me to that light. As you can imagine as a true raw beginner the number of lights out there is rather overwhelming.


Sent from my iPhone.

The Viking Pro is definitely a great light. For me it is too large to EDC but if you can handle the weight and size it is a great place to start. You can totally customize your light levels. If you do get it, before you play with all of the high output levels configure your EDC with no more than 3 levels of light the highest one being 200 lm and use it like that every day for at least 2 weeks. You would be surprised by what can be done with those levels. Once you figure out what light levels you prefer do your own runtime tests, don't rely on manufacturer specifications, know how YOUR gear works.

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

I agree. One of the features i really like about it are the customized modes. Three/four modes are plenty, no reason to go switching through a bunch of modes i dont need. Im going to need an 18650 charger for starters and a CR123 charger if i ever decide to go that route with a light. I am pretty set on this light, how recently was it made available? My reason for asking is just out of curiosity that a newer model be in the works/on its way to market. It peeves me to make a purchase and a new model is released a month later. Again thank you A TON for all the help!!!


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

I am currently educating myself on the light differences and have found a couple things that I like from one model and some from the other. I will make a comprehensive post on these things tomorrow. Thanks again, have a great night!


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[Norm]

The Malkoff MD2 will run off 1 X 18650, unless you choose one of the SHO dropins.

Definitely the most durable light mentioned by far.

Norm

 

[TheSpicyTuna]

Well now I am uncertain once again, which I suppose is a good thing. I need to slow down and not be so hasty, which is tough when I get excited about something :/


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[Norm]

Don't think about things for too long a complete two level MD2 in currently on special for $89 instead of $129.

Norm

 

[Vortus]

Yup, Malkoff MD2, or an Elzetta. Probably the two toughest hosts out there, though, have to buy a bored Elzetta from Overready as they don't take 18650's stock.

 

[BenChiew]

Yup, Malkoff MD2, or an Elzetta. Probably the two toughest hosts out there,....

Can't deny that. Coupled with malkoff's bomb proof drop in, you got the most hardy light on the planet.

 

[Labrador72]

Extreme durability and a battery carrier (short, fat AA light) don't work together, so I'll recommend a Surefire E2L AA; or a Peak AA model, ElCapitan, Logan 17500, or a FR/SR model with the AA extension.

Good point, I hadn't thought about that!

Since you have a fairly robust budget and you have such diverse needs and you need redundancy and durability. Have you ever considered getting 2 lights one more of a thrower and another one which is more EDC oriented. If you run off of 18650 batteries you will get ridiculous runtimes on lower lumens and if you need you can swap in CR 123 primaries which you can find anywhere.

+1
It's probably your best option as it would make your life so much easier in choosing durable lights.
Get a 2xAA to have the option to run on AAs when you need it though not as bright as you specified initially.
Get a 1x18650 to have brightness and durability you want: it won't overlap with your RC40 which is a much, much bigger light, not even remotely in the same category.
The 1x18650 would be your EDC/portable, nearly indestructible bright light.

To give you just an example you could get a Fenix LD22 and a TK22. The Fenix TK lights are extremely rugged too anyway but as other suggested there may be better options in terms of ruggedness and reliability - e.g.: Surefire E2L AA Outdoorman and E2D Defender Ultra - don't think it takes 18650 but proabably will fit a 17650.

 

[bluemax_1]

I agree. One of the features i really like about it are the customized modes. Three/four modes are plenty, no reason to go switching through a bunch of modes i dont need. Im going to need an 18650 charger for starters and a CR123 charger if i ever decide to go that route with a light. I am pretty set on this light, how recently was it made available? My reason for asking is just out of curiosity that a newer model be in the works/on its way to market. It peeves me to make a purchase and a new model is released a month later. Again thank you A TON for all the help!!!


Sent from my iPhone.

Something like the Nitecore Intellicharger v2/v3 will charge 18650, 14500, RCR123 as well as NiMH. Get the optional 12v CLA and you'll be able to plug it into a vehicle cigarette lighter socket to charge batteries (along with the usual 120v wall power).

Typically though, if you get a light that can run 18650's, use those. CR123 primaries can get expensive (although they make great backup batteries as they can be stored for 10 years or more and work in cold temps).

18650's can also typically handle high current draw (i.e. BRIGHT modes) better than RCR123's (if a light can even handle that wide a voltage range: 1x18650=up to 4.2v, 2xCR123=up to 6v, 2xRCR123=up to 8.4v).


Max

P.s. you mentioned looking into solar setups for off-the-grid recharging. Head to the CPF Marketplace and look into username cottonpicker's solar charging setups. You can get one of his tiny Li-Ion chargers too.

 

[Grizzman]

I also recommend the Malkoff MD2 setup with high low switch, especially for the current price.

A Surefire 6P, C2, etc with a Malkoff M361N-LMH drop-in, a McClicky switch, and a Zeno stainless steel bezel ring would be supremely durable. Modifying a Surefire with a bezel, clip, shrouded tailcap, tailcap boot stiffness, etc can also provide additional satisfaction.

I've never dropped my Elzetta more than a few feet onto hardwood floors, but I have no doubt that it'll survive more abuse than I'll ever subject it to. The other downside of the Elzetta is that they don't tailstand (an attribute of standard Surefire hosts also).

I've never used an Armytek, but I don't recall reading any negative comments about them.

 

[Knight_Light]

I agree. One of the features i really like about it are the customized modes. Three/four modes are plenty, no reason to go switching through a bunch of modes i dont need. Im going to need an 18650 charger for starters and a CR123 charger if i ever decide to go that route with a light. I am pretty set on this light, how recently was it made available? My reason for asking is just out of curiosity that a newer model be in the works/on its way to market. It peeves me to make a purchase and a new model is released a month later. Again thank you A TON for all the help!!!


Sent from my iPhone.

I believe the current version came out a couple months ago so it is fairly recent. You don’t need to get separate chargers for 18650 and CR 123. 90% of the chargers out there can charge both. Get yourself a Xtar VP1 and be done with it.

 

[Knight_Light]

I would like to make a comment on the Malkoff MD2 which I originally suggested. They are phenomenal and rugged. I originally recommended it because it is very useful but at the same time it is very limited in the selection of different light levels and it is definitely not the most efficient but it makes a great EDC nonetheless. The reason I recommended the Armytek following our discussion is because it is very rugged and robust and the same time will enable someone who is just starting out to experience all the different light levels and figure out and fine-tune their own preferences for things. So as an introduction I think it would be great for somebody to experience sub lumen levels as well as the higher levels both of which the Malkoff lacks.

 

[yoyoman]

The new Malkoff M361 LMH dropin 15/80/400 lumens offers more flexibilty in output. The Malkoff hosts and dropins are rugged and with an 18650 will deliver long runtimes.

The current sale won't last forever.

I also like Oveready lights. Very robust and lots of different options.
2x18350 or 1x18650, 1x18350, Maratac AAA for size reference and 2x18650