*eyes bulge, brain sizzles*

[Robrain]

Hello everyone. I'm going to start off by saying I'm new to the depths of the flashlight world. Being that I'm in the Marines, I've used several Surefires before (even got to play with their beastly Hellfire last deployment).

Besides the variety of USMC issue Surefires (both 2 and 3 123/a capacities), I was pointed in the direction of NovaTac's EDC lights by a former Marine friend of mine. I bought their 120P model earlier this year, and I'm rather in love with it.

My first "bright" light (compared to crappy D cell and AA ones) was an Inova X5. I then bought the X0 when it came out, and the T3 or T4 (whichever was the big rechargeable one) during my first year in. I've also got a Gerber Cornea Hi that me and my room mate found in the dumpster (fully functional) when a unit here deployed. Nothing to phone home about, I don't think the performance of it is much different than the high end Inovas. Anyhow.

You all seem to (obviously) know a hell of a lot more about flashlights than I do, so I was hoping I could start a discussion of sorts where I ask some questions and you people spill your opinions and ideas.

My primary flashlight that I use is the NovaTac 120P. I'm a big fan of the ability to program the different settings. I've got it set currently so that a single click starts in blinding strobe, a double click from there sends it into High Mode, or a triple click sends it into Low Mode. I'm pretty much stuck on this setup, since a majority of the time when I'm using a flashlight, I need it bright.

Biggest complaint is, the battery life. Second biggest complaint is, the brightness. Not that I'm complaining about 120 lumens, but over the past 6 months I've been continuing to surf the internet and noticed several other lights of comparable sizes that appear to offer both better battery life and higher output levels.

The Brite Strike Blue Dot series is one of these, specifically the BD-RL180-HLS-1C 1 cell (Hi/Lo/Strobe) model:

http://brite-strike.com/BlueDot.html

For $175 of course, I want to make sure I'm getting a worthwhile upgrade from my current setup. The approximate increase of 60 Lumens along with doubling the battery life of the EDC 120P seems like it would be worth it, though I can't say I'm a fan of the tailcap. I prefer the smooth, flush tailcap of the 120P over any rubber tail button (and the 120P's natural ability to tailstand).

As far as the size goes, I'm looking for something within the same size as the NovaTac EDC 120P, or that small blue dot. What I'm looking for needs to take only a single 123/A battery.

I've read about customizing lights (or having someone else who knows what they're doing do it for you), but I'm at a loss as to where I'd even start to learn about that. Does an FAQ exist on the basics, and what's on the market/available as upgrades?

So with all that information, can anyone think of anything that would fit the bill for an alternative to the EDC 120P that:

-Has more than 120 lumens
-Has an hour of battery life or longer
-Uses only a single 123/A battery
-Can be set for instant on disorienting strobe
-Preferably tail stands

And if not, are there any modifications I can have done to my EDC or another light such as replacing the LED with a newer, better model?

I've seen mention of two other (I think) LEDs, by the names of Cree and SSC P4. Can anyone tell me (or point me to a resource) that explains the differences between these and other LEDs?

Thanks for reading all that. I'm willing to learn if I can get a little shove in the right direction.

 

[okbohn]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Alan_P]

Take a look at the Jetbeam Jet-II. It has tree programmable modes. You can program it for strobe, high and low. It will put out 180 lumens for 55 minutes, this is not the brightest - it will put out 225. If you need more run time just drop the brightness a little. They are currently selling for about $70.

Alan

 

[Thujone]

The 120p is going to extract every bit of energy out of a cr123. If you want better you should have milkyspit mod your light to have the latest emitter. That will be your quickest path to happiness. I know I am very happy with what he did for me on my 120p.

 

[KD5XB]

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Where are you? Are you stuck with mail order to an FPO? If not, there are a few options available at various retail stores here in the 'States.

 

[brighterisbetter]

The 120p is going to extract every bit of energy out of a cr123. If you want better you should have milkyspit mod your light to have the latest emitter. That will be your quickest path to happiness. I know I am very happy with what he did for me on my 120p.

+1

 

[Sgt. LED]

I like that little 3 mode blue dot. BD-RL180-HLS-1C 1 cell (Hi/Lo/Strobe)
Shame the low mode is 80 lumens. If it was a 10 lumens low I would be after it but 80 lumens seems a bit too much to think of it as a low. Perhaps it would be easy to mod? Any owners of this brand out there?

To the OP: You have come to us way nearer the top end of things than most new members. Welcome
Milky can make what you have brighter for sure and that seems to be the next logical progression. He can do wonders for almost any light! Remember in this hobby, as much if not more than others, you get what you pay for. Are you married to the 1 cell concept or can you be tempted by twice the runtime?

 

[KD5XB]

I was just remembering -- it wasn't so long ago that the BX here at Cannon AFB was carrying all kinds of "tactical" flashlights -- you might check with the MCX and see if they have something you like.

 

[StarHalo]

Take a look at the Jetbeam Jet-II.

+1 for the JetBeam II series - these are 1x123 lights that feature the Infinite Brightness Setting interface, which is very similar to the one found on your NovaTac, but with a whole lot more output and throw; from 2 to 225 lumens on a standard primary 123, blasting out to 250 lumens on a li-ion rechargeable. Plus there's a 1-15hz strobe, low/high locator and low/high SOS to choose from. If you like the NovaTac interface and just want a more powerful take on it, JetBeam is what you've been looking for, highly recommended :thumbsup:

See them here: http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jefl.html

 

[Nitroz]

To get a light with more runtime and high output you should look for a light that can use 1 18650 like this.

 

[Cheapskate]

To get a light with more runtime and high output you should look for a light that can use 1 18650 like this.

Charging your 18650's while living out of a tent in the hills of Afghanistan might be problematic. :ironic:

 

[Robrain]

My enlistment with the Marine Corps ends in approximately 30 days. I'll be moving back home to Florida from where I'm stationed now (Hawaii).

In "civilian mode" I still prefer to carry a flashlight on me at all times. The EDC models from NovaTac seem to be the largest I'd want to go - from left to right in my hand, it just barely disappears from sight, and the short length from using the one cell is the only thing allowing it to do so. The short length also allows me to carry it discretely with just about anything I'm wearing: in a jacket pocket (all my jackets that previously didn't have an interior pocket that specifically fit the NovaTac, I had a tailor sew the pockets in - next I'll be having a series of elastic-type loops sewn into the interiors, along with some velcro probably, to carry spare batteries), with jeans and a t-shirt (usually tucked into the belt on my back, side, though sometimes tucked into the belt loop if I'm not wearing a belt, or tucked behind the leather patch on the back of most jeans), in my boot, wherever honestly. The form factor allows it to disappear until it's needed.

I saw mention of the GatLight in another thread, thought it looked cool at first and somewhat along the lines of the form factor I was looking for (besides the tailcap), but no strobe mode, along with the open design (Florida weather does get nasty) means it wouldn't be fit for my EDC back home. Plus I read here that it was only averaging 150 lumens versus their claimed max of 240?

I have another, more ridiculous flashlight at home in my car's glovebox that I forgot to mention (bought it at the same time as the NovaTac), the Microfire Terminator III:

http://www.phoebus.com/terminator.html

For a hand cannon spotlight, it seems to do the trick nicely. If anyone wants to recommend a better one than that, which is equivalent in size (i.e. rather compact dimensions, preferably completely cylindrical), I'm all ears. I need to be able to keep it handy in the glovebox, but not take up the entire glovebox. The holster keeps 3 additional loose batteries close by in the elastic bands, and I keep an extra cartridge (as shown in the picture on that page, 3 batteries) or two handy in the car whenever I take it out for faster battery changes in the dark.

I'll go check out the suggested lights and post my thoughts (my browser's about to crash because I've got so many threads open in different tabs).

You guys rock.

 

[litetube]

those britestrike blue dots have been around for awhhile. Originally with Luxeon leds they must have upgraded to Cree? But I am betting just like with the Lux's , their output and runtime is exagerrated. First they are probably speaking in terms of Bulb Lumens not out the front lumens. Upon reading further they are still citing the use of 3watt Luxeons. Even when they were "cutting edge" there is NO WAY a 3watt Lux is gonna put out 180 lumens on 1 cell.
. They really have alot of sharp protusions and crenallations which for EDC especially for a 1 cell would tear up pockets and dig into you when sitting etc.
As I have thought before when I first saw their lites, the Price seems way to high for what you get and I havnt seen anyone on CPF raving about these lights.

 

[bigslick]

One more for the Jetbeam II! That's at the top of my list right now as well.

 

[1 what]

+1 for JetBeam2.

 

[tebore]

One thing you should know right off the bat. Your Novatac is 120lms out the front of the light(well close to it). Those "other" lights are just numbers. It's an estimate of how much power is being taken from the cell. They assume we're taking 3 watts from the battery therefore there's 3 watts going to the LED and going out the light. In reality. There's loss in the electronics, there's loss from the LED to the optics. Those so called 225 lms will be around 170lm out the front if you're lucky.

The regulation on your Novatac is 30 mins of 120 lms. Those lights that claim 4 hours or something big is the how long it takes to go from full power to 50% of original brightness. And it's constantly dropping from the moment it's turned on.

The difference between 120lm and 170lm while noticeable isn't huge. It's not going to be night and day. This is due to our eyes and how they perceive light. It's almost a doubling of light to make something noticeably brighter. The upgrade on your current Novatac won't make it a lot brighter. A lot of posts in this thread make it sound like it's a night and day difference. If you don't like the color your light puts out an LED upgrade will help.

I'm not defending Novatac I just want you to be educated and know what you're getting.

 

[matrixshaman]

The Jetbeam Jet II IBS model has about the brightest high mode of anything going in a single CR123/RCR123 format. But it is terrible on runtime on high. I don't know if anyone has yet suggested a 17670 battery tube for your Novatac but there were a bunch available at lighthound.com for around $45 or $50 a while back including the tail switch (these were running close to $300 at one time when they were very rare). It will give you way longer runtime and some have done a little easy mod to the tube to get it to even take the bigger 18650 or 18670 battery IIRC. It's going to be hard to beat your Novatac for most things except some lights will out throw it. If you can carry the Novatac (or a new HDS Clicky) and the Jet II IBS you'll have about everything covered. And :welcome:

BTW has anyone noticed our OP has 2 posts in this thread but his post count shows only 1 post? I guess this is a new feature of our CPF forum software that just goes to confirm one of our favorite adages about flashlights that "2 is one and one is none"

 

[StarHalo]

Those "other" lights are just numbers.

Here are some other numbers:

...................Throw/Lux Output
NovaTac 120P:...... 2050..... 5.8
JetBeam Jet II IBS: 8350..... 8.1

So the Jet is 40% brighter and can light objects several times farther away than the NovaTac.

(from Selfbuilts 1x123 comparo, see the full shootout here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201117)

But it is terrible on runtime on high.

JetBeam's IBS interface is unique in that it allows you to set an output level so high that it isn't reasonable; if you want a pragmatic high mode, you need only program one in - the Jet has no problem managing a regulated ~180 lumens for one hour.

 

[Glenn7]

jetbeams are a great light - also check out the new regalight EDC it runs on 1 AA that you can get anywhere or uses 14500 rechargeable's and you get two lights for the price of one

Brightness and Runtime:
AA battery
Max output 180 Lumens for about 65 minutes
Min output 3 Lumens for about 75 hours
LI-ION battery
Max output 200 Lumens for about 90minutes
Min output 5 Lumens for about 100 hours


http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=185503

 

[tebore]

Here are some other numbers:

...................Throw/Lux Output
NovaTac 120P:...... 2050..... 5.8
JetBeam Jet II IBS: 8350..... 8.1

So the Jet is 40% brighter and can light objects several times farther away than the NovaTac.

(from Selfbuilts 1x123 comparo, see the full shootout here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201117)



JetBeam's IBS interface is unique in that it allows you to set an output level so high that it isn't reasonable; if you want a pragmatic high mode, you need only program one in - the Jet has no problem managing a regulated ~180 lumens for one hour.

And did you see the runtime. The novatac does 1:41 before hitting 50%. The Jetbeam is about half an hour. And the curve is sloppy.

The throw of the Jetbeam can throw farther due to how the reflector is designed not so much to do with brightness. That's a just a lightbox reading. While the Jetbeam is brighter I wouldn't say it's 40% unless it's taken in an calibrated IS.

Again just numbers.