Help choose compact floody 500+ lm flashlight

[ugn]

Hello,

I am looking for new 500+ lumen flashlight. Except for general use, I plan to use flashlight on bike in mount. I would like to have:

Output - brighter better, 500+ lm
Type - due to using light on bike, I prefer flood (but not completely without throw), less intense hotspot
Battery type - I am ok with 18650
Flashlight configuration - For longer runtime I prefer compact size 2x18650 (short length) or multiple 18650 side-by-side, removable tube extender to 1x1865O is advantage
Modes - low, medium, high
Size - prefer compact size, mainly length.
Source - LED (SST-50, SSC P7, MC-E or multiple configuration)
UI - prefering buttons, bad experiences with bezel turning
Construction - reliable and well built light
Price - better to be under 150 USD

After first look here, I found following options in this output category.

eagletac m2xc4
debreelight v3 mce
debreelight CL1H V4 mce
fenix tk30
xtar tz50
jetbean m1x
olight m30
tiablo ace-g
legion 2
thrunite catapult V2

Which light (from list or other light) would you recommend me, based on these criterias ?

Thank for your ideas.
Sorry for my mistakes in English.

 

[joe1512]

I'd add the itp A6 Polestar to the list. It is 72 bucks shipped which makes it a great deal. It uses an MC-E and is known to be pretty floody with a less intense hotspot. I like it quite a bit for the money.

Since it uses 6xAAs, it is actually very compact length wise. A 2x18650 is longer and much skinnier. Based on what you are saying, I think this would be a good form-factor for you.

This is an especially good choice if you don't already have 18650s and charger which will cost an extra 40+ dollars. You still have to buy Eneloops and charger, so you break even there. BUT, you can use the AA charger for electronics around the house, unlike 18650s which are pretty worthless otherwise.

The TK40 and new TK45 are 8xAA versions that are 150 bucks and will have more throw. Hence, I'd stick with the Polestar at half the price.


----------
I am one of the few people that has an Xtar outrider and I like it. It uses an SST-50 and is more throwy than the Polestar by a good margin. It has a narrow head but a deep reflector. I do like how it can use 1x or 2x18650s though. I got mine for 70 bucks though, not the 100 they want now for it.



I would avoid the Olight and Catapult because they are primarily for high throw. Notice their large heads and big reflectors.

 

[apontes]

Make sure to check the new MG P-Rocket from ShiningBeam.

 

[AlphaZen]

Make sure to check the new MG P-Rocket from ShiningBeam.

+1

 

[cgonko]

Make sure to check the new MG P-Rocket from ShiningBeam.

+2

 

[ugn]

I would like to use 18650. I dont like AA's higher static dischage over time. Its annoying, when you want use flashlight and batteries are out, because it was charged long time before.

MG pli looks interesting in 1x18650 class (but for SST-50 is neutral white only ).

Anyway do you have any recommendations in 2x+ 18650 setup ?

 

[progninja]

I use the olight m30 as my bike light with 2x18650 batteries with a fenix bike mount. The light fits nicely, the throw is more than enough, it's pretty floody and the light is tough. I really love the m30 for this purpose (and many others ).

All the requirements you made are checked with the m30. As an avid user of the m30 for my bike, I surely recommend it :thumbsup:.

 

[apontes]

MG pli looks interesting in 1x18650 class (but for SST-50 is neutral white only ).

Well, there where cool tint P-Rockets, but the MG lights from ShiningBeam usually sell out fast.

 

[apontes]

I dont like AA's higher static dischage over time. Its annoying, when you want use flashlight and batteries are out, because it was charged long time before.

Even Eneloops?

 

[stallion2]

your list only has three lights on it that stand any chance of meeting your requirments right out of the box. the M30 Triton is probably the best choice based on your requirments. the DBS V3 w/ MC-E would probably be a good choice but i don't think that one is safe to run w/ primaries...at least not for a long period of time. the CL1H is a great host but i'm not a big fan of MC-E's w/ a 26mm reflector. the P60 MC-E lamps tend to be plagued w/ dark spots in their beam. i do own the three listed above so my experience w/ them is first hand.

from what i understand the TZ50 would be good but i'm not entirely sure about their build quality, i've read a mixture of opinions on them.

all the other lights you listed are geared towards throw...BUT, it is much easier to temporarily adapt a throwing light to produce a flood beam by adding a diffuser, cheap to purchase, cheaper to make. turning a flood light into a throwing light is a far more involved process.

 

[red02]

The C1LH host can take a 18650 extender, see if the Linger special can take 2 Li-ions, that would be my choice.

 

[shipwreck]

eagletac m2xc4

This is the one :thumbsup:

 

[ugn]

I checked your proposals and also searched listed flashlight models on forum and excluded some options. Following options left:

Olight M30 - Compact. Small weight. Meduim and low mode is very low and possibly not usable due to visible PWM.

MG P-Rocket - Cheap. On high limited runtime (need to change batteries).But good regulation and usable medium,low modes.

Solarforce Masterpiece - Added to the list. Beam similar to tiablo ace-g. But has regulation. Diffuser unavailable. Longer light. Maybe there is more throw than flood.

Eagletac M2SC4 MKII - Excelent output. Efficient regulation and well steped levels. I think better flood than throwier M2XC4. Very problematic mounting to bike due tu unusal shape a possibly UI not bike friendly.

So I still hesitate what to choose. Originaly I prefered eagletac, but I concern about its shape and bike mounting so I switched to MasterPiece. But now I considering more compact MG, but there is limited runtime on high.

Any ideas which option to prefer or avoid?

 

[don.gwapo]

Go for the MG p-rocket coz i'm waiting for the cool white version in stock provably 2nd week of august. Or you can check the sunway M40A at $150 bucks.

 

[Fichtenelch]

How about the sunwayled M40C?

 

[tre]

I would like to use 18650. I dont like AA's higher static dischage over time. Its annoying, when you want use flashlight and batteries are out, because it was charged long time before.

You can buy "low self discharge" (LSD) rechargeable AA batteries that will not do this. Most here buy Sanyo Eneloops but there are a couple other brands. They will retain somthing along the lines of 85% of their charge after 1 year on the shelf. If you go this route, it would seem the Fenix TK45 would fit the bill perfectly.

 

[shipwreck]

How about the sunwayled M40C?

that interests me - but I think it costs more than the Eagletac M2s the last time I looked...

 

[CanadianBacon]

Hey there!
Have you heard about ElektroLumens? They make custom LED lights that are marketed as the brightest LED flashlights in the world. Currently, they have the "Kong 12" which is 10,800 lumens off of 12 MC-Es ---- pretty cool I would say.

But back to the point, they have this 700 lumen MC-E light that takes one 18650 battery thats called the "EDC-MCE". Basically an M-CE Led in an everyday carry format. Very bright but about $140

Good luck!
:twothumbs

 

[simplec6]

Seems to me like a lot of these recommendations aren't 500+ lumens according to the specs on some of the lights.

Very interested in further responses, though.

 

[entoptics]

From everything I've read, the M30 Olight has an identical beam to the iTP Polestar A6. I've never seen the M30, but the iTP is a VERY floody light, and has a really nice smooth beam.

Both pump out well in excess of 500 lumens OTF (650-700 I believe).

Eneloop low self discharge batteries are very good, and paired with the Polestar, would provide a cheap solution to your needs. The Polestar isn't considered a high quality light, but the one I had my hands on seemed more than adequate for the beatings a bike would deal out.