help choosing edc light

luke au · Nov 24, 2012

hi new to forum i am after a edc light that can produce low outputs and up to 300-500 lumen high output.i have listed some of the lights below that i am interseted in if you could help point me in the right derection it would be appreciated or if you can recomend something else,with the quark x 123 is it possible to put a aa body on it if i can not get to 123 batterys? thanks for the help

Quark X 123 tactical-deep pocket clip,aa extender
jetbeam rrto xml
jetbeam pa10-can this light have a deep pocket clip?
sunway man v11r-aa extender
jetbeam pc10-can this light have a deep pocket clip?

reppans · Nov 24, 2012

On the Quarks, AFAIK the "X" models only come in 2 cell versions and the 2x123 version will have a high voltage head (3-9v), that won't work well with a 1xAA unless you're using a 14500. You can get the QAA2X for the low voltage head, but then sound like you may need both a 1xAA and 1x123 body. Or you can go with single cell lights with an XP-G2 emitter, and use any single cell tube, which will be nearly as bright, but not as floody as the X.

luke au · Nov 24, 2012

Hi thanks for the reply,just confirming if I get a quark 123 then buy a aa extender I can use 14500 battery's which will give good light but if I use a single aa the light won't be as bright,do u no how many lumens I will get roughly with a aa and with the 14500?thanks

reppans · Nov 24, 2012

If you get a QTL (Quark Tactical Lithium 1x123) with XP-G2, and optional 1xAA body, according to Selfbuilt's reviews (see review section), you will get about 300 lumens on 1x CR123 or 14505 (3V lithium primaries) and 16340 or 14500 (Li-ion rechargeables). I'm guessing ~ 115 lumens on 1x Alks, L91 Lithiums, or NiMh.

If you get a QTA2-X with the XML, and optional 1xAA and 1x123 bodies, those numbers will bump up to about 400 lumens and 150 lumens, respectively. Keep in mind, those increases will be hardly perceivable by the human eye. The differences in tint, and beam (throwy vs floody) will be much more apparent, and IMHO what you should really base your decision on. Also, while the XMLs are more efficient at high lumen levels, the XPGs are much more efficient at lower lumen levels.

naiter · Nov 25, 2012

reppans said:
If you get a QTL (Quark Tactical Lithium 1x123) with XP-G2, and optional 1xAA body, according to Selfbuilt's reviews (see review section), you will get about 300 lumens on 1x CR123 or 14505 (3V lithium primaries) and 16340 or 14500 (Li-ion rechargeables). I'm guessing ~ 115 lumens on 1x Alks, L91 Lithiums, or NiMh.

If you get a QTA2-X with the XML, and optional 1xAA and 1x123 bodies, those numbers will bump up to about 400 lumens and 150 lumens, respectively. Keep in mind, those increases will be hardly perceivable by the human eye. The differences in tint, and beam (throwy vs floody) will be much more apparent, and IMHO what you should really base your decision on. Also, while the XMLs are more efficient at high lumen levels, the XPGs are much more efficient at lower lumen levels.

great point reppans!

300-500lm out of 1.5v is going to be tough. think closest right now will be 280. and it'll be with XMX-Ls, so big hotspot vs intense beam.

Don't forget to look at:
eagletac D series
Olight S10 (rcr/cr123)
Zebralight SC52 (AA)
Zebralight SC80 has the exact dual battery option you want without an extender. might be your best bet.
Crelant V31A (rcr/cr123)