Help me pick an 18650 light please...

[Sagitta]

Hi,

Been looking around a bit for a replacement torch (currently have the old Quark AA2 which plays up every now and then) and have decided I want an 18650 setup.

Have pretty much decided on these batteries and charger...
Ebay Item 281072676536

Ebay item 33099450978

Although the new Fenix 4ch one looks the goods too.

As for the light itself I would like...
Around 400 Lumens.
min of 3 settings, ultra low (~10L), mid and high, don't care much for SOS, Strobes etc..
Straight and simple to use, if it does have SOS/Strobe, hidden away so I wouldnt have to cycle through them.
Something with a fair amount of throw but still has a usable flood around the spot (don't want something thats just a spot, nor do I want something thats all flood and no throw).

Thats about it.

I've been looking at these ones...

Sunwayman V20C variable LED torch
Fenix PD35 XM L2 LED 850 Lumen Cree Flashlight
Fenix TK15
JETBeam JET 3M XM-L T6
[JETBeam PC25 Cree XM-L LED Torch
Olight M20S-G2 Special Ops S Warrior Flashlight

Any others to suggest or recommend?

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[yoyoman]

I would start by reading threads here, Battery University and HKJ to learn about safety and to read reviews of cells and chargers. I really like HKJ's reviews of cells and chargers. It is worth the little extra money to get good cells and a good charger.

I will also suggest a slightly different approach. Consider a host and a dropin. Solarforce makes reasonable hosts. The Malkoff MD2/3/4 are also very good hosts that don't have to be bored to accept an 18650. Many different dropins are available. The Malkoff only accepts Malkoff dropins. The relatively new M361 LMH is a good quality drop in and, combined with the hi/lo ring provides 6 modes, including ultra low settings.

 

[jimboutilier]

Take a look at the EagleTac D25LC2. It's offered in XPG2 or XML2 depending on if you want more throw or flood and also in cool or neutral. And it's similar to the old Fenix or Foursevens UI.

I love this light as it's almost identical in size to my old Fenix PD30 (an all time favorite of mine) but can take an 18650 and of course is a lot brighter and more efficient. I have three of these - two XML2s in cool and neutral, and a XPG2 in cool. For EDC I prefer the floodier XML but the XPG2 is nice for wide open spaces outdoors.

 

[Sagitta]

Sorry for having the links, honestly I didn't really read the info up top, usually the same for all forums I find, didn't think of that issue.

Thanks for the reply.
I don't have an issue with lithium cells and understand what comes with them (I use LiPo's in my RC's which I believe have the same precautions).
Which is why I chose the Panasonic cells, which from the bit of research I've done have proven to be one of the best (protected ones aren't too much more).
Charger (Soshine SC-H2) seems decent to me also, shouldnt over charge, shows voltage and while charge rate a bit low, would be alright (I could use my iCharger aswell, just make a cradle or something.

I was partly leaning towards the Fenix as they mention they have an LVC built in (not sure what voltage it's set at though).


The option you mentioned sounds alright, just had a look at them.

 

[Sagitta]

Sorry for having the links, honestly I didn't really read the info up top, usually the same for all forums I find, didn't think of that issue.

Thanks for the reply.
I don't have an issue with lithium cells and understand what comes with them (I use LiPo's in my RC's which I believe have the same precautions).
Which is why I chose the Panasonic cells, which from the bit of research I've done have proven to be one of the best (protected ones aren't too much more).
Charger (Soshine SC-H2) seems decent to me also, shouldnt over charge, shows voltage and while charge rate a bit low, would be alright (I could use my iCharger aswell, just make a cradle or something.

I was partly leaning towards the Fenix as they mention they have an LVC built in (not sure what voltage it's set at though).


The option to get a seperate host and body sounds alright, just looked at them, another I'll add to the list.

The Eagletac looks alright too (and thanks for the info on the 2 different leds, I didn't know that), but I'm not sure if I'm keen on the UI.
But it with the R5 LED would be really good.

 

[dml24]

My vote of for the Fenix TK15. If you need a thrower the PD35 XM fills that need.

 

[ven]

I like the tk15 too,but i think i am more swayed to a fenix tk22...........in special edition military grey