I have given up

[cheapo]

Ive been looking for a light other than Surefire E1L that runs off of 1 CR123, under 4.5 inches, lightweight, waterproof, luxeon, anodized, regulated for more than 1.25 hours, under $100, and has alot of throw. I looked into: Longbow micra-too little throw, Nuwai Q3-same thing too little throw, litepro spitfire-only splashproof not waterproof, and I looked into Surefire L1-too big. I guess I am expecting too much from the flashlight companies. I'm just going to keep saving up cash and I guess I'll just wait for a new light to come out. Tell me if I missed something and Ill take a look at it.

-David /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[The_virus]

I don't know how much good it does, but the Longbow does have an optional beam modifier. Did you check specs with the beam modifier for increased throw?

 

[JackBlades]

We'll discount (pardon the pun) your name for now and offer this: Have you looked for an ARC LSHF? You're going to have to cough up some more money, but it's well worth it.

 

[LitFuse]

You could put a smooth reflector in the Q3 to increase the throw.

Peter

 

[DimBeam]

[ QUOTE ]
cheapo said:
Ive been looking for a light other than Surefire E1L that runs off of 1 CR123, under 4.5 inches, lightweight, waterproof, luxeon, anodized, regulated for more than 1.25 hours, under $100, and has alot of throw. I looked into: Longbow micra-too little throw, Nuwai Q3-same thing too little throw, litepro spitfire-only splashproof not waterproof, and I looked into Surefire L1-too big. I guess I am expecting too much from the flashlight companies. I'm just going to keep saving up cash and I guess I'll just wait for a new light to come out. Tell me if I missed something and Ill take a look at it.

-David /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

L1 Too big?? It is 4.6 inches long. Seems awfully close to what your looking for.

 

[beezaur]

cheapo:

Good man! Don't settle for something less. Set your sights on what you want and be persistent about attaining your goals. (That's useful for more than just flashlights, by the way.)

You might not have to wait longer than this summer though. The new Proton might fit the bill.

Scott

 

[vtunderground]

So... what's wrong with the E1L? I think it fits all of your criteria.

 

[redcar]

What's wrong with the E1L? I'm with Dimbeam, for just 20 or so more, L1. How 'bout that HDS EDC 42 Basic?

The KL1 can use the e1e or e2e (longer runtime), be traded for an incan head, and is very graceful when it falls from regulation. It appears much brighter and much more useful than the old style KL1 when running on a low battery. I am not really into all throw, but this light got my attention.

Hope you find something that grabs your attention.

 

[deranged_coder]

[ QUOTE ]
DimBeam said:
L1 Too big?? It is 4.6 inches long. Seems awfully close to what your looking for.

[/ QUOTE ]
When you set the L1 and E1L side-by-side the L1 definitely looks longer. It is still quite easy to EDC in a pocket but compared to the E1L there is a noticeable difference in size. Also the MSRP for the L1 is above his $100 price limit.

 

[MrBenchmark]

I do think you should consider the L1 again. I've own one, and also and E1e+KL1. The E1e/KL1 is smaller, but I consider both lights easy to EDC in the pocket of my slacks. If you ever want to carry it in a shirt pocket, the L1 is actually *much* better than the E1e/KL1 - the E1L is so short, so top heavy, and has such a loose clip that unless I'm wearing a VERY heavy shirt, I won't carry it in a shirt pocket because I WILL lose it. This is less of an issue with the L1 - the extra length and tighter clip makes the light ride much better in a shirt pocket. The E1L is a bit easier to carry in the pocket of my slacks, though. So it depends on how you'd carry it. The L1 is more comfortable to carry in hand for me, too - but I have big hands. Nothing against my E1E/KL1 - I EDC it because it's so small and convenient, and I like it a lot. But the L1 really is a nice light. (Why do I have both an E1e/KL1 and an L1? My L1 has a red LED...) I EDC'd it for 2 weeks though.

Sorry to suggest something that breaks your budget.

 

[Size15's]

[ QUOTE ]
MrBenchmark said:
I do think you should consider the L1 again... The L1 is more comfortable to carry in hand for me, too - but I have big hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find the L1 easier to grip and use than the E1L and E2e/L4 etc.

My hands are quite big as well I guess.

Al

 

[cia]

[ QUOTE ]
MrBenchmark said:
The L1 is more comfortable to carry in hand for me, too - but I have big hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

I also find the L1 is just the right size in my hand.
I don't have large hands, but close. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I find the L1 is just the right size for front pocket cary too.
It goes bezel down next to my wallet. It's about the same hight as my wallet so the two of them fit just right in one pocket.

 

[cheapo]

Hey, do you guys have the new L1? If it has more throw than E1L, then it sounds like a done deal, otherwize no. I said that 4.5 is the limit and you guys are probably thinking: hey L1 is only one-tenth of an inch bigger. But when I say 4.5 is the limit I mean about four inches, and I said 4.5 to have some room for lights that are 4.3 or 4.2, but the L1 is almost the size on E2E, and the reason I set out for another light is to have a small EDC that is much smaller than my PM6, and you guys know how big that sucker is, and heavy too. but my brother has a E1L, and I dont like to have the same light as he does, thats why I said other than E1L. Its a brother thing, but it is too bad for me, because E1L is perfect to fit the requirements.

-David /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[HID]

Uh, sounds like you already know what you need--or do you already have an E1L and want another light? If you just don't like the E1L for some reason, look into the "Vital Gear" FB-1 body and a KL1 head. That might be different enough to catch your interest.

 

[cheapo]

yeah Ive thought about that, but is the vital gear fb1 body waterproof?

-David

 

[357]

[ QUOTE ]
cheapo said:
Hey, do you guys have the new L1? If it has more throw than E1L, then it sounds like a done deal, otherwize no. I said that 4.5 is the limit and you guys are probably thinking: hey L1 is only one-tenth of an inch bigger. But when I say 4.5 is the limit I mean about four inches, and I said 4.5 to have some room for lights that are 4.3 or 4.2, but the L1 is almost the size on E2E, and the reason I set out for another light is to have a small EDC that is much smaller than my PM6, and you guys know how big that sucker is, and heavy too. but my brother has a E1L, and I dont like to have the same light as he does, thats why I said other than E1L. Its a brother thing, but it is too bad for me, because E1L is perfect to fit the requirements.

-David /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Patience will pay off. I think in 1.5 to 2 years, there will be a light that meets your needs:

< 4.5 inches
throws very well
Cheap (Under $70)


Nothing right now really fits this bill, but in two years with Luxeon technology improving and price going down, it will happen my opinion says.

 

[cheapo]

I said under $100 right? Is there an available mod for micra or Q3. I think the Q3 would need a new reflector for throw, probably a pelican reflector, then a nice lux 3. Micra would need a stronger LED (lux 3), but its reflector is fine. The micra has an available lux 5, but you need to have rechargeables and more stuff.

-David

 

[hikari]

HID got it right. The VG FB1 body with a KL1 head will run you a few $$$ less than the SF, (around $85 total, not counting shipping). The appearance is similarly "utilitarian," but the clip arrangement IMO is more convenient to pocket carry in the FB1 body.

FWIW the VG body IS watertight (in my experience having dropped the light in a sink full of water (while looking for something on the window sill)). I don't know if it'd take prolong or deep submersion--but then, would the KL1 head? I'm sure that the FB1 body would take heavy rain with no problems.

Contact Surefireparts (John Crighton) for the FB1 body. I believe he's getting some new stock in around the end of the month. He also told me that he currently has some returns that are function tested (IOW, they work fine-returned for different reasons). BTW, he sells the KL1 heads too. Very reasonable prices and great shipping policies.

 

[bjn70]

You might be expecting too much of a single CR123 light. The QIII is great but its beam is not optimized for throw. The Sharper Image Luxeon seems to have a beam better shaped for throw, and it probably runs a little longer also. The Nuwai QI probably runs longer too but I don't know how it is for throw. Find the light you like and if the runtime is a little lower, just carry a spare battery. I personally think that if throw is important then you need to look at lights with 2xCR123. I'm very happy with my Pelican M6 LED but it is probably larger than what you want.

I notice that Pelican now has a light similar to the M6 but with 1xCR123 (the M1). This one might be good for throw, considering their ability with the M6.

 

[357]

[ QUOTE ]
cheapo said:
Micra would need a stronger LED (lux 3), but its reflector is fine.

-David

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless Longbow changed their product, I think they still use optics in the Micra? One can get aftermarket reflectors (I did) ,but all of my Micras all came factory standard with optics. The aftermarket reflector I got was only a marginal improvement over the optics. Lots more sidespill, but the beam quality isn't any better (about the same amount of artifacts as the optics, just concentrated in different parts of the beam).