Sometimes I think it's fun to figure out which tools you would choose if you could only have a few, like, say three of whatever tool is under consideration.
Of course, such choices are personal and reflect the uses that the person has for the tool, here, the light. A person who is outside most of the time will probably need a light different from someone who is inside most of the time. A person who uses a light to repair machinery may need something quite different from someone who doesnt. A city dweller may need something different from a rural dweller. A soldier may need something different from a fisherman--or maybe not.
Nonetheless, I think the point is probably valid that the lights you choose reflect the way you use them. On the other hand, I am interested to see what lights other people choose in part because I may think of new ways to use those lights for uses they had not thought of, and because they may tell me about lights I had not heard of. So here goes. . .
My first choice would be a McLux TI PD-S. Reason. The light is bright, has two levels, is strong (seems to be nearly indestructible), has a twisty switch (for reliability), runs on one 123 battery, is small and portable, has a tritium locator, has a piston in the back that can be pushed to activate the light on either level momentarily (something like the Surefire L1) and. . . is beautiful.
My second choice is a McLux LT 27. Reason. This thing is strong. You gotta love that in a light. Not only that, I understand Don takes these LT 27's scuba diving. I can believe it. Two O rings. I really like the metal liner in the tube that holds either 2 x 123 batteries or one 17670. I have two of these lights, one with a Seoul and one with a Lux 5, and I wouldnt know how to choose between them. I also like the twisty on-off switch. Unlike the PD, however, this light cannot be activated by a piston in the tail. There is no piston. Just a twisty. I like twisties for reliability (2 levels), but if I had a criticism of this light, it would just be that the twisty is a bit stiff. Still working on that.
The LT 27 seems to be a bit more powerful than the PD and has a bit more throw. It also has two batteries instead of one. And because the body is longer it has a different grip. I would choose this light for outdoor activities like camping in part because it is slightly more powerful, has more throw, and also because the longer body is easier to manipulate under stress or with gloves.
Third, I would choose the Milky Mod L1. This little light is thinner than the PD, but a bit longer, and both thinner and shorter than the LT 27. It has a switch on the tail like the PD for instant-on and, like the PD, has two levels. The main thing about this light, however, is that it produces a wall of light rather than a penetrating beam, and is good for lighting up wider areas up close. This is a very useful feature to have for most close-up chores. It works on one 123 battery and is reasonably tough. The milky mod simply makes it brighter than the stock light. If you have a Milky mod, it also means that you have had the pleasure of talking with Scott (Milky), and that is worth the price of admission itself.
Now let me break my own rules and mention a fourth light. Just briefly. If I were going on a backpacking trip, I think one of the lights I would want to take is the new LumaPower MRV. Really impressive throw and moderately priced.
Of course, such choices are personal and reflect the uses that the person has for the tool, here, the light. A person who is outside most of the time will probably need a light different from someone who is inside most of the time. A person who uses a light to repair machinery may need something quite different from someone who doesnt. A city dweller may need something different from a rural dweller. A soldier may need something different from a fisherman--or maybe not.
Nonetheless, I think the point is probably valid that the lights you choose reflect the way you use them. On the other hand, I am interested to see what lights other people choose in part because I may think of new ways to use those lights for uses they had not thought of, and because they may tell me about lights I had not heard of. So here goes. . .
My first choice would be a McLux TI PD-S. Reason. The light is bright, has two levels, is strong (seems to be nearly indestructible), has a twisty switch (for reliability), runs on one 123 battery, is small and portable, has a tritium locator, has a piston in the back that can be pushed to activate the light on either level momentarily (something like the Surefire L1) and. . . is beautiful.
My second choice is a McLux LT 27. Reason. This thing is strong. You gotta love that in a light. Not only that, I understand Don takes these LT 27's scuba diving. I can believe it. Two O rings. I really like the metal liner in the tube that holds either 2 x 123 batteries or one 17670. I have two of these lights, one with a Seoul and one with a Lux 5, and I wouldnt know how to choose between them. I also like the twisty on-off switch. Unlike the PD, however, this light cannot be activated by a piston in the tail. There is no piston. Just a twisty. I like twisties for reliability (2 levels), but if I had a criticism of this light, it would just be that the twisty is a bit stiff. Still working on that.
The LT 27 seems to be a bit more powerful than the PD and has a bit more throw. It also has two batteries instead of one. And because the body is longer it has a different grip. I would choose this light for outdoor activities like camping in part because it is slightly more powerful, has more throw, and also because the longer body is easier to manipulate under stress or with gloves.
Third, I would choose the Milky Mod L1. This little light is thinner than the PD, but a bit longer, and both thinner and shorter than the LT 27. It has a switch on the tail like the PD for instant-on and, like the PD, has two levels. The main thing about this light, however, is that it produces a wall of light rather than a penetrating beam, and is good for lighting up wider areas up close. This is a very useful feature to have for most close-up chores. It works on one 123 battery and is reasonably tough. The milky mod simply makes it brighter than the stock light. If you have a Milky mod, it also means that you have had the pleasure of talking with Scott (Milky), and that is worth the price of admission itself.
Now let me break my own rules and mention a fourth light. Just briefly. If I were going on a backpacking trip, I think one of the lights I would want to take is the new LumaPower MRV. Really impressive throw and moderately priced.
Last edited:
