makapuu
Enlightened
As of right now, my Nitecore TM15 NW
If you could only have one flashlight...
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Hooked on Fenix
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
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- 3,729
Quark Pro QP2A XP-G2. Has levels from about .2+ lumens to about 250 lumens. Runs up to a month on 2AAs. Works with alkalines, lithiums, and NiMH batteries. Different body tubes, tailcaps, and heads can be purchased to make it run on 1 123A or 1AA, or to keep the light updated or functional. Uses regular batteries (cheap to run). Settings are spaced well for 99.99% of tasks (sometimes more light is needed, but that kind of light would be bulkier and wouldn't work for edc). Moonlight is great for long term emergencies, low is great for reading and seeing around camp without disturbing others, medium is great for hiking, high is great for hiking in adverse conditions (fog, rain), max is great for when I need throw.
luceat lux vestra
Enlightened
Elzetta zfl m60 low profile head. If I can only have one light it had better work 100% of the time. Some people name very large lights, but a light is garbage if you don't have it when you need it, Aka EDC
42
Enlightened
After Hurricane Sandy I was without power for well over a week and out of all my lights the TK45 was the light that got the most use. Thanks to the fantastic design of the light I was never in the dark. The two lowest levels were great for just a night light and providing enough light to tune a radio and read, and the two highest levels would just light up the room as if there were no outage at all! The wide flat base made for great tail standing stability and the switch placement on the body rather than the tail made the light as convenient to use as a table lamp. The fact that it runs on AAs meant that as long as I had a supply of batteries I could keep the light running, and I generally keep a large supply of lithium AAs on hand.
This extended outage was pretty educational. I've got a LOT of lights but the only lights that were really useful around the house were the lights that could tail stand, and the lights that didn't need to have their batteries recharged. I have a Maelstrom S12 that was only marginally useful because it can't tail stand, doesn't have a real low, and once the 26650s were dead there was no recharging them. I also learned that I'm not nuts (contrary to popular belief) for keeping a minimum of a gross of lithium AAs on hand.
So after about ten days of having to rely on only my flashlights for light, I'd have to say that if I had to choose only one light, it would be the TK45.
This extended outage was pretty educational. I've got a LOT of lights but the only lights that were really useful around the house were the lights that could tail stand, and the lights that didn't need to have their batteries recharged. I have a Maelstrom S12 that was only marginally useful because it can't tail stand, doesn't have a real low, and once the 26650s were dead there was no recharging them. I also learned that I'm not nuts (contrary to popular belief) for keeping a minimum of a gross of lithium AAs on hand.
So after about ten days of having to rely on only my flashlights for light, I'd have to say that if I had to choose only one light, it would be the TK45.
liveris flashlights
Newly Enlightened
Armytek Predator I suppose.
flashy bazook
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 1,139
I vote for the 2xAA McGizmo with the Nichia 119 drop-in.
You get 3 modes, the high is 100+ lumens and goes for 2 hours (on Eneloops), the middle is 30 lumens and gives you a very nice useable 8 hours, and the low I don't know exactly but will match something like the old MiniMag 2xAA but go on for multiples of hours of the MiniMag runtime.
As to the quality of the light (tint, warmth, etc) there is no better than the Nichia 119, it is better even than the Nichia 219 and all those CREE warm lights.
And -- wait -- you get the Malkoff VME head (in titanium, of course), put in a M31W, and you get a nice warm color at 200+ lumens for 1 hour runtime.
It also deserves mention that by going the AA route, you can access the most widely available and cheap type of battery, easy to find and especially when traveling. (you can also use lithium AA's for the lightness, weather versatility, and even longer runtimes).
So basically you are set for almost all of your needs, except perhaps very long throw, which you would need a specialized light for anyway.
One thing I disagree with is those posters who like a huge light with a very "low" low mode. Who would carry around a multi-pound large reflector monster to get a handful of lumens out of?? Just carry a tiny light (1xAAA or even smaller) for the very low level output, which you can get with very long runtimes even in that formfactor, and the rest of your light needs cover accordingly!
You get 3 modes, the high is 100+ lumens and goes for 2 hours (on Eneloops), the middle is 30 lumens and gives you a very nice useable 8 hours, and the low I don't know exactly but will match something like the old MiniMag 2xAA but go on for multiples of hours of the MiniMag runtime.
As to the quality of the light (tint, warmth, etc) there is no better than the Nichia 119, it is better even than the Nichia 219 and all those CREE warm lights.
And -- wait -- you get the Malkoff VME head (in titanium, of course), put in a M31W, and you get a nice warm color at 200+ lumens for 1 hour runtime.
It also deserves mention that by going the AA route, you can access the most widely available and cheap type of battery, easy to find and especially when traveling. (you can also use lithium AA's for the lightness, weather versatility, and even longer runtimes).
So basically you are set for almost all of your needs, except perhaps very long throw, which you would need a specialized light for anyway.
One thing I disagree with is those posters who like a huge light with a very "low" low mode. Who would carry around a multi-pound large reflector monster to get a handful of lumens out of?? Just carry a tiny light (1xAAA or even smaller) for the very low level output, which you can get with very long runtimes even in that formfactor, and the rest of your light needs cover accordingly!
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BenChiew
Flashlight Enthusiast
A McGizmo Haiku in XML.
Rafael Jimenez
Enlightened
Easy. Malkoff Hound dog.
naiter
Newly Enlightened
But wait does everyone in the world get stuck with one light? Or am i the only guy :/ Cuz that would influence my decision
i'd never have just one light on me...
i'd never have just one light on me...
KuanR
Flashlight Enthusiast
I always carry one light for throw, and one light for flood. But the one light that I have had the longest and can do both is my Tri-V, if I were to replace it, the only thing that can do that is the Tri-V2
Can you get a new one if it gets lost or broken?
Are we talking about just relying on one do it all light or is the question about ultimate reliability with no resupply ever?
Two different scenarios... My "no warranty, no resupply" light would be really lame compared to my choice for one replaceable, do it all light.
Are we talking about just relying on one do it all light or is the question about ultimate reliability with no resupply ever?
Two different scenarios... My "no warranty, no resupply" light would be really lame compared to my choice for one replaceable, do it all light.
kwak
Enlightened
SC600
Nite
Enlightened
Easy question.
Since I carry this in summer as it wont overheat. I could carry it in winter too. I have started to anyway.
I have a new FiveMega 1x18650 body with a Nailbender XML P60 drop in @2.8 amps 5 levels and an AW 18650 LiCo cell. I now always EDC this with one of two bodies though.
(I suppose I Might go for a 18500 body if I had enough spare batteries.)
Its in my holster now, so I think I will use the 18650 body since I can use disposable lithium ion 3v Cr123 cells also. If this is the last flashlight I will ever carry it must use all types of cells.
Since I carry this in summer as it wont overheat. I could carry it in winter too. I have started to anyway.
I have a new FiveMega 1x18650 body with a Nailbender XML P60 drop in @2.8 amps 5 levels and an AW 18650 LiCo cell. I now always EDC this with one of two bodies though.
(I suppose I Might go for a 18500 body if I had enough spare batteries.)
Its in my holster now, so I think I will use the 18650 body since I can use disposable lithium ion 3v Cr123 cells also. If this is the last flashlight I will ever carry it must use all types of cells.
neutralwhite
Flashlight Enthusiast
probably would be that copper and silver alpha in neutral MCE LED from jason, at darksucks.com
Light Mage
Newly Enlightened
If I had to choose one damn it would be tough I am really torn between my quark pro 2x123 due to moon light or alpha custom from Jason because that has such a beautiful beam and color. Gun to my head gotta go with alpha.
Changchung
Flashlight Enthusiast
H600w because his very low setting, strobe hidden, small, bright and neutral tint. Perfect for outdoor.
Sent from my phone with camera with flash and internet on it... 😀
Sent from my phone with camera with flash and internet on it... 😀
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