Jetbeam C-LE replacement?

[Lomax]

I lost my beloved C-LE during a trip to Berlin last week :mecry: and have been trying to find a replacement. Turns out this model is no longer manufactured and so I turn to the CPF experts to hear what you'd recommend as a replacement. What I liked about the C-LE (v2):

- Decent price. Can't remember exactly what I paid but it was fairly cheap. I don't want to worry about the value of something as easily lost as a torch.

- Single AA battery. I have a bunch of other gear (camera, MP3 player etc) that also run on AAs so I only need to worry about bringing one kind of battery.

- Light output. Not as bright as some more expensive lights but bright enough for my needs. I'd expect a replacement to be at least as bright on "max".

- Tailcap clicky. Much preferred to twisty, and it was recessed so you could stand it on end.

- No pointy bits. Most lights seem to be designed to double as an offensive weapon of some sort, I want mine to to be round and as close to an AA in size as possible.

- Grippy texture. The patterned aluminum tube looked good and provided a good grip.

- SOS and strobe modes. I know many here don't like these but I thought the strobe was good fun and the SOS, well, at least potentially useful.

- The only thing I wasn't 100% happy with was the rather cold/blueish colour of the light. If there's anything similar out there with a warmer LED I'd love to hear about it.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Thanks,

Lomax

 

[n4zov]

The JetBeam Element at $48.95 would come close to meeting all your requirements:

http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/element.html

 

[Marduke]

The NiteCore EZAA comes close, minus strobe.

Edit:
misread, I thought you wanted twisty. In that case, there are lots of 1xAA lights you might like. Check out selfbuilts roundup.

 

[StandardBattery]

I think the element won't cut it because it is actually a fair bit bigger, significantly heavier, and it is a twisty for 2 modes and clicky for on-off. It does have a nice tint if you get it in warm.

Was that a C-LE v2 (or v1.2), I can't remember v2, but I have v1.2. I don't like mode memory so I gave one away, but other than that it is a nice package so I've kept one on my collection.

You don't like twisty so the EZ-AA appears to be out (not sure if it is available in warm or not still).

I'd say your classic L1D, but the Jet was a nicely smaller package.

Hmmm Maybe the closest in a small rounded slim package is the Proton Pro, a very nice pocket light.

If you can handle an angle light and use it mostly for close range viewing the ZebraLight H501w would be really nice, but you would have to lockout the tail-cap (very easy 1/8 turn or less) if pocketing it.

Maybe time to move to AAA, checkout the LiteFlux LF2-XT. A very nice EDC light.

Or stick with AA and go for the LiteFlux LF5-XT, it does no have the smoothest bezel, but i's not sharp either. I can't check them right now, but it is a little longer, and weights more. It's the same length as the Jetbeam E3P, but it's slimmer than the L1D, and the E3P.

All I can think of right now I don't have my lights in front of me to compare directly to the C-LE.

 

[1anrm]

I think QuarkAA would be a great replacement.
-price is actually quite good
-uses single AA battery
-light output is selectable
-no pointy bits
-has enough knurling to be quite grippy
-has sos and stobe AND beacon
-well you can get the tactical version in warm

I lost my beloved C-LE during a trip to Berlin last week :mecry: and have been trying to find a replacement. Turns out this model is no longer manufactured and so I turn to the CPF experts to hear what you'd recommend as a replacement. What I liked about the C-LE (v2):

- Decent price. Can't remember exactly what I paid but it was fairly cheap. I don't want to worry about the value of something as easily lost as a torch.

- Single AA battery. I have a bunch of other gear (camera, MP3 player etc) that also run on AAs so I only need to worry about bringing one kind of battery.

- Light output. Not as bright as some more expensive lights but bright enough for my needs. I'd expect a replacement to be at least as bright on "max".

- Tailcap clicky. Much preferred to twisty, and it was recessed so you could stand it on end.

- No pointy bits. Most lights seem to be designed to double as an offensive weapon of some sort, I want mine to to be round and as close to an AA in size as possible.

- Grippy texture. The patterned aluminum tube looked good and provided a good grip.

- SOS and strobe modes. I know many here don't like these but I thought the strobe was good fun and the SOS, well, at least potentially useful.

- The only thing I wasn't 100% happy with was the rather cold/blueish colour of the light. If there's anything similar out there with a warmer LED I'd love to hear about it.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Thanks,

Lomax

 

[csshih]

Liteflux LF2XT.. customize your strobe and SOS beacons to your liking.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Welcome to CPF, Lomax. All the lights mentioned are good choices, but a bit more expensive than your old Jetbeam. DX and Kaidomain have some that would be less painful to lose. One model from Akoray seems to get a lot of positive reviews. Find one that looks good and fits your budget and ask about it specifically. You'll get plenty of opinions.

Geoff

 

[Toaster]

Quark 1xAA Neutral White or Quark 1xAA Neutral White Tactical fits all your requirements :thumbsup:

 

[derfyled]

Lumapower connexion ?

 

[Mr_Light]

Quark 1xAA Neutral White or Quark 1xAA Neutral White Tactical fits all your requirements :thumbsup:

I just retired my trusty C-LE version 1.0 (twisty) for a Quark 1xAA. Runs great on NiMH but has the option for a 14500 Lithium for incredible brightness when needed.

 

[matrixshaman]

:welcome:

- Quark AA - about $53 shipped I believe with CPF discount
- Nitecore D10 AA - close the the same price - unique piston drive switch like McGizmo PD
- Liteflux LF5XT AA - closer to $60 and very programmable - maybe a bit much compared to the C-LE
- Akoray K-106 - $20 from DX shipped if you are on a budget this is probably the closest you'll find to the C-LE v2 in price and features - except it will be a whole lot brighter and can run on NiMH or Li-Ion 14500's.

I'd go for the Quark if you can afford the price as it has quality and a great warranty as well as the latest XP-E LED. Nitecore has full ramping from a very low to high as well as other nice features. Liteflux has the most features by far and is most programmable yet easy to use once you have it set up - one of the nicest XR-E beams around. Akoray is bright but the drivers aren't especially sophisticated and it's better than most cheap lights but it's still cheap in price and overall quality compared to the others mentioned above. Of course if you have trouble deciding which to buy you just need to buy them all

 

[Kabible]

LF2XT!

 

[defloyd77]

Maybe you should see if you could find a used C-LE. Actually I have 2 around here somewhere.

 

[Lomax]

Thanks everyone for these very helpful suggestions! The Akoray K-106 (never heard of them before) sounds like the best match and I'm gonna go with that.

Thanks again,

Lomax

 

[Beacon of Light]

Weren't the CL-Es like under $30 new when they were still making them? Did they discontinue them because they were selling too well and taking away sales from their more expensive lights?