Longest runtime on 1x123, Bail out light needed...

[AzGB]

I'm researching this for a friend that's job is taking him into underground mining. He's not a flashaholic, but he does EDC a SureFire L2, so he's not an idiot either.

He's looking for the smallest single CR123 light with the longest possibly runtime. He understands the sliding scale of brightness/runtime and is fine with ultra-low output. He's also looking for better than average construction and durability as this would become a second fulltime EDC.

Who's got personal recommendations? I'm hoping for advice from anyone, but I'd love to hear from someone about a light they have experience with...

 

[light_emitting_dude]

Fenix P1D CE.........12 lumens for 21 hours..........or the Fenix P2D.......9 lumens for 30 hours.

 

[Long John]

HDS/Novatac with ultralow-level.

Best regards

____
Tom

 

[jeremyison05]

It's not exactly a flashlight, but what about a glo-toob lithium in white? 24 hours on the brightest setting, 100 on slow strobe. I haven't seen any run-time tests with the lithium yet, but i've been using mine as a nightlight for my baby on low since I got it and i'm still on the same battery. I'd guess somewhere around 60-70 hours of runtime on low.

Edit: and their damn near indestructible.

 

[prinsen-ranch]

+ 1 on the Novatac 85P or 120P. According to Novatac the runtime on the minimum setting of 0.3 lumens is 240 hours and at 10 lumens the runtime is 14 hours. It also has a locator mode that flashes dimly every three seconds and should have a reeaallly long runtime - possibly critical in your friend's line of work. I've had a 120P for about two months and it seems virtually bulletproof.

Mark

 

[SunStar]

Well, if he can get his hands on the previous version of the SF L1, she'll burn for 90 hours on low which is actually a very useful output of 1.1 lumens. F04 diffuser recommended. An added bonus is that he maintains the SF build quality that he is accustomed too. Plus, he can run it on high when needed at 22 lumens for 4 hours.

It's a very useful light when ruggedness and extended run time are required.

 

[PayBack]

If the battery type was optional you can get a pak-lite to run for something like 1200 hours on low (80 hours on high aint bad either )on a 9v IIRC. Not to mention it glows for 12 hours.

http://www.9voltlight.com/inc/sdetail/11890

 

[elgarak]

The current CREE L1 is no slouch either, with 16 hours on low. Plus, it has a UI he's already familiar with. And no need for a beamshaper, the beam is already very nice.

 

[Lee1959]

Not the smallest, but the Inova X5 red led has an extremely long runtime and has the added benefit of helping keep ones night vision intact in a "bailout" situation where that might come in handy.

 

[Dinan]

I'm liking my Novatac 120P right now... the lowest is pretty low and lasts a hell of a long time but it flickers sometimes... but I'll have to test that with new batts (haven't gone through the first one yet!). The only thing that I don't like is the clip is kind of dinky looking but it looks pretty rugged which goes along with the light which is pretty bulletproof.

 

[EugeneJohn]

The Liteflux LF-3 will run for something like 18 hours at it's lowest pre-programmed setting(15%) but you can program it for as low as 0.2% which should last many many more hours, though it will be very dim.

Liteflux LF-3 review on CPF

I have the LF-2 and I like it's build quality. The UI is something you either like or find overcomplicated. I like. :twothumbs

 

[allthumbs]

Sorry to bust your bubble here but nothing goes underground that dosnt have a Mine Safety & Health Administration Certificate. He will use the light issued to him by his company or the mining company. If he insists on having something extra heres a link to the MSHA approved underground lighting devices
http://www.msha.gov/TECHSUPP/ACC/lists/20flshlt.pdf

 

[scottaw]

Looks like allthumbs wins, but if he's already carrying an L2, get a 1st gen L1 (the floody one) or a Novatac.

 

[mossyoak]

HDS U60XR with the seoul mod. 1000 hours of .25ish lumens on the lowest level in regulation.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello AzGB,

While it is not much to look at, I logged 1488 hours on a MC2.

Unfortunately, it is a 2 cell light... but the runtime is great.

Tom

 

[jayb79]

This may be of interest. http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/tektite_tsl_ls.htm
It is about the size of a P1 but much lighter and it is dive rated. It also has a very long run time, rated at 4 hours full brightness but it has many more hours of useful light.

I just did a test with a worn down cr123. It won't even light up the p1 but with the splashlite it puts out a very useful light. Its been on for about 30 mins and shows no sign of dropping out.

 

[Phaetos]

If the battery type was optional you can get a pak-lite to run for something like 1200 hours on low (80 hours on high aint bad either )on a 9v IIRC. Not to mention it glows for 12 hours.

http://www.9voltlight.com/inc/sdetail/11890

I've seen these recommended here before. Anyone got a review of these or beamshots or something to justify $30 for an adapter that sits on your 9V's ?

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

I have a P2D SE and really like the low level which is around 8-10 lumens and runs perfectly flat for 30+ hours! I don't know if that is too little runtime for your friend or not, but I'm impressed by it.

 

[tebore]

My vote goes to an HDS with Seoul mod on ultra low levels. Current comparisons show the HDS to be more efficient than the new Novatac.

 

[BlackDecker]

I've seen these recommended here before. Anyone got a review of these or beamshots or something to justify $30 for an adapter that sits on your 9V's ?

Here's a review of the previous version of the Pak-Lite:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/pak-lite.htm