Looking for a cheaper backpacking and EDC light.

[pokerdobe]

Looking for a lower budget light for backpacking use that I can also throw into my pocket if need be. I have several Surefire products, so I'd like to get away from those if possible. I love them to death, but they're all rather expensive and have been relegated for other purposes.

Nothing below is concrete, I'm pretty flexible, so suggest away. I do like simplicity.

I've been looking at these lights:
Olight T20 CREE
Foursevens QP2L-X

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
I will be mail-ordering or buying online, so this doesn't matter.

2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest! :-)
Less than 75.00

3) Format:
I want a flashlight.

4) Flashlight-specific format/size:
Up to 5”

5) Emitter/Light source:
LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)

6) Manufacturer:
I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.


7) What battery type do you want to use?
CR123

8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need? Sometimes you can have too much light (trying to read up close up with a 100 lumen light is impossible).
I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens). I can deal with higher

9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.
50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)

10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).
90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)

11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.
Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).

12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):
I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).

13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)

14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).

 

[Lou Minescence]

Hi pokerdobe, some more description about how you will use your light. You are backpacking, are you spending the night on the trail ? do you need a moonlight mode to find your light in the dark or a locator beacon to find your campsite ? The foursevens light you mention is an excellent choice. I have the older version and have dropped it on concrete many times. It's scratched up and still works great. Unlikely to fail. Then again always carry a few lights when going out. :)

 

[reppans]

Another vote for the Quark... Moonlight is a favorite camping mode, as well as the floody XML beam. If you want a 2 mode light, I think you'll want the tactical version QT2L-X.

 

[pokerdobe]

I'll be using it for a combination of just trail hiking and camping overnight. The ability to illuminate trail paths and finding junk in the dark is definitely important, not so much for a beacon role as I usually just use chemlights for marking.

 

[HotWire]

I've become a loyal supporter of the Sunwayman V11R. It's close to your price range. You can use RCR123 or a single primary cell. I carry mine everywhere. It also tail stands for use as a candle. The control ring produces floody light from moonlight to quite bright. Not a thrower.... but it will light up a trail. The forward clicky turns the light on/off. If you'll be away from electricity you just carry extra batteries (which is a good idea for any light).

 

[emmashi]

yes,and I think Olight S10 is a good choice .320LM ,5Mode and moonlight mode can last for 360 Hours. flashlight's end cap is installed inside a strong magnet , flashlight vertically adsorbed on the surface of the iron .