Looking for a rechargeable light

[kandlepower]

Here is what I am looking for...
I know I'm being very specific, and I dont expect to find a light that fits all these details, but the more the better.

- I would prefer to keep it in the $20-40 range, $50 is my max.
- 6" long, give or take 1". I dont want it to be tiny or huge. Around 6" long with a side switch just feels like the most comfortable design for a light.
- Some sort of flat sides that prevent it from rolling when lying down.
- I never put it on a belt or clip it on something else, so if it has a clip it needs to be easy to remove or not get it the way.
- Magnetic tail is fine, but I dont really need it.
- Rechargeable, with 18650 or something around that size.
- usb-c charging port with some sort of solid cover. I dont want a soft cover like silicone or rubber. Magnetic charging is fine as well. I dont care if the battery is removeable or not.
- 3 lumen modes of somewhere around 50-500-5. So click it on would be low at 50, click again goes to high at 500, and click again would turn it off. To activate the very low 5 lumen mode would be a double click. I'd prefer it started in low, and then went to high, and the moonlight mode was just a double click.
- No strobe please, I hate this mode. I'm ok if it has strobe but atleast make it hard to activate.
- Focusing or not focusing doesnt matter.
- It doesnt matter if its better at throwing or flood, though I would probably give the edge to flood.
- Side switch only, and NO tail switch. Very small flashlights are the only lights that I like having a tail switch.

 

[bluflaam777]

Parametrek Flashlights

flashlights.parametrek.com

 

[glockboy]

Take a look at the Wurkkos lights.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Nitecore E4K at Batteryjunction.com. $60 right now, down from $90. Sorry, it's a bit out of budget but you're asking for a lot of specifics on a tight budget. Closest I can think of to what you want. Newer version has a two stage side switch so it can turn on with full press and cycle with lighter presses vs. first version where you had to hold down button to cycle through modes. Light has mode memory so comes on at last output you had it at when you turned it off. Half long press power button for direct access to ultra low (2 lumens). When light is on, half press and hold power button for temporary access to turbo (4400 lumens). Uses USB-C rechargeable removable 21700 battery so charger is in battery stored in light. No rubber external ports for water entry. Brightness settings are 2, 50, 320, 1,050, and 4400 lumens. Can use protected 18650s and 2 123A cells with included battery sleeve, but needs 15 amps for full 4400 lumens. Good 10 amp rated cells only get around 3000 lumens.

 

[Monocrom]

Here is what I am looking for...
I know I'm being very specific, and I dont expect to find a light that fits all these details, but the more the better.

- I would prefer to keep it in the $20-40 range, $50 is my max.
- 6" long, give or take 1". I dont want it to be tiny or huge. Around 6" long with a side switch just feels like the most comfortable design for a light.
- Some sort of flat sides that prevent it from rolling when lying down.
- I never put it on a belt or clip it on something else, so if it has a clip it needs to be easy to remove or not get it the way.
- Magnetic tail is fine, but I dont really need it.
- Rechargeable, with 18650 or something around that size.
- usb-c charging port with some sort of solid cover. I dont want a soft cover like silicone or rubber. Magnetic charging is fine as well. I dont care if the battery is removeable or not.
- 3 lumen modes of somewhere around 50-500-5. So click it on would be low at 50, click again goes to high at 500, and click again would turn it off. To activate the very low 5 lumen mode would be a double click. I'd prefer it started in low, and then went to high, and the moonlight mode was just a double click.
- No strobe please, I hate this mode. I'm ok if it has strobe but atleast make it hard to activate.
- Focusing or not focusing doesnt matter.
- It doesnt matter if its better at throwing or flood, though I would probably give the edge to flood.
- Side switch only, and NO tail switch. Very small flashlights are the only lights that I like having a tail switch.

I'm sorry but you are asking for too much with that type of budget.

Honestly, Hooked on Fenix has the right idea. Take advantage of the 33% off Black November deals being offered on Battery Junction and spend $10 extra for the light that comes closest to your requirements. It's realistically the best you're going to do. Considering how popular Nitecore is, that E4K might sell out quickly.

 

[M@elstrom]

The Sofrin SC31 has a low output and impressive high output, it's side switch provides an anti roll feature, USB-C 18650 charging through an external port however you will need to adjust to the complex User Interface,

Review @ https://www.candlepowerforums.com/t...1-pro-1x18650-usb-c-sst-40-anduril-ui.474548/

 

[kandlepower]

Yes the SC31 Pro from Sofirn was the light that seemed like the best fit for what I was looking for. My only concern with it is the durability of the rubber/silicone cover that goes over the USB port. Sometimes these types of rubber/silicone covers arent anchored on well and can be easily pull off, and also as they get older they can get hard and brittle and break apart easily.

 

[M@elstrom]

Indeed... I abhor such external USB charging ports (a pet peeve if you will) but otherwise the SC31 fulfils a great deal of your stated requirements, however if you can forgo the USB charging requirement the D1 from Lumintop meets the remaining requirements for low-low output, antiroll (due to head design), 18650 cell compatibility, easily removable pocket clip and price point 👍

D1 - Lumintop

lumintop.com

 

[kandlepower]

I have alot of experience with digital cameras and I cant count how many of them I saw that had these rubber/silicone covers over their ports become hard and brittle and they tore off at the point where the cover has a little tab or anchor that secures it to the camera. Most of those covers on those cameras that had this problem where made in the 2000's and I noticed this issue probably 10-15 years after they were made. So if it happens on one of these flashlights it may not happen before it comes time to get rid of the flashlight for other reasons, but its something I have trouble ignoring. Maybe the newer silicone/rubber covers are made of longer lasting materials compared to the covers on those old digital cameras and the covers dont break down for a very long time, but then how sturdy is it connected to the flashlight? Typically I see these covers being secured to the flashlight by a tiny round or thin flat tab and when its pulled/twisted/bent enough times when the cover is removed or put back, I would think it will eventually tear off. This is why I got interested in the flashlights that hide their USB cover in the threads or under a rotating collar, but unfortunately the flashlights that where like that had other things I didnt like about them.

 

[bluflaam777]

Silicone lasts 4x longer than rubber but costs about 2x as much. So, most manufacturers don't use silicone on such things just to save some accumulative costs in thousands or even millions of units.

Hard covers can break and cost more. They also don't actually seal from dust or moisture without using rubber or silicone anyway.

So, you may find someone using hard covers, but it would be in high end or specialized/unique circumstances. (diving, caving, industrial, etc.)
Or it simply won't have such access points anyway to worry about.