multilevel LED light

[tm3]

i sure would appreciate some recommendations to get me started.

1 most important feature -- multiple light levels, with the light staying on the selected level even when turned off and on. in other words, i don't want to cycle through the levels every time i turn it on

2 LED

3 2AA very much preferred -- would accept other power if the other criteria were met, however.

4 tail clicky for on and off

5 on off switch easy to access and easy to press, ie not recessed like some i have seen

6 length about 6" give or take some. i think this would be easier to hold with gloves on

7 twilight mode would be very nice, or at least a very low low -- how low it gets is more important to me than how bright it gets

8 icing on the cake would be a durable pocket clip for bezel down carry, and some kind of eyelet for a wrist lanyard

thanks for the help!

 

[smw1138]

I have a Sunwayman v20a which fits your requirements almost exactly. The tail button is recessed but there is plenty of room for gloved thumb.

 

[tm3]

I have a Sunwayman v20a which fits your requirements almost exactly. The tail button is recessed but there is plenty of room for gloved thumb.

thanks -- i will check it out ASAP

 

[reppans]

If long runtimes are important on the low lumen modes, you better stay with a fixed mode clickies - infinitely variable rings use more power than the LEDs around 3 lms and less. Take a look at the Quark Pros and Tacticals, and Eagletac D25 Clickies, various 2xAA flavors with moonlight modes, momentary switches, programable modes, memory, etc.

 

[Gunner12]

The Thrunite Neutron 2A has a sub lumen low, so does the 4sevens Quark series, and Eagletac's D25 series as reppens pointed out.

 

[tm3]

OK i'll look at those, also.

long runtime is not essential. but, the infinite variation is not essential, either. i'd like at least two modes, and for the low to be pretty low.

main thing is that the light stays on the mode it is set on, no cycling through with each turn on.

thanks!

 

[Ezeriel]

The Thrunite Neutron 2A has a sub lumen low, so does the 4sevens Quark series, and Eagletac's D25 series as reppens pointed out.

o_0 I'm diggin' on that Thrunite Neutron 2A

 

[Gunner12]

I forgot to check if the Thrunite has mode memory or not. I think the 4sevens Quark Pro changes modes through both the head and tailcap.

Are you looking for a light that has mode memory (mode switching done with tailcap) or a light with a different mode to switch modes (tailswitch for on/off, can signal at any mode).

 

[tm3]

I forgot to check if the Thrunite has mode memory or not. I think the 4sevens Quark Pro changes modes through both the head and tailcap.

Are you looking for a light that has mode memory (mode switching done with tailcap) or a light with a different mode to switch modes (tailswitch for on/off, can signal at any mode).

gunner i'm not sure that i understand the two choices.

assume that the light has a high, low, and strobe setting. i want to be able to set it on low, and it stays on low through as many on/off cycles as i care to use it for. then if i want to use the strobe, i change to strobe and go.

i have an el cheapo from a while back that has high, medium, and low. it comes on in high, i think, next click is medium, next is low, next is off. so every time i want low i have to go through all 3.

i think i saw a surefire that has a ring around the bezel that changes the settings, and they stay put. also saw a light somewhere that changes setting by rotating the head 1/4 turn or so, and it stayed put. that would work also.

hope i answered your question. thanks for the help!

 

[Gunner12]

Some lights use the tail clickie to switch modes like your el cheapo light, but if you have the light on for a certain period of time (say 2 seconds), then the next time you turn it on, it'll still be on the same mode where you turned it off. To switch modes, you switch off and on within a certain period of time. You'll still have to go through all the modes though if say you are on high, and want low (the high and low are at different ends of the mode list). I'm assuming that still doesn't really solve your problem.

Zebralight has a UI where you can kinda set the output when you turn the light on. If you click and let go very quickly (under 0.6s) then it will come on high. If you hold it for more then 0.6 seconds it comes on at low, if you keep holding, it cycles through low-medium-high. When you click the switch, the light comes on at low, and if you let go of the switch within 0.6s, the light will change to high mode. I like the UI (I'm probably making it seems more complex then it is). Their low output runtimes are also very long and the lights are available in warm and High CRI.

If you don't mind a lower runtimes at lower outputs, the Sunwayman Variable ring lights would work great for you. If runtime at low modes is important, then look at something with a side button or a bezel twist interface (like the 4sevens Quark).

 

[tm3]

Good explanation. The zebra light might work but I like the sounds of the sunwayman. I'll take a look at all of them.

Thanks again!

 

[Kestrel]

2AA very much preferred -- would accept other power if the other criteria were met, however.

Another light that fits all of your other requirements very well (except for being 2xCR123) is the SureFire U2. It has a decently low-low (1-2 lumens?) but that may be too high for you? :thinking: At any rate, its magnetic control ring w/ rear clickie is an excellent UI if that's what you're looking for.

 

[tm3]

SF U2 looks great but I am not sure that it is worth the big difference in price to me. The Quark right now seems to be the best option.

Thanks for all the suggestions.