Needing a real Edc for farmer

[oldblu]

Hello,
New to the forum and have to say I'm impressed how much I never knew exsisted about flashlights.
I'm looking for a extremely durable edc light, want something with a lower brightness and a higher one.
Something that mayb could serve dual purpose on a tactical shotgun, so the strobe and an optional tape switch would be nice. Unless would suggest going with two separate lights. My main objective is to have a very durable edc light to carry on belt all day everyday or in pouch, something to work in small room to look for a cow in a dark field. Willing to spend 100-200 if need be, have had several
Cheesy dorcy and just wish woulda bit the bullet and got a good light from get go.
Also looking for idea on a cheaper light for couple employees on farm with similar features just something mayb under 50 but willing to sacrifice things on them. Mainly looking for a great one for me first. Also mayb a way to adjust the focus might be handy from spot to flood. Not particular on battery type but would be great if could take out and recharge, mayb rechargeable 123? Looking forward to suggestions of lights and places to buy
Thanks jared

1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?

____I would like to purchase the light from a brick and mortar store. I am located in ______________.
X____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 $25.
____Less than $50.
____Less than $100.
__X__Less than $150.
____Less than $300.
____I have no limit.
____I’m flexible, tell me what you gotJ.
____Other, please specify ________


3) Format:

_X___I want a flashlight.
____I want a headlamp.
____I want a lantern.
____I want a dive light.
____I want a portable spotlight.


4) Flashlight-specific format/size:

____Keychain size.
_X___Every day carry small (2-4 inches).
_x___Every day carry medium (4-7 inches).
____Holster carry.
____Big enough to need its own travel caseJ.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____N/A


5) Emitter/Light source:

_x___LED (known for efficiency, longevity, and compactness)
____Incandescent (known for superior color rendition)
____HID (known for max output, but often at the expense of size)
____I don't know.


6) Manufacturer:

X____I want to buy a light from a traditional mass producing manufacturer that is ready to go out of the box.
_X___I would consider getting a light that is pieced together (for example a “host” or flashlight body from one manufacturer, and a “drop-in” emitter from another source). Under the right circumstances, this path can provide more options to the consumer to meet specific needs, and can often be easily upgradeable as technology improves.


7) What battery type do you want to use?

____I intend to use alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D) (disclaimer, while it does not preclude all choices, these are not recommended for many of today’s most powerful lights)
____I intend to use rechargeable nickel chemistry (NiCad, NiMH, NiZn)
X____I intend to use lithium primary batteries (CR123, CR2, Energizer Advanced/Ultimate Lithium AA/AAA)
_X___I intend to use rechargeable lithium (li-ion) chemistry. Feel free to specify a size if you know which size you want (14500, RCR123/16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, etc.)
____I want a light with an integrated rechargeable battery. (Note: these choices may be very limited unless you are looking at spotlights)


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 navigate a dark room or read a map (0-10 lumens).
X____I want to walk around an unlit rural area (50-150 lumens).
_X___I want to illuminate my entire backyard or a campsite (150-300 lumens).
____I want to illuminate an entire field, the neighbor's front yard several houses down, impress my friends and neighbors, etc. (300-700 lumens).
____I want ridiculous amounts of lumens (800+ lumens).


9) Throw vs. Flood: At what distance will you be most likely to use this light? Select all that apply.

____Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
_X___Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
_X___5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
_x___30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
_x___50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
____150+ yards (I want maximum throw possible)


10) Runtime: Not over-inflated manufacturer runtime claims, but usable brightness measured from first activation to 50% with new batteries (Measured on maximum output).

____Up to 30 minutes (I want the brightest [and potentially smallest] light for brief periods)
_X___30-60 minutes (I have plenty of batteries just ready to be changed)
_x___90-120 minutes (Runtime is moderately important, but still not critical)
____3 hours + (I critically need this light to run on max for extended periods in between battery changes/charges).


11) Durability/Usage: Generally the old phrase “you get what you pay for” is very accurate for flashlights.

____Not Important (A “night-stand” light).
____Slightly Important (Walks around the neighborhood).
____Very Important (Camping, Backpacking, Car Glove-box).
_X___Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.


12) Switch Type and location (choose all that apply):

____I want a forward clicky (Helpful for momentary activation and signaling).
_X___I want a reverse clicky (For use with multi-mode/level lights).
_X___I want a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only).
____I want a twisty switch (Tighten the head/tailcap to activate, and the light will stay on until the head/tailcap is loosened).
X____I want a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
____I want a tail mounted switch (found on the majority of today’s high end lights).
____I don't care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify_________W___________.


13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.

____A simple on-off with only one output level is fine for me.
_X___I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
____I want multiple light levels. (Some lights have 5-16 light levels.)
____I want a programmable light.
_X___I want a selector ring.
_X___I want a strobe mode. (Blinks to show location.)
____I want SOS mode.
____I want a beacon mode.
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.


14)Material/Finish/Coating

____Plastic/composite body (this may limit your choices significantly).
_X___Anodized Aluminum – either type II or III (Hard Anodized) (Aluminum, specifically HA, is the most common material/finish for today’s flashlights).
____Stainless steel (durable, but much heavier than aluminum)
X____Titanium (durable and nearly as lightweight as aluminum, but can be moderately to significantly more expensive).
____I don’t care.
____I don’t know.
____Other, please specify____________.


15) Special Needs/extras: Is there anything else you want or need that hasn't been mentioned? Select any below.

____Red filter (for preserving night vision).
____Other filter colors (Amber, Green, Blue, _________).
____Dedicated R/G/B secondary LEDs.
____“Hybrid” light (bright incandescent combined with long running LEDs)
_X___Pocket/belt clip
____Holster
____Wrist/Neck Lanyard
____Crenulated bezel
____Non-sparking Intrinsically Safe (IS) for use in explosive environments

 

[oldblu]

Edit: 12) tail switch instead of head switch

 

[slingsy]

My guess would be Surefire in terms of a weapon light.. but as a great all rounder edc the HDS flashlights are very good, can go very dim to around 200 lum depending on midel, not sure how they would go mounted though..

 

[cummins4x4]

Have a look at a Sunwayman V10R with the XM-L T6, variable output, lots of lumens for the size. Will run on a RCR123.

 

[RobertM]

I would suggest you look at the HDS EDC Rotary 200. It fulfills everything on your list except number 12 (it has a tail switch). :)

 

[Quiksilver]

The HDS Rotary is an excellent system, however it's around $200. His budget cap is $150.

 

[oldblu]

Well thanx for all the suggestions and ideas.
Been looking at lots of lights since posted this. Like said I don't know a whole lot about flashlights but how durable are the Sunwayman lights? Really like few of them. Have lots of nice features and decent price and rated with whopping lumens
Prolly my favorite 3 in order are the t20cs-658 lumens. That's insane, looked up its size and not any bigger than a cheesy dorcy I used to carry, actually smaller. Not to sold on switch mode setup but otherwise I love it. V20c- looks great and ease of use with magnetic ring- but how durable and longevity minded are they? Lastly the m20ct5- overalls looks like no thrills good light. Well let's hear all the good and bad about my ideas, welcome to lots more of other brands also.

 

[RobertM]

The HDS Rotary is an excellent system, however it's around $200. His budget cap is $150.

The OP stated:

...Willing to spend 100-200 if need be...

 

[FlashKat]

I like Jetbeam....RRT-21, RRT-2, Jetbeam III M, Jetbeam BC-25, etc.

 

[RCantor]

The light I'd get is a solarforce host ($14 - $24 for aluminum) and a Nailbender 4500K XM-L run at 2.8A. Since you want a strobe you'll get the 5 mode. You'll use the low for close range, medium for mid range and high for distance. You run it off of a decent rechargeable Li Ion 18650 and you'll have at least an hour of runtime. I get them potted for durability. $45 for a total cost of ~$65 not including batteries and charger. Then if you want a dedicated thrower for long distance you can get something like a Fenix TK-41 - $129 or so. It runs on NiMH batteries and is rated to over 400 yards. I recommend that because I doubt you want a very thin beam. If you want a super bright flood light, the fenix TK 70 is a good, but large choice. It's $229 so only slighly over budget. Rated to over 700 yards.

 

[kaichu dento]

Reading through the description of what you want to use the light for, I'd highly suggest taking a look at the Surefire E1L and E1B. They're essentially the same light, with a couple differences! :duh2:

They both have to output levels which toggle back and forth, but the E1B always starts on high, and the E1L always starts on low. You wanted two output levels and bulletproof, and here they are.

Two reasons I'd choose the E1L are that if I want more output I don't mind seeing low first, but if I want low, I don't want a blast of high preceding it. The other reason is the excellent knurling on the E1L body, while the E1B has a slippery body design.

Since you've already joined here, go ahead and join the MarketPlace too and put up a WTB (want to buy) ad for an E1L and you'll probably have one within the week. I'd have one for you but I just sold my last spare a little while back.

 

[Erzengel]

Single Cr123 lights, like The Surefire E1-Series or the Sunwayman V10R are very small for the usually rather large hands of farmers. For spotting something at 150 meters, You need a light with a bigger reflector than the ordinary two cell lights. 450 Lumens are enough light, IF the reflector is large enough. Even 1000 Lumen won't reach that far, if the reflector is too small. A white cow would still reflect enough light to spot it with a Jetbeam RRT-2, Sunwayman V20 or similar lights. The lights wit a larger reflector, like Jetbeam RRT-15, Fenix TK34, Eagletac M3C4 and others are usually not very comfortable for belt EDC.
If belt EDC is more important than throw (spotting range), get a Jetbeam RRT-2x, Sunwayman x20, A Surefire G2X Pro/6PX Pro or a Malkoff MD2 with the two stage ring. The Surefire G2X and 6PX are not very expensive, the 15 Lumen low should be enough for close up work and the 200 Lumen high is enough for general work. If You want to use rechargeables, get the Malkoff and use it with 18650s. If throw is more important, than Belt EDC, get a light with two 18650s/4Cr123s in parallel configuration. It can be carried in a jacket pocket and also on a belt (if needed).

 

[oldblu]

So doing more looking I think I've found a couple lights that I really like and need a choice on reliability and real world lumen comparison.
The two are the olight m20x and the Sunwayman t20cs.
I liked the m21x until saw the how the switch worked. The m20x lacks some claimed lumen to the Sunwayman but saw screen shots and doesnt look much different, price isn't a factor. Main thing that's the deciding factor is durability.
I really appreciate everyone's recommendations just these two look like everything I was wanting and have nice options. Wasnt too fond of the switch operation of the Sunwayman until watch video of it and it's really simple compared to what it sounds. So let's hear the good bad ugly. Tia jared

 

[cummins4x4]

I would take the SWM over the Olight in a durability contest. If you check a bunch of the threads on here there have been issues with the tail caps on some of the Olights, YMMV :)

 

[FlashKat]

Look at the EagleTac G25C2.

 

[eh4]

Take a look at the Armytek Predator, if you don't mind learning to program it once.
I don't have one but by all accounting it's a great light. Neutral tint with the polished 'throw' reflector should make livestock and varmints show up pretty good at bean field distances.

 

[oldblu]

Gosh, guess throw it in the decision makin list as well... Thought I had all the brands covered but missed this for sure. Great suggestion.
So let the voting begin

 

[oldblu]

The eagle tac that is

 

[FlashKat]

What's even worse is that the Shot show is coming up, and there are going to be new releases coming out soon. You may want to wait to see if any new flashlights are going to be introduced this year.

Gosh, guess throw it in the decision makin list as well... Thought I had all the brands covered but missed this for sure. Great suggestion.
So let the voting begin

 

[spc smith]

I speak from personal experience with the Olight M20X:

Solid build, qaulity anodizing, EASY USER INTERFACE... by far and as an MP for all my uses, this light fit the bill. (not the M21X due to having to twist the head).. @t 500 ANSI approved lumens with solid throw, flood for such a small light. I havent had any problems with my olight M20X. And if you are to get a light, make sure to get it from a certified dealer of the light manufacturer due to tracking, shipping and reliability of purchase fit and finish. i recommend battery junction oldblu* Goodluck!