New EDC as upgrade from NDI (probably 2AA)

[okenobi]

To use the checklist, here are some pointers:

Buying online
Around £50/60 max (given how much cheaper everything is over there, probably about $50/60 I imagine)
Flashlight (if it fits in a Nitecore headband as well - bonus. But not a requirement.)
EDC size
LED (I'll come on to specifics in a minute)
Mass produced
Probably will feed it L91 primaries, as it needs to work in the Italian Alps from December 1st for the whole ski season. But if you have something that works great on another chemistry - enlighten me.
Lots of outdoor/camping use so 150-300 lumens please.
Throw/flood, I kinda want a bit of both. Can anyone offer comparisons to the NDI. That seems quite floody to me and the hotspot all but disappears beyond around 30 yards. Would like a little more than this maybe, but still floody too!
Runtime is important as I don't want to be tethered to a charger, but I guess this will also relate to chemistry used.
Durability is very important. I'm not an LEO or active service, but I want to approach that level if possible.
I really would like a tactical forward clicky, but something like the reverse clicky on the D25 would be ok. One-handed operation is a deal breaker.
I love the NDI UI and mostly use min and max. But being able to pick the perfect level for the task at hand is cool. I'd like a low mode that can be used for SHTF/reading/long runtimes but outside of that, I don't mind.
Type III HA please
A real pocket clip (screwed in, not snap on) would be lovely thanks!

I basically want to semi-retire my NDI to backup AA duty and floody short range use. (Although I may change my mind once it has a L91 in it). So I'm looking for something that will impress me today, like that did 3 years ago as my first "real" LED light. I think 2x L91 makes the most sense given the cold environment I spend several months in. I'd love an 18650 light for size and power combo, but it seems that they don't like the cold, or being fully discharged every time, so they're probably out. I want a decent mix of throw and flood and I'm intrigued by this comment in another thread:

Your L2D has a 1mm x 1mm die.
The XM-L has a 2mm x 2mm die.

The XM-L at 400 lumens produces the same hotspot brightness as a XP-E at 100 lumens. Just twice as big.
The XM-L at 400 lumens produces the 4X spill brightness as a XP-E at 100 lumens.
Battery life of the XM-L at 400 lumens is 1/4 that of the XP-E at 100 lumens.
The XP-G LED is halfway between the 2.

Is XP-G where it's at for my application? If so, does that limit the choices? The XM-L lights seem very bright, but if runtimes are a bit lower and there's less throw is the XP-G more similar to the R2 in my NDI (I'm not very good with all the Cree generations)? Seems to me that one floody short range light and one more powerful, slightly more throwy light is a good combo to have...

Thanks guys.

 

[okenobi]

Nobody....?

Have done a ton more research. I don't seem to be able to find many lights that are 2x AA running L91 primaries. Is this a voltage/regulation issue? If that's the case, am I gonna beat the NDI with a newer single AA light, coz most of the specs out there seem to say no. But there doesn't seem to be a ton of L91 users to look at posts from. Everybody here seems to run Lithium rechargeables or Eneloops.

Updated post-research shortlist:
The new Nitecore MH1A is interesting as you have a standard 14500 coming with it and therefore I assume it runs fine on L91s, but it's rather expensive for me really and won't tailstand.
Eagletac D25 of some kind seems to be THE thing to have for EDC around here and I really like the look of it, but not sure with battery combo would be best. I'm assuming again that the 2AA version with have issues with the modes etc. with 2x L91s?
Quark. Every search about 14500 I've done, the lego tube 1 x AA turbo seems to be where it's at, but it's an expensive light in standard 2xAA BEFORE you purchase another tube. Will the standard 2AA take 2xL91s?

Am I missing anything else?

Or do I just invest in a charger, some 14500s and L91s for my NDI and see loads more light out of that....?

 

[jorn]

Sound like the quark turbo aa is a nice light for you. There are some really cheap ones with the old logo at going gear.

 

[AFearlessBirdOfParadise]

If you want an updated NDI think about a Sunwayman V11R with AA extender, or a V20A (the 2xAA version). They are forward clicky with variable lumen control. The V11R will enable you to use a 123 or AA for 190 lumens, or lions for 500 lumens. You don't really get any more lumens with a V20A though, and I think most people would opt for a V11R w AA extender and just carry spare AAs with them if they need the run times.

I don't know if they will meet your durability requirements, and the clip is a snap on.

The M11R is like the V11R but it loses the clicky swich, complete variablity, but it has a screwed on clip.

 

[okenobi]

Thanks guys. Seems the 14500 market is really, really limited! The old logo Quarks are gone jorn, by the looks of it. And shipping from the States is probably gonna take too long.

I did have the Sunwayman with the extender on my radar, but it's nearly £70 which I just can't justify.

What I'm struggling to understand is how Nitecore managed to come up with a single AA light that takes every single chemistry, with the easiest UI in the world and reasonable build quality 4/5 years ago and so few people tried to match that innovation...??

Both the Sunwayman and the Quarks are good shouts, but are expensive for what they are (IMO) and required extra bits and bobs to take a 14500. I'm starting to wonder if I just go with a 2x AA light and throw Lithium primaries in it. After all, by the time you add the cost of a charger and decent 14500s, I could've bought another cheap light!

 

[Gunner12]

Not sure how much shipping would be, but would a Zebralight work? They don't have a forward clickie or reverse clickie (no momentary on), but I find the mode switching easy and the outputs well separated.

The up and coming SC52 can take 14500 and AA batteries, the current SC51 supposedly takes 14500 batteries, but it's not official (do at your own risk). The SC80 takes both AA, 14500, and CR123s. The SC52 does use a XM-L though from what I've read, so you'll get a wider beam.

The Sunwayman V10A and M10A are 1 AA lights, but they do cost a fair bit.

What kind of UI would you prefer?

 

[okenobi]

Not sure how much shipping would be, but would a Zebralight work? They don't have a forward clickie or reverse clickie (no momentary on), but I find the mode switching easy and the outputs well separated.

The up and coming SC52 can take 14500 and AA batteries, the current SC51 supposedly takes 14500 batteries, but it's not official (do at your own risk). The SC80 takes both AA, 14500, and CR123s. The SC52 does use a XM-L though from what I've read, so you'll get a wider beam.

The Sunwayman V10A and M10A are 1 AA lights, but they do cost a fair bit.

What kind of UI would you prefer?

I had read here about the SC52 and it does indeed seem to be the ultimate all rounder in 1x AA. But it's not available here yet, and it seems to be next week over there, so that's out. The light needs to be here before December, or it'll get left behind!

I would prefer a forward clicky, but if it comes with a low in the teens or maybe single digits I'd like it to be able to tailstand. I think the problem here is simply budget. I can't afford to stretch to the lights that will do what I want. So there's a compromise coming! Also, it seems that getting any current 1x AA light and just throwing a lithium primary in it won't get me much more performance than the NDI. Is that a fair comment, or am I missing some major advance in the single AA space??

With that in mind, what if I said:
Noticeably brighter than my NDI
2x L91, OR 1 x CR123 if that gets better power/life and isn't as dangerous as half of the threads from 2006/7 would have you believe...
Decent low mode for long runtime
Clicky of some kind, preferably forward, but will accept reverse or side switch if it tailstands
Cheap!

Where would that put things?
Nitecore EC1? (Max I want to spend realistically, but supposedly has great throw and is tiny)
Olight S10? (Too expensive really, but a lot of light, maybe too floody?)
Klarus XT1C? (I like the tactical vibe and power, but it's at the edge of my budget and runtime doesn't seem great)
Eagletac D25C/A2 (Either is attractively priced and seems to be universally regarded here)
Quark something (still lots of money in the various flavours, although arguably one of the best)

 

[AFearlessBirdOfParadise]

Okay I'll give it another shot.

A 2xAA with variable control that isn't a Sunwayman would be a Niteye Eye12. It can't tailstand, but will do 1-260lumens, has a screwed on clip, and should be ~50GBP.

The Eye10 is the same thing only in 123 format, but you lose the clicky.

Otherwise it's probably a Quark pro or tactical in whatever format you want as they are around 45-55GBP too.

 

[okenobi]

Thanks, but I can't seem to find Niteye to buy in the UK.

I've decided to order the Nitecore charger and a couple of 14500s to see how much more I can get out of my NDI first. If I still want more, I'll have the charger and I could always go for something in 18650...

Ordered some Lithium primaries as well, just for SHTF and in case the temperature drops below -17.