New EDC Light Recommendations.

[shane1]

I've been out of the flashlight game for a while and am in need of a new EDC light. Looking for a good all around light for EDC and hiking/walking. There are so many lights out now that it gets confusing so I figured I would get input from you fine folks. So far am am leaning towards these but I am open to other suggestions. Price limit is $150, but less is preferred. I am even open to two lights. One for edc and one for night walks.

Fenix PD35 V3
Fenix PD36 Tac
Fenix PD32 V2
Olight Warrior Mini 2
ThruNite TN12 Pro
ThruNite BSS V5
Acebeam EC35 Gen II
Whatever I am missing.

I've watched a ton of reviews and am still overwhelmed. What are your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks,

shane

 

[kerneldrop]

If you aren’t buying American made like Malkoff then don’t pay more than what a Convoy S2+ costs, which is $20.

 

[Stefano]

I've been out of the flashlight game for a while and am in need of a new EDC light. Looking for a good all around light for EDC and hiking/walking. There are so many lights out now that it gets confusing so I figured I would get input from you fine folks. So far am am leaning towards these but I am open to other suggestions. Price limit is $150, but less is preferred. I am even open to two lights. One for edc and one for night walks.

Fenix PD35 V3
Fenix PD36 Tac
Fenix PD32 V2
Olight Warrior Mini 2
ThruNite TN12 Pro
ThruNite BSS V5
Acebeam EC35 Gen II
Whatever I am missing.

I've watched a ton of reviews and am still overwhelmed. What are your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks,

shane

For hiking/walking I would not take any of those Fenix models.
PD35V3/PD32V2 you mentioned are lights that have a tendency to throw, personally I don't see well for hiking a light with those characteristics unless it is paired with a headlamp that illuminates the one near you well.
I have the PD36 TAC which for hiking could be good because it has a very wide beam but it disappoints me for the very cold tint on the low levels.
The tint of my specimen is acceptable from 1000 lumens upwards.

But as far as I know all the PD36 TACs are with a very cold tint, too bad, with a 5000K tint it would be very good for walking in a forest.

A few nights ago I lit up with the PD36 TAC a herd of wildboars located on a hill, some people took many seconds to see them because with the cold/bluish light they could not distinguish the wild boars in the green meadow.
The 3000 lumens level is usable only for about a minute, then the flashlight drops in power and becomes hot, the 2000 lumens level is much more manageable.

For walking I prefer the Fenix PD36R which has a very balanced beam between throw and flood and the advantage of external charging - I often use the PD36R along with the HM61R model (they have a similar tint and combine well)

I like the PD36R very much in my opinion the light levels are well spaced, the 800 lumens level is a very good compromise of brightness, autonomy and heat - the Turbo level can be maintained long enough before dropping significantly (there are graphs in various reviews)

 

[shane1]

Thank you Stefano.

@kerneldrop - I looked at the Malkoffs and they dont seem to be as bright on paper. Which do you recommend?

 

[fulee9999]

they dont seem to be as bright on paper

well yes and no... just for an example ( all the other are the same, so no point going through all of them ) the Fenix PD35 V3 is advertised as a 1700 lumen flashlight, while the Malkoff M61 drop-in is advertised as a 450 lumen light engine.
However. In reality, the Fenix will peak at around 1700 and drop to around 500 lumens actual and then bounce around the heat regulation trying not to fry itself:

( source: 1lumen )

While the Malkoff M61 will open at around 400 lumens and just stay there comfortably, reliably, without having to throttle or adjust itself constantly in order not to burn out:

( source: INFRNL )

So yes, other lights might sound a lot brighter, and they may be for a few seconds, but if you want sustained output and a reliable flashlight you buy Malkoff.

Edit: thumbnails

 

[Charlie Hustle]

Zebralight SC700d 21700 XHP70.2 Neutral White High CRI

 

[kerneldrop]

Thank you Stefano.

@kerneldrop - I looked at the Malkoffs and they dont seem to be as bright on paper. Which do you recommend?

@fulee9999 explained it.

So lumens is just a fancy way of saying "heat and energy being converted to light".
So to put it in redneck logic...the more bright the more heat, less runtime, less durability.
Don't get too carried way with lumens. One, because you can't trust them, two, because you don't want the heat.
You want dependability and conservative output maximizing runtime.

I always encourage buying Malkoff. However, you have excellent options below should you not wish to spend the money. That way you get back in the flashlight game and then you can step into a Malkoff if or when the want and money allow.

It takes a special import for me to spend more than what I can on a Convoy/Sofrin/Fireflies. The only one I can think of right now is a Jetbeam RRT01.

I strongly prefer tailswitch only. I don't care for side switches.

The 1 Fireflies + 2 Convoys below are what I recommend for you:

Get this AA/14500 Fireflies Stainless Steel EDC: $21.00 SST20

Stainless Steel AA

Get this for AA/14500 EDC: $16 (519A 4500K)

15.52US $ |Convoy T3 Flashlight ,high Cri, Aa 14500 Flashlight, 219b 219c - Flashlights & Torches - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Get this 21700 for walking around at night: $24 (B35AM high CRI high output LED)

22.98US $ |Convoy S21b With Sst40 Xhp50.2 519a B35am , Temperature Protection,21700 Flashlight,with 21700 Battery Inside - Flashlights & Torches - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

2 pocket clips: $3

2.02US $ |Flashlight Waist Clip ,stainless Steel Clip ,for New C8,m2,s3 - Portable Lighting Accessories - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Here is the most recent import I purchased for myself and to mod for a friend:

56.52US $ 47% OFF|Jetbeam Rrt01 Cree Xpl Led Stepless Dimming Tactical Flashlight Hiking Exploration Torch Light With Mirco Usb 18350 Battery - Flashlights & Torches - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[kerneldrop]

And can't forget about Sofrin with the cool Anduril 2 interface that gets bright by just holding down the button.

sofirn

all sofirn products

www.sofirnlight.com

 

[shane1]

Thank you all, I appreciate it.

 

[67RS/SSx2]

I like the Fenix PD40R V2. I do not like confusing UIs that are different from one light to another. I really like the mechanical rotary switch. Has plenty of lumens to light up my 1 acre yard yet can be used inside the house on the low setting. I like it so much I bought two!

 

[3_gun]

Really not enough info from the OP. Open trails or heavy brush? Wildlife an issue? How long & fast of a hike? Runtime an issue? CRI an issue or you just need light? Hands free/head-body light? Four season/all weather?

The E35v3 is a good GP light w/good run times, weather proof, 3k/L turbo & OK CRI not great but OK BUT it's a bit large for most to EDC.

A Sofirn D25L headlight lets you go hands free with good color & run times from a 18650 w/a low of 70L + turbo over 1k/L. Coverage is good for a walk with the lower levels reaching out 25yd'ish & turbo doubling that easily. They also have a HD with red light output for low light + night vision protection.

For EDC Sofirn also makes the SP10v3 with takes either AA or 14500 batteries, has a ML of 1L, turbo of 1k/L, good run times off turbo + a magnetic tail cap for hands free use. You can pick temp & CRI based on your likes.

Plus both Sofirns will cost less than the E35v3.
(Note: I own all 3 of these lights & use'm often)

 

[shane1]

Question regarding the Elzetta Bones…..Is it a single output? No hi/low?

 

[fulee9999]

Question regarding the Elzetta Bones…..Is it a single output? No hi/low?

no, but the md2 turnkey has hi/lo:

M61 High/Low Switch MD2 Flashlight – Malkoff Devices

Black Type III Hard Anodized Malkoff MD2 Flashlight with Malkoff M61 (450 Measured Out the Front Lumens), and High/Low Switch installed and ready to go. The High/Low is controlled by head rotation. The On/Off switch is a forward clicky with momentary function. Save up to 7%! Compared to...

malkoffdevices.com

or if you want more power you could get a hound dog, it has two modes as well

Malkoff Cool Turn Key Hound Dog 18650 XT V2 Flashlight – Malkoff Devices

This flashlight is all about throw. It has a tightly focused beam with a reasonable spill. The output is approximately 800 measured Out the Front lumens on high and 50 OTF lumens on low. The High/Low is controlled by head rotation. The On/Off switch is a forward clicky with momentary...

malkoffdevices.com

or get an Elzetta B133

https://elzetta.com/product/b133/

or maybe even a SureFire edcl2t

 

[kerneldrop]

Guy on Flashlight Fanatic FB page is selling a 16650 and 16340 + SST20 LMH head for $120.

That would be a very nice do-all option.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

@shane1 I sent you a few PMs.

 

[Eicca]

Fenix LD30.

 

[SYZYGY]

zebralight all the way. in my mind, it's not even close.

EDC:
sc64c le

https://www.zebralight.com/SC64c-LE-18650-4000K-High-CRI-Flashlight-Limited-Edition_p_239.html

night walks:
sc700d

https://www.zebralight.com/SC700d-21700-XHP702-Neutral-White-High-CRI-Flashlight_p_233.html

head lamp:
h600c

https://www.zebralight.com/H600c-Mk-IV-18650-XHP502-4000K-High-CRI-Headlamp_p_235.html

i'd get the edc and head lamp options first. get night walk later if you want.

 

[fulee9999]

zebralight all the way. in my mind, it's not even close.

EDC:
sc64c le

https://www.zebralight.com/SC64c-LE-18650-4000K-High-CRI-Flashlight-Limited-Edition_p_239.html

night walks:
sc700d

https://www.zebralight.com/SC700d-21700-XHP702-Neutral-White-High-CRI-Flashlight_p_233.html

head lamp:
h600c

https://www.zebralight.com/H600c-Mk-IV-18650-XHP502-4000K-High-CRI-Headlamp_p_235.html

i'd get the edc and head lamp options first. get night walk later if you want.

slightly off-topic, but does ZL have actual high CRI lights as well? like SST20 or Nichia or the sort..? Or can you emitter swap it?
I'd be mildly interested in a sc64, but only if I can use it with some proper color rendering

 

[kerneldrop]

Or can you emitter swap it?
I'd be mildly interested in a sc64, but only if I can use it with some proper color rendering

Yes you can definitely emitter swap. You will have cosmetic marks, but those are just beauty marks needed to make that light beautiful again. The bezels are press fit and must be removed to get to the mcpcb. You must reuse Zebra’s mcpcb bc of all the electronic gadgetry.

Reflowing the emitter will be easier using a hot air station since the mcpcb has several other electrical components mounted on the board.

I’m sure Zebralight is great, but $80 for a light I can recreate for $20 is a hard sell. If I’m using an eswitch it’ll have Anduril 2.0 on it.

 

[shane1]

Really not enough info from the OP. Open trails or heavy brush? Wildlife an issue? How long & fast of a hike? Runtime an issue? CRI an issue or you just need light? Hands free/head-body light? Four season/all weather?

Mostly open trails and wildlife can be an issue in the Northeast USA. Walk at fairly fast pace for 1 hour. CRI is not super important but would be nice if it does not negatively affect brightness too much. I have a headlamp, looking for hand held. All weather.

The E35v3 is a good GP light w/good run times, weather proof, 3k/L turbo & OK CRI not great but OK BUT it's a bit large for most to EDC.

A Sofirn D25L headlight lets you go hands free with good color & run times from a 18650 w/a low of 70L + turbo over 1k/L. Coverage is good for a walk with the lower levels reaching out 25yd'ish & turbo doubling that easily. They also have a HD with red light output for low light + night vision protection.

For EDC Sofirn also makes the SP10v3 with takes either AA or 14500 batteries, has a ML of 1L, turbo of 1k/L, good run times off turbo + a magnetic tail cap for hands free use. You can pick temp & CRI based on your likes.

Plus both Sofirns will cost less than the E35v3.
(Note: I own all 3 of these lights & use'm often)

Thank you.